COLLEGE ACTIVITIES

English Student and Group Activity examples;

Classroom lessons provide you with the tools necessary for becoming a competent English speaker. But, it is essential to take those skills outside the school and use them in a more natural environment. This will assist you in developing natural English language expression. School activity periods are one way that CVIC helps you to accomplish this. It's also a great opportunity for students to socialize and get to know one another, and feel comfortable using English in social situations with each other.

ESL Summer and Winter Activities will:

• Familiarize you with your host community.
• Introduce you to many exciting attractions for visitors to Canada.
• Will increase your confidence in asking for information.
• Enhance your ability to follow instructions.
• Help you to become more self-reliant.
• Will be good exercise for your mind and your body.

The schedule of events is always changing as we discover new things to do and to suit the many different tastes and preferences of our clients.

Here are some of the exciting things CVIC has to offer:

Museums and Galleries

Courtenay Museum - a center for Paleontology, History and Culture. Note that the Comox Valley is now officially designated the first stop on the "Great Canadian Fossil Trail". Cumberland Museum - a living museum that shows the historical composition of a booming mining town from the 1800's with Chinese, Japanese and European settlements. Comox Valley Art Gallery - Soon to be located in the completely renovated old firehall in Courtenay (Beside CVIC). This major center will display the fine works of all Comox Valley Artists. A first stop on any tour of Galleries.

• Old Schoolhouse Gallery and Art Center - located in the historic Qualicum Beach Village Schoolhouse, housing Artists producing their wares on-site, ranging from wood turning, clay hand building and painting, to textile design, silversmithing, and glassblowing.
• I-Hos Native Art Gallery - located on the site of the original Comox Native Village it houses a vast collection of contemporary and historical native artistry.
• CFB Comox Air Museum - includes a tour of the Air Force Base with slide show, excellent outdoor vintage aircraft displays, and indoor air museum.
• Kwagiulth Museum - on Quadra Island displays a splendid collection of Potlatch artifacts and preserves the history and traditions of the Kwagiulth people. Also features a live Carving and Artists Center.

Recreation

• Ice Skating, Barbecues, Team Sports, Tidal Pool Exploration, Art Galleries, Mountain Biking, Emu Ranch, Roller Bladeing, "Enviro-Ed", Festivals, Bird Watching, Hiking, Ceramics Instruction, Canoeing, Farm Visits, Down Hill and Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Tubing, Snow Boarding, Sailing, Native Culture, Billiards, Live Theater, Research Forest Instructional Tour, Photography, Wildlife Observation, Miniature Crafts, Fossil Excavation, Attend Car Races, Butterfly World, ............ and the list goes on and on and on.....................!

Special Interest Sights

Cowichan Native Village - an active reproduction of traditional native life with native carvers, demonstrations of world famous Cowichan knitting, Salish weaving, decorative beading, artisan studios, native art gallery, giftshop, bighouse restaurant, traditional theater performances, salmon barbecue, and dancers. Denman and Hornby Islands - a ten minute ferry trip takes you to these charming island communities, boasting West Coast artists, pristine forest, white sandy beaches, and charismatic turn of the century village centers. Chemainus - a surprising village of over 32 giant outdoor murals. Also features entertainers, antiques, collectibles, "Old Town", "Hermit's Trail Sanctuary", and beautiful lakeside picnic and swimming areas.

• Cathedral Park Grove - experience the massive and breathtaking old growth Temperate Rainforest of Douglas Fir.
• Blooming Barn - the largest dried flower farm in Western Canada with shop and demonstration garden, offering craft workshops.
• Salmon Hatchery - follow the complete life cycle of the West Coast's most popular natural resource - the Pacific Salmon.
• Filberg Lodge - an historic estate home built in the early 1920's, filled with stunning curiosities, landscaped with exquisite gardens, featuring art and community displays throughout the year as well as the widely known Filberg Festival.
• Butterfly World - a huge indoor tropical paradise where you can stroll among hundreds of different kinds of free flying exotic butterfly's. Also featured, an exquisite bird aviary, water garden, and Hummingbird Patio. (Be sure to bring a camera!)

Festivals

Trumpeter Swan Festival - (February) celebrating the migratory arrival of the once endangered Trumpeter Swan. Harbour Days - (April) with the famous Sea To Ski Race. Buskers Fair - (May) a weekend of fun with outdoor markets and street entertainers. Empire Days - (May) celebrations and competition in the tradition of Cumberland's 19th century European heritage. Canada Day Celebrations - (July) our nation's birthday, fireworks and festivity.

• Comox Valley MusicFest - (July) a weekend long musical fair.
• Filberg Festival - (August) the largest arts festival in Western Canada.
• Nautical Days Fair - (August) racing of outrageous and comical home-built water craft.
• Comox Valley Fall Fair - (late August every year) For more information visit the Fall Fair website
• Harvest Fair - (October)
• Remembrance Day Folk Weekend - (November) held in the wilderness lodge of Strathcona Park.
• Winter Festival - (December) Santa Claus Parade, carolers, musicians, carriage rides and seasonal festivities.
• Mt. Washington - December opening for some of Canada's best downhill and cross country skiing. Also, Snow-Boarding, Cross-Country, Tubing, Snow-Shoeing, and Luge.

For more information about our unique community, please visit Comox Valley Tourism