Lake Trail Community Education Society (LTCES) is a charitable organization based out of Lake Trail Community School in West Courtenay.

We offer programs and outreach activities based on the needs of the community including after school and youth programming, a community garden and outdoor hub, community events and drop-in evenings, and a free salad bar program for Lake Trail students.

LTCES is actively engaged in the life of the school and community and strives to make the school a neighbourhood hub accessible to everyone.

Our programs are offered for free, by donation, or with bursaries available, making them 100% financially barrier free.

LTCES has the great opportunity of utilizing the school facility and grounds for community use after school hours and weekends. This is especially significant in West Courtenay where there is high community need, yet very little infrastructure for community use. 

Three areas of focus have emerged over the past decade of community input and action include after school and youth, healthy communities, and our healthy foods programs. Our programs are based on the needs of the community and serve all community members. Programs are offered for free, by donation, or with bursaries available, making them 100% financially barrier free.

We work with educators, youth, community members, facilitators, and partner agencies, who play a key role in planning, implementing, and assessing programs and community connections opportunities. Together, we strive to meet our communities’ needs from the ground up.

Healthy Communities:

Community schools provide a way for community residents, with or without children, to participate in the activities of their neighbourhood school. The variety of programs and services we offer helps to meet the specific educational, recreational and social needs of the area we serve.

Although community programs are offered in other parts of the City of Courtenay, developing a sense of place and belonging for participants within their community, and building their relationship to the school, is a defining factor for LTCES.

After School and Youth: 

Lake Trail Community School serves over 400 students. These youth come to the school from three of the four most vulnerable elementary schools in the Comox Valley. Our after school and food security programs are designed to support all youth in west Courtenay, and sometimes from beyond. Our programs are facilitated by LTCES staff, community facilitators, and through partnerships with community organizations. 

Community Garden and Healthy Foods: 

The Lake Trail Community School Garden was created over a decade ago through a community volunteer effort. Food literacy, healthy eating initiatives, education, and community connection are at the heart of this much loved project.

Lake Trail Community School has recently undergone a major seismic upgrade including a new school and a future childcare centre. With this project came the demolition of the garden. This scenario has provided an exciting opportunity to expand our Garden and Healthy Foods Program through a new community garden and outdoor hub built 2022 - 2023. 

LTCES’s weekly salad bar program provides a nutritious, free meal for all students. For many, this helps to fill a nutrition gap at home. Salad bar is an anticipated highlight of the week! 

Gardening workshops, volunteer opportunities, and food security initiatives are offered and supported by LTCES.