Call it a wish list, bucket list, or a “I must camp there again” list but I’ve been eyeing the BC Provincial Parks website lately and my urge to unroll my sleeping bag and toast s’mores by a campfire has been rising. When I was young we used to go on a week-long camping trip every single summer and by the time I was 10 I could name more BC Parks campgrounds than I could streets in Downtown Vancouver.

With the reservation system up and running for the summer, and the evergreens calling, I have put together a list of 10 BC Parks to Visit For Camping Season:

1. Wells Grey

Helmcken Falls at Wells Grey Provincial Park. Photo credit: et_al_ on Flickr

The farthest from Vancouver, I had to include Wells Grey even though I haven’t been there in 20 years. With 540,000 hectares in the Cariboo Mountains it has volcanoes, waterfalls, mineral springs and glaciers. It has something to offer every outdoor interest: lush alpine meadows, excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities; hiking for every ability, ranging from a few minutes on a level trail to many days with a map and compass; boating, canoeing and kayaking.

2. Birkenhead Lake

Photo credit: Ryan Van Veen on Flickr

The park was expanded by 684 hectares in 2008 to include more of the alpine headwaters of the western side of the Sockeye Creek watershed. The park protects important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including spotted owls, mountain goats, black bears and grizzly bears. Old growth forests, subalpine and alpine environments, large and small lakes all contribute to the park’s diversity.

3. Alice Lake

Photo credit: James Wheeler on Flickr

A favourite family park along the Sea to Sky, Alice Lake is surrounded by towering mountains, dense forests and grassy areas. There are four fresh water lakes that dominate the landscape and make swimming and fishing very enjoyable pastimes. The trail around Alice Lake is a popular one for an evening stroll and for the more adventurous there is the Four Lakes Trail.

4. Moyie Lake Provincial Park

Photo credit: Calypso Orchid on Flickr

Located 20 kilometres south of Cranbrook off Highway 3/95, Moyie Lake Park day-use area, boat launch and 111 site campground provides the only public access to the deep blue mountain waters of Moyie Lake. This vacation friendly park features 1300 metres of developed sandy beach backed by a large grassy area. Swimming, wind surfing, sailing, boating, wildlife and bird viewing along with an adventure playground and hot showers are on site.

5. Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Photo credit: kleinmantara on Flickr

Located on the waterfront midway between Courtenay and Campbell River, a broad sandy beach on the ocean is the main attraction at Miracle Beach, which also features spacious private campsites, group camping facilities, a playground for the kids, hot showers, a large picnic area overlooking the water and a series of lovely trails winding through lush forest. At low tide, the beach features rich tide pools, perfect for observing a variety of marine life.

6. China Beach/Juan de Fuca

Photo credit: lux_288 on Flickr

China Beach Campground is a part of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, which follows 47 kilometres of wilderness stretching along the western shoreline of the southern Island. The China Beach campground is just off Highway 14 and features amazing beaches and day use areas a short 1km hike away.

7. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Photo credit: Glendon Rolston on Flickr

We talk a lot about sunsets on the west coast but in Parksville on Vancouver Island, particularly at Rathtrevor Beach, you’ll wake up to spectacular sunrises. The park features majestic old growth trees and an inviting, wide sandy beach with campsites nestled amongst mature Douglas fir trees. At low tide the ocean recedes almost a kilometre, providing an ideal place for visitors of all ages to play in the sand and explore the shoreline. When the tide rolls in over the sun-baked sand, the warmed water is unbeatable for swimming and salt water fun.

8. Porpoise Bay

Photo credit: Ken McMillan on Flickr

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast offers many opportunities for coastal fun and is a favourite family park. This park is characterized by second-growth forest, open grassy areas and sandy beaches, and is an excellent base camp for paddlers exploring the Sechelt Inlet.

9. Shuswap Lake Provincial Park

Photo credit: Chris Hutchcroft on Flickr

A very popular destination, the park operates at capacity from early July to Labour Day (early September). Situated on the old delta of Scotch Creek, it has one kilometre of sandy, pebble beach, and includes the whole of Copper Island. The park also offers a large grassy play area, an adventure playground, a large boat launch, and a self-guiding nature trail. Supplies, groceries, and many recreational opportunities including bumper boats, mini-golf driving range, go-carts, para-sailing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, boat and jet-ski rentals are offered by near-by businesses.

10. Saltery Bay

Photo credit: Milestone Rides on Flickr

Lush forests with large, old trees create a quiet setting for the campground at Mermaid Cove. At low tide, the rocky shoreline often has tidal pools with starfish, sea urchins, small fish and crabs. Scuba diving provides a close-up look at the abundant marine life and a 3-metre bronze mermaid statue. From the shore, orcas and sea lions can sometimes be seen.

If you’re looking to stay close to home, here are the closest BC Parks available for camping, within a 90 minute drive of Vancouver: Sasquatch Park; Golden Ears; Cultus Lake; Rolley Lake; Porteau Cove; Alice Lake.

You can read about more camping locations (from all parks services) in this post, and click here to find out about camping in north west Washington State.

The Fort Langley Community Hall might not be located in Vancouver, but with its countless television and film appearances, and being a popular venue for events and gatherings throughout all seasons, it’s today’s (Greater) Vancouver Icons photo feature:

Located at 9167 Glover Road, the Fort Langley Community Hall has been used in shows like Once Upon at Time, Bates Motel, Fringe, Supernatural, Riverdale, motion pictures, TV movies, and commercials.

It was designed by architect Archibald Campbell Hope and built in 1931. The Fort Langley Community Improvement Society was founded by the Fort Langley Women’s Institute in 1924, in order to build the community hall.

1931: Community Hall still under construction. Langley Centennial Museum Object ID 0932.

1931: Langley Centennial Museum Object ID 1175.

The hall is maintained by a volunteer Board of Directors and is used as an event space, wedding venue, and for the Fort Langley Library. Inside its elegant ballroom is party space, complete with a stage and a horse hair sprung wooden ballroom floor hosted its inaugural ball in March of 1931.

Photo credit: v chung on Flickr

A post shared by Real Weddings Magazine (@realweddings) on Mar 6, 2016 at 5:38pm PST

Photo credit: Rachel Patterson on Flickr

Photo credit: Kalev Hunt on Flickr

Photo credit: Ramjheetun on Flickr

Photo credit: Andrew on Flickr

Other Vancouver Icons posts: Christ Church Cathedral, Waterfront Station, Pacific Central Station, Randall Building Mural, East Van Cross, Robert Burns Statue in Stanley Park, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Flack Block, The Drop, Prospect Point Lighthouse, Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.

Presented by Honda:
Honda Happiness Contest
The Honda Happiness social media contest is running now through to Sunday, May 10, 2015. Honda wants to take you to your happy place in BC, so they’re inviting you to tell everyone about it on Twitter for a chance to win $1,000 to get you there.

• Post on Twitter account about your happy place in BC
• Include #HondaHappiness in the post
• Follow @HondaCanada on Twitter

Here is a sample tweet that you can complete and post:
“_____________ is my Happy Place in BC because ____________ #HondaHappiness”

My Happy Place

I think I’ve literally used the words “Happy Place” every single time I have described Salt Spring Island ever since John and I first visited together in 2008 and fell head over heels in love with this beautiful gulf island.

We’ve spent summer and winter weekends there ever since, at Hastings House, during the Glowtini or Chefs Across the Water event, or exploring Ruckle Park.

The island has peaceful pastures and lush, mossy forests, as well as mountain peaks, beaches, markets, farms, and the friendliest (and most creative) people you’ll meet. We’ll spend an entire day going for a hike, visiting the market, stopping by the craft brewery, then relaxing in front of the fireplace in our hillside room above the harbour, where light from the sunset dances around twisted arbutus trees. Salt Spring Island is definitely our happy place in BC, what’s yours?

Happiness comes with a Honda!

Where’s your happy place in BC? The local mountains? The big hockey game with your family? Or your yoga studio at sunrise? Tell us about yours on Twitter and share a photo if you like! You’ll be entered for a chance to WIN $1,000 towards your happy place. Just make sure you include #hondahappiness and follow @hondacanada. Contest runs April 17 – May 10, 2015. For full contest details visit: http://my-honda.ca/happiness.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards are coming up on Tuesday, May 26th, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and voting is now open for the 6th annual Connecting the Community Award, presented by Scotiabank.

Vote Now for Connecting the Community Award

In addition to the category in which she was nominated, all individual finalists are eligible for a 12th category called Connecting the Community. This award provides an opportunity for Women of Distinction finalists to gain recognition through social media, as well as raises awareness for YWCA Metro Vancouver’s programs. The recipient of this award will be determined via on-line vote. Each finalist selects a YWCA program area that she identifies the most with and submits a quote as to why. Click here to read about the finalists, the YWCA programs they have chosen, and to vote.

Voting ends on May 15th at noon. The nominee with the most votes will receive the Connecting the Community Award. The recipient will be announced at the Awards event on May 26th and Scotiabank will donate $10,000 to her chosen YWCA program area in her honour.

YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Nominees

Congratulations to all of the nominees in the following categories:

Get Your Tickets

The 32nd Annual Women of Distinction Awards is 75% sold out! Join YWCA Metro Vancouver on May 26th to pay tribute to the inspiring finalists and to celebrate our Women of Distinction Awards recipients.

Early Bird/Until April 26: $225 per person
As of April 27: $250 per person (10 seats per table)
Order online or call (604) 895-5768

Follow the YWCA of Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information along with the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards @YWVanWODA on Twitter. And be sure to VOTE for the women you would like to see receive the Connecting the Community Award.

YWCA Metro Vancouver is dedicated to achieving women’s equality. Their mission is to touch lives and build better futures for women and their families through advocacy and integrated services that foster economic independence, wellness and equal opportunities.

Vancity Member Day is coming up at Science World, where members can get great deals on admission and enjoy Green Month programming.

Vancity Member Day at Science World

In celebration of Earth Day (on April 22nd) the first 422 Vancity members to visit Science World on Vancity Member Day on Saturday, May 2 will get in for free. Additional members and their guests will receive 50% off admission (savings of $11.25 for adults).

Where Science World (1455 Quebec St, Vancouver)
When Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 9:30 am to 6:00pm
Admission Simply present your Vancity MEMBER CARD® debit card or Vancity enviro™ Visa (your guest does not have to be a member).

Vancity Member Day is part of Green Month at Science World from April 22, 2015 to May 22, 2015, featuring exhibits and activities that celebrate environmental awareness in a fun and interactive way.

Green Month at Science World (presented by Vancity) is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about creating a sustainable future in a fun and interactive way. Vancity’s community partners will also be sharing their work and commitment to sustainability initiatives on May 2nd outside Science World including:

• Free bike tune-ups provided by Pedal Energy Development Alternative
• Free bike valet provided by BEST Bicycle Valet
• Free recycling drop-off stations for hard-to-recycle items (ex. Batteries, cell phones, light bulbs and electronic toys) provided by Green Chair Recycling.

RSVP for the event on Facebook and make a plan to take the family to Science World on May 2nd to join in the fun.

Win a Prize Pack

To celebrate Vancity Member Day at Science World, I have prize pack (valued at $300) to give away that includes:

EXPLORE: 1 Family Day pass to Science World – 2 adults, 2 children
ENJOY: Vancity swag pack (travel mug, lunch tote, glass water bottle, Just Potters mug)
EAT: Choice of one Salad Box (Summer Box) from Fresh Roots ($150 value) or one Beasty Box from Urban Digs Farm ($175 value)

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Follow Vancity on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Update The winner is Marisa P!