LC-1 Weekly Adventures
Lake Cowichan Crew 1
Next Adventure – Wednesday, October 14, 2026
📍 Lake Cowichan – Friendship Park / Fisheries Trail
Welcome to your weekly adventure page!
This page is your family’s home for upcoming Coastal Junior Hikers adventures throughout Lake Cowichan and the surrounding Cowichan Valley.
Our LC-1 crew is scheduled to explore on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, discovering local forests, riverside trails, parks, and natural areas while building outdoor confidence, friendships, and essential hiking skills.
Each week will bring a variety of adventures, including nature exploration, wildlife observation, trail skills, outdoor games, and opportunities for creative learning.
Weekly Adventure Schedule
Monday – Forest & Trail Adventures
Wednesday – Nature Discovery & Exploration
Thursday – Outdoor Skills & Teamwork
Friday – Adventure Challenges & Outdoor Play
Weekly Updates
This page will be updated by Sunday evening with the upcoming week’s adventure locations, meeting and pickup information, recommended gear, and any important trail or weather updates.
Please check back before each adventure, as locations and activities may change depending on weather, trail conditions, and the needs and abilities of our Junior Hikers.
This Week’s Adventure Details
October 14–16, 2026
Wednesday, October 14
Riverside Discovery & Nature Exploration
📍 Proposed: Friendship Park / Fisheries Trail – Lake Cowichan
Thursday, October 15
Lakeside Explorers & Outdoor Play
📍 Proposed: Central Park – Lake Cowichan
Friday, October 16
Little Trailblazers – Forest Skills & Teamwork
📍 Proposed: Cowichan Valley Trail – Lake Cowichan area
Our first week will focus on introducing Junior Hikers to their Adventure Team, establishing comfortable outdoor routines, and building confidence through shorter hikes, exploration, and age-appropriate activities.
Exact meeting locations, routes, and pickup arrangements will be confirmed before each adventure.
About This Adventure
Our Lake Cowichan Junior Hikers will begin their adventures with an afternoon exploring the natural surroundings of Friendship Park and the Fisheries Trail.
This introductory adventure will focus on helping our Junior Hikers become comfortable with their Adventure Team, establish positive outdoor routines, and develop confidence while exploring a local forest environment.
As we follow the wooded trail, we’ll take time to observe the surrounding trees, look for signs of wildlife, discover seasonal changes, and introduce basic trail awareness through age-appropriate activities.
Rather than focusing on reaching a specific destination, our first adventure will emphasize curiosity, movement, and enjoying the outdoors at a comfortable pace.
We’ll also incorporate short breaks, nature games, and opportunities for creative exploration throughout the afternoon.
Our exact route and distance will be adjusted based on available adventure time, weather, trail conditions, and the needs and abilities of our Junior Hikers.
Adventure Focus
🥾 Trail Skills – Learning to follow established trails, practise safe walking habits, and recognize important trail features.
🌲 Forest Exploration – Discovering the trees, plants, and natural surroundings of Lake Cowichan’s forest environments.
🧭 Navigation & Observation – Introducing basic directional awareness, identifying landmarks, and noticing changes in our surroundings.
🤝 Crew Building – Getting comfortable with our Adventure Team, practising communication, and building positive outdoor routines.
🍂 Nature Discovery – Exploring autumn colours, fallen leaves, forest textures, and signs of local wildlife.
🌿 Responsible Recreation – Learning to respect plants, wildlife, waterways, and the natural spaces we explore.
💪 Outdoor Confidence – Encouraging independence, coordination, curiosity, and confidence through supported outdoor adventures.
Planned Adventure Area
Our first adventure is planned for the Friendship Park Fisheries Trail area in Lake Cowichan.
This wooded trail offers an opportunity to explore a local forest environment while remaining close to the community.
Our Adventure Team will select a manageable section of the trail suitable for the age, experience, and abilities of our Junior Hikers.
Throughout the afternoon, we’ll introduce basic trail awareness, encourage observation of the surrounding forest, and incorporate short nature activities and breaks.
The exact route and distance may vary depending on weather, trail conditions, available adventure time, and the needs of the crew.
Junior Hikers will remain together under the supervision of their Adventure Team throughout the outing.
Adventure Map
Please review the map below to become familiar with the Friendship Park Fisheries Trail area and its surrounding trail network.
Our planned adventure will take place within this general area; however, the exact route may vary depending on weather, trail conditions, available adventure time, and the needs and abilities of our Junior Hikers.
Final meeting and pickup instructions will be provided before the adventure.
Meet Your Adventure Team
Meet Kyle
Owner / Operator & Adventure Guide – Coastal Mountain Adventures | Coastal Junior Hikers
Kyle McFadden is the founder and Owner / Operator of Coastal Mountain Adventures and Coastal Junior Hikers. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Kyle has been a passionate hiker and outdoor enthusiast throughout his life, spending years exploring the forests, mountains, coastlines, and natural landscapes of British Columbia.
Before establishing Coastal Mountain Adventures, Kyle spent several years working in hospitality and kitchen management, developing valuable experience in team leadership, organization, communication, and managing responsibilities in fast-paced environments.
Kyle later transitioned into the construction industry, where he gained further experience in workplace safety, and first aid responsibilities. While working with Ledcor on the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, he served as the designated first aid attendant for his crew, helping maintain a safe working environment and providing first aid support when required.
He also worked as a foreman and designated first aid attendant for another construction company in Victoria, combining hands-on leadership responsibilities with workplace safety and the well-being of his crew.
These experiences helped shape Kyle’s approach to leadership, preparation, safety awareness, and supporting others in environments where teamwork and sound decision-making are essential.
As both a father and a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Kyle understands the importance of providing children with opportunities to explore, develop independence, build confidence, and experience the physical and emotional benefits of spending time outdoors.
Through Coastal Junior Hikers, Kyle has brought together his passion for hiking, leadership experience, and commitment to creating productive outdoor experiences for children and families.
His approach emphasizes small-group adventures, patience, encouragement, environmental awareness, and adapting activities to the individual needs, abilities, and experience levels of each Junior Hiker.
During the Lake Cowichan adventures, Kyle will personally guide Junior Hikers through local forests, trails, parks, and natural areas, introducing age-appropriate hiking skills, wildlife awareness, teamwork, responsible recreation, and hands-on outdoor learning.
Kyle’s goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every Junior Hiker feels included, develops confidence in their abilities, and builds a lasting connection with the outdoors.
What to Bring
Please ensure your Junior Hiker arrives prepared for an afternoon outdoors. Lake Cowichan weather can change quickly, especially during the autumn months, and our adventures will continue in a variety of conditions when it is safe to do so.
🥾 Hiking or Trail Footwear – Comfortable, closed-toe footwear with good traction.
🎒 Small Backpack – Something your Junior Hiker can comfortably carry themselves.
💧 Water Bottle – Filled and ready for the adventure.
🍎 Snack – Enough for an active afternoon outdoors.
🌧️ Waterproof Rain Jacket – Please come prepared even when rain isn’t expected.
🧥 Warm Layer – Fleece, sweater, or similar layer appropriate for the day’s conditions.
🧤 Weather-Appropriate Extras – Toque and gloves on colder days.
👕 Comfortable Outdoor Clothing – Clothing suitable for trails, mud, and changing weather.
Please label personal items with your child’s name whenever possible.
Adventure Ready: Please check the weather and any updates to your Family Portal before each outing.
Upcoming Weekly Adventures
Lake Cowichan Crew 1 | LC-1
Our Junior Hikers have plenty of exciting adventures ahead! Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore local forests, riverside trails, parks, and natural spaces throughout Lake Cowichan while developing outdoor confidence, teamwork, environmental awareness, and age-appropriate hiking skills.
Each adventure is designed to balance outdoor exploration, learning, movement, and opportunities for play.
October 19–23, 2026
Monday, October 19 – Forest Detectives
📍 Friendship Park / Fisheries Trail
An afternoon discovering the forest through nature observation, identifying different trees and leaves, searching for signs of wildlife, and practising basic trail awareness.
Wednesday, October 21 – River & Wildlife Discovery
📍 Riverside Park
Exploring the riverside environment, learning about local wildlife and waterways, and enjoying outdoor games and movement activities.
Thursday, October 22 – Junior Navigation Skills
📍 Cowichan Valley Trail – Lake Cowichan Area
An introduction to trail navigation, recognizing landmarks, following established paths, and building confidence through a manageable group hike.
Friday, October 23 – Outdoor Teamwork & Play
📍 Parkstone Park
A fun afternoon focused on cooperation, outdoor challenges, nature-based games, and developing friendships through active play.
October 26–30, 2026
Monday, October 26 – Woodland Explorers
📍 Cowichan Valley Trail – Lake Cowichan Area
Exploring woodland surroundings while learning about forest habitats, responsible recreation, and the natural environment.
Wednesday, October 28 – Autumn Nature Hunt
📍 Friendship Park / Fisheries Trail
Discovering the colours and textures of autumn through a guided nature scavenger hunt, seasonal observation, and creative outdoor activities.
Thursday, October 29 – Lakeside Discovery
📍 Saywell Park
An afternoon exploring the lakeside environment, observing the surrounding landscape, and learning about the importance of protecting our waterways.
Friday, October 30 – Junior Adventure Challenge
📍 Riverside Park
A series of age-appropriate outdoor challenges, nature games, teamwork activities, and opportunities to practise skills introduced throughout the month.
November 2–6, 2026
Monday, November 2 – Forest Skills Adventure
📍 Friendship Park / Fisheries Trail
Building on our trail skills through forest exploration, environmental awareness, and activities that encourage independence and confidence outdoors.
Wednesday, November 4 – Trail Exploration
📍 Cowichan Valley Trail – Lake Cowichan Area
A group hiking adventure focused on trail awareness, observation, pacing, and exploring new sections of the local trail network.
Thursday, November 5 – Nature Art & Discovery
📍 Central Park
Using the natural environment as inspiration for creative outdoor learning, seasonal discovery, and imaginative play.
Friday, November 6 – Teamwork & Outdoor Games
📍 Parkstone Park
Finishing the week with cooperative outdoor games, simple adventure challenges, and activities that encourage communication, movement, and positive friendships.
Important Adventure Information
These are our proposed upcoming adventure locations and activities. Final details will be confirmed before each scheduled outing.
Adventure locations, routes, and activities may be adjusted depending on weather, trail conditions, available adventure time, staffing, and the needs and abilities of our Junior Hikers.
Please check your Family Portal regularly for confirmed adventure details, meeting and pickup arrangements, and any important updates.
See Where Adventure Takes Us! 🌲
From winding forest trails and beautiful waterfalls to coastal shorelines and hidden natural wonders, every Coastal Junior Hikers adventure offers something new to discover!
Explore our photo gallery for a glimpse of the incredible places your Junior Hiker may experience throughout the seasons.