BC Parks Foundation

This summer, Discover Parks Ambassadors connected with more people than ever before—over 175,000 visitors across BC’s provincial parks! From nature walks and amphitheatre programs, to Jerry’s Rangers graduations, nature houses, and surprise pop-up activities, this was our most interactive and joy-filled season yet. 

Discover Parks Ambassador Gavin leads a game for visitors to Lac Le Jeune Park this summer. 

From every park with Discover Parks Ambassadors, people told us how much these programs mean to them: 

• “Great content for kids. Great way to create a community!” 
• “Fantastic guides, so much knowledge and respect for the environment. Made learning fun!” 
• “Fun questionnaire where everyone got prizes!” 
• “The Ambassadors were great. Relevant and enjoyable info.” 
• “Gavin and Jocelyn are fun, amazing, and answered all my questions!” 

Discover Parks Ambassador Beatrice leads a nature walk in Golden Ears Park this summer. 

Summer Highlights

• Amphitheatres so full that families stood at the back and still stayed, engaged until the end. 
• Kids proudly graduating from Jerry’s Rangers—sometimes for the second or third year running. 
• Nature houses buzzing with excitement, from live owls perched outside to kids squealing over scat replicas. 
• New games and activities like “Guess That Scat” and Backcountry Jeopardy that drew in crowds and had families laughing together. 
• Beautiful moments of connection: a child gifting an Ambassador a handmade bracelet and calling her “my person,” grandparents applauding after Jerry’s Rangers—as they had when their own children attended in the 80s—and a little girl whispering “thanks for all the learning” at the end of a program. 
  
• International visitors—from Sri Lanka, Germany, Australia, the UK and more—sharing their own wildlife stories and leaving inspired by BC’s landscapes. 

The group of campers pictured above helped break a record at Rathtrevor Beach Park: in a single night, 186 people attended the amphitheatre program, with many signing up to participated in the fun-filled Park Talent Show! 

From the Ambassadors 

Our Ambassadors had their own unforgettable moments: 

• “One of the best parts was meeting parents and grandparents who told us they did Jerry’s Rangers as kids. Now they’re back with their own children.” —Beatrice & Emily, Golden Ears 
• “My favorite part was making connections with kids in the park. The most surprising? When a bear walked right past our tent!” —Yoshi, Alice Lake & Porteau Cove 
  
• “We’ll never forget the family of great horned owls that moved in beside us. Seeing visitors light up when we shared that story was incredible.” —Nick & Emma, Rathtrevor Beach 

Two baby members of the family of great horned owls who moved into a tree beside the Rathtrevor Beach Nature House this summer. 

Why It Matters

These programs are super fun, but they also build lifelong memories and connections to nature. Families return year after year. Kids graduate and bring their friends. Adults rediscover their own childhood park memories through their children. Visitors leave more curious, more knowledgeable, and more inspired to protect BC’s extraordinary parks. 

This summer reminded us that when people feel joy and wonder in nature, they carry that feeling forward—and they pass it on. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us. You made this the best summer ever! 

Nature is Calling—Will You Answer? 

This summer showed us the power of connecting in parks. Don’t miss out on what’s next. 

Join DiscoverParks.ca for early access to events, expert recreation tips, insider trail guides, and the chance to be first in line for next summer’s programs.