Invitation to Nanaimo Forest School's 2026 Community Summer Social – in partnership with "Protecting our Waters and Planet Project" | Celebrating Salish Food Forest Stewardship in the Catstream

Dear parents and children,

and everyone who is curious about us and loves Forest School,

This year's Summer Social we are hosting with Protecting our Waters and Planet Project (with funding support from Frontlines).

Together we invite our community of parents and children to come out to the Catstream Forest & Wetland Area for a clothing swap for forest gear, potluck, music, forest school crafts and games and hands-on land stewardship for the Salish Food Forest that has been emerging in the Catstream wetland area near Robins Park.

DETAILS

Sunday, June 14th, 2026

11am – 4pm

in the Catstream Forest (Social) and Wetland Area (Work Party)

PROGRAM & ACTIVITIES [UPDATED]

11am — Arrival Settling in / Socializing / Work Party in Wetland area (upstream)

12:00 pm — Welcoming Water River Gratitude Ceremony by Danielea Castell

12:30 pm — Opening by a Snuneymuxw Elder Hun'tcouwiyus – Doug White II

1:00 pm — Lunch: Snacks and food provided by friend of Nanaimo Forest School Anne Nguyen, with funding from summer social partner The Protecting Our Waters and Planet Project

* Additional potluck items welcome *

Accompanying music provided by Nanaimo Forest School teacher David Proctor

Lunch to be followed by a work party restoring Catstream salmon habitat and surrounding wetland

3:30 — 4:00pm — Clean up

Throughout the day:

Forest school gear clothing swap for Clothing Swap Lending Library

• If you have a surplus of winter or fall appropriate forest school clothes, boots or gear, we are grateful for what you can bring to share with others instead of donating to a thrift store, for new forest school families to go through and select clothing that might outfit their little one in the autumn term.

• As with all clothing swaps, we intend no pressure to bring an item on any of you, and instead invite all to see what's there and what gear can support them. Any remaining clothing will be stored away and offered again at our next gathering in the fall term.

Creative nature art-making

• Mandalas, necklaces, shakers and instruments

  
  

Work Party in Wetland tending to the Salish Food Forest

• Mulching pathways ,planting trees, removing invasive species, fencing trees to protect from wildlife damage

Nature play

• mud kitchen, water play, hide and seek

Face paint

• all natural materials

WHAT TO BRING, as you are able

• Pack-out dish ware: cups, bowls, spoons and utensils for your family

• A comfy lawn chair [NEW!]

• Forest school winter clothes and rain gear for the forest gear clothing swap / library

• Sun protection, such as big rim hats and long sleeve shirts

• A dish to share for the potluck, please label foods for nuts, gluten, dairy, veg, vegan etc.

• Clothes for your children to get muddy :)

Childrens' sized garden gloves for workparty action will be provided

HOW TO GET THERE

Location Summer Social

Catstream Forest | Parking & Entrances: Alongside Connaught Ave

Location Work Party

Catstream Wetland Area | Entrance on Park Ave between 6th and 5th Street OR from Robins Park.

Parking: Alongside Park Ave between 5th and 7th OR at Robins Park.

From Robins Park it is about a 10 min walk.

Carpooling and public transit, as well as biking and walking are encouraged. 

MORE ABOUT "Protecting Our Waters and Planet Project"

Protecting Our Water & Our Planet is a community-based environmental program that engages children, youth, parents, and community members in hands-on cleanups and education focused on protecting natural spaces. Shoreline and community cleanups will be organized to remove litter, plastics, and cans from oceans, lakes, and forests, while creative art workshops and interactive learning sessions will help participants explore environmental stewardship and sustainability. School-based awareness sessions will also be delivered to teach students about tree planting, ecological responsibility, and the importance of caring for the environment. The program aims to build lasting awareness, encourage sustainable habits, and inspire active participation in preserving and protecting natural ecosystems.

RSVP

Please just send us an email to office@nanaimoforestschool.com to let us know if and how many of you are coming. Subject Line: RSVP for Summer Social

Thank you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

— Long live the forest and all her forest creatures! —

Images of our last Community Social:

https://www.nanaimoforestschool.com/post/first-nfs-community-summer-social