Child and family resources in the Columbia Valley
For new parents
StrongStart
(a free program for infants / preschool-aged children and their parents)
East Kootenay Breast-feeding Mamas
(a free peer-support group for new moms)
MomFit
(a free, drop-in, child-friendly fitness group run by volunteers)
Parent and Tot Connect
(a free program for infants / preschool-aged children and their parents)
Resources & service providers
Family Dynamix
(mental, social, physical and financial wellness supports)
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL)
(free literacy activities and supports)
BC government’s Child & Family Services office
(free child, teen and family services)
Columbia Valley Food Bank
Invermere, BC
Columbia Valley schools
Rocky Mountain School District #6
Windermere, BC
Windermere Elementary School (K-7)
Invermere, BC
Eileen Madson Primary School (K-3)
JA Laird Elementary School (4-7)
David Thompson Secondary School (8-12)
Canal Flats, BC
Martin Morigeau Elementary School (K-7)
Edgewater, BC
Edgewater Elementary School (K-7)
Supports for teenagers
Columbia Valley Youth Network
(online & in-person activities, leadership camps)
Summit Youth Hub Centre
Invermere, BC
(drop-in centre, music & more)
Child care funding
BC government programs
Affordable Child Care Benefit
Young Parent Program
Fee Reduction Initiative (no application necessary)
$10/day Child Care
Little Badger Early Learning center is a $10/day child care center. Parents do not need to apply for this funding. Our afterschool program is not $10 a day but families can apply for the Affordable Child Care Benefit
Family-friendly activities
Beaches
Invermere, BC
Kinsmen Beach (lake, splash park, playground)
James Chabot Provincial Park (lake, playground)
Windermere, BC
Windermere Beach (lake, playground)
Walk the Dog
Ray Brydon Dog Park, Invermere, BC
Hiking
Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance
Summit Trail Makers Society
Kootenay National Park
Trailforks Directory of trails
Skiing
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
(downhill, cross-country, tubing, hot springs, pools)
Panorama Mountain Resort, Panorama, BC
(downhill, cross-country)
Cross-country trails managed by the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club
Hot Springs (developed & with paid entry)
Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
Radium Hot Springs, BC