This weekend in Vancouver, WA

Stewardship Saturdays are back at Columbia Springs with a hands-on volunteer opportunity in the natural area. Volunteers spend a couple of hours working outdoors on projects like removing invasive plants, maintaining trails, and improving the site’s accessibility and safety. Columbia Springs provides tools, gloves, and guidance. Please bring a water bottle and gloves if you have them, wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for outdoor work. Advance registration is required and spots are limited. Children under 14 may volunteer with a parent or guardian, and teens under 18 may participate independently with signed permission from a guardian. For questions, email jamie@columbiasprings.org.

The Parent HELP Conference is a single-day gathering in Vancouver, WA for parents, grandparents, teachers, social workers, and anyone who wants to strengthen how they support and care for the kids in their lives.

A welcoming weekly breakfast brings neighbors together for conversation and a hot, freshly prepared meal. It is free to attend and open to everyone in the local community, with no reservations or tickets required. Coffee, juice, milk, and water are provided alongside the meal. Families are welcome, and children should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or another designated adult. The gathering takes place in the fellowship hall on the building’s lower level.

Settle into a seat at Battle Ground Cinema for a big-screen premiere featuring five-minute films created by teens for FVRLibraries’ contest. The presentation is free to attend, and film fans of all ages are welcome. Support for this event is provided by the Friends of Battle Ground Community Library and the Friends of Cascade Park Community Library.

Builders gather at Dice Age Games for Gundam Build Day to work on model kits together. Participants can bring a model and tools or buy kits and supplies at the shop. For a meal break, Anahi’s Tamales & Tacos is a nearby food truck.

Immerse in traditional Okinawan weapons training in a close-knit dojo setting with individualized guidance. Every session is led by Eric Sensei, a 9th dan Shihan in Okinawan Kenpo and Kobudo, and follows the methods used in Okinawa. The training is designed for adults, and children may participate when a parent is present for each class, making it a suitable option for families. Remote participation is available for those outside the area. Tuition is handled month to month with no contracts, and the first month is free.

Kids who love building, planning, and big ideas can explore entrepreneurship with the Kazoodles Entrepreneur Club. The program guides young creators through what it takes to run a business, moving from brainstorming concepts to offering real products at a monthly Kids Flea Market. Weekly activities include hands-on planning, discussion, and teamwork while covering practical topics such as money, marketing, and customer service. Participants build confidence and independence, practice creativity and problem solving, and make friends along the way. The monthly Kids Flea Market features $10-per-month booth spaces where children can sell handmade goods, toys, services, or other creations, and they keep all earnings. Space is limited.

The 5th annual CouveCon brings a flagship pop culture celebration to Vancouver Mall, featuring celebrity meet and greets, panel discussions, artist showcases, interactive activities for fans of all ages, exclusive merchandise, cosplay contests, and fandom-focused sessions that spotlight creativity and community. Attendees can explore Artist Alley and Vendor Village, dive into Games Galaxy, stop by Cosplay Corner, and enjoy Main Stage performances. The Pop Culture Pit-Stop and a special themed experience room add to the fun, with the theme to be announced. Conversations continue in the panel room. Guest appearances will be revealed soon, and details about cosplay competition categories, prizes, and registration are on the way. Check back for more information.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck returns to Vancouver Mall for COUVECON CHAPTER 5 with treats and merchandise available while supplies last. Find it near the entrance by Outback Steakhouse.

Altars are treated as living symbols, places where intention, embodiment, and spirit take form. This class explores how to design altars that support ritual, healing, designation, and personal transformation. Participants learn to work with elemental correspondences, symbolism, and energetic flow to build altars that feel purposeful and powerful. The session covers seasonal, ancestral, and intuitive styles, then guides attendees in creating a personal altar for home, travel, or ceremonial use. Activities include a guided visualization, a show and tell, and an altar activation ritual. It is intended for practitioners who want to deepen their relationship with sacred space.

Wiley Coyote appears at Vancouver Farmers Market, the city’s flagship market. Established in 1990, it stays open all year and sits beside Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington.

A Beer at a Time presents a live performance by the Sarah Lodge Band, featuring Dan Polidori on guitar, Chris Azorr on keys, Timmer Blakely on bass, and Jeff Black on drums.

A friendly gathering that welcomes vehicles of every make and model.

Experience breath-centered meditation in both seated and standing formats, sometimes paired with gentle movement and rooted in practices related to qigong. Sessions focus on cultivating steady energy without caffeine while supporting health and concentration. While oriented toward adults, children who can remain seated and attentive for extended periods are welcome when a parent is present, offering a way for families to participate together. Remote participation is available for those not in the area. Pricing is month-to-month with no contracts, and the first month is free.

Enjoy a hands-on broom making class centered on Riders broomsticks, blending style with everyday utility. Learn the fundamentals of shaping and binding as you assemble a sturdy, whimsical broom of your own, useful for sweeping or for spirited seasonal adventures. Expect a creative, welcoming atmosphere and head home with a handmade piece that balances practicality and charm.

Take part in two bellydance classes centered on Raqs Sharqi, the classical Egyptian tradition known for nuanced musicality, graceful lines, and expressive movement. One session focuses on building a strong foundation through essential body technique and footwork. The other explores choreography that weaves together classical bellydance with elements of Egyptian folk dance, offering a well-rounded path from fundamentals to performance-ready combinations.

Enjoy a relaxed creative session at Kazoodles Toys, hosted by Kazoodles Kid Ambassador, Eleanor. A wide selection of coloring pages will be on hand to inspire artwork and encourage unhurried creativity. Kids, teens, and adults are all welcome. This event is free, and participants only need to bring their imagination for a calm, colorful experience.

A relaxed, creative session at Kazoodles offers hosted, open-ended crafting for ages 5 and up. Adults can craft alongside younger children, especially those under 7, creating a shared experience for parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Older kids can explore more independence with access to parts of the Creator Station, opportunities to make their own design choices, and space to build confidence through discovery and accomplishment. The cost is $5 per participant, plus tax and fees, and all supplies are included. Expect creativity and connection, and take home a finished project.