Community Garage Sale
Roll up your sleeves and mark your calendars for Saturday, May 23, for the annual Youbou Community Garage Sale, starting at 10 am, rain or shine. List your garage sale by May 20 at youbouyca.com/pages/garage-sale. We’ll post an online map and let you know where you can pick up balloons to mark your sale, so bargain hunters know where to find your treasures.
Youbou Annual Clean-Up
If you still have stuff to off-load after garage sale day, tote your no-longer-loved items to Meade Creek on Sunday, May 30, between 9 am and 3 pm. We’ll be offering our once-a-year deal on tipping fees for Area I residents. Just show an ID with your Area I address and we’ll cover up to $30 of tipping fees per household. This clean-up is funded by your Youbou Community Association.
Totally Rad Murder Mystery
The 1980s were the rage for Jane Fonda’s jazzercise, big hair, preppie shirts, one-minute managers, and dressing for success. They’re also the timeframe for the Totally Rad 1980s murder mystery at the Youbou Bar & Grill. Shove in your shoulder pads or don your izod shirts and join the fun on Saturday, May 2 at 5 pm. For $40, you’re invited to join the team of suspects and sleuths while sharing a drink and dining together. Reserve a space and find out who your character will be. Will you be the crime solver or the criminal? Check out the photo of the cast of characters from Murder on the Orient Express in March.
Pub Happenings
Besides the murder mystery, the Youbou Bar and Grill will be swinging into spring with several special events. On May 9, Petals and Prophesies will feature a psychic doing card readings that foretell your future, from 11:30 to 4:30. Treat Mom to a brunch on Mother’s Day, May 10, and Dad to dinner on Father’s Day on June 21. Victoria Day weekend will feature a barbecue special menu. On May 23, get ready for another drag show, starring Youbou’s own Sheila and friends, and on June 27, expect an evening of live music.
Arise Ole!
Arise is celebrating Mexican this month with Mexican-themed meals, dinners on May 2 and 30 at 5 pm, and a May 3 brunch. Moms will have a choice on where to go for Mother’s Day brunch in Youbou as Arise is offering a brunch on May 10, as is the Youbou Bar & Grill.
Bowling 75 Years Sock Hop
The Youbou bowling alley lanes opened in 1951 and what better way to celebrate 75 years of strikes and spares than with a fifties-era sock hop? On Saturday, July 11, step back in time for a Sock Hop with classic twist and jitterbug music, vintage vibes, and a licensed bar. Dance tickets for $10 are available at Youbou Community Hall or Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. What’s more, the hall will be open at 3:30 Saturday for drop-in bowling, gym activities, and memorabilia displays. A short ceremony with cupcakes will happen at 4:30. On Sunday, you can sign up to play in a 10-pin bowling tournament. Past and present pinsetters will receive a $5 discount on tournament registration. Come roll some strikes, have fun with friends, and celebrate the hall’s history on the lanes.
Crabfest is Coming
Saturday, July 25 is Youbou’s 5th annual Crabfest. Tickets will go on sale in June at the Youbou General Store, Daly’s Service Centre, and Arise Café for $40 each. As usual, the YCA will be serving each guest a whole Dungeness crab with all the fixings: baked potato, salad, bread, melted butter (of course), and even dessert, starting at 5 pm. Non-alcoholic beverages are included. Beer, wine, and cider are available for a charge.
Broom Busting
Have loppers, will banish broom. About 20 volunteers convened on Saturday, April 18, to clear the invasive, highly flammable broom from the Bald Mountain Park parking lot. In a couple of short hours, the group completely cleared the broom between the parking lot and road, filling a large container to the top. This work followed the efforts of St. Margaret’s grade 8 students who cut broom for several hours on Thursday, April 16, as part of the school’s volunteer day. These work days were planned jointly by the Youbou Community Association and the CVRD Volunteer Coordinator. In addition to the Bald Mountain Bust, Youbou residents were invited to cut broom and stack it for pick up. Representatives from Mosaic Forest Management came through town to pick up broom from spots designated by our YCA online map. Thank you to our neighbours and friends who cut broom with us this spring!
Bunny Fun
The Easter Bunny hopped over to Arbutus Park this year for a sunny, calm morning of paddling and egg hunting. On Saturday, April 4, a flotilla of rabbit-eared paddlers launched from the beach in kayaks or on SUP boards to kick-off the paddling season. Thanks to the Millers for providing the safety boat for the group and the Youbou Community Association for organizing the float. Cowichan Lake Recreation then hosted the egg hunt around the park. The photos show how much fun it was. We’ll do it again.
CVRD Official Community Plan and Bylaws
Much concern, consternation, and controversy has been swirling around efforts by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) to establish first an Official Community Plan (OCP), then to lay down a set of Bylaws mandating additional restrictions on area residents. Consensus among area voters is that the community plan disregarded input from residents and that the proposed Bylaws try to apply the same set of standards throughout a diverse region, without care or thought to the specific needs of citizens in each area. The scope of this newsletter cannot begin to delve into the details surrounding these plans, nor keep up with the daily changes, but we can encourage you to be informed and involved. For now, this issue is paused, but your voice is important.
Note: At this time, a public information meeting is planned on Tuesday, May 19, for Areas I & F regarding the draft local plans. The meeting will be held at Centennial Hall in Lake Cowichan from 5 pm to 7 pm.
Message from Mosaic
Mosaic Forest Management is ready to share a 2026 update and publish our plans for the next three years.
Recent Activity: Following engagement with residents and a rigorous planning process, Mosaic completed harvesting and replanting of a small area near the start of North Shore Main. Resulting firewood in this block was donated to Youbou Volunteer Fire Department. Mosaic Forest Management did not receive any proceeds from these sales. In April, our silviculture team assisted the broom-busting efforts by the community during the YCA’s annual Broom Bust event. In May, we’ll host the Coastline Endurance Running event at Fairservice Fun and the BC Gravel Fondo Cowichan Crusher cycling race near Mesachie Lake. In July, the BC Gravel Series Burnt Bridge will occur near Shawnigan Lake.
Upcoming Activity: The image provided shows planned operations for the next three years. We anticipate logging in six blocks where each opening will be no larger than eight hectares. Every opening will have undergone assessments by professionals in accordance with the Professional Governance Act, and will follow a rigorous block checklist to protect a wide variety of values. These planned activities will be outside of the Big Coast carbon project area, where our long-term commitment to refrain from logging remains unchanged.
Road construction is expected to commence later this spring in the upper blocks N037 and N035. This work may include periodic, short-duration blasting during weekdays. Timing of operations will be subject to crew availability and weather conditions.
All streams within and around operational areas will have been assessed by professionals. Our riparian standards will have been applied in all cases, to minimize biological impacts and preserve drinking water quality. Residents with water intakes near planned operations will be notified directly so any site-specific concerns can be discussed.
Prior to any harvest activity, Mosaic representatives will reach out personally to inform residents and discuss any concerns. When we are unable to connect in person, we will leave detailed information about planned activities, along with contact information.
Safety is our top priority. To avoid unnecessary risk to workers and members of the public, strict safety guidelines will be followed while harvesting near powerlines and roads. This may result in short periods of traffic control. We appreciate your patience during these times and will work to keep any disruptions as brief as possible. Signage will be in place to inform you of active operations.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss upcoming activities, please feel free to reach out to Francis Guyver, Land Use Forester, at francis.guyver@mosaicforests.com or call 250-618-9575.
FireSmart Rebates for Youbou
The Mount Underwood Wildfire in 2025 was a wake-up call for Cowichan Lake homeowners. Residents of Youbou have good reason to be concerned about the safety of their homes and families during forest fire season. Fortunately, a free and confidential FireSmart Home Assessment is available to homeowners through Emergency Management Cowichan (EMC). EMC is the regional emergency management division of CVRD planning Cowichan’s resilient future and works in collaboration with Fire Departments and local authorities. EMC provides confidential, no-obligation home visits free of charge. The team helps homeowners to focus on the easiest, most effective actions to reduce wildfire hazards on and around the home. Resident homeowners can apply for rebates of up to $4,000 for recommended mitigation activities specified in their FireSmart reports! Please call 250-746-2500 x5012 or email firesmart@emcowichan.ca to get more information and to secure your free consultation today.
Smart Boating Reminder
Boating on our lake is fun, but it should be respectful too. Remember that the maximum speed is 10 kilometers an hour within 60 meters of shore.
If you have a boat with an overly loud motor, please consider how you might minimize that volume near homes.
Lastly, if you’re bringing a boat (power boat, canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board) from another body of water, please be sure the hull is completely clean before launching it on the lake. Invasive species can cling to boats and may threaten the lake’s delicate eco-system. Also think about pre-cleaning any boots or hip waders you’ve used in other rivers, lakes, or ocean.
Welcome Sign Thank You
For the past decade or so, Lesley Joy has been making us smile with her seasonal decorations adorning our Welcome to Youbou sign. Lesley has decided is it time to pass along her decorations and inspiration to other volunteers. The Youbou Community Association has gratefully accepted her decorations and plans to continue the tradition. If you’d like to be involved in this project, email julia@raedwulf.org.
Creative Art Classes
The Youbou Arts Centre keeps channeling creative energy throughout town and around the lake. If you’re searching for a gift, swing by the Arts Centre from Wednesdays to Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm, located at 10375 Youbou Road (next to the Arise Coffee Shop).
And, check out the exciting workshops online at https://www.cowichanlakeartsandculture.org/upcoming-, sign up for the free newsletter, or become a member to help support this growing initiative. Coming up soon are:
Watercolour classes with Cim MacDonald: May 2 and 16, 10 am
Cim MacDonald is a signature member of the Professional Photographers of Canada, the Northwest Watercolor Society, and an Associate Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Painting accolades include awards of excellence and merit since 1985. $125 for members, $145 for nonmembers.
Fun with Mixed Media and a Glue Gun with Cim MacDonald: May 17, 10 am
Have fun with a wax machine and glue gun drawing. Once the drawing is done, you’ll be using acrylic ink and/or watercolor paint to make very vibrant paintings. There are no drawing skills necessary for this method. $50 for members, $70 for nonmembers.
Fun with Mixed Media and Gesso with Cim MacDonald: May 23, 10 am
Please wear something that covers your good clothes for applying the gesso as this method can get a little messy. It takes two people to apply it before drying with a hair dryer. $50 for members, $70 for nonmembers.
Medicine Walk With Della Rice-Sylvester: May 24, 10 am, Greendale Road
Della Rice-Sylvester is a respected Cowichan Tribes Elder Medicine Woman and ethnobotanist based in Duncan and known for her expertise in traditional indigenous plant medicine and healing arts. $25 for members, $45 for nonmembers.
Nerikomi Jewelry: May 30, May 31, June 20, noon
In three classes, create beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry. Using coloured porcelain clay, you’ll make various shapes and sizes of precious treasures. Some jewelry ‘findings’ will be supplied. $80 for members, $100 for nonmembers.
Swimming at Arbutus Park
Every summer, Cowichan Lake Recreation offers swimming lessons at Arbutus Park in Youbou. Certified swim instructors help children, teens and adults refine their skills in a truly nostalgic setting. For children, swimming lessons run in four sessions from June 29 through August 20, Monday through Thursday. Sign-ups for swim lessons are now open at the Cowichan Lake Recreation Centre.
Youbou Swim and Sports Day Camp
Now is the perfect time to register kids for summer activities at the Cowichan Lake Recreation Centre. This year, kids can choose from several day camps in Youbou:
Lake Legends: The day starts with camp activities at the hall, then heads to Arbutus Park for swimming.
Beachside Builders: Creativity, engineering, and fun on the beach, as campers build sand structures and DIY projects, using problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. July 13 to 18.
Tides & Treasures: Young sleuths will explore the shoreline, hunt for hidden treasures, discover local wildlife, and enjoy hands-on activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for the lake. July 27 to 31.
Lakeside Scientists: Junior professors will dive into hands-on science experiments, investigate lake life, and discover the secrets of nature through fun STEM activities. August 10 to 14
Youth Week Freebie
Celebrate BC Youth Week with a FREE session of drop-in bowling and open gym time at Youbou Hall with friends, all at no cost. For ages 10 to 18, on Sunday, May 3, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Open Gym
Open gym nights will continue at Youbou Hall on Friday nights from 7 to 10 pm for $4 per night. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Spring sessions end after June 5. Summer sessions run from July 3 through August 28.
Bowling at the Alley
Adult evening play for the winter/spring season wrapped up with fun game nights. Throughout, bowlers earned Turkeys, Chickens, and Duplicate Game certificates. According to the photos and names on our league board:
Turkeys (3 strikes in a row)
Men’s night: Jarret, Dave, Darrel, Ryan & Shayne. Aden hit FOUR strikes in a row!
Ladies’ night: Nancy & Julia
Mixed night: Faron
Chickens (3 spares in a row)
Men’s night: Bill, Dan, Ryan, Shayn
Ladies’ night: Nancy, Kim, Julia, Margie
Duplicate game certificates for 2-game leagues:
Ladies’ night: Maxine
Mixed night: Cathy Fleurie
Summer Bowling
Friday and Saturday nights, 7 pm to 10 pm
Drop-in gym, Friday nights 7 pm to 10 pm
Note that in July and August, the bowling alley will also be open on Tuesday nights from 7 to 10 pm. As always, lane reservations can be made for any of the regular evening bowling (via reccowichan.ca or our Admin Team) and Bowling Rental requests are welcomed. Contact our Admin Team at 250 749-6742 ext 0.
Pickleball
Pickleball play at Youbou Hall is on summer break and will resume in October when the rains return. Join the Lake Cowichan Pickleball club and play on the outdoor courts in Lake Cowichan.
May 2: Murder Mystery, Pub, 5 pm
May 2 Watercolour classes, Art Centre, 10 am
May 2: Mexican night, Arise, 5 pm
May 3: Free Youth Bowling and Open Gym, Hall, 5:30 pm
May 3: Mexican Brunch, Arise
May 9: Petals and Prophesies Psychic readings, Pub: 11:30 am
May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch, Pub and Arise
May 16: Victoria Day Weekend BBQ, Pub
May 17: Fun with Mixed Media and a Glue Gun, Art Centre, 10 am
May 19: Area I & F Draft Local Plan Mtg, Centennial Hall, 5 pm
May 23: Youbou Community Garage Sale, 10 am
May 23: Drag Show, 7 pm
May 23: Fun with Mixed Media and Gesso, Art Centre, 10 am
May 24: Medicine Walk with Della Rice-Sylvester, 10 am
May 30: Mexican night, Arise, 5 pm
May 30: Nerikomi Jewlery, Art Centre, noon
May 31: Area I Clean-Up, Meade Creek Recycling, 9 am
June 21: Father’s Day Dinner, Pub
June 27: Live Music, Pub
June 29: First Day of Swimming Lessons, Arbutus Park
July 11: Bowling Alley 75th Anniversary Celebration, Hall
July 25: Crabfest, Hall, 5 pm
August 8: Youbou Regatta
Ongoing
Tuesdays: TOPS, Church, 10:30 am
Fridays: Drop-in Bowling and Open Gym, 7 pm
Saturdays: Drop-in Bowling, Youbou Lanes, 7 pm
Sundays: Brunch, Pub, 11 am to 2 pm
0 comments