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Week of Welcome 2026


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Trail
  • Date: SeptWednesday, 12,2025September 16th 2026
  • Time: 1-3pm
  • Address: 234 Park Rd, Trail, BC 
  • Parking:  Easy access to the park
  • Event: Come join us at the water park/playground for an opportunity to meet other home educating families and local teachers. 
  • Bring: We welcome you to bring something to sit on and lawn games. 
Kamloops
  • Date: Friday, September 19th
  • Time: 1 to 3 pm
  • Address: MacArthur park playground, 1655 Island Pkwy, Kamloops, BC V2B 6Y9
  • Parking: Along the roadway right in front of the playground
  • Event: Disc golf, Mini golfing, Ice cream treats, and even more fall fun from your HCOS Kamloops teachers! 
  • Bring: Something to sit on: chair, blankets, umbrellas etc., snacks, drinks and water bottles, a putter and golf ball, if you have one.  
Cranbrook
  • Date: Wed, Sept 10
  • Time: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Address: Jimsmith Lake Park, Jim Smith Lake Rd, Cranbrook, BC V1C 6W1
  • Parking: https://bcparks.ca/jimsmith-lake-park/ --> Look for the HCOS signage for our meeting spot
  • Event: Come join us to celebrate the 25/26 school year! Our teachers will organize games and activities for students and parents!
  • Bring: Please bring a picnic and lawn chairs along with beach games/toys and sun protection.

Please note there will be no life guard on duty and swimming it not a planned activity during our WOW event.  Students and children are the responsibility of the attending guardian at all times. 

Salmon Arm
  • Date: Monday, September 8th
  • Time: 11:00 - 1:00
  • Address: Blackburn Park Picnic Shelter & Playground, 480 5 Ave SW, Salmon Arm   
  • Parking: On the road beside the park
  • Event: Salmon Arm Picnic and Play. Come meet HCOS families to kick off the year.
  • Bring: A picnic for your family. Chairs, blanket, lunch/snacks, water bottle, park toys.
Vernon
  • Date: Sept 11
  • Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm
  • Address: Paddle Wheel Park, 7815 Okanagan Landing Rd, Vernon, BC. Look for the HCOS signage for meeting spot.
  • Parking:  
  • Event: Come join us for smores and fellowship!  
  • Bring: A picnic with lawn chairs and lawn games

Please note: This is not a drop off event and all children are the responsibility the attending guardian.  There will be no lifeguard on site and no water activities will be planned.

Penticton
  • Date: Wed, Sept 24
  • Time: 3 to 5 pm
  • Address: S K A H A B E A C H , 3 7 9 8 P A R K V I E W S T , P E N T I C T O N , B C. We will meet on the beach at the fire pits by the natural playground and volleyball courts at the end of Parkview Street on Skaha Beach in Penticton. 
  • Parking:  
  • Event: 
  • Bring: If it is allowed, we will have a fire going so bring anything to roast and roasting sticks.

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Kelowna
  • Date: Sept 12
  • Time: 12 to 3 pm
  • Address: Mission Creek Park, 2363 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC. Look for the HCOS signage for our meeting spot.
  • Parking:  
  • Event: Come join us for a time of fellowship with your HCOS Community. We'll have some fun activities for students to enjoy like Capture the Flag, a seasonal craft, face painting and a boat race!
  • Bring: Your picnic, lawn chairs and lawn games

Please note: This is not a drop off event and all children are the responsibility the attending guardian.

Sparwood
  • Date: SeptThursday, 11September 17th 2026
  • Time: 11am-2pm
  • Address: Sparwood Rec Centre Field and Spray Park, 367 Pine Ave, Sparwood, BC
  • Parking:  
  • Event: Come join our HCOS community for some fun activities and fellowship!
  • Bring: A picnic lunch and lawn chairs. Remember to dress for the weather.  

Please note: this is not a drop off event and all children are the responsibility of the attending guardian.

Cache Creek
Cranbrook
  • Date: Friday, September 19th18th 2026
  • Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm 
  • Address: 1500 Quartz Rd, Cache Creek, BC V0K 1H0
  • Parking:  Easy access to the park
  • Event: Come join us at the gazebo/playground for an opportunity to meet other home educating families and our new local teacher.  We will have ice cream treats for the kids!  
  • Bring:  We welcome you to bring something to sit on. 

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Lower Mainland

RichmondCity
  • Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
  • Time: 10:00am-12:00pm 
  • Address: King George/Cambie Community Park at 4160 No. 5 Road, Richmond
  • 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 Event
  • Bring: Take a picnic and some games (eg. frisbees, soccer, spike ball, etc.) and enjoy meeting other homeschooling families
Cultus Lake
  • Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Address: Entrance Bay use area at Cultus Lake (3179 Columbia Valley Hwy, Chilliwack)
  • Parking: As shown on the map below

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  • 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 Event
  • Bring: Take a picnic and some games (eg. frisbees, soccer, spike ball, etc.) and enjoy meeting other homeschooling families

Swimming or other water sports are welcome with parent supervision

Langley
  • Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
  • Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Address: Walnut Grove Community Park at 8919 Walnut Grove Drive
  • Parking: As shown on the map below

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  • 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 Event
  • Bring: Take a picnic and some games (eg. frisbees, soccer, spike ball, etc.) and enjoy meeting other homeschooling families
Sechelt
  • Date: Saturday, September 20
  • Time: 3:00 - 5:30 pm
  • Address: Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, 6451 Sechelt Inlet Rd, Sechelt, BC V7Z 0C7  -> Meet at the picnic tables by the playground
  • Parking:
  • Event: Snack potluck, crafting/art table, disc golf putting challenge. We will also host a Curriculum Swap this year! Please feel free to bring resources to swap or give away.
  • Bring:  A snack to share, clothes for the weather and water bottles. Resources

North

Prince GeorgeCity
  • Date: Thursday, Sept 11
  • Time: 11 AM-1 PM 
  • Address: Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park:17th Ave, Prince George, BC
  • Parking: By The Exploration Place - Meet at the Picnic Shelter
  • Event: At 11:15, The Exploration Place will do an activity with us outside!
  • Bring:  Clothes for the weather and a picnic lunch if wanted! Snack will be provided. 
Fort St John 
  • Date: Monday, Sept 8 
  • Time: 10 AM-12:30 PM 
  • Address: Beatton Provincial Park, 12687 248 Rd V1J 4H5
  • Parking: Picnic Area Parking
  • Event: Connect, Play and Nature Journaling
  • Bring: Clothes for the weather and water bottles.  If wanted, bring Your own picnic lunch: Drink and Dessert Provided!
Williams Lake 
  • Date: Tuesday, Sept 16 
  • Time: 10-11:30 AM 
  • Address: Scout Island Nature Reserve - 1305A Borland Rd, Williams Lake BC
  • Parking: 
  • Event: Scavenger Hunt and Group Games 
  • Bring: Clothes for the weather, a snack will be provided (Bring a picnic lunch for after if the weather is nice!) 
100 Mile House
  • Date: Tuesday, Sept 16
  • Time: 1:30 - 3:30 PM
  • Address: Centennial Park, 105 Evergreen Crescent, 100 Mile House BC
  • Parking: 
  • Event: Play, Connect and Snack (Snack provided)! 
  • Bring: Clothes for the weather, Park activities/supplies
Smithers / Telkwa
  • Date: Tuesday, Sept 9
  • Time: 10 - 11:30 am
  • Address: Tyhee Lake Main Beach Picnic Shelter, 5640 Tyhee Rd, Telkwa BC V0J 2X1
  • Parking:  
  • Event: Play, Connect and Snack Provided!
  • Bring: Clothes for the weather, Park activities/supplies, water bottle.

There is no lifeguard on duty, and swimming is not a part of the HCOS event.

 

Island

Miracle BeachCity
  • Date: Friday, September 12th
  • Time: 10 am - 12 pm
  • Address: Miracle Beach Provincial Park, 1720 Miracle Beach Dr, Black Creek, BC V9J 1J5 --> Meet at the Picnic Shelter
  • Parking: 
  • Event: Wide games, Bubbles, Crafting/Art table, snacks. We will once again host a Curriculum Swap. Please feel free to bring resources to swap or give away.
  • Bring:  Clothes for the weather and water bottles. Resources.

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Parksville
  • Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
  • Time: : 1 - 3 pm
  • Address: Parksville Community Park, 193 Island Hwy E, Parksville, BC V9P 2H5
  • 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. Look for the HCOS signs.  Snacks will be provided.
  • Bring: Chair or blanket to sit on. Sandcastle building tools

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Victoria
  • Date:  September 11th
  • Time: 10:00-12:00
  • 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 Event with snacks, games, park play
  • Bring:
Powell River
  • Date:  September 12
  • Time: 1 - 3 pm
  • Address: Willingdon beach, 4845 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 5T3
  • Parking: 
  • Event: Playtime, Fellowship & Fun!
  • Bring:
  • Please RSVP to ingrid.devilliers@onlineschool.ca
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