Summer 2024 activities with FOCI

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) have just published their summer activities program for 2024.

“We're really delighted to be launching our 2024 Summer Events Program. We've got eight really fabulous events running in July and August. Everything from a low tide walk in Manson's Lagoon, which we call ‘Gumbooting in the Lagoon’, through to a kayak tour of Hague and Gunflint Lakes. We've also got a tour of Blue Jay Farm, a herbal tea workshop, and an early morning seashore walk in front of Hollyhock. So lots of really exciting events coming up,” explained Helen Hall, Executive Director of FOCI.

Cortes Currents: Are any of these activities hands on, where you get to really experience nature?

Helen Hall: “All of them are like that. We've got a new event for us which is called Forest Foraging on Foot, and that's with permaculturalist and herbalist Maria McKenty. That's going to be a guided walk through Hank's Beach Forest Trails. People get a chance to learn about the nutritional and medicinal uses of plants, so that should be a really fun and engaging.”

“Our ‘Gumbooting in the Lagoon’ event is really hands on. Marine biologist, Deb Cowper is there to guide people around the lagoon and look at all the different marine life in the lagoon. On that event, we have lots of children who are really excited to take part. It's a bit like a marine treasure hunt for them. They look at crabs, the moon snails and Deb tells them all about it.”

“We've also got a herbal tea workshop that we're running in August, which is where people can actually learn how to blend different herbs and make teas. So that's going to be a very hands on fun event for people to take part in too.”

Cortes Currents: I noticed that two of your events or farm tours.

Helen Hall: “That’s learning about the two different farms: Blue Jay Farm and how people live there off grid. Max Thaysen, who's a farm resident, will be talking to people about some unique systems of human habitation there. The Linnaea Farm Tour is quite a nice tour for kids to take part in. They get to meet the farm animals, see life on the farm and where the food comes from.”

Cortes Currents: Are these events fundraisers for FOCI?

Helen Hall: “It helps, we do make a little bit of money about it, but our prime reason is to get people out there enjoying. the natural environment, having fun and discovering new things about the island.”

Cortes Currents: Do you find that it that some people who go on the tours turn around and become volunteers for FOCAI?

Hellen Hall: Yes, over the years had people volunteering or joining FOCAI as a member, and then getting more involved in the organization. Maybe a child who's come on our low tide Gumbooting walk will be inspired to become a marine biologist. When people do an event or activity, you never really know what they're taking away from it.”

We get a mixture of locals and tourists, so it's a good way for us also to talk about the work we're doing in the different locations. Like we're doing some work at Manson's Spit next to the lagoon, so it gives us a chance to tell people about the work we're doing as well. So people get to learn a bit more about us as an organization. It's a lovely time in the summer to be outdoors exploring and we usually get really good feedback from people who take part.

“I'd like to say one more thing about our summer events program. The program is on our website, which is friendsofcortes.org. You can find out more about the events there. If people want to book a spot, then they just have to contact the FOCI office by phoning 250-935-0087 or emailing us on [email protected]. The events are usually very popular, so we encourage people to book to make sure they get a spot.”