Imprint, In Print
2025-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Vancouver) | Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd, Victoria, BC, V8X 3W, Canada
Design your very own nature-themed tote bag during this hands-on, evening workshop!
Participants are invited to learn how to identify the traces different plants and animals leave behind in their natural habitat. You will have the opportunity to decorate your very own tote bag using wax rubbings of natural materials found at the Nature Sanctuary.
Participants will join Nature Educators on a guided walk to learn about animal and human activity around the Nature House. Throughout this workshop, we will reflect on discuss what kinds of impacts humans leave on nature.
All materials, including the tote bags, will be supplied.
Where: Meet at the Teaching Shelter – Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
When: Tuesday, August 12th, 6:00 PM – 7:00PM
Who: All ages welcome; Please have any participants under 14 accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $15

Summer Discovery with our Explorer Packs
2025-08-13 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | Island View Beach, 3215 Island View Rd, Saanichton, BC, V8M 1W3, Canada
Join us to discover what’s inside our new Explorer Adventure Packs, featuring birds at the beach and seashore, along with all the cool things you can find.
When: July 23rd & August 13, 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 11 am
Where: Island View Beach

Email: ccrr@beacons.ca
Call: 250-216-3053

Stories in the Park
2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-08-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | Saxe Point Park, Victoria, BC, V9A 6G5, Canada
Join Esquimalt’s Recreation staff for story time in the park. We will be reading stories from Canadian authors followed by a themed activity. These stories are intended for children ages 2-5, but all are welcome.

~Meet at the flagpole~

July3rd – A Garden Called Home by Jessica J Lee & Elaine Chen
July 10th – This is a Tiny Fragile Snake by Nicholas Ruddock
July 17th – The only Lonely Fairy by Lana Button
July 24th – Lobster’s Vacation by Michelle Robinson
July 31st – Class Trip by Robert Munsch
Aug 7th – Super Small by Tiffany Stone
Aug 14th – Brave like the Buffalo by Melissa Allen
Aug 21st – A Bumblebee Sweater by Betty Waterton
Aug 28th – Emma at the Fair by Magriet Ruurs

Take part in our summer stories passport. Each week you attend you will receive a sticker!

VDRC - Art Group
2025-08-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Victoria Disability Resource Centre, 817A Fort Str., Victoria, BC, V8W 1H8, Canada
Our Art Group for persons with disabilities is going twice monthly this summer! Create a unique masterpiece with paints, markers or whatever helps express yourself!
We will provide supplies, including colouring books, canvases, felts, paint
When: July 18th, August 1st, and August 15th
Time: 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: 817A Fort Street

Special Woodstock 26th Year
2025-08-17 10:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd, North Cowichan, BC, V9L 5L6
Welcome to ‘Special Woodstock’
A Music Festival Like No Other!

“Special Woodstock” is a music festival that happens once a year on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada on the beautiful 140-acre property of
Providence Farm in Duncan, BC, Canada.
The date for this year’s event will be held on
Sunday, August 17, 2025
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The price?
Free!
No tickets are required, no entry fee.
How do we do it?
With help from The Lions Clubs of Vancouver Island and the surrounding Islands generous community businesses and YOU!
All donations, big and small add up to an amazing, heartwarming, inspiring Music Festival called
Special Woodstock
Join our Facebook Group to watch us live from all over the world.
Special Woodstock 2025
https://www.facebook.com/groups/238046300752413/
“Special Woodstock” was created to feature the artistic talents of people with disabilities alongside professional musicians on a community/world stage…
Founded in September 1999 by Shelley Vaags, who saw a need for a platform to be created to feature this incredible, courageous, inspiring,
and unique community of individuals.

Watch her documentary here to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc94YY4QyTk

Make Pinback Buttons
2025-08-19 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) | Victoria Disability Resource Centre, 817A Fort Str., Victoria, BC, V8W 1H8, Canada
Join us on Tuesday August 19th from 9:30-11:30am, for a fun peer activity: making pinback buttons! This will be held at the Victoria Disability Resource Centre, located at 817A Fort Street.
We will have pre-printed designs and the materials to make your own design. If you are bringing your own materials or designs, please make sure the dimensions range between 1-3 inches.
Register for the group at the following link: https://forms.gle/rfaMTSmcMQm44LXK7
If you have any questions or require any accommodation, please email recreation@drcvictoria.com.
Image Description: A poster for the Making Pinback Buttons workshop, with examples of button designs people can make. All relevant info is in the above post.

YOUth Showcase
2025-08-26 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Help Us Celebrate YOUth!
We are excited to be hosting our sixth annual Fed Family Summer Celebration, featuring our first YOUth Showcase:
Tues Aug 26, 2025, from 6:30 to 8PM.
Join us for an evening that celebrates the Fed’s amazing volunteers, 2-year members, and the accomplishments of our Fed Family.
Share Your Success
Are you a young person (ages 14-28) with care experience? Did you achieve a milestone recently? Send us your achievements to be celebrated during the YOUth Showcase!
We’ll be spotlighting achievements both big and small (e.g. receiving your first paycheck, buying a book you’ve wanted, learning to make a new dish, etc.). Submissions can be in written or visual format and the deadline to submit is August 22 at 9AM.

Family Day Block Party
2025-09-03 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Dr, Saanichton, BC, V8M 1W4, Canada
You’re invited to family day hosted by the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society. A dry (alcohol-free) event filled with laughter, connection, and fun for all ages! Free entry with can food donations!
When:
September 3, 2025
Time:
11 AM to 3 PM
Where:
7321 Lochside Dr. , Saanichton BC

Art Exploration for Grief and Loss
2025-09-04 18:00 - 2025-09-25 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 55 Activity Centre, 1201 Village Way, Squamish, BC, V8B 0R7, Canada
The Sea to Sky Hospice Society is running a 4-week Art Exploration group for grief and loss. This free program is a safe and inclusive space to experiment with art while processing a range of emotional responses to grief. There are 8 spots available.
Join volunteer Art Exploration facilitators Grace and Jani for four sessions as they help to “draw out” the expression of grief and loss through the use of mixed art materials. Participants will benefit from facilitated peer support and the opportunity to express grief without words, in this small group.
Registration is required. To register, please email Jody, Client Services Coordinator, at jody.kramer@seatoskyhospicesociety.ca
Location:
55+ Centre Art Room
1201 Village Green Way
Squamish, BC
Thursdays, September 4 to 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00pm

Let's Celebrate Grandparents
2025-09-07 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bring your blankets, folding chairs, and the whole family for a delightful day filled with fun, laughter, live music, games, delicious food, prizes and so much more!
Enjoy a delicious FREE meal from the Yo-Bones BBQ Food Truck (while supplies last). Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a musical performance from Burnaby’s favourite rock band, Rainshadow!

As well as…
Fun games and Activities
Live Music
Door Prizes
50/50 Prize Draw
Community Services Information Tables

September 7, 2025
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Ave
Vancouver, BC

RSVP TODAY!

Mental Wellness - Y Mind Teen (13-18) & Youth (18-30)
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Mental health challenges shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you love. Our programs help overcome barriers and get you on the right track to where you’d like to be.
Our free mental wellness programs, Y Mind and Mind Medicine, help participants learn how to manage stress and mild-to-moderate anxiety (individuals experiencing severe anxiety and stress that significantly impacts their ability to perform daily activities likely require more support than what Y Mind is intended to provide). Our programs are evidence-based and teach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.
To participate, you may self-refer, you do not need a diagnosis of anxiety, and you do not need to be a Y member.
Y MIND TEEN – AGES 13-18
Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of stress and worry to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to cope with stress. Y Mind Teen is led by trained mental health professionals and educators and gives teens the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Registration Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Westhills Y (Langford) and Downtown locations. If you are not able to attend these for any reason, both virtual and in person groups are available to those in other parts of BC and Vancouver Island. Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
The dates and times for our next information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown (location to be determined) on Tuesday September 16 and 23, 2025.
The group will run on Tuesdays October 7- November 25, 6-7:30 pm.

Westhills, 202-1314 Lakepoint Way on Wednesday September 24 and October 1st, 2025.
The group will run on Wednesdays October 15- November 26, 6-7:30 pm.

The registration process for Y Mind Teen includes attendance at an Information Session (either online or in person, depending on the site) and a brief intake meeting with one of our facilitators to determine if the group is a best fit for the teen.
REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

Y MIND YOUTH – AGES 18 – 30
The Y Mind Youth programs are delivered in person, in Victoria, at the Downtown Y on Broughton St. Online groups are available with enough interest or through our partner sites on Vancouver Island as well as other Y’s across BC.
If stress is impacting your life and preventing you from doing what you want or need to do, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. Y Mind Youth supports people ages 18-30 who are experiencing symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety/stress to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.

Registraton Information:
The Y Mind Groups are being offered in person at the Downtown Y in Victoria in Spring 2025 (depending on interest). Please contact us at mindfulness@vancouverislandy.ca so we can support you in accessing a group (either in person or virtual) in your area.
All participants must register and attend one of our virtual information sessions and a one-on-one intake to register for the program. The dates and times for our next Victoria information sessions and a registration link are below:
Downtown (location to be determined) on Tuesday September 16 and 23, 2025.
The group will run on Tuesdays October 7- November 25, 6-7:30 pm.

Westhills, 202-1314 Lakepoint Way on Wednesday September 24 and October 1st, 2025.
The group will run on Wednesdays October 15- November 26, 6-7:30 pm.

REGISTER ONLINE
*Expecting an email from the Y team… please ensure you check your junk email folders occasionally emails may be flagged as spam.

Healthy Boundaries
2025-09-16 18:30 - 2025-10-28 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Men’s Therapy Center, 301-3491 Saanich Rd., Victoria, BC, V8X 1W8, Canada
Learn to foster mutual respect and strengthen your family dynamic by setting effective boundaries in a single-parent household.

Drop-in Floor Hockey for Individuals with Diverse Abilities
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-24 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver) | SJ Willis High School, 923 Topaz Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8T 2M2, Canada

Celebrate Sidney Tree Day By Planting Trees With Friends
2025-09-20 09:45 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Brethour Park, Sidney, V8L 4X1, Canada
Details

We will be planting trees & removing invasive plants in Philip Brethour Park to increase the health of the ecosystem and celebrate Sidney Tree Day!
The Town of Sidney will also be providing free trees (including garry oak, pacific crabapple, red alder, & big leaf maple) for community members to take home!
We will be working rain or shine.
Want to sign up without using Meetup? email kaitlin@greenteamscanada.ca
WHY SIGN UP
You’ll:

Meet new people
Learn about local environmental issues
Improve your mental health in nature connecting with others
Get some exercise
Increase biodiversity
Get volunteer hours (if you need them)
Eat delicious snacks
Have fun!! 🙂 (even when it rains!)

REGISTRATION
First time coming out? Fill this out: [http://bit.ly/2WdZeAT](https://greenteams.formstack.com/forms/greater_victoria_green_team_volunteer_registration_form)
18 or under? Get your parent/guardian to fill this out: [http://bit.ly/parentguardianform](https://greenteams.formstack.com/forms/greater_victoria_green_team_volunteer_registration_form_guardian)
You only ever have to fill this form out ONCE
RSVPing
Before you sign up, please make sure you are fully committed to participating. We ensure there is enough staff, buy refreshments and bring gloves/tools based on the number of people signed up.
By RSVPing and not showing up, or changing your RSVP at the last minute, you may be taking a spot away from someone who wants to participate. Lets honour each other’s time and be considerate of one another.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may come up. If you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP right away.
SET UP & TAKE DOWN
Want to come early and help set up and/or stay a little longer and help with take down? Email [Kaitlin@GreenTeamsCanada.ca]([REDACTED]
MEETING SPOT
Meet us at the entrance of Brethour Park located off of Ocean Ave W near the address 2075 Ocean Ave W.
PARKING
Parking is available in the gravel parking lot in front of Brethour Park off of Ocean Ave W
CYCLING
Plan your bicycle route with CRD Bike Map
BUS
There is a bus stop nearby at Ocean Ave W and Epco Dr
Plan your bus route with BC Transit Victoria
CARPOOLING
Log in & use “comments” at the bottom of this page to say you need a ride or can offer a ride. You may also send us a message to include in an email to attendees.
Staff will not coordinate rides, they will only pass on the info that you are offering/looking for a ride.
Please ensure you communicate meeting points and times clearly and prioritize your safety. Community members who carpool do so at their own risk.
Staff cannot offer rides
WASHROOMS
The Town of Sidney will be providing a portable toilet on site for this activity
WHAT TO BRING

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Long sleeves and long pants to protect from thorny plants, & insects
Refillable water bottle with water (we have water for refills)
Sturdy closed toe shoes/boots
Rain jacket in case it rains
Hat
Your own gardening gloves, tools and/or safety glasses if you prefer – otherwise we’ll provide these.

WHAT WE PROVIDE YOU

Gloves, tools and safety glasses
Education and demonstration on what we will be doing (no experience necessary!)
Refreshments (e.g. baked goods, veggies, fruits, granola bars)
Photos of you in action
Volunteer letters (on request)

FLOW OF THE ACTIVITY
At 9:45am sign in, followed by instruction and engaging in this activity. Halfway through we’ll take a break, go back to engaging in the activity and then we end at 1pm.
PARTNER
This activity is being made possible thanks to financial support and direction from our Community Investment Partner, The Town of Sidney
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
All Greater Victoria Green Team activities take place on the traditional and unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, the Lekwungen speaking Songhees & Esquimalt peoples, and the nations who form the Te’mexw Treaty Association. We respectfully acknowledge the longstanding relationships these groups have with the land that stretch from time immemorial to the present day. We are extremely grateful to be able to run environmental stewardship activities on these lands.
Questions? Email [kaitlin@greenteamscanada.ca](severine@greenteamscanada.ca)

Book Launch - At Power To Be
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Prospect Lake, 4633 Prospect Lake Rd., Victoria, BC, Canada

Community ASIST Workshop individual registration
2025-09-22 09:00 - 2025-09-23 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Need2 Office, 2390 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7, Canada
ASIST is a two-day workshop that provides suicide first aid training to participants. This training provides participants with the competencies needed to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
You do not need to work in the health or mental health field to take ASIST. We need people in all roles in the community to be ASIST trained to create a suicide-safer community!
The cost of the workshop is $325. Student rate is available upon request.

The workshop will take place at the NEED2 office.
Lunch, coffee/tea and snacks will be provided

To register visit our website here
Questions; email communityeducation@need2.ca

Lunch and Learn
2025-09-22 10:00 - 2025-09-26 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Truth and Reconciliation Week is coming up September 22 to 26, followed by National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on September 30.
For some, this is a time of new learning. Some may experience feelings of discomfort, guilt, shame or shock. For yet others, this is a difficult time that may resurface trauma and deep grief. We hold space for each person who may be processing the significance of Truth and Reconciliation in their own way.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering virtual webinars to support you in un-learning the myths of colonial history. Each day of Truth and Reconciliation Week, Residential School Survivors and other speakers will share about important topics like the impacts of residential school, denialism, and more.
REGISTER HERE

Therapeutic Photography
2025-09-22 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-09-29 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Mental Health Recovery Partners – South Island (MHRP SI), 941 Kings Rd, Victoria, BC, V8T 1W7, Canada
Capture your world, only as you see it. FREE to anyone who self-identifies as living with a disability.
Register Here

Mental Health for All National Conference
2025-09-23 06:00 - 2025-09-25 16:45 (America/Toronto) | Hilton Toronto, 145 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON, M5H 2L2, Canada
And we’re back! After years of virtual events, CMHA will host the Mental Health for All Conference September 23-25, 2025—live and in person. And this time, you’re invited!
This is more than a simple conference—it’s where ideas come to incubate and lead to change. It’s where leaders, people on the frontlines, experts, and champions for mental health come together to make change happen.
Imagine it… a Canada where everyone has access to the mental health and substance use care they need, wherever they live, whoever they are. That’s what we’re building, and you can be part of it.
Come connect with great minds exchanging great ideas. Come share your story. Or just come and soak it in. Because when you show up for the conference, you’re showing up for change. Real change.
Please join us for the Mental Health for All Conference from September 23–25, 2025 at the Hilton Toronto.

Parents in the Know
2025-09-23 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | BC
For those that prefer a structured program, parents of teens attend this 10-12 week professionally-facilitated education and support program to learn more about adolescent development, boundary setting, healthy communication, teen mental health, and other common issues. In a non-judgmental setting, this program helps parents connect with others experiencing similar issues while developing new skills and knowledge that can help decrease conflict in the home and help parents feel better equipped to parent their teen.
A more in-depth, structured group experience focused on parenting teens.
Start Date: Monday, September 23, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: In person (Location details provided upon registration)
Cost: Free
Register Here: https://bgcsvi.org/programs/parenting/

Unlocking Potential - Tools to Support ADHD & Executive Functioning
2025-09-24 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Foothills Academy (Calgary), 745 37 St NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4T1, Canada
Is your student or child struggling to stay organized, focused, or motivated this school year? This practical, interactive workshop is designed to help parents and caregivers understand and support learners with ADHD and executive functioning challenges.
Led by expert ADHD coach & former educator Rhiannon Carter, this session offers insight, empathy, and actionable support.
Learn more & register here

Mindful Parenting
2025-09-25 09:30 - 2025-11-07 23:30 (America/Vancouver) | Men’s Therapy Center, 301-3491 Saanich Rd., Victoria, BC, V8X 1W8, Canada
Learn to embrace the beautiful chaos of single parenthood with presence and self-compassion, nurturing both your child’s well-being and your own.

the good canadian - a film about 'truth before reconciliation'
2025-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC
Reconciliation isn’t just about our own beliefs and actions. It is about the inequalities embedded into our systems and institutions.
The Good Canadian is a film that challenges us to look past the national myth to the realities of systemic inequity, from the Indian Act to residential schools, to modern-day family separation. This film, directed by Leena Minifie (Gitxaala/British), points toward the possibility of a more honest Canadian identity and guides the journey toward truth and reconciliation.
A private screening will by held at SFU Harbour Centre in Vancouver on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 7:00 pm. You can register here to attend the screening.
The Good Canadian debuts on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Tuesday, September 30, at 5:00 pm Pacific (8:00 pm Eastern) on CBC and CBC Gem or 6:00 pm Pacific (9:00 pm Eastern) on APTN
WATCH THE TRAILER

FASD Together 'Unconference'
2025-09-27 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Thompson Rivers University, 805 Tru Way, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8, Canada
Learn and Network with the FASD Community.
The FASD Together ‘UnConference’ is taking place next month, during FASD Awareness Month, at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. This event is free to parents and caregivers of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Register now for this opportunity to network and learn with other families!
Questions? Contact Jay at jgoddard@tru.ca or 250-852-7220
Location:
Thompson Rivers University
805 Tru Way
Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8
Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

More Than Luck - Cultivating a Resilient Mindset
2025-09-27 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Prospect Lake, 4633 Prospect Lake Rd., Victoria, BC, Canada
Why Register for this Workshop:

Because life is full of unexpected bumps!
Because it can help me support someone else in my life!
Because I do not have all the answers!
Because I could use a little support right now!
Because the topic of resiliency interests me, and I want to learn more!
Because I would like more resources to use in my professional practice!

By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with a set of practical tools and strategies. These can be easily applied to your personal life and professional practice, empowering you to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.
REGISTER HERE

three twenty-one Summit
2025-09-27 09:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | Harris Barn, 4140 Arthur Dr., Delta, BC, Canada
This event is a one-of-it’s kind day celebrating and centering the Down syndrome community. At Down syndrome BC we aim to make our community events as accessible as possible, and are committed to making the cost to this wonderful day as low as we can. Your ticket includes morning snacks, coffee, tea and refreshments throughout the day, a beautiful lunch and a day packed full of information, connection and discovery. We will be offering a larger Market this year with more vendors, as well as a growing information center, giving you the opportunity to learn about supports and resources through out our province.
Ticket = $65 per person
Ticket with Attendant = $65 for one youth or adult with DS and caregiver (intended for youth (13+) and adults with Down syndrome attending with support)
Kids 12 and under = Free (please note, we are not able to provide child care and parents will be responsible for their child during the event. We will have a small area that is designed for kids to enjoy)
Please note, if the cost of a ticket is a barrier to attending, please contact us for subsidized tickets.
BUY TICKETS
