Week of Welcome 2026 Please note: Children are the responsibility of the guardian. Our WOW events are not drop off events . Please note: Photos and videos will be taken to celebrate the event and may be used for future HCOS communication. If you don't want your families picture taken, please speak with a staff member on site. Click the link for your region or scroll down. Interior Lower Mainland North Island Interior Salmon Arm Date: Thursday, September 10th 2026 Time: 1 to 3 pm Address: Black Burn Park, 480 5th Avenue SW, Salmon Arm Parking: There is lots of parking around the park  Event: Your Interior RA's, Joanna Cann, and local teachers will be bringing pizza to Black Burn Park. Come join us for pizza and a play.   Bring:  Bring a water bottle and any snacks you would enjoy.  The waterpark may be open so bring a swimsuit and towel too!  Vernon Date: Friday, September 11th 2026 Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm Address: Paddlewheel Park (7815 Okanagan Landing Rd, Vernon) Parking: Lots of parking Event: We encourage families come enjoy a park afternoon with our teachers and meet other families. The teachers will have a cool sweet treat to share. Bring:   Bring something to sit on, afternoon snacks and dress for the weather including sun protection.  While the water may be tempting, our event is limited to the grass area and playground. Kelowna Date: Friday, September 11th 2026 Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Address: Ben Lee Park, 900 Houghton Rd, Kelowna Parking: At the park and side streets Event: We welcome families to join us for a picnic in the park and some teacher led activities. Look for the HCOS flag!  Bring:  Your picnic lunch, something to sit on and dress for the weather.  Trail Date: Wednesday, September 16th 2026 Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Address: Gyro Park, 34 Park Rd, Trail, BC. Meet us by the playground. We'll be set up by the HCOS flag. Parking: Event: C onnect as a community through conversations, play and teacher led activities. Our team will have some treats to share too! Bring: P icnic lunch Sparwood Date: Thursday, September 17th 2026 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Address: Start at Titan Truck (141 A Aspen Dr) and end at Lions Park (367 Pine Ave) Parking: Event: Join us for a walkabout and picnic. Led by our teachers, we will be explorers on a scavenger hunt starting at Titan Truck (141 A Aspen Dr) and ending for a picnic lunch at Lions Park (367 Pine Ave) next to the spray park. Our team will have a little treat to share too! Bring: Y our lunch, something to sit on and dress for walk and spray park. If the weather is sunny and warm maybe we'll have some fun playing in the spray park! So kids bring your sun protection, towel and bathing suit. Cache Creek Date: Thursday, September 17th 2026 Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm Address: Cache Creek Recreational Park, 1500 Quartz Road, Cache Creek Parking: Event: Come join HCOS teachers for a park meet-up! We will have parachute and other games plus an ice cream treat for everyone. Bring: Cranbrook Date: Friday, September 18th 2026 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Address: Wycliffe Park, 1200 Perry Creek Rd. Area 4 is the planned meeting spot (see map). Meet us under the white tent and close to the covered picnic tables. Meet us at the HCOS flag! Parking: Event: C onnect as a community through conversations, park games and teacher lead activities including a little hike to the creek to see the salmon spawning.  Bring: P icnic lunch and lawn games Kamloops Date: Friday, September 18th 2026 Time: 1 to 3 pm Address: MacArthur Island Park, 1655 Island Pkwy, Kamloops, BC. Meet at the picnic shelter near the playground and disc golf area. Parking: Event: Meet for a time of connection with HCOS teachers and families. Enjoy good conversation, a fun craft, and a sweet treat together! Bring: Penticton Date:  Time: Address:  Parking: Event:  Bring: Lower Mainland Cultus Lake Date: Monday, September 14th 2026 Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm Address: Entrance Bay Day use area at Cultus Lake (3179 Columbia Valley Hwy, Chilliwack) Parking: P layground end of the parking lot Event: P icnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families Bring: S occer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks. Richmond Date: Wednesday, September 9th 2026 Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm Address: King George/Cambie Community Park at 4160 No. 5 Road, Richmond Parking: M eet near the playground Event: P icnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families Bring: S occer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks. Langley Date: Friday, September 11th 2026 Time: 10 am to 1:30 pm Address: Walnut Grove Community Park at 8919 Walnut Grove Drive Parking: F ar end of the parking lot, to meet at the shelter on the west side Event: P icnic style with introductions and hanging out and meeting HCOS teachers and families Bring: S occer balls, frisbees, etc. If you want to stay for a picnic, feel free to bring your own food. We'll be providing some drinks and snacks. Sunshine Coast Date: Saturday, September 26th 2026 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Address: Porpoise Bay Provincial Campground, 6451 Sechelt Inlt Rd, Sechelt, BC V7Z 0L2 Parking: Event: Hang out, visit, and share a potluck lunch. Bring: S occer balls, frisbees, etc. North Prince George Date: Thursday, September 10th 2026 Time: 12 to 2 pm Address: Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park: 17th Ave, Prince George, BC Parking: By The Exploration Place - Meet at the Picnic Shelter  Event: Come hang out, play games, and meet other home learners! A snack will be provided. Bring: Clothes for the weather and a picnic lunch if wanted! Fort St John  Date: Monday, September 14th 2026 Time: 10 am to 12:30 pm Address: Beatton Provincial Park, 248 Rd, Charlie Lake, BC V0C 1H0 Parking: Picnic Area Parking Event:  Bring: Clothes for the weather, water bottles, your Own Picnic Lunch: Drink and Dessert Provided!  Williams Lake Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026 Time: 10 to 11:30 am Address: Scout Island Nature Reserve - 1305A Borland Rd, Williams Lake BC Parking: Plenty available Event: Frisbee golf and rock painting. A snack will be provided. Bring: Clothes for the weather 100 Mile House Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026 Time: 1:30 to 3 pm Address: Centennial Park, 105 Evergreen Crescent, 100 Mile House BC Parking: Plenty available Event: Play, Connect and Snack (Snack provided)!  Bring: Clothes for the weather and play. Water bottle.  Terrace  Date: Friday, September 18th 2026 Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Address: Thornhill Tree Park 3630 Aspen Ave, Kitimat-Stikine E, BC V8G 5A9 Parking: Plenty available Event: Connect, Play at the Park and Snack. A Snack will be provided. Bring: Clothes for the weather. Smithers / Telkwa  Date: Tuesday, September 15th 2026 Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm Address: Tyhee Lake Park picnic shelter a 5640 Tyhee Rd, Telkwa BC Parking: Plenty available Event: Play and Connect. Drop in for snacks, lake play (with parent supervision), and conversation with fellow local HCOS families. A snack will be provided. Bring: Clothes for the weather (Bring a picnic lunch for after if the weather is nice!) Island Parksville Date: Wednesday, September 9th 2026 Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm Address: Parksville Community Park, 193 Island Hwy E, Parksville (see map). Look for the HCOS signs. Parking: Easy access and plenty of parking available Event: Join us for a fun afternoon at the beach! This is a great opportunity to meet other home learners and local teachers as we kick off the new school year. We’ll also be hosting a sandcastle contest—all ages welcome to participate. Snacks will be provided. Bring: Chair or blanket to sit on. Sandcastle building tools. Miracle Beach Date: Friday, September 11th 2026 Time: 10 am to 12 pm Address: Miracle Beach Provincial Park, 1720 Miracle Beach Dr, Black Creek. Meet at the Picnic Shelter (see map) Parking: Event: Wide games, Lego Table, snacks! We will once again host a Curriculum Swap. Please feel free to bring resources to swap or give away and take some new resources home!  Bring: Clothes for the weather and water bottles. Resources. Victoria Date: Tuesday, September 15th Time: 10:30 am to 12 pm Address: Beckwith Park, 857 Beckwith Ave, Victoria, BC V8X 3S3 Parking: Event: Join us to kick off the school year in community as you meet up with HCOS teachers, staff and other home educating families for a Week of Welcome with snacks, games and park play. Bring: Powell River Date: Wednesday, September 16th 2026 Time: 2 to 4 pm Address: Willingdon Beach Park, 4845 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 1V4 Parking: At the beach Event: Join us for an afternoon of family games, fun, and meeting other HCOS families.  Bring:  The whole family, a snack to share, folding chairs for adults and a picnic blanket for kids.  RSVP: Please e mail ingrid.devilliers@onlineschool.ca by September 11th to register.