How to Support the BC Forest Discovery Centre
Donate to the Centre
The BC Forest Discovery Centre is operated by the BC Forest Museum Society and is a registered charity. Community and corporate donations are an important part of the museum’s continued operation.
Purchase a Membership
Join us in helping to conserve the BC Forest Discovery Centre with a yearly membership. You’ll enjoy the many benefits that membership offers. Individual, family and corporate options available.
Volunteer at the Centre
Dedicated volunteers log over 10,000 hours at the BC Forest Discovery Centre each year. There are many volunteer opportunities available including special events, education program, artifact restoration, and construction. We welcome new volunteers all the time!
Fourth Passenger Car Fundraising Campaign
We have been running the Christmas Express for almost 15 years now and are consistently amazed by the excitement and support we receive from this community. This year we added 30 additional runs to the event over last season and still sold nearly all tickets within the first 48 hours. The enthusiasm and interest are gratifying for everyone who helps put this event on and we are constantly accepting feedback on how to improve for next year. One of the main things we have seen for this year is a desire for even more opportunities to ride the train. To address this, we are launching a fundraising campaign to build a fourth passenger car that would increase our capacity at major events by 30 percent!
If you were not already aware, the excursion features a 2.5 km narrow-gauge track that winds its way through a 100 acre wooded forest area, dotted with many artifacts that were used in the forest industry. For our Christmas Express, we have the entire property decorated with lights, blow-ups, and holiday displays. This attraction has been the mainstay of the BC Forest Discovery Centre for years and is the focal point of most families’ visits.
The BC Forest Discovery Centre has recently completed an 8-year refurbishment on one of our steam locomotives. With the return to service of the Hillcrest # 1 Shay, we now have a locomotive capable of pulling four cars around the track at the Discovery Centre.
Your donations to our Fourth Passenger Car fund will help the BC Forest Discovery Centre increase ridership on our extremely popular Halloween Train and Christmas Express events. Our goal is to have this project completed in time for the 2025 season.
Individual Support
Financial – Donations of cash are always gratefully accepted. Amounts over $100 are eligible for a tax receipt in the amount of the donation.
In Kind – Donations of goods or services help the museum achieve its goals. Whether it’s an offer of building materials or specialized labour we can use your help! Tax receipts may be available.
Artifacts or Archival Materials – The Centre carefully collects objects and records that reflects the early history of coastal logging and the forest industry of British Columbia. Our Collections Committee evaluates the relevance of potential donations to the Centre’s mandate. If interested in making an artifact donation to the Centre, please fill out our “Potential Donation Information Form,” which further explains the donation process and informs the Committee’s final decision.
Tax Receipts – Charitable tax receipts may be available for your donation to the BC Forest Discovery Centre.
For information on tax receipt eligibility please click on the link: Donation Form & Tax Receipt Information
Planned Giving – The BC Forest Discovery Centre can accomplish great things thanks to the generosity of those who have provided for the museum in their estate plans. We are pleased that you have interest in learning about the many benefits of gift plans.
If you have any questions about the best way for you to benefit through a planned gift please call: (250) 715-1113 ext. 23.
Corporate Support
Corporate memberships are currently available. The memberships include a season’s pass to the museum that many businesses loan to valued customers and employees.
Your Corporate Membership entitles you to a general family pass. The pass is transferable and may be used to reward your employees or special customers. You will receive a subscription to our newsletter, election privileges at our AGM, and information racking in our admissions center.
