Youth Group Free Parking Pass
Changes to Youth Group Policies
BC Parks has made recent changes to Park Act regulations to support the greater use of provincial parks by youth groups. These changes are as follows:- A new Youth Group Free Parking Pass is available to BC schools and youth programs run by recreation centres and non-for-profit youth organizations.
- The definition of “youth group” has been amended to capture a wider range of organizations offering programs for youth and lower the minimum group size from 15 to 12.
Please read the policies around youth group parking passes below, before completing the application form.
This policy applies to day-use parking only. View a list of provincial parks charging parking fees.
The youth group free parking passes are date and park specific. They cannot be used in other parks or for other dates. They are also numbered and can only be used for the number of vehicles declared on the form (i.e. if an additional vehicle joins the group, you will be required to pay the parking fee for that extra vehicle).
School buses
A recognizable school bus being used by a youth group does not need to pay for, or display, a parking pass. These buses always park for free in BC Parks. Youth groups using vehicles other than a school bus may register for a youth group free parking pass.
Eligibility
Only k-12 schools, recreation centres and not-for-profit youth organizations located within BC and taking a minimum of 12 people (youth plus adult supervisors/parents) are eligible for free parking passes.
Recreation centres are only eligible for free parking passes if the specific program is targeted at youth (age 18 or younger).
Group requirements
The youth group must be supervised by an adult (19 or older) representative of the school, recreation centre or youth organization. There must be a minimum of one supervisor to every 30 youth, with no more than one adult to every three youth. Higher supervision ratios for youth with special needs may be permitted (e.g. one to one supervision) if this requirement is noted on the form.
Applications, cancellations and changes
There are no fees to register for a youth group free parking pass.
Complete the form below. This form must be submitted 10 days prior to the proposed trip date, with all requested information, in order for BC Parks to generate the requested parking passes in time.
If you wish to cancel the parking pass, or change the number of vehicles, please email BC Parks, with the the school or organisation name, and pass number if issued.
These passes will be processed in Victoria, with information sent to the relevant region and PFO. The passes will be sent electronically (via email) to the applying school/organization.
For further information, read the approved Parks and Protected Areas Program Youth Group Policy
