2025/2026 Issue
Notes from the Editor
Happy 2025 everyone. This year started with a bang for us at Okanagan Family Magazine. Our Summer Camps section exploded. If you’re looking for something fun for your kids to do, check it out. From archery to horseback riding, science to soccer…. there’s a wide variety of activities for all ages!
Are you a first time mom? Do you have some questions? We have an article called Why Perinatal and Pediatric Care Matters: What Every Young Parent Should Know by Jody Schmuland. It’s about perinatal and pediatric care which includes some alternative health solutions. An eye opening article called Make Movement Fun, Empowering, and Meaningful by Sydney MacKay educates us about the ways that physio is not only for injury recovery, but re-enforcing healthy growth and development as well as dealing with seemingly unrelated issues such as bedwetting. They have developed specific programs for helping children with sensory or emotional regulation needs, such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A super interesting read.
In the mental health arena we find Marie Hartwell-Walker giving us great advice with 6 Ways to Recover Your Mental Health. And if you’re a mother suffering from burnout, be sure to check out When Motherhood Feels Like Too Much: Signs of Burnout and How to Break Free by Ashley Hyndman. An article which challenges us to re-think how our past has shaped our thinking, is the article How Body Image Baggage and Shame Affects the Way We Feed Our Kids by Audree McIvor. This not only talks about the psychology of body image and our relationship to food, but how we can subconsciously pass it on to our children. Is it time to break a cycle and develop healthy thinking and eating habits?
If you’re looking for Adventure, Confidence and Connection, Kristi Patton tells us BGC Okanagan’s powerful vision: “we’re not just filling time, we’re building skills and memories that last a lifetime. We’re giving kids the chance to try something new, to feel proud of themselves, to be part of a community”.
Interested in hearing how to be a better parent to your teen? Parenting Teens and Building Bonds by Mercedes Korngut is a great read. She makes some good points and reminds us that small things can make big differences.
What is art? Rodney Goodchild encourages us to think of art as a gateway to explore, express and connect with each other in his article The Joy of Making: How Visual Art Benefits the Whole Family. Because “we don’t all have to be on the same page, just at the same table”. So true! Angela Roy at RCA tells us “the gift of the arts is an investment in our families, our schools, and our communities”. Read Creative Connections With Art.
If you’re interested in the many adaptive recreational opportunities for individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities, Louise Abbott shows us how People in Motion is Empowering Lives Through Inclusive Recreation and Adventure.
And do find time to go outside and discover our beautiful parks. Discover fauna, flowers and wildlife with Risti Lesperance in her article Species of sntsk‘il’ntn Black Mountain Regional Park. Did you know we have guided park tours in the Okanagan? Time to go and explore our parks. And time to explore some new books with Great Summer Reads. It’s a reading rainbow of colour. So much fun!
Enjoy the 2025 Okanagan Family Magazine. It’s put together with love.
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Why Perinatal and Pediatric Care Matters: What Every Young Parent Should Know
By Jody Schmuland • AltaVie Health
Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences. From the moment you know you are expecting, your world begins to shift. Your body changes, your priorities change, and you start making choices not just for yourself, but for your growing family. Amid the excitement (and exhaustion), one of the most powerful tools you have is knowledge–an understanding of how perinatal and pediatric care can support your family’s health is a great place to start.
What is Perinatal Care and Why is It Important?
Perinatal care refers to the care you receive during pregnancy and in the months after birth. While many people think only of medical checkups and ultrasounds, there’s a whole world of holistic support in addition that can help you feel more comfortable, confident, and capable as you prepare to welcome baby.
Your body goes through rapid physical changes to make room for your growing baby. Hormones like Relaxin loosen your joints and ligaments to prepare for labour–but they can also cause pelvic instability, back pain, and sleep struggles. Chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture can all play a potential role in helping the body adjust to these changes, reduce discomfort, and strive to stay strong throughout pregnancy.
Why this matters: A more comfortable pregnancy supports better sleep, better movement, and can help you prepare for your labour and delivery experience.
Postpartum: The Other Half of the Journey
Once your baby arrives, it’s easy to forget about your own needs–but your recovery is just as important as your baby’s care. Common problems that new parents face include back pain and headaches, wrist pain, postural tension, and core weakness.
Focus Bodywork by a chiropractor or massage therapist can help restore balance to the body, ease discomfort, and support your physical recovery. Working with a registered dietitian (RD) or naturopathic doctor (ND) can support hormonal balance, mental health, healthy weight maintenance, and even boost milk supply.
Why this matters: When you feel stronger, more rested, and more supported, it can be a perfect formula to bond with your baby and adjust to your new role.
Supporting Your Baby from the Very Beginning
Babies may be tiny, but birth is a big physical
event for their bodies too. Pediatric chiropractic care is safe, gentle, and designed to support a baby’s nervous system and physical development
from day one.
We often see infants for:
• Latching or feeding issues
• Colic or fussiness
• Sleep challenges
• Torticollis (head turning preference)
As children grow, musculoskeletal care can aid in their recovery when they fall and get hurt, help them stay active and engaged in their sports and hobbies, and make sure that there are no physical barriers to them achieving their developmental milestones.
Why this matters: Musculoskeletal care for kids can help set the stage for a strong body and healthy nervous system, and support recovery when they get hurt.
Feeding Support: You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Feeding your baby–whether by breast, chest, bottle, or a combination–is deeply personal and sometimes surprisingly hard. Lactation consultants are trained to help you navigate challenges like poor latching, low supply, clogged ducts, or bottle refusal.
Seeing a lactation consultant early (even before birth!) can prepare you with realistic expectations and a support plan for those early days.
Why this matters: Feeding should feel nourishing, not stressful. The right help can make all the difference in your confidence and comfort.
A Clinic that Offers Support and Knowledge Like No Other
At AltaVie Health, the clinic is designed around the needs of young families. They believe health care should be holistic, accessible, and
family-friendly. That’s why they offer:
For parents:
• Prenatal and Postpartum Chiropractic Care
• Massage Therapy (RMT) for all stages, including prenatal massage
• Acupuncture (from Naturopathic Doctor)
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Lactation Consulting
• Registered Dietician Support
For babies and children:
• Pediatric Chiropractic Care from birth and up!
• Infant Massage Therapy
• Developmental Milestone Monitoring and Support
• Infant feeding support, including lip and tongue tie post-operative care
• Family Wellness Visits
• Damage Control (for all the bumps, bonks, bruises, and breaks)
Why this matters: Getting all the support you need in one place makes life easier and helps you focus on what matters most–your family.
A Community That Cares
Parenting isn’t meant to be done alone. Whether you’re expecting your first child or navigating life with a toddler, having the right support makes all the difference. At AltaVie Health, they’re not just here to treat symptoms–they are here to walk alongside you through every stage, offering guidance, education, and care that grows with your family.
Because when parents are supported, kids thrive–and that’s something every family deserves!
Jody Schmuland is AltaVie Health’s Clinic Director in Kelowna, BC, with a heartfelt advocacy for mothers and children. The clinic’s interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to deliver holistic perinatal, pediatric care and women’s health while championing community daily wellbeing and empowering families to thrive.
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The Joy of Making: How Visual Art Benefits the Whole Family
By Rodney Goodchild • Vernon Community Arts Centre
Creativity lives in all of us. Whether you’re a finger-painting toddler, a busy parent, or a grandparent with stories to tell, making art isn’t about being ‘good’ at it–it’s about what happens when we give ourselves permission to explore, express, and connect.
Visual art provides an outlet for emotion, a path to learning, and a space to slow down in a fast-paced world. And the best part? It can be enjoyed by everyone, at any age, together or apart.
Let’s take a look at how visual arts can benefit every generation in your family and how you can get started right now.
Creativity in Full Colour • Artmaking is more than just fun for kids–it’s how they explore, grow, and understand the world. Sculpting clay animals, painting bold shapes, or sketching their favourite characters all help develop fine motor skills, spark imagination, and build problem-solving abilities.
It also supports emotional expression. Not every child has the words to describe how they’re feeling, but give them some markers and a blank page, and they’ll often find ways to communicate through colour and form.
Parents can encourage this creativity with something as simple as a home art bin or by enrolling their child in an after school class or summer art camp. Many community arts centres offer age-appropriate programs where kids can learn new techniques and make new friends. You’ll be surprised how quickly they come home brimming with pride, with paint on their hands and stories to tell.
Permission to Play Again • Many adults set down their creative pursuits somewhere along the road of careers, parenting, and endless to-do lists. But research shows that even just a few minutes of creative activity a day can reduce stress, improve focus, and boost your mood. That small window of calm can feel like a deep breath for your nervous system.
Clay, in particular, has been shown to have therapeutic benefits. The tactile, repetitive nature of working with clay can help regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and improve concentration. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Applied Arts and Health, participants in ceramics workshops reported reduced stress and greater life satisfaction after just a few sessions.
Enrolling in a structured art class offers adults a chance to reconnect with themselves and rediscover joy. Look for a pottery class, a printmaking workshop, or even a one-night ‘Paint and Pinot’ event.
No experience is needed just a willingness to play.
Art That Keeps on Giving • Art isn’t just for the young–it’s for the young at heart. In fact, creative activity can be especially powerful for older adults. Studies have shown that engaging in visual art supports memory, boosts mental health, and helps maintain fine motor coordination.
But beyond the health benefits, art brings a vital sense of community
and that’s something seniors need more than ever. Loneliness and isolation are real concerns as we age, and creative communities can be a powerful antidote. Group classes, drop-ins, or even informal art meetups offer opportunities to connect, share stories, and keep the mind and spirit active.
In a now-famous Good Morning America interview, Jane Fonda shared her top tips for aging well, one of which was to take an art class. She called creative activity essential for staying sharp, engaged, and joyful. And we agree. Sketching flowers in your backyard or finally trying that watercolour class you’ve always wondered about, art can bring vitality and meaning into your life.
It’s also a beautiful way to bond with younger generations. Painting holiday cards with a grandchild, creating a collage of family photos, or sharing memories through art builds bridges that last long after the paint dries.
Making Magic Together • One of the best parts of visual art is that it doesn’t require everyone to be on the same page just at the same table. Families don’t need to be filled with artists to make creativity a part of their routine. It can be messy, joyful, silly and still full of meaning.
You can paint rocks to hide around the neighbourhood or host a family art show where everyone’s a star. Drawing self-portraits, making gratitude journals, or turning recyclables into sculptures–there are endless ways to get hands-on together.
Another option is to take a family art class. The Vernon Community Arts Centre offers many classes suitable for all ages, and if you’re looking for something truly unique, we’ll even help create a bespoke class just for your family. It’s a wonderful way to try something new together, learn new skills, and share laughs along the way.
Keep the Creativity Going • No matter your age, experience level, or comfort zone, art has something to offer you. It’s a gentle, joyful way to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
If you’re feeling inspired but aren’t sure where to start, the Vernon Community Arts Centre is a great place to begin. With over 350 classes offered throughout the year, (including summer camps, Pro-D day programs, and holiday workshops,) there’s always something going on.
With morning, afternoon, and evening classes, it’s easy to find a time that fits into your family’s rhythm.
Prefer to create at home? The Arts Centre also has a wide selection of art supplies available for purchase, so you can stock up on everything you need to keep the creativity flowing at your own pace.
So go ahead: pick up a brush, roll out some clay, or just doodle on the nearest napkin. You don’t need to be perfect, just present. Because when it comes to making art, the magic is in the doing.
Rodney Goodchild manages the Vernon Community Arts Centre, where they are passionate about creativity, connection, and community. The Centre champions programs that inspire families to explore visual art together, encouraging self-expression, lifelong learning, and playful discovery. For more information on classes, workshops, and events please visit our website www.vernonarts.ca.
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When Motherhood Feels Like Too Much: Signs of Burnout and How to Break Free
By Ashley Hyndman, M.C. • Mamahood Counselling
Motherhood is beautiful, fulfilling, and life-changing. But it can also be exhausting, relentless, and overwhelming. Some days, it feels like you’re running on fumes–pulled in a hundred directions with nothing left to give. If you’ve ever found yourself snapping at your kids because they spilled a cup of water, feeling numb instead of present while reading them a bedtime story, or waking up just as tired as when you went to bed despite getting a decent night’s sleep, you might be experiencing maternal burnout.
Burnout isn’t just about being tired. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress. It’s feeling like you’ve given every last piece of yourself and there’s nothing left to give.
The good news? Recognizing it is the first step to finding relief.
What Exactly is Maternal Burnout?
Also known as ‘mom burnout,’ maternal burnout develops gradually through the cumulative weight of daily demands. It often starts with small compromises–skipping lunch to handle another load of laundry, staying up late to prepare for tomorrow, or putting off exercise because there’s always something more urgent.
The pressure to be the perfect mom, maintain a spotless home, excel at work, and nurture relationships can create an impossible standard. Many mothers find themselves caught in a cycle of saying ‘yes’ to everyone else’s needs while repeatedly saying ‘no’ to their own.
This constant self-sacrifice, combined with sleep deprivation and limited support, creates a perfect storm for burnout. What might start as occasional overwhelm can evolve into chronic exhaustion when mothers feel trapped in this cycle of endless giving without adequate replenishment.
Signs of Maternal Burnout
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight; it builds over time. Here are some common signs:
• Forgetfulness: You keep missing appointments, can’t remember if you’ve packed everything for school, or find yourself standing in rooms wondering why you went there.
• Chronic Fatigue: Even after sleeping, you wake up exhausted. Your body feels heavy, your muscles ache and simple tasks like showering or getting dressed feel like climbing a mountain.
• Feeling Detached: You’re going through the motions of motherhood without feeling truly present or connected, like zoning out during
playtime, or responding with autopilot answers like ‘uh-huh’.
• Irritability: The smallest things trigger big reactions–your child’s humming, the sound of toys, or simple requests feel overwhelming–causing you to react in ways you later regret.
• Resentfulness: You love your family but find yourself feeling bitter about always being the one who has to handle everything, like scheduling appointments, meal planning, or getting up with the kids at night.
• Heightened Anxiety: You feel on edge, worried, or overwhelmed by even small decisions or tasks. Your mind races, making it hard to relax.
If these signs sound familiar, know that you are not alone. Burnout doesn’t mean you’re a bad mom–it means you need care, too. Think of yourself as a garden that needs regular tending: without proper nourishment, rest, and care, even the most resilient plants begin to wilt. Recognizing burnout is the first step, and small, intentional changes can help you bloom again.
Simple Ways to Recharge (That Don’t Require a Babysitter)
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to mean a weekend away or an elaborate self-care routine. Here are some simple ways to replenish your energy, even on busy days:
- Micro-Breaks • You don’t need hours to reset–sometimes,
five minutes is enough. Step outside for fresh air, make a warm drink
and sip it slowly, or put on headphones and listen to your favourite song. Small pauses can help calm your nervous system and reset your energy.
2. A Sensory Reset • When your senses are overloaded, your body remains in a constant state of stress, making it harder to relax and recharge. A quick sensory reset can help shift your focus, calm your nervous system, and bring you back to the present moment. Try these simple techniques:
• Run cold water over your hands or splash your face
• Rub scented lotion on your hands and breathe it in deeply
• Wrap yourself in a soft blanket and close your eyes for a moment
• Jump up and down while wiggling your arms and legs
3. Letting Go of ‘Shoulds’ • Some days, the best way to recharge is to drop the guilt and let yourself do the bare minimum. The laundry can wait. The dishes can sit in the sink. Give yourself permission to rest without ‘earning’ it first. Start small–identify one task that doesn’t need your immediate attention–maybe it’s making the beds every morning
or having a perfectly organized playroom–and practice letting them go.
A spotless house isn’t worth the cost of your mental health.
4. Asking for Support • You don’t have to do everything alone.
Ask your partner to handle bedtime routines for three nights a week, ask older kids to sort and fold their own laundry, or ask a friend to help with school pickups occasionally. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness–it’s an act of self-care. The goal isn’t just to clear your to-do list–it’s to create mental space that allows you to recharge and feel more present in the moments that matter.
5. Intentional Rest • Rest isn’t just sleep–it’s any moment that restores you, whether that’s reading, stretching, or simply lying down without your mental to-do list. Try scheduling a daily 15-minute ‘tension release’ break during nap time or after lunch to decompress. This isn’t about productivity; it’s about letting your mind and body reset before stress overtakes you.
Breaking Free from Burnout: A Path Forward
The gap between knowing what you need and taking that first step can feel like crossing an ocean. When the dishes tower in the sink and laundry spills from baskets, the thought of taking time for yourself might feel not just impossible, but selfish.
Yet here’s the truth every mother needs to hear: taking care of yourself isn’t selfish–it’s essential.
This is where real courage comes in. Reaching out for help–whether to a therapist, a support group, or a trusted friend–isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a powerful declaration that you deserve to feel whole, not just hold it all together. When you show your children that it’s okay to ask for help, to have limits, to prioritize your wellbeing, you’re teaching them one of life’s most valuable lessons: that self-compassion is as important as compassion for others.
You’ve got this, mama. And on the days when the weight feels too heavy to carry–when you’re counting the hours until bedtime or hiding in the bathroom just to breathe–remember this: your struggles don’t diminish your strength; they prove it. Your worth isn’t measured in folded laundry or home-cooked meals. It’s not found in crossed-off to-do lists or Instagram-
perfect moments. Your worth is inherent, unchangeable, and absolute.
You are more than the tasks you complete, the messes you clean, or the lunches you pack. You are a whole person deserving of rest, joy, and support. So take that step, however small it feels. Reach out. Rest. Breathe. The dishes will wait, but your wellbeing shouldn’t have to. Because when you finally give yourself permission to put down the cape of supermom, you might just discover that being human is the greatest superpower of all.
Ashley Hyndman is a therapist with 13 years of experience who specializes in supporting moms. Through Mamahood Counselling, she helps moms learn to trust themselves, embrace their own version of motherhood, and find confidence in the journey. To learn more or book a session visit mamahoodcounselling.ca.
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Parenting Teens and Building Bonds
By Mercedes Korngut • Small Bits of Happiness
Teenagers. A word that might bring forth feelings and thoughts of stress, growing pains, and mood swings. As a teen myself I know firsthand that
as much as we need to find ourselves, you as parents are so important in guiding us, as well as showing us your love and support. It is true that as teens it may be difficult to connect with us, but below I share my top tips on how you, as a parent, can build your bond with your teenager.
Show Interest in Their Interests
Teen years are pivotal as we are discovering our interests, values, goals, and opinions. Be an active part of that discovery! In creating a connection, ask your teen how you can participate in their interests. Together, listen to a podcast on the subject and discuss it, do a pottery class, watch a tennis match or hockey game, or play a video game. Through engaging in activities that your teen wants to try, you can build your bond by sharing this part of their self-discovery with them. As you take some time out of your day to pursue what your teen enjoys, you encourage and validate their journey of self-exploration and interest!
Create Time to do Things Together
Most families have busy schedules. When you’re unable to actively participate in the interests of your teen, still find time to create a connection. Here is a list of some of my favourite time-friendly activities to do as a teenager with our mom or dad:
1. Go for a walk or a bike ride,
2. Go to a golf range,
3. Play basketball outside,
4. Attend a yoga class,
5. Make dinner together or bake a dessert,
6. Follow an online crafts tutorial and make a craft together,
7. Read a few chapters of your teen’s book of choice and discuss the events (like a mini book club),
8. Play a round or two of your teen’s favourite video game,
9. Try your best at your teen’s sport of choice,
10. Volunteer together! Feel good as you help others and spend time together! Volunteer at an animal shelter, or another organization that you feel passionate about helping.
Shared Meals
This is a simple, yet impactful way to build a bond. Mealtimes are an opportunity to reconnect and relax over a delicious plate of food. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, make time (at least a few times a week) to eat with your teen. In fact, a Harvard study has established that meals free of distraction (meaning with no phones, sports games, or TVs in the background), lead to higher levels of satisfaction and lower levels of stress. According to this study, these benefits are especially associated with conversation around the table. Below are some of my favourite conversation starters for family meals. These are wonderful for the entire family because as parents you will learn more about your teen, and in turn, your teen will be able to learn more about you. What is one exciting thing that happened today? What are you looking forward to this week? What brought you a small bit of happiness today – it doesn’t have to be major! What has been your biggest obstacle today and how can we help you solve it?
By encouraging a positive conversation with your teen, you encourage them to shift their mindset towards a positive trajectory. Rather than constantly worrying about the hardships of teenagehood, you motivate and help your teen focus on the good moments of the day. Furthermore, you also open lines of communication, making it easier for your teen to share stressors with you down the road.
Active Listening
This brings me to my fourth tip for building parent-teen connection, active listening. When your teen brings up a concern, something that went well, or something new that they’ve tried, simply listen. Let them feel safe and confident for confiding in you, and avoid jumping in with your own story of how things were when you were young. Active listening is the act of listening just to listen and understand what is being shared, rather than listening to respond immediately. Active listening promotes trust, helps you better understand where your teen is coming from, and allows you to formulate a better, more holistic response after they have finished sharing their thoughts and feelings. A quick tip for active listening is to make eye contact and not be distracted by a phone or other device.
On a personal note, as a 17-year-old who has struggled with my happiness, I’ve become extremely close with my mom. She’s my best friend and my number one supporter. We’ve built the habit of connecting daily and finding more happiness through an activity box that my sister and I designed. Our company, Small Bits of Happiness is on a mission to help individuals of all ages find more happiness daily and build parent-teen connections.
So, if you want to further your bond with your teen, check out our Mission: Small Bits of Happiness activity box, filled with 100 unique, simple, and fun activities to do daily and build happy habits and connections. See our website at www.smallbitsofhappiness.com for this activity along with more hacks and advice.
Mercedes Korngut is the co-founder and CEO of the company, Small Bits of Happiness. She has been featured on national news and media, spoken at schools and conventions across North America, co-hosts the podcast Hack Your Happiness, and has designed a series of happiness-wellness products for tweens, teens, adults and schools.
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How Body Image Baggage and Shame Affects the Way We Feed Our Kids
By Audree McIvor, RCC/CCC • Momentous Counselling
Do words like picky eater, diet, weight gain, body image, or self-esteem bring up memories of your own childhood or your relationship with your parents? For many of us, these words carry emotional weight–feelings we may not even realize we’re holding onto. And without meaning to, those lingering beliefs can shape how we parent today.
As parents, we want our children to have a healthy relationship with food and a positive sense of self. But sometimes, the internal messages we’ve carried from our own upbringing–about control, worth, or appearance–can quietly stand in the way of giving our kids that freedom.
We live in a culture saturated with messages about food, weight, and beauty. From ads to social media trends, the pressure to look or eat a certain way is everywhere. While we try to shield our kids from those harmful influences, the truth is, they often seep into our homes–sometimes through our words, sometimes through our actions. Research shows that parents play a powerful role in shaping how children think about their bodies and their eating habits.
The way we were raised–the comments we heard, the diets we saw, the pressures we felt–doesn’t just stay in the past. It comes with us. It can show up in the way we talk about food, how we serve meals, and even how we react when our kids say they’re full or ask for seconds.
But here’s the good news: with awareness and intention, we can shift these patterns. By recognizing how our own experiences with food, dieting, and body image shape our parenting, we can begin to create a more nurturing, connected, and body-positive environment for our kids. When we take the time to reflect and heal, we open the door to raising children who trust their bodies, enjoy their meals, and grow up feeling good in their own skin.
Early Years: The Foundation of Healthy Habits
From an early age, parents are heavily involved in monitoring food choices. For example, decisions about baby-led weaning versus pureed food or how many new foods to introduce at once can be filled with anxiety for parents. These early food journeys can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that this is an opportunity to introduce food with joy, connection, and community. Eating together allows children to see that food is nourishment and a source of enjoyment, and it can help them develop a healthy relationship with food from the start.
As children grow, we begin comparing them to growth charts and monitoring their eating habits. This leads to an emphasis on external measurements, which may drown out internal cues about hunger and fullness. The worry about whether our children are eating ‘enough’ or making ‘healthy’ choices can subtly reinforce unhealthy messages about food. Parents may inadvertently pass on anxieties about food and body image, leading children to internalize these concerns.
School-Aged Children: Navigating Growth and Independence
In the hustle of busy mornings, meals sometimes become something to ‘check off the list,’ rather than an opportunity for connection. As our children gain more independence, it’s important to support their ability to make their own food choices. This autonomy allows them to develop a healthier relationship with food as they grow, free from excessive external pressure.
At school, eating becomes even more social. Lunches and snacks are often consumed with peers, and it’s hard to know exactly what they’re eating or how much. This inconsistency can trigger worries in parents about their child’s eating habits. However, it’s important to remember that a child’s overall intake over the course of the day matters more than what they eat at any given meal. If you’re noticing anxiety about your child’s eating, it’s a good opportunity to reflect and ask yourself: Is this concern truly about my child, or is this my own past experiences and worries resurfacing?
Teens and Beyond: Fostering Independence and Self-Expression
In their teen years, meal times become more independent as they spend more time away from home. Hormonal changes, peer pressure, and social influences come into play during these years, which can deeply impact your teen’s self-esteem and body image. You may notice shifts in their mood, eating habits, or the way they talk about themselves. If this happens, it’s important to pause and reflect on your own experiences. Did you feel similar pressures when you were a teen? Do you want to protect your child from those same challenges? This can be a powerful moment to check in with yourself and work through any lingering worries or emotions you may have.
It’s crucial to create an environment where positive self-talk is encouraged, and healthy behaviours are modeled. By managing your own emotions, you can provide your teen with the support they need to navigate these years with confidence. The opportunity to grow up in an environment free from negative body talk and unrealistic expectations is a gift we can give our children. Of course, if you have concerns about their physical or mental health, don’t hesitate to consult a medical professional.
Cultivating Healthy Family Meals: Habits that Build Connection and Positivity
Let’s explore new habits that can help create a joyful, healthy, and connected eating environment:
Create Connection:
• Make Family Meals a Priority: Aim to share at least five meals a week as a family. This may require a bit of creativity–perhaps eating in the car before soccer practice or having a quick family dinner before a busy evening. The key is to create positive associations with eating together, which can lead to better eating habits and stronger family bonds. Use tools like conversation starters or ‘would you rather?’ questions to encourage fun discussion.
• Make Cooking Fun Together: Involve your children in meal preparation whenever possible. Cooking as a family can be a fun and educational experience. Whether it’s chopping vegetables, stirring a pot, or setting the table, this is a great opportunity for kids to learn about healthy ingredients, develop kitchen skills, and take pride in the food they’ve helped prepare. It can also serve as a great bonding activity that creates positive associations with meal time.
Trust and Autonomy:
• Offer Choices, Not Battles: As our children grow, so does their autonomy. Unless there is a medical concern, it’s important to support your child in making their own food choices, trusting them to listen to their bodies. This allows them to develop a healthier relationship with food and body image as they transition into adulthood. If you have a picky eater, try offering new foods when they’re genuinely hungry. Giving children a few healthy options helps them feel more in control of what they eat and introduces them to a variety of flavours. It also encourages the value of making good choices. It’s all about balancing structure with autonomy.
• Snacks for the Win: Growing bodies often need more frequent meals than adults. Healthy snacks can be a great solution. Set up a snack station with wholesome options like fruits, nuts, or veggies, so they can grab something healthy when hunger strikes. This helps ensure they’re getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
Practice what You Preach:
• Model Body Positivity: Be mindful of the messages you send about body image. When you talk negatively about your own body, whether it’s a ‘dad bod,’ ‘mom belly,’ or guilt over eating dessert, your children are likely to internalize those views. Avoid labeling bodies as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and instead focus on promoting body positivity and healthy habits. A helpful tip: Keep a picture of your child on the bathroom mirror as a reminder to speak kindly to yourself and set a positive example.
• Show Yourself Grace: Changing how we relate to food takes time, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you’re struggling or holding onto messages from the past, that’s okay. It’s a journey, and giving yourself grace is an important part of it. Take the time to reflect on your experiences.
• Work on Yourself: Doing personal healing is a great way to show your kids that your growth isn’t over. Taking time for yourself via therapy, journaling or other self-care is beneficial for you and by extension, your family.
Building a culture of family-centered eating takes time, but these habits can help transform meal time into enjoyable and meaningful memories. What’s most important is the opportunity to connect with one another, foster healthy habits, and model positivity and love toward food and our bodies.
Audree McIvor (RCC/CCC) is the co-owner and director of Momentous Counselling, where she specializes in trauma, PTSD, and childhood neglect. Based in Kelowna, Audree leads a compassionate and diverse team dedicated to providing comprehensive support for individuals and families. Momentous Counselling offers tailored services for parents, couples, teens, and children ages 5 and up. In addition to personalized therapy, the clinic provides engaging group presentations and virtual sessions.
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Make Movement Fun, Empowering, and Meaningful
By Sydney MacKay, BSN • Kids Physio Group – Kelowna
As parents and caregivers, we celebrate every little milestone–the first roll, the first steps, the first jump off the couch. But when movement doesn’t come easily, pediatric physiotherapy steps in to help. It’s more than just therapy–it’s a partnership between families and skilled professionals who understand how babies, kids, and teens grow, play, and thrive.
At its core, pediatric physiotherapy focuses on supporting the physical development, movement, and overall well-being of infants, children, and teenagers. While many people are familiar with physiotherapy in the context of adult rehabilitation–such as recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or improving mobility after injury–pediatric physiotherapy is designed with an entirely different lens. Children aren’t just smaller adults; they have unique bodies, needs, and ways of engaging with the world.
That means pediatric physiotherapists must combine clinical knowledge with creativity, playfulness, and flexibility. Children are naturally curious and imaginative, and their engagement in therapy is often driven by enjoyment, not obligation. Attention spans are shorter, motivation may ebb and flow quickly, and therapy goals need to be blended into games and play. For a physiotherapist working with kids, success often hinges on building trust and rapport, and knowing how to turn even the most challenging exercises into something fun and meaningful.
The scope of pediatric physiotherapy is wide-ranging. It includes working on gross motor milestones such as rolling, crawling, walking, jumping, or climbing stairs, as well as developing balance, strength, coordination, and body awareness. For older children and teens, therapy may support injury recovery, postural improvements, or sport-specific conditioning. It’s also about more than physical skills–physiotherapists help children develop physical literacy, which is the motivation, confidence, and knowledge to enjoy movement throughout their lives.
Every treatment plan is customized based on the child’s age, interests, abilities, and goals. For example, a toddler who is delayed in walking might engage in therapy through obstacle courses, animal walks, and push toys. A school-aged child with poor coordination might practice movement through climbing games or playing catch with a balloon. A teenager recovering from a knee injury might focus on strength-building through sport-specific drills that mimic real gameplay. The key is that therapy is child-centered and adaptable.
Pediatric physiotherapists support children at all stages of development, from infancy through adolescence. In the baby stage, therapy often addresses conditions like torticollis (a tight neck muscle that causes head tilt), plagiocephaly (flattening of one part of the head), and gross motor delays. Parents are often active participants, learning strategies they can use at home, such as positioning techniques, stretches, and purposeful play.
In early childhood, therapists might treat toe walking, W-sitting, in-toeing, and other motor concerns that can affect posture and functional movement. They also support children who may be delayed in achieving milestones such as jumping, riding a tricycle, or climbing playground structures. Therapy during this time is often high-energy and play-based, helping kids build the foundational skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
By the time children reach school age, more complex issues may arise. Pediatric physiotherapists often work with children who are recovering from orthopedic injuries, such as fractures or sprains, or who have been diagnosed with concussions and need gradual reintroduction to school and sports. They also support kids with scoliosis, helping improve posture and core strength, and may work on endurance and mobility with children managing conditions like juvenile arthritis.
An important and sometimes lesser-known area of pediatric physiotherapy is pelvic health. Children with issues such as constipation, incontinence, or bedwetting may benefit from physiotherapy interventions that strengthen and add awareness and control of the pelvic floor, support healthy toileting habits, and improve core and postural control. These sessions are handled with sensitivity and care, involve no internal examinations, and most often use child-friendly visuals and language to help children understand their bodies and build confidence.
Pediatric physiotherapists also play a key role in supporting children with lifelong or complex conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and genetic syndromes that impact motor development. In these cases, therapy may be focused on improving mobility, preventing secondary complications (like joint contractures), and enhancing independence. Sessions often use adaptive equipment such as walkers, standers, orthotics, or mobility aids, and therapists may collaborate closely with families, schools, and other healthcare providers to ensure continuity.
Therapists are trained to work with children who experience the world differently–particularly those with sensory or emotional regulation needs, such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These children may need a calm, structured approach or a dynamic, movement-rich session. Techniques like deep pressure, weighted play, swinging, and heavy work help regulate sensory input and support a child’s ability to focus and engage. A child who starts a session feeling dysregulated or overstimulated can often be guided into a state of calm through thoughtful sensory activities.
Pediatric physiotherapy is also highly collaborative. Physiotherapists regularly work alongside occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, behaviour specialists, physicians, psychologists, educators, coaches, and other professionals. A team-based approach ensures the child is supported in every area of their life and can more quickly reach meaningful goals.
At the heart of pediatric physiotherapy is the belief that movement should be joyful. Therapy isn’t just about exercises or checklists–it’s about helping children discover what their bodies can do in a safe, positive, and supportive environment. No matter a child’s age or ability, pediatric physiotherapy aims to make movement fun, empowering, and meaningful–allowing kids to reach their goals while exploring their full potential through play.
If you want to learn more about pediatric physiotherapy, reach out to our clinic here in the Okanagan, Kids Physio Group-Kelowna, and we will be happy to share this incredible environment with you.
We are Kids Physio Group-Kelowna and we’re proud to deliver quality, and fun pediatric physiotherapy for kids to the Okanagan! Our clinic provides physiotherapy services for children aged newborn to 18 years, for injuries, gross motor development, developmental disabilities, and specialty areas including infant feeding, pelvic health, scoliosis, and concussion care in Kelowna.
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Species of sntsk‘il’ntn Black Mountain Regional Park
By Risti Lesperance • Regional Parks Services
We acknowledge our presence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/ Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. The Regional Parks system encompasses the area from Peachland to West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country and no matter where you live within the Central Okanagan, you’re within reach of a fantastic park experience!
There are adventures to discover each season in Regional Parks and a chance to learn more about some of the species that call the Okanagan home. Let’s take a look at sntsk‘il’ntən – Black Mountain Regional Park and some of the wild inhabitants you might encounter along the trail!
sntsk‘il’ntən – Black Mountain Regional Park is a vast and varied park. We suggest that you start at the trailhead at Swainson Road, which can be accessed by turning off Highway 33 at Muir Road and then immediately turning onto McKenzie Road and following to Swainson and the parking lot and trailhead for the park. This trailhead has outhouse washroom facilities and a water fountain. From here, you’ll enjoy a moderate hike, gradually ascending the trail into protected grasslands. There are several trail options, and you can enjoy the shorter Ephemeral Pond Trail or hop onto the Hoodoo Trail and over to the Coyote Trail. No matter what path you choose, you’ll be rewarded with undulating views of the grasslands and blue skies, interspersed with glimpses of Okanagan Lake and the city in the distance. Watch for curious coyotes (sənk’l’íp) keeping an eye on the trail and listen for the song of the Meadowlark. sntsk’il’ntən is a nsyilxcən word that means the place where arrowheads/ flint is found. What will you find along the trail?
Where possible, we’ve included the nsyilxcən word for the species names. For pronunciation of many common plant and animal names, please visit the syilx/ Okanagan Partnership page at rdco.com.
In May, the blueish blooms of Silky lupine (q ʷiq ʷiqniɬml’x) start to cover the hillside. Silky lupine is found in grasslands and sagebrush plant communities and in aspen and coniferous forests. The flowers are pea-like, deep blue to lavender in colour with whiteish or yellow markings at the base of the petals. Deemed the favourite food of the marmot (skʷúykʷi), the lupine is an indicator plant- when in bloom it signifies that marmots are fat enough to eat!
Also to watch out for in May are the golden yellow flowers of Arrowleaf balsamroot (smúkʷaʔxn). Sometimes referred to as the Okanagan sunflower, this wildflower gets its name from its large, arrowhead-shaped leaves and the balsam pitch aroma of its woody taproot. Deer and elk commonly graze Arrowleaf balsamroot throughout the year and especially in the spring when the tender plant shoots are first budding up. All parts of the plant are edible raw or cooked. The young leaves can be eaten raw or steamed, the taproots can be roasted or steamed, and the seeds are like small sunflower seeds which can be dried and pounded into a flour. Arrowleaf balsamroot favours dry, sun-exposed slopes which makes sntsk‘il’ntən – Black Mountain Regional Park an ideal location to observe this native wildflower.
While exploring the grassland trails, watch for the Meadowlark (aʕickʷəla), an early spring migratory bird. This robin-sized songbird has a yellow breast with a v-shaped black bib. Meadowlarks inhabit open grasslands without trees encroaching because these provide a perch for predator birds. Meadowlarks feed on insects and seeds and they forage on the ground in the brush, scanning the horizon for danger. These birds are very territorial during the breeding season, using their songs to woo a female, as well as ward off intruders. Females build a hidden nest on the ground often near a bunch of grasses or placed within a depression. With grasses tucked over the top, Meadowlark nests are well camouflaged and nearly impossible to see. Their distinctive, remarkably loud song makes Meadowlarks unmistakable. Males like a post to sit on to sing for a mate and they can have 100 different variations. Meadowlark songs vary with whistles, gurgles and warbling sounds. Meadowlarks are part of the blackbird family, and their song sounds similar to that of the Red-winged blackbird.
Volunteers with the Friends of Black Mountain maintain bird nesting boxes along the bluebird trail with the goal of encouraging both Western and Mountains bluebirds (nqʷʕaymíls) to raise their young in the park. As you follow the Ephemeral Pond trail, you’ll notice the bird boxes installed on some of the fence posts. It’s critically important that these bird boxes not be disturbed, so please do not approach any of the nesting boxes and always keep your dogs on leashes. Bluebirds, like many other species, build their nest inside a cavity. This is usually an old woodpecker hole, but it’s sometimes a rotted hollow branch, a crevice in a building or similar location. Fortunately, bluebirds are happy to accept birdhouses and bluebird populations have increased greatly in the last fifty years, probably helped by nesting boxes. Bluebirds belong to the thrush family, whose members are found throughout much of the world. Another of North America’s well-loved birds, the American robin, is also a thrush. The Mountain bluebird is a little larger than a House sparrow but smaller than an American robin. The back, wings, and tail of the male are a bright azure-blue, and the throat and breast are a lighter blue, which fades to white on the abdomen. On the female, the flight feathers and tail are pale blue, and the head and back are a mixed wash of blue and grey. The throat is brownish ash, blending to white on the lower breast. Western bluebirds are the same bright azure-blue as Mountain bluebirds but are distinguished by a vest of rust-orange extending from their breast to the upper back.
The Great basin spadefoot toad is an interesting species that may call the park home. In Canada, spadefoot toads are only found in British Columbia mainly in the Okanagan Valley, also in the Kettle, Nicola, Thompson and Similkameen Valleys. Adults typically breed in small ponds that may dry up by summer, which makes the park’s Ephemeral Pond ideal habitat for this species. Ephemeral ponds are temporary ponds, fed by spring run-off and drying up by summer. The spring pond water is where the females lay their eggs which hatch in 2 to 3 days. In 6 to 8 weeks, the tadpoles mature and then leave the breeding area. Spadefoot toads require deep, loose soil for burrowing into during daylight hours and during winter hibernation; they will also use rodent burrows or burrow under rocks or logs. Adult spadefoot toads eat ants, grasshoppers, beetles and crickets. They forage at night, especially on rainy nights. “Spades” on their hind feet allow these toads to disappear in minutes by quickly digging into the soil. Spadefoots are one of the few desert adapted amphibians, surviving drought by burying themselves and secreting a protective gelatinous coat. The Great basin spadefoot toad is at risk in British Columbia because of its restricted distribution, its dependence on specialized habitats of temporary pools of water in dry regions, and loss of wetland breeding habitat and grassland foraging habitat to urbanization and intensive agriculture. You’ll notice that the Ephemeral Pond is fenced off, protecting the sensitive spadefoot toad breeding habitat.
You may see elk scat as you explore the trails or maybe even an elk herd passing through the park in the winter months. There are two main herds of elk (snik̓łc̓áʔ) in the Central Okanagan area. One herd is in the Okanagan Mountain Park/ Myra Canyon area while the other, called the Black Mountain herd, ranges from the Joe Rich area all the way up to Oyama, Kalamalka Lake and some even go as far as Falkland. Elk are grazers, they like clearcuts and grasslands that have been opened up through forest fires or habitat restoration works. In the winter, elk are driven down into the Okanagan because of the snowpack in higher elevations. They don’t deal well with deep snow and so they move to lower elevation grazing areas when necessary. They then move higher up and further east in the warmer months. Elk are more commonly found in mountainous areas; they are adaptable and can tolerate sporadic tree cover and the dry Okanagan climate. In recent years, the Black Mountain elk herd has been spotted in the fields near the Kelowna Airport!
Park Interpreters with Regional Parks Services offer guided hikes and public programs at sntsk‘il’ntən – Black Mountain Regional Park year round such as Winter tracks and trails, Moonlight hikes and Wildflower wonderland. To learn more about guided programs at this park or at other Regional Parks in the Central Okanagan, please visit rdco.com/parks.
Risti Lesperance, Certified Interpretive Guide, is an educator and park interpreter who has been leading guided hikes, facilitating school programs, encountering local wildlife, and creating meaningful park experiences for 15 years with Parks Services at the Regional District of Central Okanagan. You can reach her at risti.lesperance@rdco.com.
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Great Summer Reads
By Ashley Machum • Okanagan Regional Library
School is almost out! Students have worked all school year to learn and master new skills. The summer break can lead to learning loss also known as the summer slide. This summer slide is not to be confused with a fun ride. This is what happens when learning slowly slips away over time due to lack of use. The Okanagan Regional Library is here to support kids, teens, and caregivers. We want to motivate kids to keep reading and learning this summer! Here are some suggestions: Nerd out! Find a topic of interest and dive in to explore. Celebrate all reading! Comics, recipes, magazines, audiobooks, non-fiction facts all ‘count’ as reading. Get outside! Discover and learn by spending time in nature.
Check out the local library for free books, services, and activities for all ages. We are a community space that youth are invited to hangout in without spending money! Join Summer Reading Club!
Read a Rainbow and Colour Your Summer! Check out these vibrant books from your local library.
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall.
Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (‘Let’s draw strawberries!’). His mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a play date with a friend from school. But Red is miserable. He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries. Find out how Red handles with his blues.
Awesome Orange Birthday by Mitali Banerjee Ruths.
Priya is excited to plan her aunty’s birthday party. She will donate the money she makes to help the cutest endangered animal on the planet, the quokka! But the party is this Saturday! With so many items on her to-do list, can she get it all done in time?
The Yellow Yacht by Ron Roy. There’s trouble in paradise! The kids are having a great time swimming, snorkeling, and soaking up the sun. But the fun is cut short when there’s a robbery on the island. Is the heist connected to a mysterious yacht docked nearby? It’s up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to find out.
STEM Green Science at Home by Susan Martineau. Are you ready to save the world? These simple, step-by-step science experiments will help you! Your young environmentalist will discover the science behind climate change and other issues facing our planet.
Blue Whale vs. Mosquito by Jerry Pallotta. What if a blue whale and a mosquito had a fight? Who do you think would win? Learn about each animal’s anatomy and behaviour, before discovering the winner!
Inky the Indigo Fairy by Daisy Meadows.
Inky, the Indigo Fairy, is up to her usual mischief. She is on an adventure in the luscious Land of Sweets. Rachel and Kirsty must bring her back but they will need help from the Sugarplum Fairy.
Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino.
Violet Shrink doesn’t like parties, or bashes, or gatherings. Lots of people make her nervous. Discover how she navigates social anxiety at family gatherings and works with her father to find a solution.
Summer Reading Clubs for All Ages!
Starting on Monday, June 23 visit your local library and join Summer Reading Club for FREE! Join any time during the summer. The theme this year is Colour Your Summer!
• Read-to-Me Club (Infant-5 Years): Read together!
• Summer Reading Club (5-12 Years): Read to earn a shiny medal!
• Teen Summer Challenge: Read and complete challenges!
• Adult Summer Reading Club: Discover library resources, explore your community, and keep learning.
Everyone has a chance to win cool prizes!
To find all these books and more great reads visit the Okanagan Regional Library near you. www.orl.bc.ca.
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Adventure, Confidence and Connection: Enrich Your Family Life
By Kristi Patton • BGC Okanagan
When 8-year-old Oaklen comes home from his BGC Okanagan Recreation Program, he doesn’t just say it was “good” or “fine”. According to his mom Sara, he bursts through the door and declares: “it’s awesome and we did a lot of stuff that I really like and had never done!”.
And that, in a nutshell, is the magic of BGC Okanagan recreation programs.
For decades, BGC Okanagan has been a trusted space for families seeking quality, engaging activities for their children. But in recent years, especially in a time where kids are craving more connection, movement, and opportunities to just be kids, these programs have become something much more. They’re a lifeline. A launchpad. A confidence booster. A community builder. And, for many families, a bit of breathing room.
Why Recreation Matters Now More Than Ever
“There has never been a more important time to honour our children and their need to find safe ways to explore their world, make new friends, and gain new skills that will stay with them for a lifetime,” says Avery Beare, a Recreation Program Coordinator for BGC Okanagan.
Programs are offered in Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon. Beare sees up to 60 kids each week at the Vernon Club and knows each of them by name and personality. From kids who arrive a little shy but leave with new friends, to the ones who tackle a new activity and beam with pride, she’s witnessed countless transformative moments–like the first time one of her participants dared to jump off a diving board, an act of bravery that became a milestone. “Some of our kids are experiencing things for the very first time in their whole lives,” Beare says. “That’s what makes BGC Okanagan recreation programs so special.”
A World of Experiences,All in One Place
At BGC Okanagan, recreation is more than just fun and games – it’s carefully curated to challenge, bring fun, and help children grow. Whether it’s learning how to play pickleball with newly donated equipment, building art projects, baking muffins, or exploring new places the goal is the same: to help kids discover who they are and what they’re capable of. “Our variety of activities helps build confidence,” Beare explains. “Kids are learning new skills and facing challenges in a supportive, inclusive environment.”
Recent adventures have included hikes, swimming at local pools, bowling, and out-trips to exciting activities. Recently, a Métis professional drummer, Angela Roy, led a rhythm workshop, offering a cultural experience that may spark a lifelong interest in music.
These out-trips are often the highlight for both kids and parents. Sara, whose son Oaklen is a proud rec program participant, says the off-site experiences have been especially meaningful. “I truly appreciate the ones that are out of town and would be harder for us to make as family trips to on weekends,” she says. “They’ve made a huge difference in our routine and given our son incredible experiences.”
Flexible, Affordable, and Truly Impactful
For busy parents juggling work, home, and all of life’s responsibilities, the flexibility and affordability of BGC Okanagan’s recreation programming can be a game-changer. “It means that not every night has the same mental load as others,” Sara says. “While our son is out having a great time, we can choose to get things done – or just relax and enjoy each other or our own hobbies.”
That balance, between what’s good for children and what supports parents, is baked into the design of every program. It’s accessible, it’s affordable, and it works with families’ lives. “The time these programs run and the variety offered are what make them stand out,” Sara adds. “And that’s why I tell every family I know about them.”
Building Braver, Bolder Kids
The real magic, though, isn’t in the field trips or crafts (as amazing as they are). It’s in the way these programs shape children from the inside out. “Watching Oaklen grow in confidence has been amazing,” Sara shares. “He’s always been outgoing, but now he handles different social experiences so much better. He’s learned to manage his emotions, interact with different age groups, and try new things with enthusiasm.”
Each child’s journey is unique, but a common thread runs through every story: growth, joy, and the sense of belonging that comes from being seen, supported, and celebrated.
Beare says it best: “the kids choose to be here. And we get to be part of their journey as they become the bold and brave leaders of the future”.
A Program that Grows with the Community
With new equipment and opportunities rolling in, BGC Okanagan’s recreation programs continue to evolve and expand. But the heart of it all remains the same: creating safe, fun spaces where children can thrive. “We’re not just filling time,” Beare says. “We’re building skills and memories that last a lifetime. We’re giving kids the chance to try something new, to feel proud of themselves, to be part of a community.”
Join the Fun: Your Family’s next Favourite Activity Might be just Around the Corner
Whether your child is a budding artist, a sports enthusiast, a curious adventurer, or just looking for a fun way to meet new friends there’s a program waiting for them at BGC Okanagan.
With options like TGIF (Friday night fun, food and games), free Tuesday sports or STEM drop-ins, painting and art programs, out-trips, and seasonal adventures, there’s something for every interest–and every family. And, these programs are low-cost to register, some are even free to attend with registration and a $10 a year Club membership fee.
So, if you’ve been wondering how to get your child more engaged, more confident, and more connected this year, consider what Sara calls “the best thing that we could have hoped for”.
From the first splash into a swimming pool to the final note of a drumming workshop, one thing is clear: this is more than just recreation. It’s growth. It’s joy. It’s family.
Want to learn more or register your child? Visit bgco.ca to explore our recreation programs across the Okanagan.
With the support of the community, we can ensure that every child has access to enriching activities, supportive mentors, and a safe place in the community that helps them thrive. If you would like to donate to provide confidence, connection, and opportunities for children and youth across the Okanagan visit bgco.ca/building-futures.
BGC Okanagan offers life-changing programs for children, youth, and families across the Okanagan at 41 Club locations. Since 1959, we’ve supported young people with child care, recreation, and youth and family services that build confidence, skills, and connection. Learn more at bgco.ca.
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Empowering Lives Through Inclusive Recreation and Adventure
By Louise Abbott • The Kelowna and District Society for People In Motion
Since its inception in 1987, People In Motion (PIM) Kelowna has been a beacon of inclusivity, providing adaptive recreational opportunities for individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. Through a diverse array of programs and services, PIM fosters independence, community engagement, and the joy of active living.
Adaptive Sailing: Navigating New Horizons
In partnership with the Kelowna Yacht Club, People In Motion has introduced an adaptive sailing program utilizing specially designed boats, the program provides individuals from ages (6 to 90), who require adaptive support the opportunity to experience the freedom and independence of sailing on Okanagan Lake. Registration is now open and sailing begins June 2, 2025 for the season.
Adaptive Snow Sports: Embracing Winter Adventures
Our Adaptive Snow Sports programs are located at three locations; Big White Ski Resort, Baldy Mountain Resort and Apex Mountain Resort which offers tailored skiing and snowboarding experiences for individuals with diverse abilities. Certified volunteer instructors provide personalized instruction, utilizing specialized equipment such as sit-skis, bi-skis, and mono-skis to accommodate each participant’s needs. The program runs from January to March, ensuring ample opportunities for engagement.
Adaptive Equipment Loans: Facilitating Independence
PIM offers a range of adaptive recreational equipment for loan, enabling individuals to explore various terrains and activities. From adaptive bikes to trail riders, the equipment is available for use both locally and out of town, promoting freedom and independence.
Wheelchair Sports Leagues: Wheelchair Basketball and Power Wheelchair Soccer
Our Wheelchair Basketball and Power Soccer leagues hold weekly practices designed to build skills, foster teamwork, and promote inclusive competition. Players participate in exciting tournaments that bring together athletes from across the region to showcase their talent and celebrate adaptive sports. These events are a highlight for players and fans alike, creating a vibrant, supportive community.
Myra Canyon Adaptive Tours: Exploring Scenic Trails
Through a partnership with Myra Canyon Bicycle Rental and Tours, PIM provides adaptive equipment such as duet bikes, adult trikes, and junior trail riders. This collaboration allows individuals to experience the beauty of the Kettle Valley Rail Trails, making outdoor exploration accessible to all.
Accessible Scenic and Charter Tours: Discovering the Okanagan
PIM’s ‘Out and About’ tours offer accessible transportation for individuals requiring lift-equipped services. These charter tours enable participants to visit various sites and attractions throughout the Okanagan, fostering community engagement and enjoyment of the region’s offerings.
Access to Angling: Fishing for All
PIM’s ‘Access to Angling’ program, launched in Spring 2022, offers accessible fishing experiences at Agur Lake Accessible Camp near Summerland. With the support of dedicated volunteers, the program provides individuals with disabilities the chance to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of fishing in a supportive environment.
Kids In Motion: Family Fun Days
PIM hosts annual ‘Kids in Motion’ Family Fun Days during winter at
Big White Ski Resort and in summer at Agur Lake. These events offer children with disabilities and their families the opportunity to participate in various recreational activities, fostering community and inclusion.
Community Engagement and Volunteerism
PIM thrives thanks to the incredible dedication of its volunteers, who play a vital role in every aspect of the organization–from event planning and program support to hands-on instruction. With a team of approximately 135 committed volunteers, PIM is able to continuously grow its impact and reach more individuals in the community.
Equally important is the unwavering support from our sponsors and community partners. Their generous contributions of funding, resources, and collaboration make it possible to offer high-quality, inclusive programming. We’re truly grateful for every person and organization that helps bring our mission to life.
People In Motion Kelowna stands as a testament to the power of inclusivity and community support. Through its comprehensive programs and services, PIM empowers individuals with disabilities to lead active, engaged, and fulfilling lives. For more information or to get involved, and register for any of our amazing programs visit pimbc.ca.
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Creative Connections With Art
By Angela Roy, Educational Program Coordinator • Rotary Centre for the Arts
Did you know there’s a place in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District where creativity, family connection, and community come alive every single day? It’s the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA), and whether you’re 5 or 75, you can find activities for your family to experience, express, and explore together.
At the RCA, we believe art is a pathway to stronger family bonds and a more vibrant community.
Our programs are built to be inclusive and accessible, welcoming every person at every stage, just as they are. You don’t need to be a professional artist to benefit from creative expression. You just need a little curiosity and the willingness to discover something new. Whether it’s through dance, music, painting, movement, or storytelling, the arts help us grow, heal, and connect.
As the Educational Program Coordinator, I see firsthand how powerful hands-on, accessible programming can be. Every time I design a new program, I ask myself two questions: How will this impact our community? And how can we meet the needs and interests of families and youth? Guided by these questions, we build much more than camps or classes. We build connection.
Many families first discover us through our Art Blast Camps, offered every spring and summer for kids aged 5 to 10. These camps are high-energy, imagination-fueled adventures in painting, sculpture, music, movement, and drama. They’re a lot of fun, but more importantly, they’re powerful confidence builders. There’s nothing quite like seeing a young artist beam with pride while showcasing their work in the Mary Irwin Theatre.
As kids grow, programs like Youth Arts Drop-ins and the Youth Arts Council give teens a safe, casual space to keep exploring their creativity without pressure or judgment. New spring, fall, and winter programs are always offered, ranging from crocheting to beatbox dancing to help them learn new skills.
For families looking to create together, RCA’s new Family Art Saturdays are offered twice a month. Themed sessions like Art Around the World and Seasonal Art invite parents, grandparents, caregivers, and kids to sit side by side and make something special. After these sessions, I often hear how grateful people are to slow down, reconnect, and just be creative together. In a fast-paced world, these moments really matter.
We’ve also expanded our Seniors Programming for the active 55+, creating dedicated spaces for older adults to rediscover the joy of making art, whether it’s a brand-new experience or the return of an old passion. The benefits are universal: improved wellbeing, new friendships, and the reminder that creativity doesn’t have an expiry date. To deepen this work, we recently launched an Intergenerational Program that brings seniors and youth together through printmaking, where connection grows as naturally as creativity.
The truth is, we all painted before we wrote. Art is our first language. It’s how we connect, express, and understand one another long before we have words. At the RCA, we carry that belief into everything we do, especially in programs for families and youth. Whether it’s a child discovering how colours blend, a teen telling a story through a painting, or a grandparent sharing a laugh with their grandchild over a messy art project, art brings generations together.
The gift of the arts is an investment in our families, our schools, and our communities. It’s something that continues to ripple outward long after the paint has dried or the music has faded. That’s why connection is at the core of everything we build. We’re not just nurturing artistic skills. We’re nurturing curiosity, empathy, resilience, and joy. And when families create together, those qualities ripple outward, strengthening homes, schools, and communities.
As one participant, Anna, shared:
“RCA is a very welcoming place with great instructors and lots to inspire creativity.”
Of course, it’s not just structured programs that make RCA special.
Our ongoing community events like Jazz Jam, Blues Night, Dance and Move, Draw Your Art Out, Beyond the Music, and Feel the Rhythm invite everyone to experience creativity in a way that’s spontaneous and joyful. No experience is needed, just a love of art in all its forms.
Investing in the arts means investing in families for more connected communities. The children who create today become the empathetic leaders of tomorrow. The families who bond through art grow stronger. The communities that make space for creativity become places where everyone feels safe, seen, and supported.
Let’s keep creating together. Visit us at www.rotarycentreforthearts.com.
Angela Roy is a bilingual artist-educator and the RCA’s Educational Program Coordinator. A recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence and recently featured in West Coast Visionaries, Angela brings over 20 years of experience as a performing artist and arts educator. She has led artist-in-residence programs across Western Canada, Central America, and Chile, specializing in songwriting and performing arts. She also collaborates with UBCO teaching students to develop curriculum, and oversees all educational programming at the RCA which is shaped and led by a diverse network of over 150 professional artists from across the Okanagan. Her leadership helps ensure that RCA’s programs remain rooted in artistic excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement.
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6 Ways to Recover Your Mental Health
By Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D. • Psych Central www.psychcentral.com
If you are emerging from a period of mental distress, the most important thing to remember is that you are the key person on the treatment team.
Although other people can give you advice, encouragement, recommendations and even love, the ultimate person in charge of helping you get better is you. There are practical, doable, affordable steps you can take to work on your recovery. By regularly following these steps, you can regain stability and get on with life.
1) Remind yourself that you are not alone
At some point in their lives, fully 20% of Americans report that they have symptoms of mental illness. That’s one-in-five people! Sometimes life hands out more stress than a person can bear. Sometimes a person’s coping skills aren’t up to the task of coping. And sometimes mental health issues seem to descend out of the blue. Whatever the case, mental illness is not something to be ashamed of. Yes, there may be some people in your life who won’t understand or who will blame you, or who will say things that are insensitive or unhelpful. But most people will only want to help.
2) Pay attention to your body as well as your mind
What looks like mental illness isn’t always in a person’s head. If you are feeling uncomfortable in your own skin; if you are feeling emotionally fragile; if you are experiencing or re-experiencing symptoms of what you know to be mental illness–see your medical doctor first. Thyroid disorders, heart problems, even vitamin deficiencies can create symptoms that resemble mental illness. Make sure you are physically healthy before you decide you have a psychological problem. If you find out you are medically fine but you still feel distressed, then it’s time to talk to a mental health professional.
3) Take care of your body–even when (especially when) you
don’t feel like it
Some people say they will take care of themselves once they feel better. It really doesn’t work that way. You will begin to feel better if you pay attention to self-care. Your mind needs a healthy body if you are to recover. Eat regular healthy meals. Limit caffeine and sugar. If you don’t feel like cooking, order take-out or stock up on frozen dinners that just require a zap in the microwave. Get enough sleep (which often means staying off screens after dinner time). Go for walks or exercise in another way that appeals to you. Take a shower and get dressed in clean clothes every day even if it feels like a lot of useless effort. If you treat yourself as if you are someone worth treating well, you will start to believe it.
4) If your doctor prescribes medication, take it as prescribed
Make sure you understand what the doctor thinks your medicine will do for you as well as the possible side-effects.
Don’t improvise. Take only the medicine you have been given, at the right dosage, at the prescribed times. Pay attention to whether you should take your medicine on an empty stomach or with food. Ask your doctor if there are foods or over-the-counter medications or supplements you should avoid. And, by all means, stay away from alcohol and recreational drugs!
If your medicine makes you uncomfortable in any way, talk to your doctor about it. Don’t just quit. Many psychiatric drugs need to be curtailed gradually, not abruptly, if you are to stay safe. Your doctor may recommend a change in dosage or a change in medication.
5) Go to therapy
The treatment of choice for most disorders is a combination of medication (at least for awhile) and talk therapy. A therapist will provide you support and encouragement. Regular participation in your therapy will help you figure out how to better help yourself–but only if you take it seriously.
A therapist is not a mindreader. A therapist only has what you tell him or her to work with. For therapy to be effective, you need to dig in and share your thoughts and feelings and to be willing to think carefully about ideas and suggestions your therapist makes.
If you don’t think the therapy is helping you or you don’t like your therapist’s approach, don’t just quit. Talk about it. These are the discussions that often lead to the most important new information about what is happening or how best to help.
6) Reach out to others
Isolating (not talking to or spending time with others) may be tempting but it won’t help you. People do need people. Call a supportive friend or family member just to talk now and then. Join an online forum or support group. If you can’t find someone to talk to when you need to, call a warm-line or hotline. Once you are feeling even a little up to it, get involved in a charity or cause. Doing things with others for others is the best way to build your own self-esteem.
Recovery from mental illness sometimes does happen like magic, with symptoms disappearing as mysteriously as they arrived. But that’s really, really rare. Most of the time, recovery takes active treatment. But your professional helpers can only do so much. They need you to be an interested and active member of the team. By committing yourself to self-help as well as other-help, you can regain your stability–and your happiness–much more quickly.
Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D. is an author, licensed psychologist, and a marriage and family therapist who has been in practice for more than 35 years. She specializes in couples and family therapy and parent education. She writes regularly for Psych Central as well as Psych Central’s Ask the Therapist feature. She is author of the insightful parenting e-book, Tending the Family Heart. Check out her book, Unlocking the Secrets of Self-Esteem.