BC Parks 100 Passport!

The BC Parks 100 Passport was an exciting initiative that intended to engage families in BC Parks’ centenary by encouraging them to visit parks and visitor centres across the province from May 20, to September 30, 2011.  There were over 180 Participating Sites throughout the province where you could collect stickers or stamps in your passports and earn awards! There were also trip planning resources, special offers and coupons contained within the Passport.

To BC Parks visitors:

Waterfalls, alpine meadows, mountaintops, hiking trails, beaches, wildlife, camping sites, historical sites and First Nations pictographs are just a few of the wonders I enjoy as a Park Ranger. Working outdoors, protecting the special values of the parks and ensuring people have exhilarating and safe experiences are the duties that make my job a pleasure every day.
2011 is exceptionally special and presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate all that BC Parks has to offer.

This BC Parks 100 Passport is only one of many ways that you can participate in our 100th birthday. I personally invite you, your family, your friends, and every other curious soul to come outdoors, explore, discover and make lasting memories with us in BC Parks!

Elaine Gustafson
Area Supervisor, Shuswap

May 20, 2011 to September 30, 2011

It is a Quick Response code (QR code). QR codes can contain information such as a URL, a phone number, a photo, a map, or some text information that may be useful to you. Think of it as a bar code that you can read with your smart phone. The QR code below links to our Parks home page!

1. BC Parks 100 Commemorative Prizes

A maximum of two (2) awards per participant will be awarded as follows:

For a total of ten (10) BC Parks stickers collected on the designated BC Parks collection page (p. 18), a commemorative flashlight will be awarded. These awards can be picked up at all BC Parks participating sites, and at the time of redemption, the validation line will be signed by a representative at that site.

BC Parks has provided an additional page for surplus stickers to be collected (p. 19). No awards are granted for surplus stickers.

2. Parks Canada National Parks and Historic Sites in British Columbia

Visit* and collect any three (3) stamps (p. 21) from Parks Canada places to be eligible to win one of ten Parks Canada Discovery Passes. The passport holder will receive one (1) prize entry for every three (3) stamps collected (e.g. Three (3) stamps = One (1) entry, Six (6) stamps = Two (2) entries, for a maximum of Twelve (12) stamps = Four (4) entries.) Stamp offers will be honoured for Parks Canada annual pass-holders and will not be combined with any other offer.

* Parks Canada entry fees apply to be eligible.

3. Visitor Centre Prizes

A maximum of one (1) prize per participant will be awarded by the participating Visitor Centres as follows. For every six (6) unique Visitor Centre stickers (p. 23) affixed to the designated Visitor Centre collection page, you will receive one exclusive, branded, foldable, environmentally friendly water bottle. Collect yours from a participating Visitor Centre. Once the validation line has been signed, the prize for that page will be assumed to have been collected and will not be awarded at a later date.

4. Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC Prizes (Learn to Fish)

Participants who attend a Learn to Fish program in a BC Park are eligible to collect a starter fishing tackle gift. A sticker (p. 24) and the award can be collected from a Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC Visitor Centre (Maximum one award per participant).

Special Offers
The Camping and RVing BC partners are pleased to offer special summer savings in all parts of British Columbia. Your unforgettable celebration and savings start at:  www.campingrvbc.com/100years

Visit one of the British Columbia Visitor Centres at Peace Arch, Golden, Mount Robson, Osoyoos or Merritt and save $10 on a retail merchandise purchase of $30 or more.
(Must present the coupon from the Passport to save!)

Resources:
Try out the Google online map to plan your camping trip. With more than 1,100
campgrounds, choosing your ideal spot only takes a few minutes. Searching for recreation
sites, national parks, BC Parks, private campgrounds and RV parks has never been so easy:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/map.html

Celebrate BC Day in BC Parks and receive a special BC Day Sticker
B.C. Day is a public holiday dedicated to the pioneers who built the colony of British Columbia. Similarly, BC Parks is commemorating the natural and cultural history of B.C.’s provincial park system. In celebration, the Provincial Capital Commission and BC Parks have joined together to celebrate these two notable events and you are invited! Join us from July 30th to August 1st, 2011 to celebrate with us and receive a special BC Day sticker. (Please refer to the Events Calendar for special BC Day weekend celebrations.)