Ongoing Events

Workshops, Conferences and Upcoming Events

Ongoing Events

Easter Seals Camps - Their camping program provides Residential Summer Camp sessions for children 6 to 18 years of age who have a mental and/or physical disability. Through corporate and public donations and the time and effort of countless volunteers, the Lions Society of BC is able to fully subsidize our camps, allowing campers to attend free of charge. Through the summer season, over 800 campers have an opportunity to attend one of their camps.

In addition they provide a unique opportunity for individuals with and without disabilities to share ideas, learn team-building skills, and become strong community leaders. This 7-day integrated Leader In Training program is open to persons between the age of 16 and 22 at a cost of $375 per participant.

Please see specific program applications for additional information on eligibility at: www.lionsbc.ca/programs/camps/ If you would like further assistance finding a camp to meet your child's needs please contact the camping administrator at: info@lionsbc.ca

Assisted Sailing - The Central Okanagan Sailing Association is now offering a unique program that allows people with disabilities to learn to sail in the club's regular courses. The COSA has four boats that are specifically designed for people with disabilities. While the controls for sailing a boat are usually located in different parts of the boat, these specially designed boats have all of the controls in the middle, right in your lap. It's easy for someone with restricted mobility to use and these boats can't tip over!

For More Information Phone Devin Rubadeau: 250.764.2203

Online Workshop for Writers With Disabilities - The Canadian Abilities Foundation is presenting a series of online workshops (first to be held in March 2005) for people with disabilities who are interested in the writing life. If you love expressing yourself in writing and dream of seeing your name in print, this workshop is for you!

Find out how to write effectively, promote yourself to editors and make a difference in your community using the written word. If you would like to be contacted with the details, dates and times of this workshop series, send an e-mail to able@abilities.ca or call 1.888.700.4476, ext. 232 to register. Workshops are free.

The Self Advocate Show - Vancouver Co-op Radio 102.7 fm Fridays from 2:00 to 2:30 pm. If you want to be a volunteer or a guest, please call Wendy Allen at 604.432.7483.

Monthly Self Advocate Dance in New Westminster - On the last Friday of every month, the self advocates from the Simon Fraser Society for Community Living hold a monthly dance for all self advocates. The Dance costs $3 and it includes your entrance fee as well as free chips, cookies, and raffle prizes. All pop drinks are $1 each.

The Dance is held at Simcoe Centre in New Westminster from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 811 Royal Avenue (at the corner of 8th Street). For more information, contact Janice Griffiths, Advisor, at 604.525.9494.

Come on out and have a great time meeting new friends.

OUT & ABOUT - All-inclusive chaperoned travel & recreational programs for individuals with special needs Day Trips, Social/Recreational Programs, Weekend Getaways, Camps Cruises Serving the Surrey, Delta, Langley, White Rock Areas For more information call Allana or Aimee at 604.307.9299 or email at outandabout2003@hotmail.com

Weekly Native Sharing Circles are open for people with disabilities and their friends  - Every Thursday, starting on June 12, everyone is invited to our Sharing Circle.  Place: The First Nations Center 2584 Sunnyside Crescent, Abbotsford.  Time: 7 - 8 P.M. on Thursdays.  Bring your drum or rattle. Snacks will be served afterwards. Call Bette at 604.614.6374 if you need more information. EVERYONE WELCOME. There is limited parking so it would be good for folks to call ahead so I will know how many vehicles to plan for. If people could share rides together that would certainly be most helpful.

Hands-On Art Classes for Adults - The Richmond Art Gallery offers a variety of hands-on art classes for adults. They can accommodate up to 12 adults for classes such as Acrylic on Canvas, Collage, 3-D, Drawing and Printmaking. Bookings are available for daytime, evening and weekend classes. Please contact Kirsten at 604.231.6455 to organize a class or for more information.

S.A.F.E. Meetings. The Self Advocates For Equality (S.A.F.E.) - Committee is a group of self advocates who meet on the 2nd Mondays of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the MAPCL Office (across from the Brentwood SkyTrain Station and the Brentwood Mall). For more information, contact our Chairperson, Lizanna Carlberg at 604.444.6169.

COFFEE HOUSE - Come and enjoy fun at the Coffee House for people with intellectual disabilities. This program is which is presented in sponsorship with the Coquitlam Leisure and Parks Services, Community Venture Society and the Simon Fraser Society for Community Living. This event is held every second Monday of each month from 7:00 p.m., to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $4 per person and includes snacks, refreshements, and live music entertainment. For more information please contact Diane at 604.933.6031.

MISSION Self Advocacy Group Meetings - The Mission Self Advocacy Group has over 20 members who are actively involved in their community. New members are welcomed to join their meetings on the 3rd Tuesdays of every month at the Elks Hall from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. SEE YOU THERE!!! for more information contact their President: Bryce Schaufelbeger at: bryce_schaufelberger@msn.com or our advisor, Gregg, GreggShiller2001@telus.net

ABBOTSFORD Self Advocacy Group Meetings - The Abbotsford Self Advocacy Group has over 30 people attending their meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mennonite Central Commiittee's Boardroom on Bourquin Crescent off the South Fraser Way (next to McDonald's). We have free refreshments and snacks for everyone who attends. We welcome new members always. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information contact the President James Janzen by phone at 604.854.5242 or their Advisor by e-mail at: GreggSchiller2001@telus.net

THE AKTION CLUB - THE AKTION CLUB meets every Monday night in Abbotsford at the Church of the Nazarene from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. We play BINGO, billiards, video games, eat, and socialize. Once a month we have a meeting to share stories.

For more information, please contact Ken Dunbar at 604.850.1290.

BC WHEELCHAIR SPORTS JUNIOR PROGRAMS - Programs start in March and run through to October. These programs are appropriate for juniors who have a physical disability and are able to use a manual or electric wheelchair for mobility. Contact Gail Hamamoto Dore at BC Wheelchair Sports for more information at 604.737.3195 or toll free at 1-877-737-3090.  They are happy to develop new Junior Programs where there is an interest! Contact Sian Blyth at 604.724.4859 to get involved.