Van Anda Adventures

Bouldering Wall

Texada Elementary School is currently housed in what was once the Island’s only secondary school.  The building boasts a full-sized gymnasium with a 12 foot “Bouldering Wall”.  Bouldering is a fun, safe and rewarding activity accessible to all ages.  Students are  normally partnered up so that six can climb simultaneously, while their partners watch and “Spot” them.  Meanwhile, the remaining students have access to the rest of the gym, though alternative activities must respect the need for climbers to maintain focus and ability to communicate with their spotter.  Groups using the wall will require a trained facilitator, which can usually be arranged free of charge through school administration.  All climbers must bring a signed waiver.  Indoor runners or climbing shoes are required (a limited number are available for use by school district students).

Heading out on Foot

The Village of Van Anda is quite small and easy to navigate, with several sites of interest within a 5-15 minute walk from the school.  Erikson's Beach is the perfect spot to explore coastal flora and fauna, and its location is great for discovering and identifying different types of rocks.  En route, you'll pass a memorial to the sinking of Union Steamship "Cheslakee".  Just past the beach you can visit the caged-off  historic "Little Billy Mine" site, a replica of which can be seen in the Texada Museum.  Van Anda is also home to several Geocache stashes.  Hunting down a geocache can be a fun way to explore the village.  Alternatively, groups may wish to take a nature hike through "Turtle Lake" trail, home of an abundance of plant and animal life.

Texada Museum

The Texada Museum is located in what was once Texada Elementary School and sits directly alongside the current elementary school building.  Exhibits cover local and provincial history , including natural resources,  education and the founding of various communities on Texada Island.  The museum does not keep regular hours outside of summer months, but tours for school groups can be arranged through  Texada Elementary School administration or by contacting the Texada Heritage Society directly.  Guided tours are provided free for District 47 student groups.

Build Your Own Field Trip

· Ride BC Ferries' North Island Princess and arrange a tour of the Bridge and Engine Room

· Take an educational  tour of the Texada Museum

· Book a climb on Texada Elementary School's Bouldering Wall

· Tour the Village of Van Anda

· Go on a Geocache Hunt

· Visit "Eriksons' Beach"

· Walk to the "Little Billy Mine" site

· Explore "Glass Beach" in Blubber  Bay

Transportation and Planning Tips

BC students attending school trips ride free on BC Ferries, and bus transportation for district students from Blubber Bay to Van Anda can be arranged through the SD47 portal.    

The ferry schedule creates the biggest challenge for any visit to Texada Island, and schedules are subject to change at any time, so it’s a The ferry schedule creates the biggest challenge for any visit to Texada Island, and schedules are subject to change at any time, so it’s always best to confirm sailing times on the BC Ferries website. Due to dangerous cargo sailings, travel on Wednesdays is not possible with any of the below options. With the current schedule, there are three options for a weekday visit:

Fully within the school day:

1. Travel on the 10:40 am ferry, bus pickup at 11:15 in Blubber Bay for an 11:30 arrival at the school in Van Anda.  Depart the school by bus at 1:55 to arrive in *Blubber Bay at 2:15 for the 3:00 pm return ferry. 
   Partially outside of the school day (longer trips):
2. Travel on the 8:35 ferry, bus pickup at 9:10 in Blubber Bay for a 9:25 arrival the school in Van Anda.  Depart the school by bus at 1:55 to arrive in *Blubber Bay at 2:15 for the 3:00 pm return ferry. 
3. Travel on the 10:40 am ferry, bus pickup at 11:15 in Blubber Bay for an 11:30 arrival at the school in Van Anda.  Depart the school by bus at 3:55 to arrive in *Blubber Bay at 4:10 for the 5:00 pm return ferry.

*In Blubber Bay, just as you head into the car lineup for the ferry,  there is a large grassy area where students can eat and play.