Nearly 300 school children from across the Lakes District had the chance to take a stroll with Smokey the Bear this week in celebration of national forest week.
Local forestry professionals and parent volunteers led the annual hike through Omineca Ski Club grounds, guiding elementary school children through forest trails in the fresh fall air.
With year’s theme being ‘wildland fire,’ the event hoped to teach children how to appreciate nature, learn about the forest and forestry, and even plant a tree.
Event organizer and forestry professional Frank Varga said he hopes the tours instilled a “sense of excitement and interest” in how important forests are to the community while also promoting forestry as a future career path.
“For many children this event is the first time they are taught about the intricate role forests play in our community,” said Varga.
The tour started at the Omineca Ski Club’s lodge, where children had the chance to hang out with Smokey the Bear. Groups where then led out into different areas on the grounds for the day and then back to the lodge for lunch.
Varga explained that Omineca Ski Club grounds were selected because the site illustrates the "changing nature of the forests" whether by the hand of man or by nature.
The event lasted three days starting Sept. 22, 2015. Participating elementary schools included William Konkin Elementary, Francois Lake Elementary and Decker Lake Elementary.