Courtenay
Welcome to Courtenay! This town at the base of the mountains has many groups and events to attend with your little ones. Explore the suggestions below and be sure to follow the links for more information about dates and times on the calendar. Remember that the Comox Valley is also one big community! Feel free to check out the programs in Comox and Cumberland as well.
Upcoming Events
Local Groups & Programs
Dove Creek Play Group
The Dove Creek Playgroup provides an informal, welcoming environment for families and childcare providers with children from the age of 0-6.
The groups take place at the Dove Creek Hall. Families do not need to register nor is there a cost to attend.
Some of the activities and resources offered throughout the month are:
simple art activities
books and story time
circle time activities such as songs, rhymes and basic movements
information on community resources
information on child development and behaviour issues
Special guests are invited to share their knowledge and resources with parents and children while offering a fun and engaging place to make new friends, big and small.
Get In Touch
Darcie Emerson
Family Connector
250-686-0849
Parent & Tot Playtime
Join us Saturday and Monday mornings for free play and social interaction with others. Guided activities include parachute games, plasma cars, music and movement games. An adult must participate and is responsible for the supervision of their children.
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-338-5371
Location: Lewis Centre, Meeting Room, 489 Old Island Highway, Courtenay (map)
The Little Village Program
The Little Village Program provides support and networking for families. The program is designed to fill a gap for families to provide support and socialization, while incorporating traditional teachings and current parenting techniques. Suitable for children 0-4+ accompanied by their parents or other family/caregiver members who are an important part of the child’s life.
This group operates as a drop-in playgroup on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Get In Touch
Group Leader: Tim Gagnon
Phone: 250-465-9944
Email: littlevillage@uiwona.ca
Address: 960 Cumberland Rd., Courtenay, BC, V9N 2E4
NEW DISCOVERIES
The goal of this group is to strengthen families in our community by offering programs that meet the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of parents and their children. Suited for children age 0-5.
Activities including crafting, cooking, summer camps, and learning skills like boundaries.
All of the programs are free, however, space is sometimes limited.
Get In Touch
Brandi
250-338-8221
brandi@cvsalarmy.ca
Location: Salvation Army Church, 1580 Fitzgerald Street, Courtenay (map)
Comox Valley Toy Library Society
The toy library is a place where families and caregivers can borrow toys.
What are the benefits to borrowing toys?
It saves money!
It’s a good way to see if your child likes a toy before buying it.
It helps cut down on clutter and storage issues.
It’s good for the environment.
It’s a chance to try different types of toys as your child grows.
It’s an excellent rainy day strategy (bringing out something “new” to play with!)
Does it cost anything to join the toy library?
Memberships to the Comox Library Toy Library Society are $20/year. That fee can be waived, though, if your income is low. You can ask about this when you register. (You may be asked to produce your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment to verify eligibility or if your family has PLAY booklets from the Comox Valley Regional District Sports and Aquatic Centres, you can show these, instead.)
Get In Touch
Contact: Renee
Phone: 250—668-4562
Email: cvtoylibrary@gmail.com
Location: St. George’s United Church, 505 6th Street, Courtenay (map)
Friday’s Child
The program supports parents and families who face challenges with daily tasks as a result of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other cognitive or behavioural difficulties. The program provides a safe environment for Aboriginal children and their families who face extraordinary challenges in ordinary situations.
Families participate in confidential talking circles and find support with our highly-trained staff and a supportive community. Transportation and a healthy lunch is provided. The program is free.
Phone: 250-465-2066
Email: fridayschild@shaw.ca
Location: Aboriginal Head Start, 956 Grieve Avenue, Courtenay (map)
Hummingbirds Play Group
Hummingbirds operates from Wachiay Friendship Centre Monday mornings 10:00am - 12:00pm and provides a healthy breakfast and culturally-based programming for parents and children age 0 to 6. It is a great opportunity to enjoy child-centered play through planned activities and free play with cultural components. Parents can also find out more about parenting and family supports in the Comox Valley.
Get In Touch
Registration is required and can be done through Josie Andrew at josie.a@wachiay.org Inquiries can also be made through phone contact at: 1 (778) 225 0300
Our programs are located at 1625 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay, B.C (map)
Family Circle
Family Circle is presented weekly by Wachiay Friendship Centre on Fridays from 10:00am - 12:00pm and incorporates local Aboriginal culture. Interactive programming includes drumming, singing story-telling, and traditional teachings.
Get In Touch
Registration is required and can be done through Josie Andrew at josie.a@wachiay.org Inquiries can also be made through phone contact at: 1 (778) 225 0300
Our programs are located at 1625 McPhee Avenue, Courtenay, B.C (map)
Parent + Peanut
This drop-in group is for parents with children from 0 – 5 years of age.
This is drop-in program for parents and little ones. It is an opportunity for children to meet new friends in a fun and playful environment that encourages growth and learning. Activities may include crafts, games, play stations, songs and stories at the Black Creek Community Centre.
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-337-5190
Location: Black Creek Community Centre, 2001 Black Creek Road, Black Creek (map)
Healthy Babies
This group is for pregnant women and new mothers with their babies (up to the age of 6 months) who are looking for extra support during pregnancy and with breastfeeding.
There are guest speakers and a Public Health Nurse at each group. Other resources include:
sharing shelves
prenatal vitamins
emergency food hampers
individual and group support
Transportation is available and a healthy lunch is always provided. Drop-ins welcome!
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-871-7577
Queneesh Family Literacy Outreach
This Family Literacy Outreach program is for parents with children between 0 to 5 years of age.
It involves the preparation and eating of a healthy lunch which is followed by small group learning circles for parents. Topics may include family and computer literacy, college / employment readiness and Essential Skills.
During this learning time, the children do Early Learning activities with qualified Early Childhood Educators.
The group wraps up with parent and child activities and circle time.
Get In Touch
Contact: Colleen Friendship
Email: colleen.friendship@sd71.bc.ca
Baby Time at VAncouver island regional library
Babies start learning from birth. Led by a librarian, Baby Time is a program for parents and their pre-walking babies. Learn rhymes, tickles, songs, and lap bounces. Encourage your baby’s brain development and also enjoy the opportunity to meet other local parents.
Baby Time currently runs in pre-registered sessions at all three local VIRL branches.
Get In Touch
VIRL Courtenay
6th Street, Courtenay BC
250-334-3369
Family Storytime at VAncouver Island Regional Library
Drop-in for children of all ages accompanied by a caregiver, at three VIRL locations in the Comox Valley. Songs, stories, rhymes and other fun!
Get In Touch
VIRL Courtenay:
Phone: 250-334-3369
Email: courtenay@virl.bc.ca
Location: Courtenay Library, 300 6th Street, Courtenay (map)
StrongStart (School District #71)
This is a drop-in early learning program for children from newborn – 5 years of age, accompanied by their parent or caregiver.
Children, families and caregivers attending StrongStart centres can expect a play-based environment which includes circle time, art, snack and gym.
StrongStart centres are located in 7 Comox Valley elementary schools:
Aspen Park Elementary (map)
Facilitator: Phylis Edgar
Contact: 250-890-0944
Brooklyn Elementary (map)
Facilitator: Meghan Hunt
Contact: meghan.hunt@sd71.bc.ca
Courtenay Elementary (map)
Facilitator: Carlene Steeves
Contact: 250-338-5396
Royston Elementary (map)
Facilitator: Phylis Edgar
Contact: 250-334-2161
Please bring your child's birth certificate or passport when you come to your first Strong Start.
Toddler Time
This interactive parent-child support group is for families with children 1 – 2 years of age. It is an opportunity for parents to:
connect with other parents and caregivers in a supportive, learning environment
learn more about children’s health, safety, nutrition, growth and development
access clothing sharing shelves & emergency food hampers
talk with community guest speakers while the children enjoy crafts, play and a variety of early learning activities
Transportation is available and a healthy lunch is always provided.
If you are attending this group for the first time, please contact the Healthy Families program to pre-register.
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-871-7577
Location: Courtenay Elementary, Multipurpose Room, 1540 McPhee Ave, Courtenay (map)
Stay n’ Play
This interactive parent-child support group is for families with children between 4 – 12 months of age. It is an opportunity for parents to:
connect with other parents and caregivers in a supportive, learning environment
learn more about children’s health, safety, nutrition, growth and development
access clothing sharing shelves & emergency food hampers
talk with community guest speakers while the children enjoy a variety of early learning activities
Transportation is available and a healthy lunch is always provided.
Get In Touch
Phone: 250-871-7577
Comox Valley Family Services1415 Cliffe AvenueCourtenay, BC, V9N 2K6Canada (map)
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN SUPPORT CIRCLE
This group offers support and information resources for grandparents raising grandchildren.
It is co-facilitated by the Child Development Association and the Comox Valley Transition Society but you don’t have to be involved with either of these agencies in order to attend.
Mondays 10:00-11:30am
Get In Touch
Contact: Supported Child Development Program (CVCDA)
Phone: 250-338-4288
Comox Valley Transition Society
625 England Avenue Courtenay (map)