Information for Families
Our Rayleigh Family & Student Handbook is filled with information to help you understand how our school operates and how to best support your child. Please take a few minutes to read through this valuable information.
Community Resources for Families
The Boys & Girls Club (BGC) offers a number of programs that families may be interested in accessing.
Circle of Friends - this program provides a safe space for children between the ages of 6 and 12 to navigate the stages of pain and loss (e.g. family separation, divorce, death of a loved one or pet, change in life circumstances, etc.)
Connect Parent - Connect Parent is an attachment-focused program that looks at the behaviours demonstrated by our children as indications of needs not being met as opposed to problem behaviour. The intention of this program is to shift our thinking from behaviour modification to meeting the needs of our kids in order to diminish the behaviours we are seeing. This 9-week program will be facilitated Wednesday evenings, from October 2nd to November 27th, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, with dinner provided at 5:15 pm.
For questions regarding afterschool programs, please contact Megan at children@bgckamloops.com
For questions regarding youth programs, please contact Emily at youthemployment@bgckamloops.com
For questions regarding family programs, please contact Jaimie at fsupport@bgckamloops.com
Check out this comprehensive overview of programs offered by BGC Kamloops Youth Programs
YMCA Spring 2025 Program Opportunities
GLOW
GLOW (Girls’ Life of Wellness) group helps support young women and non-binary youth ages 8 – 12 in all five dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental. Participants meet in groups to have healthy skill-building discussions (e.g. body image, healthy relationships, setting boundaries, puberty, morals/values, etc.) and participate in wellness activities.
Tuesdays 4pm - 6 pm at John Tod Y
Program Dates: April 15 - June 3
B.R.A.V.E (Building Resilience. Authenticity, Values & Empathy)
Free 8-week group that will be focused on general wellness for those 8-12-year-old boys and nonbinary children. The group will be 2 hours per session and will include physical activity along with mental, social, and emotional learning. Participants will learn about healthy expression of emotions, self-care, the benefits of physical activity, friendship, stress and worries.
Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30 pm at John Tod Y
Program Dates: May 1 - June 19
Growing Mindfully
Growing Mindfully (formerly known as Mindful Monkeys) is a physical and mental wellness program for youth ages 8-12 that helps support youth to be more active and learn healthy coping strategies. Saturdays 10 - 12 pm at John Tod Y
Saturdays 10 am - 12 pm at John Tod Y
Information Session: Saturday, April 12 at 10 am
Program Dates: April 26 - June 21 (no session on May 17 - Victoria Day)
Y Mind Teen
Y Mind Teen is a 7-week program that supports teens ages 13 to 17 who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety to learn and practice healthy coping strategies to better manage stress and anxiety. Our groups provide an opportunity for teens to learn within a safe, comfortable, and fun environment, surrounded by other teens experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Mondays 6-7:30 pm at John Tod Y
On-going intakes; start date will be set as soon as we have enough registrations
Y Mind Youth
Y Mind Youth is a free 7-week psychoeducational and support group for young adults ages 18-30 who experience anxiety. Participants learn healthy coping skills, connect with other youth in the community, and get support all in a safe and friendly environment.
Tuesdays 6 pm – 8:30 pm - Online
On-going Intakes; start date will be set once we have enough registrations
Y Mind Adult
Y Mind Adult is a 7-week program for adults 31+ who are experiencing stress and mild to moderate anxiety. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings.
Wednesdays 6-8:30 pm at John Tod Y
Information Session 1: April 30 at 6 pm
Information Session 2: May 7 at 6 pm
Program Dates: May 14 - June 25
Aging Mindfully
Aging Mindfully is an 8-week free program for seniors and focuses on physical activity, mental wellness and social connection for ages 55+. With a regular weekly meeting including 30 minutes of physical activity, 45 minutes of mindfulness practice, and 45 minutes of socializing and connecting as a group, our goal is to address 3 major pillars of holistic wellness - mental wellness, physical wellness and social inclusion.
Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30 am
Program Dates: April 5 - June 7 [no sessions on April 19 (Easter) and May 17 (Victoria Day)]
Postpartum Connections
Support group for women experiencing isolation, sadness, or mild to moderate pre-or post-natal depression and/or anxiety. Peer support with an educational component. Child-minding available. Runs at the John Tod Y.
Wednesdays 12 - 1:30 pm
Program Dates: TBD
** For more information and registration for Postpartum Connections, please contact the Kamloops' Early Years Navigator at mbainpatrick@interiorcommunityservices.bc.ca or 250-554-3134 ext. 327 **
Circle of Security Parenting Program
Circle of Security Parenting Program offers a weekly education program for parents and caregivers to improve the parent-child attachment. The program assists parents to better understand and respond to their child's needs and improve confidence in parenting skills. This program will run at the John Tod Y.
Program Dates: TBD
Guided Loving-Kindness Meditation
Join Taylor for a weekly 30-minute Guided Loving-Kindness Meditation. Each week she will explore mindful self-compassion, provide participants with an opportunity to comfort and care for themselves and offer a kind, gentle, and supportive, informal practice. This group runs online.
Mondays 7 - 7:30 pm
Program Dates: Ongoing - Starting April 14
Please reach out to mentalwellness@bc.ymca.ca or 250-376-4771 ext. 122 if you have any questions or would like to register for one of our programs.
SD73 Programming
Worry Bugs Program - for students and families in need of support with worry and anxiety, this might be a great option for you.
Interior Community Services provides a number of programs that families may want to access.
In Office Counseling Program - for families that do not have counseling benefits through their an employer and have children under the age of 19, families can access 6-8 free counseling sessions.
Mind Over Madder - this program supports the development of conflict management skills for adults, teens and children (8-12 years old).
BC Family Justice Services - provides support for families going through separation or divorce. These free services includes family mediation, supporting parent/child communication challenges and much more. Contact can be made to Alvina Snell (Family Justice Counsellor - Certified Family Mediator) at 778 696 2132.
