Geocaching 101 event graphic with smartphone, map pins, and September 19 Baddeck workshop.

Geocaching 101: Learn to Find, Create and Manage a Geocache

Curious about geocaching? Come learn how this worldwide treasure-hunting activity works and how you can get started right here in Nova Scotia.

A representative from Geocaching Nova Scotia will introduce participants to the basics of geocaching, including:

  • How to get started and find a geocache
  • Different types of geocaches
  • How to create and manage a geocache
  • Different cache containers and how they are used
  • How businesses and community organizations can use geocaching to attract visitors and encourage people to explore an area
  • Stories and experiences from the geocaching community

Event Details

Everyone is welcome to this free event that will take place:
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Administration Building, Baddeck
Already a geocacher? The event has its own geocaching code: GCBV1C4.

Who should attend?

Everyone! Whether you’ve never heard of geocaching, are curious to give it a try, or are already an experienced geocacher, there’s something to learn.

Businesses and community not-for-profits are especially encouraged to attend to learn how geocaching can be used to promote a business, attraction or community and drive visitors to an area.

Come learn the basics, hear some caching stories and discover what might be hiding just around the corner.

This is a free, inclusive event open to anyone interested in geocaching.

RSVP

Send an email to christopher.woodford@victoriacounty.ca to let us know you plan on attending.

Did you know?

The oldest active geocache in Canada is GCBBA (Geocache), located near Gilbert’s Cove, Nova Scotia. It was placed on June 16, 2000.

Promotional graphic for free community information sessions on perimenopause and menopause in Baddeck and Ingonish, featuring a chalkboard illustration of menopause symptoms and health impacts, including sleep, weight, mood, hormones, and heat.

PeriMenopause and Beyond: Free Community Information Sessions 

Residents are invited to attend a free information session focused on perimenopause, menopause and beyond. 

Led by Maria Ceschiutti, Nurse Practitioner with Nova Scotia Health, these sessions will provide an opportunity to learn more about the changes associated with perimenopause and menopause, how symptoms can be managed, and the treatment options available. 

Perimenopause and menopause can affect people in different ways, and having access to reliable information can help individuals better understand what they are experiencing and explore options for managing symptoms. 

Topics will include: 

  • Understanding perimenopause and menopause 
  • Common symptoms and changes 
  • Ways to manage symptoms, including nutrition and exercise 
  • Pharmacological treatment options, including menopause hormone therapy 
  • A question-and-answer period to address your questions 

Consider bringing your partner 

Feedback from previous participants has shown that these sessions can also be valuable for partners and loved ones. Some participants said they wished they had brought their partner along. 

If you think it might be helpful for your partner or someone close to you to better understand what you are experiencing, consider attending together. These sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more. 

Session Dates and Locations 

Saturday, September 26 (Ingonish and Baddeck)  

  • 10 a.m. at the Victoria North Regional Branch Library, 35938 Cabot Trail in Ingonish 
  • 4 p.m. at the Municipal Administration Building, 495 Chebucto Street in Baddeck 

Sunday, September 27 (Baddeck)  

  • 10 a.m. at the Municipal Administration Building, 495 Chebucto Street in Baddeck 

All sessions are free and open to anyone interested in the topic. RSVP is encouraged.  

RSVP to a Session

Which Information Session will you be attending?
Promotional graphic for a clothing swap event titled “Share the Style.” Image shows a box of folded clothing with messages to donate used clothing and pick up needed items. Event takes place at Smokey Recreation Society on August 19, 2026, from 12 to 2 p.m., hosted by Victoria County.

Share the Style! Clothing Swap Event in Ingonish

Ready to refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime? Give your unwanted clothes a second life and help reduce textile waste at our Clothing Swap!

Join us at the Smokey Recreation Society (37890 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach) on August 19th from 12P- 2PM.

Here’s how it works:

  • Bring some good-quality clothing you no longer wear
  • Drop it off
  • Browse what others have brought
  • Take home something that’s new to you!

No complicated rules — simply drop off or take something new to you.

And while you’re there… why not try an e-bike?! Our Clothing Swap is happening alongside the E-Bike Try-It Event, so you can stop by, check out an e-bike, and maybe even take one for a spin!

Come swap. Come browse. Come try an e-bike. Come see what you can discover! 

Please bring clean, gently used clothing that is still in good condition and ready for someone else to enjoy.

Tidy Fridays! August Clean-ups

Join us for our next Tidy Friday community cleanups and help make Victoria County a little cleaner, one piece of litter at a time!

On August 14th we’re hosting cleanups at two locations at the same time, so you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you:

🗓️ Friday, August 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Bay St. Lawrence Community Hall
3160 Bay St Lawrence Road, Bay Saint Lawrence, NS, Canada, B0C-1R0
📍 New Haven Fire Hall
690 New Haven Rd, New Haven NS B0C

🗓️ Friday, August 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Cabot Volunteer Fire Department
29429 Cabot Trail, Cape North NS B0C 1G0 

We’ll provide everything you need, including:
✅ Gloves
✅ Garbage bags
✅ High-visibility safety vests
✅ Water and nutritious snacks

All we need is YOU! Whether you can stay for the full two hours or just stop by to lend a hand, every volunteer makes a difference.

Together, we can help keep our roadsides, parks, and communities clean and beautiful. Bring a friend, your family, or a neighbour, and let’s make a positive impact—one bag of litter at a time! 

Introducing Tidy Fridays!

The Municipality of the County of Victoria is rolling up its sleeves and hitting the roadsides to help keep our communities clean, beautiful, and litter-free—and we need your help!

Over the next several months, municipal staff will be traveling throughout Victoria County to host a series of community clean-up events. These volunteer clean-ups are a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors, meet your neighbours and make a visible difference in your community.

These events will take place rain or shine, so dress appropriately!

We’ll provide everything you need, including:
✅ Gloves
✅ Garbage bags
✅ High-visibility safety vests
✅ Water and nutritious snacks

Our first two Tidy Fridays will take place:
📍 Little Narrows Community Centre,134 Route 223, Little Narrows
📅 Friday, July 3
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

📍 Middle River Hall, 2656 Cabot Trail, Middle River
📅 Friday, July 17
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The community centers will serve as our home base, where participants will receive supplies, review safety information, and then head out to help clean roadsides and public areas in the surrounding community.

Whether you can stay for the full two hours or just lend a hand for part of the morning, your help is appreciated. Together, we can make Victoria County a cleaner, greener place to live, work, and visit!

We hope to see you there!

Graphic for Touch-a-Truck free family event featuring a Victoria County garbage truck.

Touch-a-Truck

Save the date!

All are welcome to this free family event where children and residents can explore municipal, emergency and service vehicles up close. Kids can see inside the vehicles, meet the operators and learn how the equipment is used in our communities.  

Date: Saturday, June 20 
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Baddeck Academy parking lot (320 Shore Road, Baddeck)  

Special Feature: Sensory-friendly hour from 9 – 10 a.m. with reduced noise, no horns or sirens.

Poster for “Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival” with dates May 31 to June 8 at the Port of Iona, set on a blue underwater-themed background with fish, coral, and sea plants.

Join us in Iona for the Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival  

Municipal staff are participating in Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival at the Port of Iona and everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities.  

Recreation and Physical Activity Coordinator  

Christopher Woodford will lead a beach walk on Saturday, June 6.  

Solid Waste Educator  

Morgan MacInnis will host a presentation on recycling, waste management and ocean plastics and will assist with a shoreline cleanup at the Port of Iona on Saturday, June 6, 2026. 

Morgan will also have an information table focused on recycling in Victoria County, ocean plastics and related topics on Sunday, June 7, 2026. 

About Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival  

The 10th Annual Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival in Iona is May 31 to June 8, 2026, and celebrates Oceans Week Canada, World Oceans Day and International Trails Day. The theme for this year’s festival is Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet. 

World Oceans Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 7 from 12 – 4 p.m. at the Port of Iona, Àros na Mara Discovery Centre and St. Columba Parish Centre. There will be displays, presentations, children’s activities, food and music providing something for all ages to enjoy. 

More information can be found at www.arosnamara.ca.  

Upcoming Events

Victoria County Council will be meeting for the following events at the Municipal Administration Building (495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck) in the coming weeks:

We invite everyone join us for the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, taking place in the front courtyard of the Administrative Building. The public is also welcome at all council meetings!

Free Community Shredding Events

Victoria County is hosting two free document shredding events for residents this May.

This is a safe and convenient way to dispose of confidential documents, reducing the risk of identity theft and ensuring paper materials are properly recycled.

Shredding services will be provided by Scotia Security Shredding, a locally operated company offering secure document destruction across Atlantic Canada.

How it works

  • A mobile, on-site shredding truck will be onsite
  • Documents are destroyed immediately in front of you
  • All materials are securely handled and recycled

What to bring

Residents can bring:

  • Old tax returns
  • Bills and receipts
  • Personal or sensitive documents

Event Details

May 9 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cabot Education Centre (parking lot)
32039 Cabot Trail, Neil’s Harbour, Nova Scotia

May 23 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Baddeck Academy (parking lot)
320 Shore Rd., Baddeck, Nova Scotia, B0E 1B0

Why attend

  • Protect yourself from identity theft
  • Safely dispose of sensitive documents
  • Ensure paper is recycled properly
  • Take advantage of a free, convenient community service

For more information, please contact:

Morgan MacInnis 
Solid Waste Educator
Phone: 902-295-0591
recycle@victoriacounty.ca

Promotional graphic for Victoria County’s Earth Day 2026 featuring a lush green forest and river valley under a blue sky. Large text reads “Earth Day 2026 – Our Power, Our Planet,” with a globe icon in the word “Our,” and a banner stating “Local solutions to combat climate change.”

Our Power, Our Planet: Local Solutions to Combat Climate Change  

The theme for Earth Day 2026 is Our Power, Our Planet and focuses on individual actions and local solutions to combat climate change. 

Victoria County’s municipal services give easy ways to reduce waste and protect our environment this Earth Day and everyday. Here are a few simple actions you can take.  

Support our ReUse Centre! 

Before sending something to the landfill, ask yourself, could someone else use this? 

Give your items a second life and a chance to be new to someone else. By donating to the ReUse Centre, you’re not only keeping items out of the landfill, you’re also supporting local non-profits in our community. 
 
Learn more at: ReUse Centre – Victoria County 

Don’t throw out your textiles 

Textiles make up about 9% of landfill waste! 
 
Before tossing, consider donating, thrifting or repairing your clothing when you can. 
If it can’t be worn, fixed or reused you can bring it to our Enviro-Depots in Baddeck and New Haven for recycling. Wear it out! Don’t throw it out. 

Compost your food waste 

Organics are the #1 material found in Nova Scotia landfills. 

When food ends up in the garbage, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, and wastes valuable resources like water, energy and time. Instead, use our curbside organics collection to compost food scraps and keep them out of the landfill. 

If it can’t be donated or eaten, compost it! 

Every small change adds up. By using the services available right here in Victoria County, we can work together to reduce waste and protect our environment! 

Happy Earth Day!