BCMOS Programs

Throughout the spring and summer season each year, our Wilderness Access program offers various TrailRider excursions for people with a variety of abilities, interests and goals. This is in addition to our year-round rental program that allows people to arrange their own destinations.

TrailRider users range from trekkers to picnickers, but each and every one is pushing back a personal boundary of some sort. Some might want to get out and climb a mountain, others might be more interested in wilderness appreciation. . . or seek an easy jaunt with their extended family.

The TrailRider can accommodate anyone over 4 ft tall - an insert is used to make it more comfortable for riders under 5 ft.

In addition, British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society also operates gliding and kayaking programs.

For more of an overview about BCMOS and its various programs, see our newsletter, Take a Hike.

		Fall 2011
		Summer 2011
		Summer 2010
		Fall/Winter 2009-2010
		Summer 2009
		Fall 2008
		Summer 2008
		Fall 2007

There is a great deal of flexibility in what we do, so tell us if you are looking for something not covered here. Your feedback will help us improve our program for future users.

We are testing out an updated form for people interested in hiking with us.

This version, the e form – in theory, at least – can be filled out from your keyboard, saved to your computer, and then printed or emailed as an attachment. It should be quicker than filling in information by hand and mailing or faxing it.

Well, that’s the theory. Our testing shows that it does not work fully with older versions of Acrobat (it works on Acrobat 8 and above). Some people have told us that on their machine the completed form can only be printed, not saved - which means that it cannot be emailed. Accept our apologies in advance for any frustrations getting the technology to cooperate.

All the same, we are presenting this e form as a trial, so please give us your feedback – along with any other suggestions of ways to make BCMOS more accessible.

Contact info here.

 

TrailRider rental

We are promoting TrailRider rentals throughout 2012, giving clients more say in their destinations. Rent a TrailRider from us, any time of year, and do your own thing!

TrailRiders fold up to fit into most hatchback vehicles, enabling people to take part in activities ranging from family picnics to school outings.

We charge $10 per day. For more information email or phone Eric Molendyk at 604-688-6464 ext. 117.

 

Day Hikes

BCMOS will be making TrailRiders available for guided hikes at Pacific Spirit Regional Park (entrance at 4915 West 16th Ave., approximately 400m west of Blanca St. - see park map or wiki map) Wednesdays to Fridays throughout the week during the 2012 summer hiking season.

BCMOS opened a new, fully accessible, hiking centre at Pacific Spirit park in August 2011 (pictured left). It enables people with physical disabilities to explore the popular park - which boasts a network of trails through woodland and down to Spanish Banks

The 1,885-acre Pacific Spirit Regional Park, on the University of BC Endowment Lands, is the third largest regional park in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It is a multi-purpose recreational area used by hikers, joggers, equestrian riders and cyclists. The GVRD is working with BCMOS to ensure that trails allocated for use by the Wilderness Access program will be safe.

Hikers will need to organize their own “Sherpas” – companions who guide the TrailRider.

 

Theme Hikes

BCMOS will offer theme hikes on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the 2012 summer season. These will be half-day hikes to particular destinations, or with specific activities in mind. It could be a guided, interpreted trek through old growth forests of North Vancouver’s Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve or a hike through reserves and parks between Squamish and Surrey (and further afield!). See the Hiking page for more.

 

Geocaching

Starting 2010, we have been offering something a little different - geocaching. This is an activity in which participants use GPS receivers to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") which contain a logbook, and items for trading, usually toys or trinkets. More info on the Hiking page.

 

Kayaking

In 2011 we launched an new program, kayaking - a whole new adventure. Take to the sheltered waters of English Bay at Jericho Sailing Centre in a specially adapted kayak. Paddle a two-person kayak with a qualified helper - either bring your own, who must have Paddle Canada certification, or we will find a volunteer. This will take place at 11am and 2pm each Saturday and Sunday through June, July and August 2012. More on the Kayaking page.

 

Gliding

Our gliding program is based at Pemberton Soaring Centre, and enables participants to glide silently through the Cascade Mountains and over the farms and fields of the east end of the Fraser Valley. See the gliding page for more.

Special Expeditions & Adventure Travel

BCMOS initiates and supports projects in which disabled adventurers push the challenges of accessibility to inspiring new levels. Examples of previous expeditions can be seen here.

For more about accessible adventure travel, watch the Overcoming Adversity video, created by Claire Prosser and Corley McElwain. It features BCMOS TrailRider outings along with Whistler-based 9Lives Adventures, which operates adrenalin tourism for people with disabilities.