ORCA Bus - Preschool Children Activities Powell River
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The ORCA Bus in the Press

MY POWELL RIVER NOW: ORCA Bus returns to deliver preschool fun across Powell River

10/27/2020

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The ORCA Bus is back on the road this month, with new pandemic safeguards in place.
​

Chelsea Ballantyne, ORCA Bus Coordinator with the Powell River & District United Way, said the bus is delivering the same preschool activities to families across the region, with some COVID-era adjustments.

“Like many local services, the ORCA Bus paused its activities in March out of an abundance of caution,” Ballantyne said. 

“In the six months since, we’ve been connecting with families on our social media channels while we work with our partners to plan a safe reopening.”

That reopening has now happened. 


Autumn Ennenberg (Left), has been hired to drive the ORCA Bus. She is pictured with Chelsea Ballantyne,
ORCA Bus Coordinator for Powell River & District United Way. 
Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak: Children's activity bus program relaunches in Powell River

10/26/2020

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ORCA Bus is back on the road in the Powell River area with new pandemic safeguards in place. The bus is delivering the same preschool activities to families across the region, with some COVID-era adjustments, stated ORCA bus coordinator Chelsea Ballantyne in a media release.

“Like many local services, the ORCA Bus paused its activities in March out of an abundance of caution,” stated Ballantyne. “In the six months since, we’ve been connecting with families on our social media channels while we work with our partners to plan a safe reopening.”

Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak: ORCA Bus unveiling ceremony to take place next month in Powell River

9/19/2019

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PictureSNEAK PEAK: Images that represent the Powell River area, which came through community consultation, will adorn the outside of the new ORCA Bus. A reveal of the new design will take place next month. Contributed photo
Finishing touches are being made on Powell River’s brand-new ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus mobile play-based learning centre before its big reveal Friday, October 11.

“We’ve got it here in Powell River.” said ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback. “It arrived in early September and just finished all the mechanics and interior work.” 

ORCA Bus is a partnership between Powell River and District United Way, and School District 47. The original ORCA vehicle, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009, was in need of major repairs and upgrades, said Zroback. ​

Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak: Powell River area residents can vote on ORCA Bus design

7/12/2019

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A community consultation about the new design for Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus is now complete.
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A voting system has been created to allow community members to have the final say on ideas used to create images for the new mobile play-based learning centre when it arrives in August, according to a media release from ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback on Friday, July 12.

The original ORCA Bus above, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009,
​was in need of major repairs and upgrades.
Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak: New ORCA Bus on the way for Powell River area

5/16/2019

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Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus mobile play-based learning centre is revitalized thanks to a $137,500 Powell River Community Forest grant. The funds allow the program to purchase an upgraded vehicle and expand programs.
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“This grant has been a dream come true for our project,” said ORCA Bus coordinator Beth Zroback. “We have just sent in the order and expect the new bus to arrive early in the fall.”
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The ORCA Bus is a partnership between Powell River and District United Way, and School District 47. The original ORCA bus, a decommissioned school bus donated to the group in 2009, was in need of major repairs and upgrades.

Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak: Rally time

6/8/2018

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Few issues or initiatives stir up emotions and rally the troops more than those involving children, especially children in need or those who benefit from community or government-sponsored programs.

With its recent selection as one of 10 nominated finalists competing for a $100,000 BCAA Play Here grant, Powell River’s ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus has an opportunity for its future to be dramatically altered.
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For nearly 10 years, the ORCA Bus has been rolling throughout the Powell River area, including Lund, Texada and Saltery Bay, and all stops in-between, delivering a StrongStart outreach program to children in the region, as well as other activities that are both play-based and educational.

Click here to read the full article
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Powell River Peak:  ORCA Bus supporters seek votes from Powell River residents

6/5/2018

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Powell River’s ORCA Bus is in the running for a prize that could net the mobile play-based learning centre up to $100,000 in upgrades, but it needs the public’s support to win, according to Success By 6 coordinator Beth Zroback.

The ORCA Bus, which stands for “On the Road with Children’s Activities,” is a partnership between the United Way, School District 47 and Success By 6. It was chosen as a finalist in BCAA’s Play Here contest from among hundreds of province-wide applicants.
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The learning centre on wheels has become a well-known sight throughout the community since a local couple donated the decommissioned school bus in 2009. The programs it provides are different from those of other learning buses, said Zroback.
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WHEELED LEARNING: Powell River ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus supporters recently gathered at Willingdon Beach for an interview with Global BC. The organization is a top-ten finalist in BCAA’s Play Here contest. The three organizations that garner the most votes will each receive up to $100,000 to upgrade and revitalize their children's programs. Contributed photo
Click here to read the full article
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    About Us

    ​​​The ORCA Bus is an early years outreach vehicle dedicated to providing all children, in Powell River and qathet Regional District, with a good start in life. The ORCA Bus's mission is to ensure that all families have access to early years services.

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  • About
  • Schedule
  • COVID-19
  • Family Resources
    • COVID-19 Help >
      • SD #47 Health & Mental Health Resources
      • Anxiety Canada
      • Child Mind Institute
      • Ministry of Children & Family Development
    • Youth and Family Powell River
    • Family Friendly Powell River
    • Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Family Place
    • Tla´amin Health
    • Powell River Public Library
    • inclusion Powell River
    • StrongStart SD47
    • Powell River & District United Way
  • Volunteer
  • Contact