Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Clean the Beach?

  This event is one way that as a community we can come together to protect the environment, maintain and promote our beaches, and ensure they are safe. 

• What beaches will the clean up action take place on?

  Cleaning of the beaches will occur on riverbank areas along specific routes along the shoreline of Riverside Park and Overlanders Park. The areas to be cleaned will be identified on maps handed out to volunteers on the day of the cleanup. These areas will only include locations that are City-owned and maintained, easily accessed.

• Why are we not doing all the beaches in our community?

  Some beach areas in Kamloops are unsafe to traverse, unstable, difficult to access, or are private property.  

• How do I know where to go or what to do on the day of the event?

  Volunteers should plan to arrive at Riverside Park by 11:00 am, near the Sandman Centre lower parking lot. At registration, the outline of the day will be provided. Before the event officially begins, and groups disperse, a mass orientation will take place outlining the beach areas identified for clean-up, what not to pick up, and where to drop off materials collected.  

• Can we do all the needs to be done in one day?

  Every bit helps and we will have a positive impact on the beaches we clean in the short term. Participants will end the day with knowledge gained and the experience of a community clean-up. 

• What's the City's plan for maintaining cleaner beaches after this one-time event?

  This is the second year of a new program for the City of Kamloops—with continued registrations and success we will continue this as an annual event. 

• Is the event rain or shine?

  This event will take place rain or shine. We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather of the day. 

• Are children able to participate?

  Yes, this is a family friendly event. All participants will need to sign a waiver during registration. Parents/Caregivers will need to complete a form for children under the age of 19 years.  

• What do I need to bring to participate?

  Participants should dress appropriately for the weather of the day and wear closed-toe shoes. If you own a high-visibility vest and/or work gloves, please bring those for your personal use. We recommend sunscreen, a hat, and your own water bottle.  

  The City will supply disposable gloves, high-visibility vests, collection bags, one set of leather work gloves, one sharps container, and litter-collection tools.  

• Will bags, gloves, and other safety gear be provided?

  Yes. Each group will receive a supply of disposable gloves, high-visibility vests, collection bags, one set of leather work gloves, one sharps container, and litter-collection tools.

• I am concerned about sharp needles. Will there be a pre-sweep of the beach areas?

  Yes, local social agencies and our Community Service Officers will be conducting pre-sweeps of sharps in the identified clean-up areas. Additionally, during the orientation at the start of the event, there will be an overview on what to do if you encounter sharps on the beach.  

  Please note: You are not obligated to pick up sharps. If you are not comfortable picking up sharps you can mark them with a flag (provided) and notify a staff member to collect them.

• What do I do if I come across a dangerous object?

  It is not a requirement to pick up sharps or dangerous materials if you are not comfortable. You can leave the item in its location and instead make a note of what you found and where and inform City staff at the end of your session.  

  To clean up sharp object like broken glass the person should put on gloves, pick up the large shards of glass. If you don't have gloves, use tongs to pick up the glass. Never use your bare hands. Each group will receive one set of leather gloves to assist in picking up dangerous materials.

  The shards should be placed in a thick paper or heavier container that the glass won’t be able to poke through.  

  Read more from Interior Health on safe sharp collection. 

• What type of items are we cleaning up off the beach?

  Volunteers are encouraged to look for obvious items that do not belong on our shorelines such as plastic, bottles/cans, Styrofoam, cigarette discards, batteries, and other light-weight garbage. 

• What type of items might we come across that are not to be picked up?

  We advise not to pick up large items such as tires and vehicle parts. If you have concerns about a specific item, take note of its location, and advise a City staff member on site to investigate. 

• Will there be items pulled from the river or embedded in the riverbanks?

  We encourage volunteers to leave debris embedded in the riverbanks (i.e. tires or vehicle parts) or where items may be in hands-reach of the water and shoreline. Although it is debris, for your safety, and to cause minimal disruption to ecological habitat, we prefer to leave the items where it is. If you have concerns about a specific item, take note of its location, and advise a City staff member on site to investigate. 

• What do I do if I come across an encampment?

  It is recommended that as a volunteer, you continue past the encampment not to disturb the inhabitants. Community Service Officers will be present during the event and will have visited encampments before the clean-up to inform inhabitants and encourage them to move along.

  If you feel that there’s a safety threat, notify a City staff member that is on site or phone Community Services at 250-828-3409.

• Do I need to register to attend?

  Although registration is not required, it would be helpful for planning purposes. Residents interested in participating are asked to register in advance of 9:00 am, Friday, April 11, 2025, online.

  If you have not registered in advance, we welcome you to attend by 11:00 am at Riverside Park on the day of signing up and complete a waiver form. 

• If I find something valuable does the "finders keepers" rule apply?

  If you find something of value like a bike, jewelry, or an archeological find, please connect with a City staff member on-site. A staff member can contact Community Services or the RCMP to find its rightful owner or connect with the appropriate individuals for culturally significant items. 

• Are water shoes acceptable foot attire?

  Participants should wear appropriate footwear such as boots or closed-toe shoes.

• Will food be provided?

  Yes. We want to have this as a fun, family-friendly, celebratory shoreline event. Participants are encouraged to attend the wrap-up event including a BBQ taking place at 1:30 pm at the East end of Riverside Park, near the Sandman Centre. 

• Will there be first aid on site?

  Yes. St. Johns Ambulance will be on site.