ENCOUNTERING THE WORLD WORKSHOPS

What a way to spend the day! As good gardeners of the soul and spirit we want to nurture and cultivate ourselves in one of the most beautiful and interesting cities, Victoria, BC. We’ve made it easy for you experience the local charm by incorporating some of the top attractions right into the conference schedule. Register for one of the following workshops of your choice.

These workshops may be subject to cancellation should the minimum numbers not be met.

The Butchart Gardens

We could not do justice to a conference with a gardening theme if we did not offer the opportunity to encounter the famous Butchart Gardens offering 22ha (55 acres) of wonderful floral display. Encounter spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this show garden still maintains the gracious traditions of earlier times. Gardens admission, roundtrip transportation, driver commentary and all applicable taxes are included.

$44.00 CAD based on a minimum of 35 participants

High Tea at the Empress Hotel

Experience 300 years of tradition at the beautiful Fairmont Empress hotel. You'll feel like you're stepping into history when you experience true British society inside the authentic Victorian Tea Lobby at this renowned hotel while you enjoy an old English tradition--Afternoon Tea! At your table, you will be treated to live music, tableside tea service and delicious English sandwiches and pastries from an award-winning pastry chef!

$49.00 CAD based on a minimum of 15 participants

Royal BC Museum and IMAX Theatre

Join colleagues in a lovely short walk to the Museum and explore the Royal BC Museum, one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. The museum was founded in 1886; the archives in 1894.  In 2003 these two organizations integrated to become British Columbia's combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of BC's natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future, and sharing them with the world

$23.00 CAD based on a minimum of 15 participants

Walking the Labyrinth

Join Aryana Rayne, author of “Exploring our Magical Labyrinths: Guide to 28 labyrinths in the Southern BC Islands” for a few hours of exploring two or three of Victoria’s labyrinths and learning more about labyrinths and their uses in ancient and modern times. Labyrinths are down-to-earth tools for transformation rooted in sacred geometry. They have been around for over 3500 years and are more popular today than at any other time in the history of humanity. Find out why! Learn about Victoria’s community project to build the world’s first equal-access labyrinth that blind people and those using mobility aids can use independently and confidently. You will also learn how to build your own labyrinths. Roundtrip transportation is included.

$17.00 CAD based on a minimum of 35 participants

18 Holes of Theological Reflection at the Olympic View Golf Club

Imagine being surrounded by the magnificence of the Olympic Mountains, the roar of two spectacular waterfalls, and the tranquility associated with twelve lakes. Eagles soar overhead. Black-tailed deer feed at the forest's edge. Now imagine a club in your hands and 18 holes of challenging championship fairways stretched out before you. This breath-taking course has many target oriented and undulating fairways, combined with beautiful Japanese gardens. The vistas from some of the tee boxes are unparalleled. Each hole has a personality of its own, making for an exciting game that favours no specific shot, other than accuracy due to the tightness of some of the fairways. The signature 17 th hole is a 417-yard par 4 with a waterfall making a dramatic backdrop to the long green.

Package cost includes roundtrip transportation, green fees, power carts, complete club washing after the game and all applicable taxes. Golf club rentals are available at $50.40 per set (taxes included).

Note: Due to the timing of this excursion, it is possible that all 18 holes might not be completed.

$105.00 CAD based on a minimum of 12 participants