Backpacker Buzz

It's no tropical cabana but HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is one of the best places to stay in Vancouver during the summer. Summer's short and sweet here but the folks over there fill the calendar with activities and events all summer long. Parties, kayaking, a little environmental help and BBQs are all on order.

Upcoming Events at HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach

June 25 - Full Moon Kayak Party
Kayak under the stars in beautiful English Bay. The tour departs from the Jericho Beach Ecomarine Kayak Center at 8:30 p.m. and lasts until 11:30. $59 covers a moonlight tour with all gear, plus a free beer afterwards! Join us for drinks at 8 p.m. and after the tour for a FULL MOON PARTY! Drink specials, finger food, music and good times at the hostel. If you can't make it for this one, there will be more when the moon shows its full face again in July and August. More Details

July 1 - Cool Aid Canada Day Party
Back for the third time, HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach's Canada Party will likely continue to top itself this year. Six hundred people showed up last year, and the event won HI-Canada's Best Special Event Program in 2009. The party starts at noon and goes until late. Entry is $8 and includes your first drink. This is a licensed event that takes place on the hostel's big lawn and comes with music, birthday cake, very competitive beer olympics and because summer isn't summer without it - Slip 'N Slide. Stay tuned for more details.

July 16-18 - Vancouver Folk Music Festival
HI-Vancouver Jericho Beach is prime real estate during this festival, one of Vancouver's best of the season. The festival is in the park next door and space fills up real fast. You might be able to snag a bed still by e-mailing Central Reservations. This year's festival line-up impresses once again - check it out.

August 12 - Salmon BBQ
This long-standing annual event is back this August with salmon steaks on the grill, music, drinks and good company. This is Hostelling International Canada Pacific Mountain Region's way of saying "Thanks, members, and by the way, check out the killer view from the beach." This year's event will give a nod to sustainability as a zero-carbon event with compostible napkins and cups, sustainably farmed salmon. Veggie options are always on the menu, too. Stay tuned for more details and prices.

Ongoing - The Earth Easy Project
This carbon credit program encourages travellers to offset the environmental impact of their travels by making a donation to the project, which will then contribute directly to the park. The project also involves monthly work groups in the park eliminating invasive plants and planting new growth. So far there has been a very positive response, and guests can make a $2 contribution to Earth Easy when they book on hihostels.ca. More Details.

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