COQUITLAM, B.C., June 19, 2023 – The City of Coquitlam continues to build on its commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by offering support for children with diverse abilities at City recreation camps.
As the needs of the community have grown and evolved, so too has the City’s approach to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for children with diverse needs, abilities and lived experiences in all recreation programs – including summer camps.
Recreation programs and camps provide important child care support for families in Coquitlam. As noted in the Child Care Partnership Strategy, these camps are essential to the families of children who have aged out of licensed care, but who are not yet independent.
The City’s inclusive support for recreation camp participants has evolved over the last 10 years. In 2022, the City offered 336 camps and approximately one-third of these included children with diverse needs.
Inclusion-Focused Staff Available to Provide Support
To create a positive experience for all participants, the City uses a multi-faceted approach to support camp participants with diverse needs in camp:
- Inclusion-focused staff that can facilitate individual recreation support plans with families
- Inclusion support leaders provide one-to-one support for children with diverse needs in camp up to two weeks per summer per child based on availability
- Volunteer support and training for all staff on common tools, strategies and adaptations for children with diverse needs, abilities and lived experiences
Families in need of additional support can submit a request outlining the level of support required. Where possible staff will work with the families to develop a tailored Recreation Support Plan and identify children who may benefit from the one-to-one support from an inclusion support leader directly in the camp.
For more about recreation inclusion, visit coquitlam.ca/RecAccess.
Promoting Recreation Access
Coquitlam strives to provide recreation opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and means, with programs such as:
- Financial Assistance for Recreation program, providing each eligible family member 50 drop-in passes and a $225 credit towards City admissions, passes and programs;
- Low-cost and free swimming and recreation programs, including the Summer Child and Youth Pass, and Grade 5/6 Stay Active Pass;
- Free admission to caregivers providing one-on-one support to patrons;
- Free menstrual products at City facilities; and
- Recreation inclusion programs providing extra supports for program registrants.
Go to coquitlam.ca/RecAccess for information about these programs, or contact the Community Services team at 604-927-6076 or communityservices@coquitlam.ca.
Reducing Financial Barriers to Recreation
Coquitlam is always working to make recreation more affordable and accessible for all residents. Initiatives that help reduce financial barriers include:
- Drop-in recreation rates frozen at 2022 levels;
- The Summer Child & Youth Pass, providing unlimited access to drop-in activities at pools and recreation centres from June 16 to Sept. 4 for $25;
- The Financial Assistance for Recreation program, providing eligible residents 50 free drop-in visits and a $225 credit per person for admissions, lessons, equipment rentals and more;
- Year-round discounts on drop-in activities for all ages with ONE PASS;
- Ten free spray parks and a wading pool, and $2 admission for all ages at Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool (see coquitlam.ca/outdoorpools); and
- Free access to the City’s extensive park and trail network (see coquitlam.ca/parks and coquitlam.ca/trails).
Visit coquitlam.ca/financialassistancerec for more information on financial supports.
Stay Informed on Coquitlam Parks, Recreation and Culture
To stay up to date about Coquitlam Parks, Recreation, Culture and Facilities news and updates:
- Subscribe to the PRC E-news Newsletter at coquitlam.ca/enews to receive bi-weekly parks, recreation and culture updates;
- Check out the weekly City Page on page 6 of the Tri-City News or at coquitlam.ca/connect;
- Follow @cityofcoquitlam on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; and
- Download the free CoquitlamConnect app from the App Store or Google Play, or through the links at coquitlam.ca/coquitlamconnect.
Media contact:
Jim Lacroix
Community Recreation Manager
Prcs_info@coquitlam.ca
604-927-4386
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.