Adding a little adventure to provincial parks, visitors can find buried treasure this long weekend. BC Parks and the Geocaching Association of B.C. have placed 100 geocaches in parks around B.C., with prizes for those who find them first. A geocache is a hidden container found with the help of Global Positioning System technology. Learn more about geocaching - and get the coordinates for the 100 geocaches in B.C. parks at: www.bcgeocaching.com.

The BC Parks 100 passport program is in full swing, allowing children of all ages to collect stamps, win awards, and get information about events taking place in provincial parks. The passport program runs until Sept. 30, 2011.

The new Discover Camping Backcountry Registration System allows you to purchase your backcountry permit through the BC Parks website, and the elimination of parking fees at all BC Parks, visiting a provincial park, is an enjoyable and inexpensive way for families to explore the province. This year, BC Parks is celebrating its 100th birthday and is offering celebrations for everyone around the province. Please visit the BC Parks website www.bcparks.ca.

Park visitors can expect their summer season to really kick in because a high-pressure ridge over the province will bring dry and above-average temperatures for most areas of British Columbia during the long weekend.

Camping reservations in BC Parks are up two per cent compared to last year, and BC parks anticipates a busy weekend in all provincial parks. But there are some campsites still available for reservation, with an abundance of first-come, first-serve sites to accommodate campers.

If you're heading out on the water, Conservation Officers and the RCMP have launched their summer enforcement programs and boaters will be their focus over the long weekend and throughout July across the province. Officers will be checking vessels for required safety equipment such as PFDs and will be on the lookout for people boating recklessly or under the influence.

Learn More:

• Reservations can be made through the online system or call centre. For more information on availability, please visit: www.discovercamping.ca.
• For updated public safety advisories and park specific restrictions visit: www.bcparks.ca.
• Share your long weekend adventures and connect with BC Parks on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks.
  
  

Media Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect