Community Connections Day - 2024 Date TBA

Last Year LTCES held our 3rd annual Community Connections Day at Lake Trail Community School!

We had a full day of FREE activities planned for all ages.

See below some of the amazing workshops and activities that were held through out the day.

Many thanks to supporters of Community Connections Day including the Comox Valley District Parents Advisory Council (DPAC), Puddleduck Early Learning Society, and the Province of British Columbia (Community Gaming Grants).

Morning Activities and Workshops

Morning activities run from 10:30am – 12:00pm, and participants are welcome to drop-in at any time. 

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Community Art Project - Mural Painting

Join muralist and illustrator, Emily Thiessen, to paint a community-inspired mural.

Once completed, this collaborative art project will be mounted on the fence of the community garden, facing Lake Trail Community School.

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Connection and Collaboration Through Art

In this hands-on workshop, Kathryn Schmidt and Farrell Elliott, art therapists from Treehouse Therapy, will explain, demonstrate and teach parents and caregivers how to build connection with their children through fun, therapeutic art activities.

For parents/caregivers with their children.

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Pigment Painting

Join Amanda Crocker for a sensory painting experience!

Make your own watercolour-style paint using natural pigments, such as spices, plants and herbs, and explore what you can create with them.

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Drop-in Gym

Got some energy to burn? Pop into the Lake Trail Community School gym and play some games in a fun and welcoming space. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Facilitated by LTCES Gym Night facilitators and Lake Trail teachers, Cory Bowater and Cassidy Marinus.

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Garden Drop-in

Join LTCES Garden Coordinator, Vivian Vaillant, to learn about what’s growing in the Lake Trail Community Garden, how you can get involved, and create a piece of art to help beautify the garden.

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Community Weaving Project

Join fibre artist and LTCES Art Night Facilitator Patricia Cribb-Baskin to create a collaborative wall hanging. The vision is to have many hands taking turns at weaving a few strands of the project – a metaphor for community connections.

Community Organizations​

Check out the many community organizations who will be onsite throughout the morning, with information about their programs and engaging activities for community members.

  • AVI
  • Community Health Network
  • Comox Valley Child Development Association
  • Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative
  • Comox Valley Food Bank 
  • Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Centre 
  • Comox Valley Pride
  • Comox Valley Transition Society: CV Girls Group & CV Sexual Assault Services
  • Family Smart
  • Foundry Comox Valley
  • Immigrant Welcome Centre
  • MIKI’SIW Métis Association
  • Morrison Creek Streamkeepers
  • SD71 Indigenous Education
  • Vancouver Island Crisis Society
  • Wachiay Friendship Centre
 

Additional Morning Activities

Alan Jossul Music: Have a morning cup of coffee/tea and some sweet treats, while listening to Alan Jossul’s fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing. Music that is playful, heartfelt and honest.

Story Walk: Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Centre will have a Story Walk set up for you to enjoy outside the school.

Streamkeepers Walk: Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a morning walk in the forest. Learn about the their work to preserve and protect biodiversity in and around this amazing creek, and the many species who live in this ecosystem, including the endangered Morrison Creek Lamprey.

Wild Craft Play: Learn about the world of Live Action Role Play from Jamie Black and friends. The Wild Craft Play crew will be outdoors, demonstrating their skills and seeking new participants to join future quests.

Free Salad Bar Lunch

11:30am: Welcome

12:00 to 1:00pm: Lunch

One of Lake Trail Community Education Society’s key programs is our weekly free salad bar. LTCES has served over 5000 lunches to students and staff at Lake Trail Community School this year.

Join us at Community Connections Day for a free salad bar lunch experience and find out why it is a weekly highlight for Lake Trail students! 

We will also have coffee, tea, fruit and treats on offer. Donations for food and beverages will be gratefully accepted, but not required.

Afternoon Activities and Workshops

There are two afternoon sessions, running from 1:15 – 2:30pm, and 2:45 – 4:00pm. Participants will be able to register for afternoon workshops onsite, starting at 10:30am. While we hope to have room for all interested participants, space in some workshops may be limited due to room capacity.

The staff of Puddleduck Early Learning Society have generously volunteered to provide free child care onsite for children age 3 to 9, whose caregivers are participating in afternoon workshops. 

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Free Child Care for workshop participants

1:00 – 4:00pm

Thanks to the generous staff of Puddleduck Early Learning Society, we are able to offer free child care onsite, for children age 3 to 9, while parents/caregivers are attending the afternoon workshops. 

Parents/caregivers MUST remain onsite during this time (we are unable to provide child care for those participating in A Quest in the Morrison Creek Woods).

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Drop-in Gym

1:00 – 4:00pm

Got some energy to burn? Pop into the Lake Trail Community School gym and play some games in a fun and welcoming space. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Facilitated by LTCES Gym Night facilitators and Lake Trail teachers, Cory Bowater and Cassidy Marinus.

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Let's Talk About Stress: Simple Self-Care and Getting Help

1:15 – 2:30pm

In this friendly and engaging workshop for youth, we’ll learn about what stress is and how it affects us. We’ll play with fun and easy self-care activities that can help us manage stress so we can feel better. 

But what happens when self-care isn’t enough? We all need a little help sometimes! We’ll also learn about when and how to ask for help. Join us to explore stress management together in a fun and supportive way! 

For youth age 10-14. Facilitated by the Vancouver Island Crisis Society.

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Nurtured Heart Approach Workshop

1:15 – 2:30pm

Strong, connected relationships and resiliency are key components in helping children navigate the many challenges of life. Join Marny Elliott of Joy Within Parent Coaching and Relationship Counselling to explore the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) as the roadmap to creating and fostering both. 

Free child care available onsite for participants of this workshop.

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Supporting Families of Trans, Non-Binary, and Queer Youth

1:15 – 2:30pm

Join the the Pride Society of the Comox Valley to learn about resources, gender-affirming care, and how to support gender expansive and queer youth. There will be time for thoughtful discussions, and a Q&A.

Free child care available onsite for participants of this workshop.

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A Quest in the Morrison Creek Woods

1:15 – 2:30pm

Welcome, you brave souls, to the World of Wild Craft Play! Find yourselves mystically teleported to the end of the earth as you ignite wonderment and awe in the natural setting of the Morrison Creek Forest with foam swords, props and hidden treasure. Dress with appropriate footwear for running in the woods, a belt on the outside of your clothes, and bring water. Costumes highly encouraged!

For adults and children age 8+. Facilitated by Jamie Black, Founder of Wild Craft Play ‘sCool.

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The Brain Game

1:15 – 2:30pm

Explore early childhood experiences and learn about your brain and resiliency through a pipe cleaner tower building activity! Each group will be presented with different experiences and work together to build the most stable brain. When the going gets tough, will your brain stand up to the many challenges of life? 

For adults and older youth (12+). Hosted by the Comox Youth Council.

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ADHD in the Family: A Parenting Workshop

2:45 – 4:00pm

ADHD is a neurological disorder that many families deal with, yet many people have little in the way of additional support. This workshop provides an opportunity to walk through some of the latest research, to learn about the varied ways ADHD presents, and to take home tips which may help to set your own family up for success.

Facilitated by post-secondary ADHD coach Vivian Vaillant and her daughter Sophia, who both have lived experience.

Free child care available onsite for participants of this workshop.

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Playful Learning: Engage, Empower, Explore

2:45 – 4:00pm

Join an experiential discussion about the power of play and Guided Discovery Learning. Explore tried and true methods you can use to hook youth, leaving them wanting more! Learn how these methods also deter negative behaviors. Also, a great way to engage youth with ADHD, and those who are more rambunctious and need to get outside and move. Focusing mainly on activities and practices for adults working with youth ages 8 to 12.

Facilitated by Jamie Black, Founder of Wild Craft Play ‘sCool.

Free child care available onsite for participants of this workshop.