Every year, thousands of students, seniors and people with financial barriers are not able to visit our regional parks. You can change this.
Do you remember how much fun the “field trip” was when you were in school? Do you recall that it was even more fun if the trip was to a natural space like a park? Did you know that this experience is not available to many youth today? Every year thousands of students, seniors and people with financial barriers are not able to visit our regional parks. Why? Because there is no funding to charter a bus.
We are working to change this- but we can’t do it alone. With your help we can connect even more groups to the beauty of nature found in Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. Donate today – any amount goes directly towards the funding of a trip. A $500 donation makes the dream of a chartered bus a reality. Your donation can and will make a difference.
APPLY FOR THE BUS GRANT
- What is the date of your outing?
- What regional park are you planning to visit?
- Are you using an insured and licensed vehicle with a professional driver?
- How many people are you taking?
- What is the nature of your group? (i.e. Non-profit, society, unorganized, etc.)
- What is the purpose of the outing?
We want you to have the best experience with your group. Before chartering your bus, you will need to complete Metro Vancouver Regional Park’s Group Visit Notification Form so that they can check that there isn’t any construction, trail closures, filming or other groups at the same time and place that you’re planning to go.
This is not required if you have booked a field trip with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.
FAQ’s
The cost to hire a bus for the purpose of visiting a Metro Vancouver Regional Park. Once you’ve confirmed the date of your visit, please submit a park visit form here.
Mileage and travel expenses.
Up to $500 per grant.
Schools, community centres, youth organizations, seniors groups, and organizations that support people with disabilities or challenges. Bus Grants require a minimum of 20 attendees. To ensure we can distribute funding as widely as possible, each organization is limited to a maximum of two bus grants per fiscal year (October-September), or as funding permits.
Bus Grant Program applications will be open for the months of October and January. Intake periods may be extended as more funding becomes available.
Fill out the online application. Send us a supporting letter of interest telling us about your planned trip.
First, we will need you to complete and return your Grant Acceptance Form (this will be e-mailed to successful applicants) within 60 days of receiving your grant approval. Acceptance Forms returned after 60 days will not be accepted and you will not receive funding.
Then, we want to hear about your trip! We require that successful applicants send us a Final Report Form after your trip to keep us both accountable for the Bus Grant funds.
The bus grant approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks.