Some new Canadians will get the outdoor experience for the first time this weekend.

Langley Advance

MP Mark Warawa will meet campers.

About 100 Vancouver residents are coming to Langley to try out camping for the first time this weekend.

Langley MP Mark Warawa will be on hand on June 18 to launch the program. Most of the participants are new Canadians, including a large number of Chinese-Canadian families who found the program through SUCCESS BC, which aids new immigrants. About one third of the participants will be children, and a number of grandparents have also signed up.

Fort Langley will be just one of the host communities for Learn to Camp programs across Canada.

Participants will learn how to set up a campsite, sleep in a tent, and the basics of outdoor safety, along with a campfire singalong. There will also be a chance for guided nature walks with MetroVancouver staff, canoeing with experienced guides, and a traditional West Coast dinner hosted by the Kwantlen First Nation.

They’ll be aided in their first camping trip by Parks Canada’s outdoor specialists. Although the first campers will start arriving at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, an official launch will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort’s campground at 9452 Glover Rd.     © Copyright (c) Langley Advance