June 2018 Island Paren by Island Parent Group

Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;Parent Celebrating

30 Years

The Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

June 2018

Yo! Papa

Tips, Advice & Ramblings

7 Essential Tips for Camping Season

Summer Programs

OXFORD LEARNING IS… A SMARTER SUMMER

We’ve Got Your Summer Covered!

All Ages. All Grades. All Subjects.

ENROL TODAY!

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oxfordlearning.com

SHOES • STROLLERS • CAR SEATS • FURNITURE NATURAL SKIN & SUN CARE • CLOTHING • TOYS • BOOKS HIGH CHAIRS • SLEEP AIDS • DIAPER BAGS • CARRIERS

Victoria 250.477.5550 203-1595 McKenzie Ave. Victoria, BC V8N 1A4 victoria@oxfordlearning.com

1581 Hillside Ave, Victoria 778•265•5651 Across the street from Hillside Centre SHOP ONLINE AT MOMEASE.CA!

Summer Reading is for Everyone! Barrington Stokes knows this, so they’ve made some of the best contemporary and classic authors more accessible than ever before. With creative solutions to some of the most prevalent reading challenges, your child can jump into any of the following books and more!

The Strange Case Mary’s Hair of Dr. Jekyll & – Eoin Colfer Mr. Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

Robot Girl – Malorie Blackman

Shadow Warriors – Chris Bradford

Ted Rules the World – Frank Cottrell Boyce

111–1644 Hillside Ave, Victoria | 250-595-4232

bolen.bc.ca | facebook.com/bolenbooks

IslandParent.ca

June 2018â&#x20AC;&#x192; 3

14 7 Essential Tips for Camping Season

FEATURES 14 Serena Beck:

COLUMNS 5 Sue Fast:

7 Essential Tips for Camping Season Editor’s Note 19 Yo! Papa 59 Greg Pratt: 20 Tina Kelly: World Oceans Month Dadspeak 24 Summer Programs 60 Emillie Parrish: Cooking With Kids 34 Practice Gratitude 62 Christina Van Starkenburg: 36 Volunteer in the Parks Book Nook 48 Louise Berry: Sensory Garden 64 Morgan Fankboner: 52 Christi Holiday: Healthy Families, Happy Families A Beautiful (Hot) Mess 54 Tim Collins: Let’s Hope It’s Enough 66 Sarah Milligan: Is There an App for This? 56 Jerri Carson: Celebrate Jazz 68 Laura Trunkey: 67 Water Safety & Young Children Maternity & Beyond In Every ISSUE 74 Coral Forbes: Island Parent Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nature Notes Party Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 78 Allison Rees: Family Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Family Services Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 71 Cut It Out! Preschool & Child Care Directory . . . . . . . . . . . 72, 73 Business & Professional Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Sue Fast

Editor editor@islandparent.ca

Island Parent Magazine 830–A Pembroke Street Victoria, BC V8T 1H9 250-388-6905 islandparent.ca

Linda Frear

RaeLeigh Buchanan

Mark Warner

Office Manager & Sales sales@islandparent.ca

Advertising Consultant raeleigh@islandparent.ca

Publisher/Owner publisher@islandparent.ca

Design & Layout Eacrett Graphic Design

Printed by Black Press

ISSN 0838-5505

NEXT ISSUE:

Family Summer Guide Advertising Booking Deadline: June 13

Island Parent Magazine, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a monthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for Vancouver Island families. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Annual mail subscriptions (12 issues) are available for $35 (GST included). Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement 40051398.

On the COVER

Shiloh F (10). Photo by Meadow-Leigh Olivia Fonger (14)

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Jump Into June June 1st. Visit Sidney Museum’s comic-book superheroes show (10am-4pm). 2nd. See the 56th Annual Oak Bay Tea Party parade, leaving Windsor Park at 10:30am and ending up at Willows Beach where you’ll find a weekend’s worth of fun. 3rd. Celebrate World Oceans Day with free marinethemed events in Sidney’s Beacon Park, 11am-3pm. salishseacentre.org. 4th. Celebrate Cowichan Lake Days (June 4-10) with kids’ activities, a soapbox derby and a Grand Parade (June 9). cowichanlakedays.com. 5th. Take a Ghostly Walk and see downtown Victoria’s haunted hangouts. Leaving the Visitor Information Centre, 812 Wharf St, 7:30-9pm nightly. 6th. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Ucluelet Aquarium. Wednesdays at 3pm. No reservations required. 7th. Explore Royal BC Museum’s Egypt: The Time of Pharoahs for a look at ancient Egyptian life. 8th. Play fiddle at Victoria Fiddle Society’s monthly Fiddle Jam, 7-9pm at Wheeley Hall in Esquimalt. victoriafiddlesociety.com. 9th. Stroll Saltspring Island’s Saturday Market, 9am-4pm in Centennial Park. 10th. Marvel at the Victoria Harbour Ferry 12-minute Water Ballet, Sundays at 10:45am in June, (Saturdays, too, in July and August). 11th. Snorkel With the Seals at the BC Shellfish

and Seafood Festival (June 8-17) in the Comox Valley. bcshellfishfestival.com. 12th. Take a guided tour of The Robert Bateman Centre in Victoria, every Tues and Sat at 2pm. Free with admission. 13th. See Mysteries of Egypt, the IMAX movie that will transport you to a different time and place. imaxvictoria.com. 14th. Stroll Sidney’s Street Market, Thursdays, 5:30-8:30pm, along Beacon Avenue. 15th. Pick up an activity booklet at the main entrance of Fort Rodd Hill and become a Parks Canada Xplorer. Earn a certificate and a special souvenir. 16th. Join CRD Regional Parks naturalists on a beach seine at Witty’s Lagoon and see what creatures live in the underwater forest. 10am-noon. crd.bc.ca. 17th. Drop by Colliery Dam Park’s Family Fishing Day in Nanaimo, 10am-2pm. 18th. Get wet at Esquimalt’s water park next to Esquimalt Recreation Centre. 19th. Visit The Raptors in Duncan for a compelling interactive experience with amazing birds of prey. pnwraptors.com. 20th. Go skimboarding at Witty’s Lagoon; low tide is at 2:17pm. 21st. Stay up late and celebrate the summer solstice. 22nd. Join the Aboriginal Cultural Festival (June 21-23) with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations at

Royal BC Museum from 9am-5:30pm (11am-5:30pm Sat/Sun) . 23rd. Drop by FernFest (June 22-23) for the Kidical Mass Bike Parade (decorating at 10am) and family activities in the Vic High field. 9am-10pm.

Sue Fast Editor’s Note 24th. Search for fairy houses at VIU’s Milner Gardens 8th Annual Fairy House Surprise (June 21-24) in Qualicum Beach. 25th. Wander the Wacky Woods near Fanny Bay. For coordinates, visit atlasobscura.com/places/ wacky-woods. 26th. See the goat stampede at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, daily at 10:10am and 5:10pm. 27th. Have a pizza party in the park. 28th. Drop by the library and sign up for the free Summer Reading program, starting today. 29th. Grab some grub at the Food Truck Festival, Sun-Thurs, 11am-6pm, Fri-Sat, 11am-7pm outside Royal BC Museum. 30th. End the month with a bang at the Musical Fireworks Extravaganza in Sidney at 10:15pm along the waterfront. Happy Summer.

Creating beautiful smiles New patients always welcome Call or email us today and our dental team would be happy to assist you with an appointment

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152 – 2945 Jacklin Road • 250-474-2296 • www.westshoredental.com IslandParent.ca

June 2018 5

Island Parent NOTES Egypt: Time of the Pharoahs

Drawn from the collections of some of the world’s most prestigious museums, the exhibition makes its North American debut in Victoria and will be on view until December 31. Artifacts have been carefully selected from four key ancient Egyptian collections: the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, Roemerund Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, Gustav Lübcke Museum in Hamm and University Museum of Aberdeen. Thanks to new archaeological findings, the exhibition provides a detailed and often very personal overview of life for the average ancient Egyptian. The exhibition starts with the Nile, whose fertile beds allowed the civilization to grow and flourish, before delving into the complex religion and death rituals. The exhibition showcases the most impressive and intriguing Pharaohs, along with information about the scribes and writing that enabled their empires. This depiction of an immensely conservative society, riven by tensions between the royal society and the periphery, is illustrated with more than 300 original artifacts. A 12th dynasty wooden tomb with rare illustrations and texts, on loan from University Museum of Aberdeen will impress Egyptologists and amateur enthusiasts alike. Another highlight is a sculpture of the head of Hatshepsut, a female Pharaoh, from her temple complex at Deir El Bahari. This interactive exhibition features lots to touch, play with and learn. Kids will be able to check out scale-model replicas of famous pyramid complexes, play games and experience cutting-edge multimedia. A complementary film, Mysteries of Egypt, will play at the IMAX Victoria Theatre for the duration of the exhibition. Learn more at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/ Egypt. Follow the exhibition on social media #RBCMEgypt

Play Your Way Grant

Physical activity improves overall well-being emotionally, physically and mentally—and it is counteracts increased child obesity and inactivity. Every one of every age and ability deserves health and well-being. This is why PISE has the Play Your Way Grant; so kids can just PLAY. PISE summer camps and programs focus on FUN ways to develop the fundamental

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movement skills and patterns that enable children of all ages to be active for life. Whether that is learning how to throw properly or learning the correct technique of a squat, these movements are essential to being active, healthy and injury free. PISE uses a combination of structured and unstructured play to help children learn to move to the best of their ability. They inspire creative movement exploration to play your way to confidence, skill development, fun, team work, cooperation, respect and inclusivity. This summer, PISE will offer over 50 camps and programs for children and youth on the island. To ensure children aren’t excluded from PISE summer camps due to financial reasons, help us spread the word about the Play Your Way Grant, that can cover the cost of any PISE facilitated program or camp. Money doesn’t have to be a barrier for children to play and be active. All kids deserve to play, be healthy and have overall well-being. To learn more about the Play Your Way Grant, visit pise.ca/grant.

Parking Fees at Sooke Potholes and Thetis Lake

Visit McDonald Campground in Sidney for weekly Coast Salish Campfires (Saturdays in July and August from 7-8pm.) Join Coast Salish knowledge holder, MENET –IYE Elliot and a Parks Canada interpreter as they share traditions, stories, songs and s’mores. Bring a flashlight. Ideal for families with children 12 and under. Note: Participants gather around a propane fire during fire ban season. Find Parks staff at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea to become a science secret agent (Saturdays at 2pm in July and August) and get a glimpse of what lives below the surface of the Salish Sea. Hop on board the walk on ferry to Sidney Spit and enjoy sunshine, sandy beaches, and beautiful views. On Sundays, find our roaming Parks Canada naturalist onsite and learn about local wildlife (and get insider tips on the best bird watching spots). For an easy weekend getaway hop on a ferry and head to Saturna Island. Explore this fabulous and family friendly island by hiking to a spectacular viewpoint. Find trail maps inside the visitor guide. Book your campsite at Narvaez Bay ahead of time and rest assured knowing your spot will be waiting for you. Head to East

Point on Friday nights in July and August from 8pm-9pm for Sunset Wildlife Watch. Discover the wildlife of the Salish Sea and relax into the peacefulness of an East Point sunset. Dress warmly and bring blankets, chairs and flashlights. Enjoy the talents of island musicians and storytellers. Meet out at the point (5 min. walk). On Sunday mornings, head to Winter Cove between 10am and 1pm for a fun filled morning of drop in activities including treasure hunts, crafts and more. For park program and campsite reservation information, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/ gulfislands or phone 1-866-944-1744.

Relay for Life 2018

Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is Canada’s biggest cancer fundraiser, giving you and the community the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, remember and honour loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back for a future without cancer. During this non-competitive fun-filled event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps around a track for six or 12 hours. Each team is asked to have at

Pay parking is now in effect at Sooke Potholes and Thetis Lake Regional Park until September 30. The cost of parking is $2.25 per day, or $20 for a season’s pass. Revenue collected from parking fees helps to offset the costs of park services for visitors. The seasonal parking pass is valid at both parks and can be purchased from CRD Regional Parks’ headquarters (490 Atkins Avenue, Langford), Robbins Parking (1102 Fort Street, Victoria), the main ticket dispenser at Thetis Lake or the Parking Lot #2 dispenser at Sooke Potholes. Visitors purchasing a pass from CRD Regional Parks’ headquarters or Robbins Parking are also asked for a $10 refundable decal deposit. CRD Regional Parks reminds visitors that Sooke and Thetis Lake are open from sunrise to sunset. Parking is free at all regional parks and trails during the off-season (October 1 to April 30). For more information, visit crd.bc.ca/parks.

Explore Our Parks

Explore your own backyard this summer with fun and free park events happening every weekend in Sidney at McDonald Campground, on Sidney Spit, and on Saturna Island. For the full event schedule check out our online events calendar.

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Little girls with dreams become women of vision. Leaders in Early Childhood Education Empowering girls’ leadership program Small school benefits: safe, supportive, high engagement Canada’s first girls’ STEM school: an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Boarding: Grades 7–12)

Register now for Junior Kindergarten - Grade 4 CONTACT US TO VISIT OUR CAMPUS AND APPLY FOR FALL 2018 1080 Lucas Ave, Victoria admissions@stmarg.ca 250.479.7171 | www.stmarg.ca

Victoria City Rowing Club

excels in providing high quality rowing experiences for all ages and abilities. Here is your chance to learn to row and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Elk Lake this spring (break) and summer. Youth Programs 11-17 Half day beginner and intermediate camps during spring break and summer and full day camps during the summer. Adult Programs 18+ Beginner - Intermediate - Novice - Club - Competitive Challenge your collegues and friend in the Community Corporate Rowing Challenge and raise funds for KidSport Victoria

website: www.vcrc.bc.ca email: vcrcprograms@gmail.com

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least one team member on the track at all times throughout the event. Relay For Life 2018 is happening in Courtenay/Comox Valley on June 9 from 6pm6am at Vanier Track. Relay participants make a commitment to raise a minimum of $100 for the Canadian Cancer Society, but the average participant in B.C. and Yukon raises $335. Challenge yourself and your team—the more money raised, the bigger the impact against cancer. Funds raised help the Canadian Cancer Society save lives by investing in outstanding cancer research, offering caring cancer support services, and leading prevention initiatives. For more information, or to register as a team captain, team member, survivor, or volunteer, visit relaybc.ca.

3rd Annual Vancouver Island Nature Preschool ‘Campference’…for KIDS ONLY

Hand-In-Hand Early Years Nature Education Program (HIH) is hosting the 3rd Annual Vancouver Island Nature Preschool Campference…for KIDS ONLY at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville from Friday, June 15-Sunday, June 17. This three-day nature-inspired event is for children, aged 3-6 (must be out of diapers) who have been enrolled in a Nature Preschool (or Early Learning Nature Education Program) on Vancouver Island and their older siblings. The KIDS Campference is a volunteer event, put together by the collective efforts of Vancouver Island Nature Preschool and Early Learning Nature Education Program educators as a way of giving back to the many Vancouver Island families who believe in and support our programs and early years nature education. This is a free event and registration is by donation only (the only finances that families are responsible for is traveling to and from the location, camping fees and meals). One hundred per cent of the proceeds will support the following Vancouver Islandbased fundraising campaigns: Project Watershed: A Comox Valley registered non-profit environmental society with Canadian charitable tax status focused on sensitive habitat stewardship. Project Watershed is currently fundraising for the KUS-KUS-SUM Keeping it Living Campaign, for the preservation and restoration of the K’ómoks Estuary. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary: A wild oasis in the heart of the urban Victoria landscape that includes two

IslandParent.ca

SUMMER

CAMPS

Ages 3 - 18 |

skills

pise.ca

inclusive

fun

teamwork pise.ca/summer-camps

distinct ecosystems; the beautiful marshland of Swan Lake and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill. Swan Lake Christmas Hill nature Sanctuary is currently fundrasing for the Give-a-Sheet! Help replace the Sanctuary’s Outdoor Classroom Today, for the replacement of the 1,040 feet of floating boardwalk, which is an outdoor classroom and naturalist’s tool to “Bridge People to Nature.” HIH’s In-House Subsidy Program: This provides financial assistance to low income families who are interested in registering their children in nature education programs. The 3rd Annual Vancouver Island Nature Preschool Campference…for KIDS ONLY is an opportunity to bring all of the Vancouver Island Nature Preschool and Early Learning Nature Education Program families and educators together in one forest, on one beach and in support of what we all love and do best: teach, learn and play with children in nature. This promises to be another inspiring weekend filled with nature, fun and adventure. Register early so that your little one(s)—and other family members—do not miss out on these inspiring, creative, fun and playful workshops and teacher trainings. For information, visit hand-in-handeducation.com.

Car Free YYJ

Summer Science Camps! at the

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Fun filled, science-focused Nature Summer Camps Daily 9:00am-3:00pm in beautiful Cowichan Bay Camps for ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 11

Registration now open! www.cowichanestuary.ca/camps camps@cowichanestuary.ca 250.597.2288 10 Island Parent Magazine

Car Free YYJ will take over Douglas Street on June 17 from 11am-6pm for the city’s fourth annual community celebration with vendors, music, and much more. Bring the whole family out and enjoy Car Free YYJ Held every year on Father’s Day and taking over nine city blocks, the day long celebration includes five stages with live entertainment, a 5,000 square foot park on Douglas Street, multiple all-ages licensed food and beverage areas, a 19+ Beer Garden, more than 350 local artists and makers as well as activations created by vendors. Car Free YYJ is also honoured to host the First Peoples’ Festival which presents a complete day of programming, vendors and food in celebration of Canada’s First Peoples’ culture. Car Free YYJ is presented by the Downtown Victoria Business Association in partnership with the City of Victoria and BC Transit; it is produced by Atomique Productions. For information, visit downtownvictoria.ca.

IslandParent.ca

National Indigenous Day

Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Indigenous Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts and best of all, it’s all free. Three days of spectacular performances on an outdoor stage in the plaza at the Royal BC Museum in the heart of downtown Victoria. Each day starts with performances from the two local Host Nations and follows with shows from Indigenous performers from across the province. Indigenous artisans will be on-site with their goods for sale—carvings, prints, jewelry and more. Plus, you can watch special artisan demonstrations and learn more about the creative process from the artisans themselves. Sample the culinary talents of the Songhees Nation. Mouth watering BBQ salmon burger, fry bread, and the traditional clam chowder that always steals the show. For more information, visit indigenousbc.com/victoria-indigenous-festival.

First Aid for Infants & Children

Mothering Touch offers stand-alone first aid courses for parents: Infant First Aid runs on June 12 from 7-9pm; and First Aid for Children Over 1-Year-Old on June 19 from 7-9pm at Mothering Touch Centre (975 Fort St). Cost: $45/class. Infant First Aid teaches infant conscious and unconscious choking procedures, infant CPR, infant seizures, poisoning, allergic reactions and prevention of childhood related injuries. This class may be taken before or after your baby is born, but the class is for adults only. Babies in the class make it difficult to pay attention to the course material.

All Mothering Touch First Aid Classes are taught by certified instructors from Alert First Aid. After 1 year of age, the first aid procedures change. First Aid for Children Over 1-YearOld covers how to clear a child’s airway, child CPR, how and when to call 911 and recognition and treatment of spinal injuries. Did you know that according to CPR guidelines that an infant becomes a child after age one? This means different CPR techniques are used for toddlers. As all parents know, dealing with a toddler is entirely different than dealing with an infant.

As your toddler gets older and explores, small wound incidents increase. This course will also cover how to clean and treat small wounds, what type of injuries require stitches and how to prevent infections. This course will also touch on what to do in case of a severe allergic reaction and poisoning. This class is for adults only. For more information, visit motheringtouch.ca.

Summer Reading at the Library

Create motion commotion with Greater Victoria Public Library’s BC Summer Reading Club. Whether you’re reading at

1868–2018

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home or on holidays, you can track your daily reading and enjoy weekly incentives along the way. Beginning June 28, drop by your local GVPL library branch to pick up a self-paced reading record. Staying in town? GVPL offers free library programs at branches throughout Greater Victoria. Crafts, coding, science and storytimes— there’s something for all ages and interests. See gvpl.ca for the program and events calendar. Program registration begins June 28.

10th Annual SKAMpede Festival

ath) g Art and M ll in r e e in g n ba gy E ts Basket ! ce Technolo r n o ie c p S (S r n io ssio un from STEAM J Circus Circus • Pa o choose t e r o m h and muc A limited number of bursaries are available. Visit our website for information on these and other programs @ www. smus.ca/summer Or call the Education Extension 250-370-6120

SKAMpede is Theatre SKAM’s 10th annual outdoor live performance festival running July 13–15. SKAMpede features short shows of dance, theatre, spoken word, and more that are suitable for the whole family. Take in a series of short shows along Harbour Road and the Galloping Goose Trail. Audiences travel from show to show by bicycle, rollerblade, electric mobility scooter, skateboard or on foot (anything that’s legal on the Goose). How does SKAMpede work? The audience arrives at Harbour Road. SKAMpeders (that’s YOU!) register at the check-in tent, decorate their ride at the Decoration Station, and then proceed to departure gates where they are met by a team of audience wranglers. Audiences are dispatched on a tour with a map and take in three shows and return to the Hub to get ready for the next tour. Performing companies repeat their short shows several times a day for these small audiences. This year Audiences will have the chance to see up to 16 shows for free! (This takes just over four hours on wheels—longer on foot.) At the Hub between tours they enjoy delicious food and surprise bursts of entertainment. This year the festival will host 3 Toronto, 1 Saskatoon, 2 Lower Mainland, and over 10 local companies. It’s the perfect combination of live performance, outdoors, and summer fun.

Sooke Fine Arts Show

The Sooke Fine Arts Show runs July 27Aug 6. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy the gallery’s wide range of media, styles and modalities. Children can play I Spy games, watch art demos, and vote for

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their favourite Children’s Choice Award piece. July 31, after 2pm, is an afternoon dedicated to children and youth, with hands-on art activities guided by professional artists. Kids can take to the stage for live music and dance performances. To encourage family attendance, the entry fee to Artz4Kids (from 2-4pm) and Artz4Youth (from 4-7pm) is $2 (children under 12 are free). The Youth Art Gallery will inspire artists from ages 11-18. Two hundred student art works will be on display, providing a unique opportunity for young artists to share how they view their world and to display in a professional gallery setting. The artwork is framed at no cost and is available for sale, increasing self-esteem and confidence. Two scholarships are offered to students who will be continuing their studies post secondary school. Family members, peers, friends and arts patrons can see both the Youth Art Gallery and the main Fine Arts Show. Vancouver Island’s Premier Summer Art Show provides regional kids with access to 375 world-class artworks, access they might otherwise not have. More information at sookefinearts. com.

MS 101- MS Society Education Event

Are you or someone you know affected by MS? Join us June 16th 1-4pm for an afternoon of MS Education hosted by the MS Society. This educational event will include experts in their field and topics will include nutrition, mindfulness and pain management, counselling, treatment options, research and lived experience. The event will be held at the MS Society, Victoria office #306- 3301 Douglas St, Victoria, BC. To register call 250-388-6496 ext 7301 or email erin.patrick@mssociety.ca For more information about MS please contact www. mssociety.ca or the MS Navigators at 1-844859-6789 or msnavigators.mssociety.ca. Canada has one of the highest rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, with an estimated one in every 340 Canadians living with the disease. While it is most often diagnosed in young adults aged 15 to 40, younger children and older adults are also diagnosed with the disease. We may have the highest rate of MS in the world, but we also have a whole country behind us in the fight to #endms.•

DYNAMIC FAMILY THEATRE NTRE E C S T R ELFRY ATSHORE B : 0 1 9 JUNE JUNE 16: WES 3 DAYS. 2 LOCATIONS. 12 PERFORMANCES Including: SQUIRREL STOLE MY UNDERPANTS Bonnie DUncan, USA RACOONAISSANCE Star Star Theatre, YVR OFF THE SHELF STory Theatre Co, YYJ A STORY OF HOPE KALEIDOSCOPE, YYJ

International Montessori Academy Open for Summer School Preschool Kindergarten Elementary French/Academics/Art

IMAC Montessori Academy

2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan 250-737-1119 www.intmontessori.ca Nurturing young minds. Keeping the spirit free. IslandParent.ca

June 2018 13

7 Essential Tips for Enter Camping Season Our T Online Contests

he first time we went camping with our daughter she was 15 months old and I brought her high chair that straps to a chair, but we used it on the ground. I remember she scooped up a lot of dirt and sticks with her food. It was a busy trip and I remember how much she enjoyed the freedom and openness while I tried to keep her safe from the road and all the hazards that come with camping. As we book our camping for the summer, I cringe and get excited at the same time. Here is my essential camping list for good, old-school roughing it in a tent—not a heated RV with a flush toilet, a shower, and a TV (although, I can see the appeal of these items, too)!

Every month at IslandParent.ca you can enter to win great prizes! Prizes include:

• Family Getaways • Gift Certificates • IMAX Passes • Books, CDs & More One entry per family per week. Check out the prizes and enter the contests by visiting

IslandParent.ca 14 Island Parent Magazine

Safety

If you are camping before the annual fire ban starts, be extremely careful around the campfire. If you are using a propane fire pit or stove, ensure that you establish safety rules for your kids. • Ensure your children walk a wide perimeter around the fire or stove. • Ensure there are no tripping hazards by the fire or stove. • Ensure the smoke and sparks are not shooting in your child’s direction. • Ensure there is always an adult designated to stay by the fire and keep the kids safe.

Sleep

Every year, I get excited for camping and then once I am trying to sleep in the tent I remember how uncomfortable it is to sleep on the ground. I’ve tried air mattresses and lots of blankets piled up. However, this year, we finally bought self-inflating mats (which will hopefully be warmer than a cold air mattress). I don’t like to think of myself as a paranoid parent, but I always sleep in front of the tent door. No one is getting in or out unless they trip over me first. Even though we establish a rule that you must wake me up before leaving the tent and no one leaves the tent alone, (I would likely hear IslandParent.ca

the sound of someone attempting to leave) I still worry about a child leaving the tent unattended. When my son was three, one morning at 5 a.m., he left our house and went into our backyard to play. Thankfully it was our fenced backyard and I heard him.

Serena Beck Staying Warm & Dry

It will be easier to sleep if everyone is warm. More layers, less layers, toque, mitts, and slippers or a fleecy sleeper in an adult size (I am adding this to my packing list right now), sleeping bags that keep you warm until -10°C. I have tried all of these things and I still tend to get cold in the night and I’m usually always hot. I’m not sure if there really is a magic formula, but a heating pad would be great. It would also be great if you could have solar panels that radiate heat into your tent at 4 a.m. All fantasies aside, I do know that slip-on shoes are a must for all family members, so you can visit the bathroom without having to lace up runners. I tend to dress the kids in their warmest fleecy sleepers and then I use a sleep sac and blankets or a sleeping bag and pjs when they are older. I find that putting a tarp down on the ground under your tent can helps, too. Rain gear and tarps are a must have.

Preschool to Grade 8…and beyond.

Check out our Imagine a School…where music, dance, theatre and visual Summer arts are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum. Programs v Junior K and Half/Full-day Kindergarten options also available Directory v Comprehensive K–8 program consistently exceeds BC Curriculum v Excellent facilities, convenient Cedar Hill and Gordon Head locations Listing v Highly qualified, dedicated staff and low student/teacher ratios in this Visit our website, come to one of our Open Houses, or call us! issue! www.ArtsCalibre.ca info@ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533

Each note, a new friend to play with Classical Roots Contemporary Reach

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC CLASSES AT THE VICTORIA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

Inspire your child’s love for music with these fun, interactive, and educational classes. Age-specific sections embrace all facets of music education in an atmosphere of joy and discovery.

Fun & Games

Bring bikes, skipping ropes, baseball equipment, a Frisbee, cards, and board games. The possibilities are endless because you are in nature and you don’t have the usual to do list of chores that you do when you are at your home. You are on vacation. Pick a campsite with a playground or waterfalls. Goldstream has both and a kids bike track. Take the time to stay up late and star gaze. Listen to the birds chirping in the morning and the crunch of the first campers walking around the gravel circle.

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Call or visit us online to explore our innovative collection of classes that will be the start of your child’s lifelong journey with music!

VCM.BC.CA/FUN IslandParent.ca

June 2018 15

Delicious Creamsicle Smoothies

& Orange

Slice

Back-Up Plan

I recommend camping close to home, near a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house or another family memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This way if you get rained out or your tent leaks then you have somewhere to go and dry off. If you implement your back-up plan, turn it into a teachable and fun family memory.

Starts June 4

Pick up your copy of Island Parent at any Serious Coffee cafĂŠ 5P ĂśOE POF OFBS ZPV HP UP TFSJPVTDPĂ˛FF DPN

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Camping becomes worth the effort for me when I have done all my food prep ahead of time. I have a small car, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have room for cutting boards and dish basins. I chop everything ahead of time. I chop up fruit and make veggie packets in tinfoil for sides. The sandwich makers that go over the fire are great for making pizza sandwiches or pie sandwiches with pie filling and cream cheese. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the classic hot dogs and sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores, too. With everything prepped ahead of time, I can help watch the kids by the fire while my husband cooks. A propane fire pit is a must because they are usually permitted even with the fire ban and then you can still roast your hot dogs and marshmallows. The bonus is there are no sparks and no camp fire smell. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me wrong, I love the camp fire smell in the moment, but not after.

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16â&#x20AC;&#x192; Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

Potty

All three of my kids refuse to use an outhouse. Therefore, I always bring a potty with us. In fact, we have a pink bucket as our potty at the beach and an ice cream bucket in our car. At the store, my son once asked: “Why would someone put ice cream in bucket we pee in?” Even if your kids tolerate using an outhouse, no one likes to walk there at 4 a.m. We’re fortunate that our tent has a separate porch that zips shut and is outside our main sleeping room. This is where I set up our bathroom.

Community Board Making our Community a Better Place to Live Art Gallery of Greater Victoria aggv.ca

Come Sail with us! Discounts for CAF, DND, Families and Early Bird (until June 1st) Open to Everyone... Any Level, All Ages! Racing, Cruising, and Family Programs!

Camp Pringle CampPringle.com Caregiver Support Sessions caregiversupport.net Child Care Resource & Referral childcarevictoria.ca Foster Parent Support Services Society fpsss.com

Canadian Forces Sailing Association 1001 Maple Bank Rd., Victoria BC, V9A 4M2 WEB: www.cfsaesq.ca EMAIL: sailinginstructor@cfsaesq.ca Facebook.com/esquimaltsailing

Island Farm Fresh islandfarmfresh.com Oxford Learning oxfordlearning.com The Robert Bateman Centre batemancentre.org There are quite a few new child friendly camping inventions since we first took our daughter camping six years ago. For example, there is a camping chair high chair and a camping activity center station too. Hopefully you’ll find some great products and ideas to help make your life easier while camping. Happy tenting season.

Serena Beck enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and three kids, ages 7, 5 and 3.

IslandParent.ca

Royal BC Museum royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Victoria Children’s Choir VictoriaChildrensChoir.ca Victoria Conservatory of Music vcm.bc.ca Enquire about non-profit brochure or magazine distribution in Greater Victoria:

publisher@islandparent.ca

Does your child have difficulty reading? • can’t read words just read earlier • letter reversal • symptoms of dyslexia • “sounds out” words but can not blend them correctly • confuses similar sounding words • avoids reading/poor speller I offer an effective program that works! Call for more information or to arrange your individualized one-on-one tutoring solution.

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totallearningservices2014@gmail.com June 2018 17

Join Recreation Oak Bay for a Free Celebrate Canada Event!

Friday June 29, Noon-2pm Oak Bay Municipal Hall Lawn Free BBQ & Cupcakes • Entertainment • Jumping Castle • Crafts & Games!

Summer Camps at Recreation Oak Bay W H E RE E VE R YON E COME S TO PL AY Register Now!

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18 Island Parent Magazine

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Oak Bay Recreation Centre 1975 Bee Street • 250-595-7946 Henderson Recreation Centre 2291 Cedar Hill X Road • 250-370-7200 recreation.oakbay.ca IslandParent.ca

Yo! Papa

Wisdom, Tips, Advice & Ramblings

Erin Wallis Photography • erin@erinwallis.com • erinwallis.com

“Fall forward. This is what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out 2,600 times in his career, the most in the history of baseball. But you don’t hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs. Fall forward. Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn’t know that because the 1,001st was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.” – Denzel Washington

Dad Hack #1: Give Your Kid a Haircut From 24 Genius Dad Hacks That Will Make Our Lives Better by Panda Elder for scarymommy.com.

Want to give your kid a fresh ’do, but without all that itchy hair sticking to his skin? Cut a hole in the bottom of a trash bag big enough for his head to go through, and—voila!—you’re pretty much at the barber shop.

#inthetrenches Exploding Unicorn @XplodingUnicorn 5-year-old daughter: Want to play Star Wars? Me: Sure. *Darth Vader Voice* I AM your father. 5: No, you’re Princess Leia.

Things I Wish I Knew Before Labour & Delivery

Abe Yospe @Cheeseboy22 There’s no way I’m taking the blame for something my wife thinks the kids did that I actually did.

…from dadoralive.com

Simon Holland @simoncholland Elementary schools: It’s the last month of school, here are 97 activities in the middle of the day parents need to attend.

dedpression @Dadpression I’ve never won anything on a game show, but a three year old at my kid’s daycare just tried to give me a set of car keys.

Dave Learns Dadding @DaveLearnsToDad

Salty Caramel Bacon S’mores Graham crackers Crisp bacon, broken into 1" pieces

Photo: kitchn.com

Coming this fall to NBC, “This Is Mine,” the heart-wrenching story of a toddler laying claim to things that are not his.

Chocolate with salted caramel, broken into squares Marshmallows, roasted

Roast marshmallow, then sandwich it between two graham crackers layered with a square of salted caramel chocolate and a piece of crisp bacon. from the kitchn.com IslandParent.ca

Hospital Pillows Generally Suck: And that’s only if you manage to get one…you’d be best off taking your own head cushion from home, with a back up pillowcase. Size Matters: Pack like you need to haul that bag up a mountain. Only the necessities…there’s almost nowhere to store your bag when it’s not in use. This will become an issue when you have your entire extended family jammed into your room fighting over who gets to hold the baby (while sitting on YOUR lap thanks to the lack of seating). There’s No Water in the Desert: You thought it was tough to get a refill at the Egg Bistro brunch last weekend? Don’t get caught in the cross-hairs of the driest air on Earth and the occasional Dixie cup of non-filtered water. Bring a bottle or two of your own water. Take a Book: And not just any book, a guide crafted by yours truly. We’re Pregnant! is a book for dads-to-be, written by a dad who’s been. I break the pregnancy into 4 trimesters (with checklists), so I’ve also got your back for those first three months you’re at home trying to get acclimated. For the full list of tips, visit dadoralive. com/2018/04/7-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-labor-and-delivery/

June 2018 19

World Oceans Month A

s I sit down to write, my social media news feeds are flooded with Earth Day celebrations and suggestions for making the Earth a healthier and more sustainable planet. Acknowledging Earth with its own special day has been around for as long as I can remember. Celebrating the ocean—which comprises 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface —is a much newer endeavour. Some may argue, calling our planet Earth is a misstep in nomenclature and it would be more accurately referred to as Planet Ocean. Not only does the ocean represent the majority of the planet’s surface, it holds 97 per cent of the planet’s water and 99 per cent of living space. Okay, not for us, but we are not the only living beings on this beautiful planet. The first World Oceans Day took place on June 8, 2008. Ten years on, World Oceans Day is celebrated annually worldwide. But surely, a place this important—a place that provides us among other things oxygen to breathe—deserves more than a one day celebration. Here are my suggestions to celebrate every day in June.

June 1. Find a World Oceans Day event near you. Organizations up and down the Island host outdoor family-friendly events. Keep reading for celebrations in the Greater Victoria Area. June 2. Head to Esquimalt Gorge Park for World Fisheries Trust’s World Oceans Day. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. you can take in guided canoe tours, children’s activities, vendors, live music and food trucks. June 3. Venture out to Sidney for the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea’s annual World Oceans Day. The outdoor party takes place in Beacon Park along the Sidney shoreline. Enjoy exhibitors, games, prizes and food for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tina Kelly June 4. Visit crd.bc.ca/parks-events and mark your calendars for free handson learning programs offered by CRD Parks. You won’t be able to resist these themes—Going Crabby, The Beach Rocks!, Forest to Seashore, Tide Ticklers, Sandy Shore Explore, Sensational Seaweeds and Seals! Seals! June 5. Encourage your child’s teacher to acknowledge World Oceans Day. If they can incorporate an ocean story, activity or craft into the school day even better. June 6. Pop some popcorn and sit down to watch one of many recent documentaries highlighting current environmental issues—food waste, plastic pollution, coral bleaching, climate change. Start with Chasing Coral. June 7. Vow to skip the straw and other single-use plastic items. June 8. Take 3 for the Sea. Imagine if every time we were out, we each picked up three pieces of trash. Even litter far from the seaside can make its way to the ocean through winds, streams and storm drains. Inspire others by sharing on social media— #Take3forthesea. June 9. Go on a “Sensory Snoop” with CRD Naturalists. Forests are intricately connected to the sea. Families with children five years and under can register for this forest exploration that awakens the senses. crd.bc.ca/parks-events

IslandParent.ca

June 2018 21

June 10. Join the World Oceans Day celebration at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Activities for all ages run between 11 a.m. to 4 p..m. June 11. Conduct experiments that demonstrate the properties of ocean water—salinity, density, temperatures and currents. Examples and instructions can be found online. June 12. Take inventory of how you use plastic in the home. Can you replace any items with more durable, longer-lasting non-plastic versions that are also healthier for your family? June 13. Sign up for a beach clean at shorelinecleanup.ca or vancouverisland. surfrider.org. June 14. Plant native plants. Native plants need little care and attention but pack a lot of importance for birds and other species in your watershed. June 15. Grab the mixing bowls and whip up some recipes. Natural ingredients, many you already have, create cleaners that are healthier for the ocean and your family. Remember every drain leads to the ocean and what goes down the drain matters. The Clean Green Cookbook can be found at crd.bc.ca. June 16. Go “In Seine” with scientists from the Royal British Columbia Museum. Meet at the north end of Willows Beach at noon and discover fish and invertebrates brought up by a seine net. Suggested donation of $5. June 17. Learn about your ocean at a local aquarium or education centre. There are many scattered over Vancouver Island—Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, Gorge Waterway Initiative, Cowichan Bay Nature Estuary Centre, Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Centre, Ucluelet Aquarium or the Discovery Passage Aquarium. June 18. Cook a meal together using only sustainable seafood and local ingredients. June 19. Become a NatureKids’ club member. Benefits of your family membership include a welcome pack for each child, a NatureWILD magazine subscription and enrollment in your local chapter. This nature discovery and environmental action program is for kids 5 to 12. naturekidsbc.ca June 20. Earn a Watershed Warden Badge. Children in grades K to 7 can learn watershed stewardship alongside Ollie the Otter. Visit crd.bc.ca

22 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

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Summer Day Camps 2018

Tina Kelly is the Director of Learning at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea.

Located in the famous Fairmont EMPRESS HOTEL

Autism Services

Strength-based. Youth-centred. Accountable. 250-477-7231 ext 237 autism@clvic.ca

Community Living Victoria

June 21. Rejoice in the first official day of summer with staff at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site. Gather friends and family and enjoy a picnic on the longest day of the year. The sunset over the ocean will be the stunning backdrop for your evening and for the performers and storytellers. Food will be available for purchase. For more information call 250-478-5849. June 22. Pledge to make your garden pesticide and herbicide free. Challenge the family to a weed-pulling competition! June 23. Celebrate Aboriginal culture, values, language and cuisine during the Aboriginal Cultural Festival at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Coastal Indigenous groups were inextricably linked with the sea. You’ll witness this connection through performances, storytelling, educational tours and food—salmon, clams and fry-bread (June 21 to 23). Free. June 24. Explore another component of a watershed—wetlands. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary’s Wetland Wandering offers hands-on exploration, pond dipping, crafts and games. Admission by donation. Noon to 3 p.m. June 25. Create a summer reading list of ocean-themed books and place holds at your local library to ensure your top picks. June 26. Compile a list of your favourite beaches to explore during the summer holidays. June 27. Add new-to-you beaches, parks and forests to your summer beach exploration to-do list. June 28. Visit the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve tent at the Sidney Night Market and prepare to dive into a summer of adventure, relaxation or exploration! Discover their programs and services and learn how they work to protect Canada`s wondrous environments of the Salish Sea. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 29. Eliminate products in your home containing microbeads. Sadly, that includes glitter. June 30. Listen to a Traditional Indigenous Storytime at the Bruce Hutchison Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library. Register at counselling@sccfs.com. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Happy World Oceans Month!

June 2018 23

Summer Programs

characters, sets and props, and shoot and edit their own quirky animated movies. Our “Flash Video Game Design” camps teach kids how to animate characters and Here it is! Victoria’s most comprehensive listing of summer programs for famistories, and program Actionscript to make lies. Included you’ll find information on everything from Art to Science and fun, interactive video games. And our “3D Nature and much more. Check out the advertising in this issue for more details. Animation” camp will introduce the next generation PIXAR artists to the amazing world of 3D character modelling and animation. 9-14yrs, bytecamp.ca, 1(888) 808-BYTE for more info.

DANCE/MUSIC/ PERFORMANCE SKAM School of Performing Arts offers young people with a dramatic interest or passion special programs. Courses and camps run fall, winter, spring and summer. The studio is highly regarded in Victoria for running quality theatre programming for youth. We offer something for all levels. At the end of each term, students will have an opportunity to perform their work for an audience. Groups are small for quality instruction. For more information, call 250-386-7536 or email kathleen@skam.ca. skam.ca.

ART

5. At Shipwrecked, kids discover that Jesus rescues them. Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, and test out sciency-fun gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Playful Pencil. Cartooning and comic Location: Elk Lake Baptist Church (5349 making, drawing and painting projects, Pat Bay Hwy). $25/child. Bursaries Availnature journaling and more. The Playful able. Info/Registration: 250-658-8111 or Pencil Art Studio has lots to offer this sum- elklakebaptist.ca. mer for kids ages 7-13yrs that will inspire creativity and encourage them to draw for Emmanuel Baptist Church. Come and the fun of it. Visit playfulpencil.ca or call join us for summer camps this year. We us at 778-265-2261. have seven affordable camps for children from Preschool up to Grade 5. We are learnCHURCH CAMPS ing about water, science, construction, holidays and more. Our Vacation Bible Amazing Journey Day Camp: July 9-13 School theme this year is “Shipwrecked”. (9am-noon) Pre-K to Grade 5. Get ready Grades 1-5 Camps will go on outings each for a fun, action-packed journey into the afternoon. We have competent staff as medieval world of Kingdom Rock, where well as lots of volunteers for VBS, so the campers will learn what it means to stand camper to adult ratio is very low. Regisstrong for God, through the stories of Bibli- tration forms visit emmanuelvictoria.ca. cal kings and queens. In its 7th summer, the Phone: 250-592-2418. Email: summer@ camp is sponsored by St. Luke Cedar Hill, emmanuelvictoria.ca. St. George Cadboro Bay, and Church of the Cross. Limited space. $35/child. Info/ COMPUTERS registration: amazing4kids17@gmail.com. Byte Camp—Creative Tech Camps for Elk Lake Baptist Church. Shipwrecked Kids. Kids in our “Claymation Movie Day Camp: July 9-13 (9am-noon) K-Grade Production” camps create their own clay 24 Island Parent Magazine

Island Circus Space. Looking for something new for your child to try this summer? Look no further, you’ve found the circus. Circus camps are a great way to have fun and make new friends while developing new skills including balancing, juggling, stage presence, partner acrobatics, aerials, tumbling and so much more. No experience is necessary and we have classes for kids ages 6-17. So give it a try and see what new heights your child will climb to. Register online at islandcircusspace.com/camps. Stages Performing Arts Schools is offering a number of different summers programs through July and August. Since 1980 Stages has offered professional instruction in jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, musical theatre & hip hop for all ages & levels of experience. We believe that all students should have an equal opportunity to learn in a safe, noncompetitive environment, which fosters self-expression, a healthy body, confidence, & encourages discipline, creativity & pride in their accomplishments. For more information, please call STAGES at 250-384-3267 or visit stagesdance.com. SMUS Summer Music Academies. Join students from across North America in this unique summer program with a solid arts pedigree. Youth age 11-17 can spend a week IslandParent.ca

of intensive, hands-on learning with expert instructors exploring and enhancing their skills in a specific area of the performing arts. Program areas include: Band (concert band, jazz band, and switch band), and Musical Theatre. For details, visit us at: smus.ca/academies or call 250-370-6120. Tom Lee Music Academy’s flexible summer lesson programs offer an ideal solution to get you started on or simply test the waters of a musical journey. Our famous School of Rock Program, and low commitment, flexible private lessons are a perfect fit for busy summer holiday schedules. Call Rosa at 250-383-5222, or drop by the store for moiré information. U-JAM Makes Music Fun. This summer they will present a week-long Jazz Camp to help students gain instrumental and vocal experience and to fuel their Jazz performance skills in an environment of encouragement and fun. Play and sing in a band, jazz ensemble, piano ensemble and jam with others. Daily classes plus private lessons. The camp runs July 22nd to 27th at St. Margaret’s School. More information at u-jam.ca.

Full Day

aerials juggling partner acro tumbling +so much more!

Ages 6-17 July 3 to Aug 31

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Victoria Academy of Ballet’s Storybook Ballet Camps (July 3-6, 9-13), ages 4-6. Explore ballet’s most beautiful tales through ballet, creative movement, character dance, arts and crafts and musical exploration. The Boys Can Dance camp (July 9-13) is for boys aged 7-11 and is free for new students. The Junior Summer Intensive, ages 7-13 (July 16-27) is a full day intensive with ballet, jazz, character, contemporary and preparation for pointe. VictoriaAcademyofBallet. ca or 250-590-6752.

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Victoria Conservatory of Music. Studies show that when children take part in music classes, their social and cognitive skills are impacted in extremely positive ways. Music facilitates learning, instills respect and pride, and increases self-esteem and positive social interaction. Discover our wonderfully creative and innovative collection of music classes at the VCM that will be the start of your child’s lifelong journey with music. Call or visit us online today: 250-386-5311 or vcm.bc.ca.

Serving the Families of Vancouver Island for Over 23 Years

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June 2018 25

MAD SCIENCE VANCOUVER ISLAND info@madscienceisland.com

Have a great time with science!

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Come visit Canada's first 'catch-andrelease' aquarium! With touch tanks, beautiful displays, and knowledgeable staff, you get an up-close and personal experience of the amazing marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Open every day (including holidays) from early March to late November. www.uclueletaquarium.org info@uclueletaquarium.org 250.726.2782 180 Main Street, Ucluelet BC

26 Island Parent Magazine

VOS Spotlight On Kids & Teens. Whether your child randomly bursts into song and dance or is shy and needs to find his or her voice, the VOS Spotlight Musical Theatre Summer Camps are the perfect summer activity. Theatre is more about the process than the end production. Beyond the practical application in theatre, students will learn to work in teams, solve problems, build selfconfidence, gain respect for the talents and opinions of others, and explore their own creativity while making new friends. 250381-1021. vos.bc.ca/summer_camps.php.

EDUCATION

ArtsCalibre Academy. Offering a wide range of engaging and innovative summer programs from July 3rd through August 17th. Themes include “Mad Scientist”, “World Explorers”, “Goin’ Green”, “Action & Adventure”, “Magic & Monsters”, and more. Ages 3 to 14. Experience our expanded facilities and outstanding teaching staff, and get a taste of our extraordinary educational programs for Preschool through Grade 8…and beyond. Details and registration at: ArtsCalibre.ca/programs. 250-382-3533.

Retreat, Grade 11 West Coast Trail Hike, Grade 12 Missions trip, extensive student support program. We welcome the opportunity to take you on a tour of our school, please contact: duncanchristianschool.ca office@duncanchristian.com. 495 Beech Avenue Duncan BC V9L 3J8. 250-746-3654. Glenlyon Norfolk School is pleased to offer a variety of fun summer camps for students age 4½ to 17. Arts, volleyball, field hockey, kayaking, ultimate, soccer, creativity, magic and more—our summer programs offer something for everyone. Half- and full-day options are available as is extended care where age appropriate, and all camps and activities are open to both GNS and non-GNS children and families. Email eharris@mygns.ca or visit mygns.ca/ summer-fun.

School may be out for Summer, but for just 30 minutes a day, your kids could make this their smartest summer yet. Kumon is the math and reading program that has helped millions of kids to reach their full potential. We have centres conveniently located across Vancouver Island to serve you: Oak bay, Nanaimo, Saanich, Langford, Sidney and Duncan. Call us at 1.800.ABC.MATH or Christ Church Cathedral School’s Sum- visit us online at kumon.ca. mer Program provides a safe and exciting summer for your child. We have a high supervision ratio, experienced staff, excursions every day, plus all the facilities of Cathedral School. This program runs from June 25-August 29 and is suitable for ages Powerful Youth offers transformative 5-10. Friends, fun, adventure. Minecraft experience-based youth leadership training Camps are also running for 4 weeks. Call programs with Junior Leadership Acad250-383-5125 for availability. See cathe- emies (ages 12-14) and Global Leadership dralschool.ca. Academies (ages 15-18) in Victoria, BC and Cambridge, England. Hundreds of youth from 18 different countries engage in 60+ hours of service leadership to build lasting confidence, skills, friendships and Duncan Christian School partners with impact each summer. Programs run June families to provide a welcoming educa- through August. Special scholarships for tional environment. Here, students expe- BC Residents if they apply before June rience the support and guidance of caring 30th, 2018. See how youth are powerful Christian teachers, dedicated to preparing at: powerfulyouth.com. them for life beyond the school doors. Our classes start at preschool-grade 12. SCAMPS Summer Fun en Français. Join Excellent academic, athletic, & fine arts our experienced and highly qualified staff programs. Serving a diverse student body. for French immersion day-camps at UVic. We offer trades programs & hands-on We offer excellent staff to student ratios apprenticeships,project based learning, (1:7 max.), employ active French immerinternational program, Grade 7 Leadership sion teachers as counsellors, and strive for IslandParent.ca

Building for the Future ST. ANDREW’S REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL EXTENSIVE RENOVATION WILL INCREASE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS!

RENDERING OF NEW SCHOOL ENTRANCE FROM McKENZIE AVENUE, CHAPEL ABOVE

This summer, construction begins on the new classroom building. Here’s why students are excited: Large and modern art room | State-of-the-art multipurpose room and new classrooms Food lab with six kitchen stations | Technology to support 21st-century learning Natural lighting | Innovative gathering places for students both inside and out New Fine Arts wing | Beautiful new chapel

MUSIC HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

DID YOU KNOW?

SPORTS HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

95% Provincial Champions!

Gold Medal Winners! St. Andrew’s Jazz Band earned the gold medal at the Con Brio Whistler Music Festival.

Percentage, on average, of students accepted to post secondary institutions.

Congratulations to our Senior Soccer Boys, who through hard work and excellent sportsmanship, won this year’s Provincial A Championships!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ST. ANDREW’S? CONTACT US.

250-479-1414 | sarhs@cisdv.bc.ca | www.standrewshigh.ca

an active, fun-filled environment. Campers will explore arts & crafts, science, sports, the outdoors, and games—all in an environment designed to foster your child(ren)’s physical, intellectual, language, emotional, and social development. uvic.ca/scamps for details.

last year and help them to preview what they will be studying in the coming year. To get your child set up for summer and for success, give us a call at one of our 4 Vancouver Island locations: in Victoria 250-477-3212; in the Westshore 250-590-6211; in Duncan 250-746-0222; in Nanaimo 250-758-1526.

Girls’ Summer Camps at St. Margaret’s School provide fun activities in a gorgeous natural setting to build confidence, friendships, and skills. Your daughter will love our weekly themes: Art, Games, Sewing, Water Play, Robotics, and more. For grades 1-4: July 3-Aug 10 (full-day, M-F, minus holidays). Check out our Specialty Camps: SELF.I.E. girls empowerment (Grades 5-6), and CodingGirl computer science (Grades 3-6 and 5-6) in partnership with Girls Learning Code and Science Venture. Details and online registration at stmarg.ca/ girls-summer-camp or by emailing jcowie@ stmarg.ca, or phone 250-727-7163.

GYMNASTICS Falcon Gymnastics, Victoria’s leader in Gymnastics, is offering Summer Sault Gymnastics camps. Starting July 9-August 31, 2018, Falcon promises your child will have a great time. Whether on the Vault, Bars, Beam, or playing in our Foam pit or bouncing on the trampoline, your child is in good hands with Nationally Certified coaches who know how to make it fun and safe. Falcon Gymnastics—where Fun & Fitness are number 1. Phone 250-4796424. falcongymnastics.com.

adult, beginner through advanced. Our non-competitive achievement programs provide children with a skill set advantage for all activities. We guarantee our 8 to 1 ratio, offer convenient class times and ensure certified instruction so that your child will excel in a well-structured, fun and safe environment. Visit victoriagymnastics.com.

RECREATION

Burnside Gorge Community Centre offers day camps for children and youth. Fun n’ Sun is a licensed camp for ages 5-11 offering fun weekly themes, crafts, swimming, and field trips. 7:30am-5:30pm, $170/weekly or $40/daily. Camp Survivor is an action packed adventure camp for youth ages 10-15 that takes you outdoors for kayaking, paintball, motocross, swimming and more. 9am-4pm. $170/weekly or $50/ daily. City of Victoria LIFE credits welcome. Call 250-388-5251 for registration/subsidy Victoria Gymnastics is celebrating its 39th information. Visit burnsidegorge.ca for Sylvan offers summer programs to mini- year and enjoying the success of its two loca- more information. mize summer learning loss and to help with tions—downtown and the newest location the transition from one grade to another. near Royal Roads University in Colwood. This summer learn to sail at the Canadian Sylvan’s individualized programs prevent We continue to provide quality artistic gym- Forces Sailing Association, Esquimalt. children from forgetting what they learned nastics for boys and girls ages two through We offer 1 and 2 week courses for ages

STAGES Su m mer Pro g ra ms Running This July & August

Yo u t h

Da n c

e C a m P reFs c h o o ps or 3-5 yearl D a n c olds eC Mus in ical Thea Ballet, J a mp s tre & a Tap zz, e v i ns es e s t s n I a l e 1 rshe Csummerldfor e D a ngcust 20ars-ol3d & uopbawtiicths c n D ag through tto 3 years o Au rs 11 ye p & Acr e l t t o e i L runnin onths danc Hip H

For d an Jazz cers 6-1 , Hip 2 Hop years o ld & Ac roba in tics

For Ballet, , Jazz

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Come Dance With Us Call (250) 384-3267, email: stagesdance@shaw.ca or visit us at www.stagesdance.com 28 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

4 to adult, all skill levels and families. CFSA is a wonderful place to learn sailing in a protected harbour with favourable winds. See cfsaesq.ca for info under “Sail Training.” Contact Program Coordinator at email: sailinginstructor@cfsaesq.ca or message CF Sailing School-Esquimalt on Facebook @esquimaltsailing. Register at 250-363-1009 or “PSP Online” at bk.cfpsa. com/esquimaltpub/index.asp. Discounts for CFSA Members. The City of Victoria has many kids’ summer camps for any age or budget. Go Mad for Science, pan for gold, learn to swim, sail, kayak or ride a horse, and take your bike and skater skills to the next level. Create your own computer games and animation at byte and coding camps. Explore the outdoors on one of our many camping trips—you’ll even get to try some surfing. Check it all out at Victoria.ca/recreation. Coastal Bliss Adventure summer camps have been running in the Cowichan Valley since 2012. Our camps provide a mixture of water and land-based activities including: Kayaking, canoeing, Stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, backpacking, nature exploration, archery, sword fighting and circus activities. Register early: programs fill up quickly. Program ages 9-12; and 13-16. Day camps 8:30-3pm. Visit coastalbliss.ca or Phone: 1800 896 9525. Recreation Oak Bay. Come play and experience the fun of summer camps. There are camps for all ages in fabulous locations. From half day to daily to week long camps there is something for everyone’s schedules and needs. New camps/themes include Engineering for Kids, Lip Synch and Rock Battles, comics and characters along with the favorites; Sports, Arts and Crafts, Dance, Golf, and Aquatic camps. Visit recreation.oakbay.ca or call 250-5957946 to register. Royal Victoria Yacht Club offers community programs that are fun, adventurous, and inclusive. We value sportsmanship, excellence and sailing for life. Get the whole family on the water with Sail Canada certified instructors, CANSail accreditation and low student to instructor ratios. Come have some fun and enjoy sailing, games and adventuring around Cadboro Bay and Oak Bay. For more information call 250-592-6112, email sailing@rvyc.ca or visit rvyc.bc.ca. IslandParent.ca

Have a go at a fun new sport this summer…

CRICKET!

For girls and boys ages 6 and up Only $45 for the 15 week season No experience or equipment required

Playing weekly June through August in OAK BAY, SAANICH, SHAWNIGAN LAKE, SIDNEY, VICTORIA and WESTSHORE

DYNAMIC & FUN, INCLUSIVE, AFFORDABLE

visit us at

www.siycl.ca

South Island Youth Cricket League Summer RIDING CAMPS WEEKLONG OVERNIGHT CAMPS A unique opportunity for students to participate in the responsibility and care of horse (it’s like having their own horse for a week). • Feeding • Grooming • Riding Lessons • Trail Rides • Stable Management • Show & Games Day • Hiking • Campfires • All Meals Included

Full day and half day camps available.

For details and costs contact:

250 743 6641 Cobble Hill

www.alpinestable.com June 2018 29

Westshore Motocross Park offers dirt bike riding, rentals and lessons for the whole family, age 4yrs & up. From 50cc auto with training wheels to 125/250cc full size bikes for Mom and Dad, dirt bike riding has never been so easy and fun. Birthday party’s are common here and with over 35 rental bikes and 50 sets of safety gear, large groups of any age are no problem. Summer camps in July and August. Open Tuesdays thru Friday 11am-8pm or dusk, Saturdays 10am 4pm, Sunday by calling 250 590 8088. Located at 2207 Millstream Road in Langford. Contact westshoremx.com. Calling all Fun Seekers and Summer Sizzlers. West Shore Parks & Recreation Summer programs offers exciting daily and weekly camps for ages 2-16. Cool Capers, Aspiring Artists and Sports Stars alike will make friends and have a blast with our awesome leaders. We also offer Roving Play Parks, Neighbourhood Nights and Wednesday Story Walks, all free programs at a different West Shore park each week. Visit westshorerecreation.ca or call 250-478-8384 for information. Facebook: facebook.com/ westshorerecreation

KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE

SCIENCE, NATURE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION

BRIAN WILSON SOCIAL DISTORTION • X AMBASSADORS

BAHAMAS • JULIETTE & THE LICKS • THE SHEEPDOGS • CORB LUND JESSE ROPER • DEAR ROUGE • ALLEN STONE • AND MANY MORE! TO PURCHASE TICKETS AND REGISTER CHILDREN PLEASE VISIT

ROCKTHESHORES.COM

Mad Science. We spark children’s interest in science, encourage curiosity and build their confidence and skills. Programs like Space Robotics, Secret Agent or Mining and Crafting bring distant, invisible or digital activities into the real world. Any of our topics in this years’ half or full day camp is cool! Children participate in science explorations and have fun. All camps include indoor and outdoor activities. Our mixed classes focus on age-specific needs and abilities. Details and registration on line: vancouverisland.madscience.org Get Out. Look In. Since 1969, Outward Bound Canada has made it our mission to cultivate resilience, leadership, connections and compassion, through inspiring and challenging journeys of self-discovery in the natural world. Close to 175,000 Canadians have pushed beyond their limits and discovered their true potential by participating in our transformational outdoor adventures. West Coast programs allow students to gain a High School Credit or work towards a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. 1-888-OUTWARD (688 9273). outwardbound.ca.

30 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

Join Thriving Roots summer camps for kids 5-14 and awaken your true nature. We will build fires, harvest wild plants, build shelters, make survival tools and crafts, sing songs, play games, and go on wild adventures. Some camps include an epic sleep-out where we’ll eat dinner around a fire, play night games and sleep outside in primitive shelters or tents. Come make new friends, embrace your inner wildness and have fun. Learn more at thrivingroots.org. The Ucluelet Aquarium is Canada’s first catch-and-release aquarium. That means the animals, all local to the Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds, get returned to the wild after their stay at the aquarium. Every season we aim to fulfill our ongoing mission to raise awareness about local marine biology and promote respect for the ocean environment. With interactive touch tanks, beautiful exhibits and knowledgeable staff it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. 250-726-2782. uclueletaquarium.org.

LEARN TO SAIL THIS SUMMER! WE'VE GOT CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES We're happy to offer adventurous, inclusive and quality programs for the community. We welcome landlubbers, Olympic dreamers and everyone in between! Our classes start at 4 years old all the way through to adults

ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB 250 592 6113 sailing@rvyc.bc.ca www.rvyc.bc.ca

COME HAVE SOME FUN

SUMMER SOCCER CAMPS

SPORTS Gorge Soccer Association. We are a community based soccer club providing all of its members with development, fun and a lifelong passion for the beautiful game. We pride ourselves on being the oldest full service soccer club in Victoria, offering winter league play, free academies, spring league, winter futsal, and more. We are innovative, player-centric, responsive to our members’ needs, community-minded, and accepting of all players. A player will never be turned away due to lack of fees (external and internal grants available). Registration is currently open for fall soccer. Youth soccer: 4-17 years old; Senior soccer: 17-70+ years old. Online registration Available at: gorgesoccer.ca. Questions? info@gorgesoccer.ca. PISE. Summer Camps focus on FUN ways to develop fundamental movement skills and patterns that enable children to be active for life. PISE uses a combination of structured and unstructured play to help children learn to move to the best of their ability and PLAY their way to confidence, skill development, fun, team work, cooperation, respect and inclusivity. Camps are for ages 3-18 and run throughout July and August. PISE.ca/summer-camps Royal Soccer Club. With over 100 locations, we’re celebrating our 26th year of IslandParent.ca

From Victoria to Port Hardy, we make learning fun!

www.worldcupsoccercamp.com

Standard MINECRAFT (Level 1): July 9 - 13 or July 23 - 27 Modded MINECRAFT (Level 2): July 16 - 20 or July 30 - Aug 3

Christ Church Cathedral School

912 Vancouver Street, Victoria, BC | 250-383-5125

www.cathedralschool.ca

June 2018 31

running the #1 grassroots soccer day camps in Canada. Operating all weeks in July/ August, we offer a soccer focused morning and a swim and camp games for afternoons. Boys and girls aged 5-13 can register for full day, morning and afternoon sessions with early & late care times available at no extra charge. Call 1-800-427-0536 or visit royalsoccer.com for more information.

more information visit our website at swimming skills. Water and land activities. worldcupsoccercamp. com or contact your Fun, fitness, friends and teamwork. This local recreation centre to register. sport combines swimming, music, dance, gymnastics, drama and team skills. Includes SWIMMING/DIVING camp t-shirt and club swim cap. Give synchronized swimming a try. victoriasynchro. Boardworks. Join one of Canada’s most com, look under ‘camp’ tab. Contact jensuccessful springboard and platform div- nifervicsynchro@gmail.com. ing clubs this summer at Saanich Commonwealth Place and learn how to dive in South Island Youth Cricket League. a fun and safe atmosphere. Boardworks MID-ISLAND PROGRAMS Cricket is a fun and dynamic sport that OlympicGarten Camps (5-8 years) comemphasizes hustle, fair play and good bine dryland training on the trampoline International Montessori Academy. sportsmanship. Open to girls and boys ages and dryboards, gymnastics and time in the Enjoying summer while learning. An educa6 and up. No experience necessary, and all water for a fun introduction to basic diving tional and fun summer pre-school program equipment provided. A great alternative to skills. FunDive Camps (9-12 years) teach for your child. Our school provides great the usual Canadian summer sports. We have beginner to advanced participants basic and summer learning experiences to stimulate teams all over Greater Victoria, so there’s advanced introductory diving skills using and inspire your child. The authentic one near you: Oak Bay, Saanich, Shawingan dryland training, gymnastics as well as time Montessori approach combines physical Lake, Sidney, Victoria and the West Shore. in the water. Visit boardworks.ca to register and emotional development with exciting Find us on facebook, and at siycl.ca. or for more information. endeavors involving art, music, science, culture and language in English and French. World Cup Soccer Camp offers exciting Victoria Synchro International Montessori Academy. 2375 summer camps from Victoria to Pt. Hardy. Synchronized SwimKoksilah Road, Duncan. 250-737-1119. Our professional coaches are trained to ming Summer Camp. inayat@intmontessori.com. make learning fun for children. Whether Aug 20-24, 9am-4pm your child is a 4-year-old, playing for the at Saanich CommonThe Nanaimo Museum Drop-in Kids Profirst time, or a 16 year old looking for a wealth Place. Boys and Girls ages 8-12, gram: Poetry & Protests—Wednesdays in challenge, we have a camp for them. For no synchro experience necessary just July & Aug 1:30-3:30pm. Free with admis-

32 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

sion, ages 5-15. Nanaimo Museum Drop-in Kids Program: Sea Salt & River Rocks—Fridays in July & Aug 1:30-3:30pm. Free with admission, ages 5-12. Nanaimo Museum Cemetery Tours: Thursdays, July 5th and August 2nd, 10-11:30am. Pre-registration is required and tour cost is $15. For more information on any of the programs, visit nanaimomuseum.ca.

The Raincoast Education Society is guided by a mandate to deliver scientific and educational programming about environmental issues on the west coast of Vancouver island. Based out of the Cedar Coast Field Station on Vargas Island (within the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), Raincoast Summer Camps are led by instructors with a background in both science and education. Programming is based on hands-on learning during a variety of outdoor activites—kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hikes, campfires and more. raincoasteducation.org. The Raptors offers a unique learning experience for all ages that will never be forgotten. Our safe, exciting and educational summer camps keep their minds and bodies busy all day. Activities include practical and safe, hands-on experiences and flying demonstrations with many different raptors such as hawks and owls. The children, working in small groups with our fun and experience staff, learn about the birds’ unique adaptations that help them survive in the wild. pnwraptors.com 250746-0372.

When Relationships Matter Practical skills to help navigate life effectively. Become an expert! Learn how to have that difficult conversation and get your point across. Communication workshops offered days and evenings each quarter: • Conflict Basics • Conflict Styles • Active Listening • Assertiveness

• Boundaries • Managing Strong Emotions • Culture & Conflict • Power & Conflict

To learn more, visit our website at

dialogueandresolutionservices.ca or call 250-383-4412 102–2220 Sooke Rd, Victoria BC V9B 0G9 | office@dialogueandresolutionservices.ca Funded by the Province of BC, United Way, Victoria Foundation, City of Colwood, Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee

JOIN A CHAMPION GORGE SOCCER ASSOCIATION Registrationisiscurrently currently open forfor fall fall Registration open • Youth soccer: 4 – 17 years old • •Youth soccer: 4 – 17 years old Senior soccer: 17 – 70+ years old • Senior soccer: 17 – its70+ years old We are a community based soccer club providing all of members with development,

fun passionbased for the soccer beautiful club game.providing all of its members with Weand areaalifelong community development, funonand a lifelong forsoccer the beautiful game.offering winter league We pride ourselves being the oldestpassion full service club in Victoria, play, free academies, spring league, winter futsal, and more! We are innovative, player-centric, We pride ourselves on being oldest full service club inplayers. Victoria, responsive to our members’ needs,the community-minded, andsoccer accepting of all A player offering league play, academies, spring league, winter futsal, and more! will never winter be turned away due to free lack of fees (external and internal grants available). Online registration Available at: www.gorgesoccer.ca In-person Registration: Hampton Park Clubhouse (240 Hampton Road) Saturdays 9am-11am Questions? info@gorgesoccer.ca

OTHER Community Living Victoria’s Autism Services offers dynamic community-based programs for children and youth (6-18 yrs) with Autism. We offer 1:1 Behaviour Intervention, Social Skills Groups and spring, summer and winter Day Camps. Our skilled and caring team draws from various behaviour support models to customize programming for each youth. Fun programming within safe, supportive environments motivate youth to expand their interests, gain confidence, strengthen social and communication skills, and build friendships. 250-477-7231 ext. 237. communitylivingvictoria.ca/autism. • IslandParent.ca

Rethink. Relearn. Resolve.

Dates

Camp Theme

Ages

Fees

July 9–13

Wet & Wild Water Adventure, 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$110

July 16–20

Science & Soccer 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$110

4 yrs–Gr 5

$25

July 23–27 VBS: Shipwrecked 9:00–noon

Emmanuel Summer Camps 2018 Please register according to your child’s grade this Fall. Children must be 4 yrs old by Dec. 31, 2018 to attend the camps.

July 30 – Aug 3

Barnyard Bonanza 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$110

Aug 7–10 (4 days)

A Week of Holidays 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$88

Aug 13–17 Construction 101 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$110

Aug 20–24 Sports Extravaganza 9:00–3:00

Gr 1–5

$110

at the Cedar Hill Cross Road & Henderson entrance to UVic

Phone 250-592-2418 | Fax 250-592-4646 office@emmanuelvictoria.ca | emmanuelvictoria.ca June 2018 33

Practice Gratitude O

ne of the most effective ways to enhance a child’s sense of optimism and aptitude for self-reflection is to encourage the practice of gratitude. Talking about what we are grateful for shifts our focus from have-nots to haves. Like it or not, we live in a world of comparison. Who hasn’t felt a twinge of jealousy after seeing photos of vacations posted on social media? It’s a natural reaction and easy to become stuck in a cycle of wishing for what we do not have. One of the simplest ways to resist that negativity is to count our blessings. The other day as I was buying my groceries, I overheard a mother who was shopping with her young child. The toddler, who was no older than four, was walking through the aisles, begging for the various junk food items on the shelves. “I want that. I want that. Why can’t we have that?” The incredibly patient mother gave reason after reason as to why she wouldn’t put those items in their cart. I remembered when my own children were young; It was nearly impossible to enter a toy store or a shopping mall without them begging for the items they wanted, saying that I never bought them anything. Now that my children have grown and matured a little, I am spared from this particular battle, however, once in a while, I do hear one of them mention that, “So and so has _______. Isn’t that cool?” I can’t blame them. I definitely notice when one of my friends has a gorgeous new purse or pair of shoes. But how do we encourage our youth to focus more on the blessings they have instead of the things they want? My friends with teenagers often complain that their sweet angelic babies have morphed into sulking adolescents. Their once happy children are now full of complaints. No one can deny that the transition into adolescence is a difficult one. Teenagers are plagued with hormonal mood swings and experience potent and mystifying feelings. They are weighed down by social, academic and family pressures. They may feel disconnected and misunderstood by those who previously knew them best. Social comparison, at this age, is amplified.

34 Island Parent Magazine

Perhaps, if you currently have a teenager brooding in your home, you might scoff at my suggestion that gratitude may help the situation. My friends sure laughed! What better buffer is there against negativity than practicing thankfulness and joy? After all, gratitude is defined as the ability to notice positive occurances in one’s life and to enjoy them and you can’t be grouchy when showing appreciation for kindness and beauty. Seriously, though. Studies have shown that gratitude not only decreases negative effects in life, but increases the frequency of positive ones. Practicing gratitude on a regular basis not only moderates the effects of depression, anxiety and stress, but actually causes higher levels of alertness,

enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Don’t we wish our teenagers possessed these skills a little more often? In moments of feeling confused, unsure, unlikable and vulnerable, gratitude may help adolescents focus on their strengths. In addition to promoting a more positive disposition, research indicates that practicing gratitude may facilitate adaptive coping strategies, encourage children to build social resources and generally increases personal well-being. I will admit that it may be difficult to encourage a cynical, surly teenager to begin a gratitude journal or to make a list of blessings he or she is thankful for. Challenging, yes, but not impossible. However, if we cultivate the practice of gratitude when children are young, it may become an intrinsic skill that will be useful as they grow older.

I recently attended a conference sponsored by the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. The topic of discussion was happiness and resilience. Time and time again, throughout the course of the weekend, the presenters kept coming back

Kelly Cleeve to gratitude. One presenter, in particular, suggested that happiness is an intentional choice, one which requires deliberate activities on a daily basis. She explained that we need to pay attention to things that are going well in our lives and that practicing gratitude is vital to our well-being. She encouraged the audience to practice gratitude in depth, not in breadth. In other words, it is not necessary to practice every day, for it may begin to lose authenticity for some people, when thankfulness is forced. It should not be a chore. Instead, be mindful in our day to day lives to recognize moments of joy and to relish them. Try to appreciate people and beauty instead of material objects. Notice acts of kindness, compassion and humour. These simple habits can bring peace of mind, optimism and self-reflection. There are some simple ways we can model the practice of gratitude in our homes. It only takes moments in the day and illustrates to the children around us how important it is to be mindful and thankful. At bedtime, ask your child to share three things they are thankful for and reciprocate the gesture. It is lovely to end the day with positive thoughts in our minds. In times of joy, express to your child how much you are enjoying spending the moment with them. Encourage your child to keep a Gratitude Journal. Even younger children can participate in this activity by simply drawing a picture of what makes them happy. Perhaps you might consider keeping a gratitude journal yourself. Not only will you be acting as a positive role model, but you will be fostering your own happiness as a result.

Kelly Cleeve is a passionate educator with 14 years experience. She is a graduate student at the University of British Columbia, a wife and a mother of two beautiful boys. IslandParent.ca

PARTY Directory G Y M

FALCON

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Our great instructors will treat you to an action packed two hours of fun and fitness in our great facility!

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(Broadmead & Royal Oak Area)

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N Celebrate your birthday with us! A

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2 Great Locations!

Swim bounce , cook golf, create & more!

Henderson Recreation Centre Call 250-370-7200 Oak Bay Recreation Centre Call 250-595-SWIM (7946) recreation.oakbay.ca

Birthday Parties

Advertise YOUR Party Service Here

Come Fly With Us! Party sizes up to 18 kids We supply table top cover, napkins, hats, streamers and balloons Optional character

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Available Saturday & Sunday Afternoons Optional character

TWO GREAT LOCATIONS

2051 Store St, Victoria

250-380-2442

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778-265-6414

victoriagymnastics.com IslandParent.ca

June 2018 35

Volunteer in the Parks

with nature as you stoke the fire and add fresh ideas to your camping menu. New and seasoned campers are welcome to join this festival-style event. Circulate through the campsites, roast a tasty treat and learn great camping and cooking tips along the way. When: Saturday July 28, noon to 3 p.m. Drop-in, and everyone welcome (volunteers must apply in advance).

arks Canada offers many opportunities for people to get involved in their local national parks and historic sites. Throughout the summer, camping opportunities, interpretive programs and family events often take centre stage. However, if you are looking for a chance to get more hands-on experience, learn more about parks and get involved in your local community, consider becoming a Parks Canada volunteer. Here are just a few of the opportunities to get involved in this summer:

valued member of the campground teams. Minimum stay is two weeks, and applicants who are available for longer periods may Volunteer to Help with be given first choice of dates. Ecological Restoration Gulf Islands National Park Reserve At Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse is still accepting applications for camp- National Historic Sites, Parks Canada is ground hosts for dates in July, August and restoring endangered Garry oak ecosystems September. by removing invasive plants and replacing them with the native species that are norVolunteer as an Event mally found there. Plants such as Scotch Assistant broom and spurge-laurel were introduced Are you someone with lots of energy and from other parts of the world and compete enthusiasm and a willingness to learn? Parks with native plants for important habitat. They often win unless they are kept in check. Work takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Parks Canada also undertakes a number of restoration activities at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve that are designed to restore unhealthy natural areas back to health. These activities include removing invasive plant species from endangered Garry oak ecosystems and replacing them with native ones, restoring traditional First Nations clam beds or “gardens,” and cleaning garbage and debris from our beaches and shorelines. In order to volunteer at these events you should be comfortable doing physical work and travelling by boats in various weather conditions. So what are you waiting for? Get outdoors and explore your local Parks Canada places today.

Volunteer as a campground host

Canada needs event assistants to help with special events at the parks and historic sites. This summer, help with the operation of A Taste of Camping. Gain experience and have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed to something worthwhile. What is A Taste of Camping? Parks Canada is promoting the great outdoors through food. As part of the national Learn to Camp program, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Mountain Equipment Co-op are hosting free mini-workshops on camping and campground cooking (samples available!). McDonald campground in Sidney will be transformed to celebrate open air cooking and camping fare. Connect

Campground hosts provide a friendly, welcoming face to visitors at McDonald Campground near Sidney in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Whether they’re recommending an experience in the park, or helping to contact park staff in an emergency, Campground Hosts help make visitors from around the world feel at home. Campground hosts receive an orientation to the park and work with Parks Canada staff to answer visitor questions. If you are an experienced camper interested in sharing your love of the outdoors and the Gulf Islands, consider volunteering this season. Campground hosts are a 36 Island Parent Magazine

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or for more information, contact: Gulf Islands National Park Reserve: Email: gulf.islands@pc.gc.ca Phone: 250-654-4000 Volunteering info: pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/ gulf/activ/activ15 Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites: Email: Fort.rodd@pc.gc.ca Phone: 250-812-8133 Volunteering info: pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ bc/fortroddhill/activ/activ2

IslandParent.ca

Make this summer COUNT! Keep your child's mind GROWING over the summer

FLEXIBLE OPTIONS FOR EVERY FAMILY!

Kids can lose up to 2 1/2 months of learning over the summer. Rest easy, Sylvan's here for you. Stay ahead of the curve with Sylvan's summer sessions: • Sylvan's academic programs pick up where the classroom leaves off, blending the latest teaching methods, engaging activities, technology and a fun rewards system to inspire your child in learning. • Whether your child needs help getting up to grade level or wants to start out next year ahead, our Personalized Tutoring program will improve your child's skills and confidence. We use a state-of-the-art assessment, personal learning plans and Sylvan-certified teachers to help your child make progress quickly. And yes, we guarantee results. Plus, to keep it easy, our sessions are available in the mornings, afternoon, evenings and weekends. You pick what works best for your busy schedule.

ENROLL BEFORE JUNE 30TH AND RECEIVE 2 FREE SESSIONS

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Sylvan in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo and Duncan 1-800-EDUCATE

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Learning Should Be Personal tm

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June 2018 37

FAMILY Calendar J

For calendar updates throughout the month visit IslandParent.ca

Our Generous Sponsors

FRIDAY

hibits, entertainment and more. Special ocean storytime at 11:30am suitable for all ages. Free. virl. bc.ca. 250-656-0944.

Nanaimo & Area Home Learners Monthly Meetup 1pm at Oliver Woods Community Centre Resource library, gym time, parent support, special events throughout the year. $5/family drop in fee; $20/year-long membership. nanaimocommunityhomelearners.org.

SATURDAY

Going Crabby 1pm at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park Meet some of the crabs and their cousins that make Witty’s Lagoon their special home. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist for some intertidal exploration and discover these creatures up close and personal. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Meet at the kiosk near the main beach off Metchosin Rd. BC Tranist #54 or #55. Free. crd.bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344.

Victoria & CRD Beginner Birding Basics 9am at Island View Beach Regional Park Have you ever wanted to bird watch? This is a great time of the year for birding, as courtship and territory disputes fill the air with song. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to learn what to look for, and how to use binoculars and field guides. Bring binoculars if you have them. A spotting scope is provided. Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter off Homathko Rd. 8+ years. Free. crd. bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344.

SUNDAY

Victoria & CRD

Music for Medicine 3pm at Church of Truth 111 Superior Street Five local musicians are joining forces to present a fund-raising concert. The proceeds from the concert of vocal and flute music will go to the CARE Team Service Society to further their provision of surgical services in Guatemala. By donation. pboughen@ shaw.ca. Cowichan Valley Little Owl Kids Fair 10am at Shawnigan Lake Community Centre 2804 Shawnigan Lake Rd A handmade market with products designed just for babies and kids. $2/adult. owlfair.com. owl@ eaphoto.ca.

World Oceans Day 11am at Beacon Park on the Sidney Waterfront Celebrate World Oceans Day with this family-friendly Nanaimo & Area event about all things Salish Sea. Educational ex- Stop! It’s Beaver Time!

10am at Brookwood Park Playground You won’t believe what these little engineers are up to. They are creating habitats and harvesting their plants. Discover the productive world of beavers. 6+. $12/person. 250-756-5200. Learn to Fish 1pm at Colliery Dam Park Join the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and learn the basics of freshwater fishing. Rapala fishing rods are provided, and program runs rain or shine. Parent participation required. Free. 250-756-5200.

WEDNESDAY

Victoria & CRD Emergency Preparedness Workshop 1pm at Victoria City Hall Antechamber Are you and your family prepared for an emergency such as a power outage, winter storm, earthquake or tsunami? Your family needs to have enough food, water and supplies to cope for at least seven days without outside assistance, depending on the emergency. Learn the hazards that can affect Victoria, what to include in your emergency kits, what you can do to protect your home from an earthquake, and how to reunite with your loved ones after a disaster. Free. VictoriaReady.ca. 250-920-3373. emvic@victoria.ca. Nanaimo & Area Starlight Skate 6:30pm at Nanaimo Ice Centre An opportunity to come out and enjoy the soft

Age 3-16 Years

GET READY FOR SOME FUN IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER! Jam-packed summer camps for kids ages 3 to 16 including Aspiring Artists, Sports, Dance, Outdoor adventure and more!

Re�is�� W! 250-478-8384 | westshorerecreation.ca 38 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

I belong here, making friends.

YO NG I G

FO RT

U SUMM ER

NS O I T HREE GENERA

Summer Camps 2018 Join our passionate, qualified leaders for a fun, memorable summer.

Visit saanich.ca/alg for full schedule, program descriptions and registration. Effective July to August 2018

JOIN US SOCIAL MEDIA

S MP CA

BR IN

PARKS & RECREATION

saanich.ca/alg

SUMMER AT A GLANCE

FULL DAY

WEEK 1 – JULY 3-6

WEEK 2 – JUL 9-13

WEEK 3 – JULY 16-20

Bike & Swim Camp 9 to 12yrs SCP

Bike & Swim Camp 11 to 14yrs SCP

Camp Sundance - Wonderful World 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Super Safari 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Acting Adventures Camp 9 to 12yrs ROMS Byte Camp: 3D Animation 11 to 14 yrs GH Byte Camp: Claymation 5 to 12 yrs CMS Crafty Cooking Camp 6 to 9 yrs CMS Crafty Summer and Swim Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH EFK Minecraft 6 to 8 yrs ROMS Extreme Dodgeball Camp 10 to 14 yrs ROMS Forest School Camp 5.5 to 12yrs LAY Games Unlimited 6 to 10 yrs GH Golf and Racquet Camp 8 to 12 yrs CH Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH

Camp Sundance - Planet Pizazz 5.5 to 8yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Mission Impossible 5.5 to 8yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Acting Adventures Camp 6 to 8yrs ROMS Aqua Adventure Camp 8 to 11 yrs SCP Around the World Cooking 8 to 12yrs GHMS Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 8 to 14yrs GHMS Beginner Mountain Bike Camp 9 to 12 yrs HL Byte Camp: Intro to Coding 9 to 12 yrs GHMS Byte Camp: Music and Video Production 9 to 12yrs ROMS Byte Camp: 3D Animation 11 to 14 yrs CMS Celebrate Summer! 10 to 14yrs SCP Crafty Cooking Camp 5 to 12 yrs CMS Dance Camp All in One 4 to 6 yrs DS

Camp Sundance - Spectacular Sea 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Amazing Race 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Aqua Adventure Camp 8 to 11 yrs SCP Around the World Cooking 8 to 12 yrs GH Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 8 to 14 yrs ROMS Beach Adventures 8 to 11 yrs GH Byte Camp: Coding 11 to 14 yrs CMS Byte Camp: 2D Video Game Design 11 to 14 yrs ROMS Byte Camp: Build an App 11 to 14 yrs GH Byte Camp: Intro to Coding 5 to 12 yrs CMS Crafty Cooking Camp 6 to 9 yrs CMS Dance & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH Dance Camp 7 to 10yrs DS

Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS Ice Camp 5 to 12 yrs CMS Kids Cooking 101 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Mission Possible Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Mount Doug Adventures 11 to 14 yrs MDP Pre-teens in Action 11 to 12 yrs SCP Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Water Adventures 8 to 11 yrs GH Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12yrs SCP

Dance Camp 10 to 13 yrs CH EcoQuest 7 to 12 yrs GHMS Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 8 to 14 yrs ROMS EFK Minecraft: Redstone 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Forest School Camp 5.5 to 12yrs LAY Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH Jr. Master Gardener 6 to 12 yrs HCP Kayaking Camp - Youth 10 to 12yrs EBL Kids Cooking 101 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Skateboard Camp 9 to 12yrs GH Tuff Kidder 8 to 12 yrs GH Urban Wilderness Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 8 to 14 yrs GH EFK Minecraft : Jedi Training Camp 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS Junior Explorers Camp at the Lake 5 to 6yrs EBL Kids Cooking 101 10 to 14 yrs ROMS Lego Animation & Digital Comic Book Camp 7 to 10 yrs CH Mount Doug Adventures 11 to 14 yrs MDP Musical Theatre Camp 8 to 12yrs DS Outstanding Outings 10 to 14 yrs SCP Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Skateboard Camp 7 to 9yrs GH

Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12yrs SCP

Soccertron 8 to 14 yrs ROMS Teens in Action 13 to 14 yrs SCP

MORNING

Bike - Jr. Mountain Bike Camp 6 to 8 yrs EBL Construction Zone Kids Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Creative Artists Camp 5 to 8 yrs CH Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Dance Camp - All in One 5 to 12 yrs DS Earth Arts Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 6 to 9 yrs ROMS Enchanted Forrest Fairy Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF

Theatre & Sports Camp 6 to 8 yrs ROMS Tuff Kidder 8 to 12 yrs CMS Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12yrs SCP Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Golf (SNAG) and Tennis (Progressive) Camp 6 to 8 yrs CH Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS Karate Camp 4 to 6yrs SCP

Super Soccer Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH

Mermaid Camp 5 to 12 yrs SCP

Karate Camp 5 to 7yrs SCP

Youth Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Learn to Draw Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Squash Development Camp 8 to 10 yrs CH Super Soccer Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH

Lightning Fast Swim Series Level 3 & 4 5 to 12 yrs SCP Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH Youth Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Soccertron 10 to 14 yrs ROMS Soccertron 6 to 9 yrs ROMS Soccertron Tots 3 to 4 , 4 to 5 yrs ROMS Super Soccer Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH Superhero Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS

AFTERNOON

Cartooning Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Archery & Swim Camp 8 to 12yrs SCP

Bike - Jr. Mountain Bike Camp 6 to 8 yrs EBL

Dance Camp - All That Jazz 7 to 10 yrs CH

Archery Camp 10 to 14yrs SCP

Drawing Intensive 12 to 17 yrs CH

Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 10 to 14 yrs ROMS

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 10 to 14 yrs GH

Junior Chefs Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH Painting Quest 6 to 9 yrs CH Youth Introduction to Rowing Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Harry Potter Camp 7 to 11 yrs ROMS Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Lightning Fast Swim Series Level 3 & 4 5 to 12 yrs SCP Martial Arts Camp 6 to 14 yrs CH Rhythm Nation Camp 6 to 10 yrs CH Squash Development Camp 12 to 14 yrs CH Teen Pottery Intensive 12 to 17 yrs CH

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC GROOVE Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Junior Chefs Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH Racquet Sports Intro 8 to 12 yrs CH Youth Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

World Cup Soccer Camp 4 to 5yrs LP World Cup Soccer Camp 5 to 6yrs LP World Cup Soccer Camp 6 to 9yrs LP World Cup Soccer Camp 10 to 12yrs LP

for camp details visit saanich.ca/alg

To learn more visit saanich.ca/alg WEEK 4 – JULY 23-27

FULL DAY

WEEK 5 – JULY 30-AUG 3

WEEK 6 – AUG 7-10

Bike & Swim Camp 9 to 12yrs SCP

Bike & Swim Camp 9 to 12 yrs SCP

Bike & Swim Camp 11 to 14 yrs SCP

Sundance with a Splash 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Messy Madness 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Active Kitchen Kids 8 to 11 yrs GH Aikido - Warriors Camp 8 to 16 yrs GH Amazing Race Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 8 to 14 yrs GH Beginner Mountain Bike Camp 9 to 12 yrs HL Byte Camp: 2D Tablet Animation 9 to 12 yrs ROMS Byte Camp: 2D Video 11 to 14 yrs CMS Byte Camp: Claymation Movie Production 9 to 12 yrs GH Byte Camp: 2D Video Game design 13 to 18 yrs CMS Court Sports and Swim 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Crafty Cooking Camp 5 to 12 yrs CMS

Sundance with a Splash 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Disney Days 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Aqua Adventure Camp 8 to 11 yrs SCP Around the World Cooking 8 to 12 yrs GH Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 8 to 14 yrs ROMS Beginner Mountain Bike Camp 9 to 12 yrs HL Byte Camp: 2D Animation on Tablet 9 to 12 yrs GH Byte Camp: Intro to Coding 9 to 12 yrs ROMS Byte Camp: Build an App 13 to 18 yrs CMS Celebrate Summer! 10 to 14yrs SCP Crafty Cooking Camp 5 to 12 yrs CMS Dance Camp - 7 to 10yrs CH EFK: Mighty Machines Camp 8 to 12yrs ROMS

Camp Sundance - Amazing Animals 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Commonwealth Camp: Wild, Wild West 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP Around the World Cooking 8 to 12 yrs GH Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 5 to 12 yrs GHMS Byte Camp: 3D Animation 11 to 14 yrs ROMS Byte Camp: 3D Game Design 11 to 14 yrs GH Camp Curtain Call - Musical Theatre 6 to 8 yrs CH Crafters & Bakers 13 to 18 yrs CMS Dance & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs ROMS EcoQuest Kayaking 8 to 12 yrs GH EFK Minecraft 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Extreme Dodgeball Camp 10 to 14 yrs ROMS Ice Camp 5 to 12 yrs GRP

Dance Camp 10 to 14 yrs DS Dance & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs ROMS EcoQuest 7 to 12 yrs CMS Eli Pasquale Basketball and Soccertron 7 to 14 yrs CMS EFK Minecraft : Jedi Training Camp 6 to 8 yrs ROMS Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Golf and Racquet Camp 8 to 12 yrs CH Kayaking Camp - Youth 12 to 14yrs EBL Kids Cooking 101 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Kindness is Cool 6 to 9 yrs GH Leader In Me 5 to 12 yrs CMS Outstanding Outings 10 to 14 yrs SCP Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Film Making & 360VR Video Camp 10 to 14 yrs CH Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH Junior Explorers Camp at the Lake 5 to 6yrs EBL Kids Cooking 101 8 to 12 yrs ROMS Mount Doug Adventures 11 to 14 yrs MDP Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Skateboard Camp 7 to 9 yrs GH Tuff Kidder 8 to 12 yrs GH Water Adventures 8 to 11 yrs GH Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12 yrs SCP World Cup Soccer Camp 5 to 6yrs LP

Ice Camp 6 to 12 yrs CMS Junior Explorers Camp at the Lake 5 to 6yrs EBL Jr. Master Gardener Camp 6 to 12 yrs HCP Kids Cooking 101 10 to 14 yrs ROMS Mission Possible Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs GH Outstanding Outings 10 to 14 yrs SCP Teens in Action 13 to 14 yrs SCP Urban Wilderness Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH

Skateboard Camp 9 to 12yrs GH Teens in Action 13 to 14 yrs SCP Urban Wilderness Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12yrs SCP

MORNING

Cartooning Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH Construction Zone Kids Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 6 to 9 yrs CMS Eli Pasquale Soccertron Camp 6 to 9 yrs CMS Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Growing Young Farmers Camp 5 to 6yrs

Creative Artists Camp 5 to 8 yrs CH Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Growing Young Farmers 5 to 6yrs Harry Potter Camp 7 to 11 yrs ROMS Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Guitar Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH

Lightning Fast Swim Series Level 3 & 4 5 to 12 yrs SCP

Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF

Mermaid Camp 5 to 12 yrs SCP

Junior Artist’s Club 6 to 9 yrs CH Junior Master Gardener Camp: Garden Arts 6 to 12 yrs HCP Lightning Fast Swim Series Level 3 & 4 (SCP) 5 to 12 yrs SCP Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH Youth Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH World Cup Soccer Camp 4 to 5 yrs ROMS World Cup Soccer Camp 5 to 6 yrs ROMS World Cup Soccer Camp 6 to 9 yrs ROMS World Cup Soccer Camp 10 to 12 yrs ROMS

Super Soccer Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH

LEGEND BMF

Braes Mhor Farm

LOP

Lochside Park

Cedar Hill Recreation Centre

Lambrick Park

CMS

Colquitz Middle School

LPSS

Lambrick Park Secondary School

CSS

Claremont Secondary School

LAY

Layritz

Dansko Studios

MDP

Mount Douglas Park

EBL

Elk/Beaver Lake

PKS

Pearkes Recreation Centre

FGC

Falcon Gymnastics Centre

ROMS

Royal Oak Middle School

Gordon Head Recreation Centre

SCP

Saanich Commonwealth Place

GHMS

Gordon Head Middle School

VCRC

Victoria City Rowing Club

HCP

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

WSS

West Side Stables

Hartland Landfill Mountain Bike Park

Bike - Jr. Mountain Bike Camp 6 to 8 yrs EBL Construction Zone Kids Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Introduction to Rowing 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Martial Arts Camp 6 to 13 yrs CH Painting Quest 6 to 9 yrs CH Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

AFTERNOON

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 10 to 14yrs CMS

Archery & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs SCP

Enchanted Forrest Fairy Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS

Eli Pasquale Soccertron Camp 10 to 14yrs CMS

Archery Camp 10 to 14 yrs SCP

Golf (SNAG) and Tennis (Progressive) Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Creative Sculpture Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

GROOVE Camp 6 to 8 yrs CH Guitar Camp 13 to 18 yrs GH Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Junior Chefs Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH Youth Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Sewing - Make Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH Volleyball Big Dig Camp - Grades 7 to 9 13 to 18 yrs CSS

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC Horseback Riding Daycamp 5 to 12 yrs BMF Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Racquet Sports Intro 8 to 12 yrs CH Teen Pottery Intensive 12 to 17 yrs CH This Camp’s Got Talent 6 to 9 yrs ROMS World Cup Soccer Camp 6 to 9 yrs LP World Cup Soccer Camp 10 to 12 yrs LP

Junior Artist’s Club 6 to 9 yrs CH Mixed Media Mashup 12 to 17 yrs CH OmGirl Yoga Camp 5 to 12 yrs SCP Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH

Wonderful Watercolours 12 to 17 yrs CH

SUMMER AT A GLANCE WEEK 7 – AUG 13-17

To learn more visit saanich.ca/alg

FULL DAY

WEEK 8 – AUG 20-24

WEEK 9 – AUG 27 - AUG 31

Bike & Swim Camp 9 to 12 yrs SCP

Bike & Swim Camp 11 to 14yrs SCP

Bike & Swim Camp 9 to 12 yrs SCP

Sundance with a Splash 5.5 to 8 yrs GH

Camp Sundance - Super Heroes 5.5 to 8 yrs GH

Commonwealth Camp: Wet & Wild 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP

Commonwealth Camp: Space! 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP

Commonwealth Camp: Our Camp’s Got Talent! 5.5 to 8yrs SCP

Saanich Neighbourhood Playground Prog 5.5 to 11 yrs

Splash Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs SCP

Active Kitchen Kids 8 to 11 yrs GH

Aqua Adventure Camp 8 to 11 yrs SCP

Amazing Race Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH

Beach Adventures 8 to 11 yrs GH

Celebrate Summer! 10 to 14yrs SCP

Aqua Adventure Camp 8 to 11 yrs SCP

Camp Curtain Call - Musical Theatre 6 to 8yrs CH

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 6 to 9 yrs SCP

Badminton Camp - Smash & Splash 8 to 14 yrs ROMS

Celebrate Summer! 10 to 14yrs SCP

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Beginner Mountain Bike Camp 8 to 12 yrs HL

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH

Camp Curtain Call - Musical Theatre 9 to 12 yrs CH

Forest School Camp 5.5 to 12yrs LAY

Junior Water Polo Camp 7 to 14 SCP

2D Video Game Design 11 to 14 yrs GH

Golf and Racquet Camp 8 to 12 yrs CH

Mission Possible Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs GH

Crafty Summer and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GHMS

Gymnastics and Swim Camp 6 to 9 yrs GH

Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Dance & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs GHMS

Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS

Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

EcoQuest 7 to 12 yrs GHMS

Junior Explorers Camp at the Lake 5 to 6yrs EBL

Water Adventures 8 to 11 yrs GH

EFK Minecraft: Travelling to the Future 8 to 12 yrs ROMS

Kindness is Cool 6 to 9 yrs GH

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Mount Doug Adventures 11 to 14 yrs MDP

Forest School Camp 5.5 to 12yrs LAY

Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS

Skateboard Camp 9 to 12 yrs GH

Kids Cooking 101 8 to 12 yrs ROMS

Tuff Kidder 8 to 12 yrs GH

Outstanding Outings 10 to 14 yrs SCP

Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12 yrs SCP

Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC Skateboard Camp 9 to 12 yrs GH Soccertron 8 to 14 yrs ROMS Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theater 6 to 10 yrs DS Theatre & Sports Camp 9 to 12 yrs ROMS Urban Wilderness Camp 8 to 12 yrs GH Wilderness Adventure 8 to 12 yrs SCP Creative Artists Camp 5 to 8 yrs CH Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

MORNING

Golf (SNAG) and Tennis (Progressive) Camp 6 to 8 yrs CH

Creative Artists Camp 5 to 8 yrs CH

Camp Curtain Call - Musical Theatre 8 to 10 yrs CH

Harry Potter Camp 7 to 11 yrs ROMS

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12yrs FGC

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 8 to 14 yrs SCP

Horse’n Around Camp 6 to 12 yrs WSS

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Judo Camp 5 to 12 yrs GH

Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Junior Artist’s Club 6 to 9 yrs CH

Learn to Paint Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Painting Quest 6 to 9 yrs CH

Lightning Fast Swim Series Level 3 & 4 5 to 12 yrs SCP

Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Introduction to Rowing - Beginner 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Pottery and Arts Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Rhythm Nation Camp 6 to 10 yrs CH

World Cup Soccer Camp 4 to 5 yrs LOP

Soccertron 6 to 9 yrs ROMS

Volleyball Big Dig Camp Grades 7 to 9 CSS

World Cup Soccer Camp 5 to 6 yrs LOP

Soccertron 10 to 14 yrs ROMS

World Cup Soccer Camp 6 to 9 yrs LOP

Soccertron Tots 3 to 4 yrs ROMS

World Cup Soccer Camp 10 to 12 yrs LOP

Soccertron Tots 4 to 5 yrs ROMS

AFTERNOON

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Archery & Swim Camp 8 to 12 yrs SCP

Drawing Discovery Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Archery Camp 10 to 14 yrs SCP

Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp 10 to 14 yrs SCP

Junior Chefs Camp 5.5 to 8 yrs ROMS

Bike - Jr. Mountain Bike Camp 6 to 8 yrs EBL

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Painting Intensive 12 to 17 yrs CH

Cartooning Camp 6 to 9 yrs CH

Introduction to Rowing - Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH

Earth Arts Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Mixed Media Mashup 12 to 17 yrs CH

Sewing - Make Camp 9 to 12 yrs CH

Falcon Summersault Gymnastics Camp 5 to 12 yrs FGC

Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH

Introduction to Rowing Intermediate 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Rowing - Youth Summer Camp 13 to 18 yrs VCRC

Pottery and Arts Camp 10 to 12 yrs CH

Volley Ball Big Dig Boys Only 15 to 17 yrs CSS

Racquet Sports Intro 8 to 12 yrs CH

World Cup Soccer Camp 4 to 5 yrs LP

Volleyball Big Dig Camp Coed 13 to 18 yrs CSS

World Cup Soccer Camp 5 to 6 yrs LP World Cup Soccer Camp 6 to 9 yrs LP

for camp details visit saanich.ca/alg

World Cup Soccer Camp 10 to 12 yrs LP

light “stars” and passive LED glow lights. A great Nanaimo & Area time for families before dinner. Regular admission. 250-756-5200. What is Wild in Nature 9:30am at Linley Valley Parking Lot THURSDAY TH Wildlife is everywhere—flying dragonflies, slithering snakes and scurrying squirrels. Explore how you Nanaimo & Area know an animal or critter is wild through games and activities. 3 to 6 years. Parent participation required. Amazing Race in the Parks $8/person. 250-756-5200. 7pm at Englishman River Regional Park Race your way through Englishman River Regional SUNDAY TH Park by finding special route information cards. You will discover road blocks and detours that will put Victoria & CRD your team dynamics to the test. The challenges will be fun and will leave you inspired to be in the Iron Mine Bay Walk outdoors. Families, teams, and individuals welcome. 10am at East Sooke Regional Park $15/person. Family/team rates available. rdn.bc.ca/ Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist on this superb recreation. 250-248-3252. hike along Pike Road Trail to the spectacular Iron Mine Bay. Meet at the information kiosk in the parkSATURDAY TH ing lot off Pike Rd. 5+ years. Free. crd.bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344. Victoria & CRD Nanaimo & Area Princess & Superhero Party 10am-1pm at Salvation Army HighPoint Church Learn to Fish 949 Fullerton Avenue 1pm at Colliery Dam Park The Salvation Army is hosting a Princess & Superhero Join the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and Party to fundraise to send kids in need to Camp learn the basics of freshwater fishing. Rapala fishing Sunrise. $10/adults; $6/child (4-12 yrs); children three rods are provided, and program runs rain or shine. and under free. Tickets available at eventbrite.ca/e/ Parent participation required. Free. 250-756-5200. princess-superhero-party-tickets-45440089531. yin-yee_yip@can.salvationarmy.org. MONDAY TH

This course is mandatory for all new participants in RDN Alpine Hikes. $10/person. rdn.bc.ca/recreation. 250-248-3252.

TUESDAY

Victoria & CRD Indigenous People’s History Month: Gitxsan Nation Author Trudy Spiller 10:30am at Esquimalt Branch Library Join author Trudy Spiller as she shares her picture book Trudy’s Rock Story, which explores connection between family, friends and the earth, and helps children understand that it’s okay to have negative feelings. For grades 2-3. Register online or call for more information. Free. gvpl.ca. 250940-GVPL (4875).

Sensory Snoop 10am at Devonian Regional Park Bring your preschooler to explore the sights and sounds at Devonian Regional Park. Wake up your senses on a wander through the forest. Look for summer colours, listen for birds calling, smell forest perfume and more. Strollers not recommended on this trail. There is no fee for this program, but you must pre-register by June 6 as space is limited. 5 years and under. BC Transit #54 or #55. Free. crd. bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344.

Nanaimo & Area

SATURDAY

Hiking Information Session 6:30pm at Oceanside Place Arena 830 W. Island Hwy Have you ever wanted to explore some of the area’s beautiful mountains? A local alpine guide shares tips and resources for family adventures and avid hikers. Ask questions before heading out on guided hikes or self-guided exploration in Regional Parks. Get advice on clothing, equipment and route planning to help you stay safe and enjoy the outdoors.

Victoria & CRD Beach Seine 10:30am at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park Join CRD Regional Parks naturalists on a beach seine and see what creatures live in the underwater forest. Be prepared to get your feet wet (bring sandals or beach shoes). Meet at the kiosk near the main beach

Grill up a West Coast ﬂavour this summer… with our amazing seafood kabobs and sensational skewers!

Super convenient and ready for the barbecue, our fresh Wild Sockeye Salmon and Wild Halibut kabobs are made in-store with fresh bell peppers and ﬂavourful red onions. Or try our Bacon Wrapped or Marinated Prawn skewers–great on their own or as part of a meal!

thriftyfoods.com IslandParent.ca

Customer Care: 1.800.667.8280 Connect with us June 2018 43

off Metchosin Rd. 5+ years. BC Transit #54 or #55. Free. crd.bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344.

brought into shore using a large net. Everyone will get an up-close look at what lives in the eelgrass forest beneath the waves. Friends of Uplands Park Low-Tide Storytime and Beach Exploration will provide small nets and containers for you to catch 11am at Glass Beach on the Sidney Waterfront critters. At the end, you can return your collection The tide is way out. Come for storytime on the to the sea. By donation. 250-595-8084. beach and then explore the rocks and tide pools. Bring a hat and suitable shoes for slippery rocks and SUNDAY TH getting wet. Brought to you by the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea and the Vancouver Island Regional Victoria & CRD Library. All ages welcome. Rain or shine. Meet at the scuba diver statue above Glass Beach. Free. Raymond James Father’s Day Walk Run virl.bc.ca. 250-656-0944. 8am at Vancouver Island Technology Park 4464 Markham St MS 101- Education Event Come out on Father’s Day for this family event. Bring 1pm at MS Society Victoria Office your dad, brother or son or just come to help support #306-3301 Douglas St all the men in your life. 5km Walk or Run, 10km Run, An afternoon of MS Education. Topics include nutri- and a Dash for Dad. You can make the difference. tion, mindfulness & pain management, counselling, doingitfordad.com. 250-388-0214. coordinator@ treatment options, research and lived experience. islandprostatecentre.com. Free. mssociety.ca. 250-388-6496 ext 7301. erin. patrick@mssociety.ca. Garden Days At Hatley Park National Historic Site Royal BC Museum Fieldtrippers: In-Seine Sailfins, 2005 Sooke Rd Shrimps and Sea Slugs Celebrate Father’s Day and Garden Days with 1pm at Willows Beach (North End) complimentary admission to the historic gardens Join researchers from the Royal BC Museum as they at Hatley Park National Historic Site, home to Royal conduct a beach seine. As many as 20 species of Roads University. hatleypark.ca. 250-391-2666. fish, crabs, shrimps and other invertebrates will be eventrequests@royalroads.ca.

44 Island Parent Magazine

The Beach Rocks! 1pm at Island View Beach Regional Park The tide is out. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and get a glimpse of the creatures that live beneath the rocks. Be prepared to get your fee wet (bring beach sandals or beach shoes). Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter off Homathko Rd. All ages. Free. crd.bc.ca/parks. 250-478-3344.

THURSDAY

Nanaimo & Area Community Park Play Date 5:30pm at Parksville Community Park Picnic Shelter Families are invited to come down to the park, join the summer leaders for some games, visit with friends, and celebrate the longest day of the year. Free. rdn.bc.ca/recreation. 250-248-3252.

FRIDAY

Victoria & CRD Tails of Hamelin 7pm at Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Ave Don’t miss the North American premiere of this amazing musical comedy from London, England. Based on

IslandParent.ca

a bag and take as much or as little as you want. Nanaimo & Area Kids grow out of clothing so quickly. All sizes, all styles. Free. facebook.com/esquimaltexchange. Silly Spiders esquimaltexchange@gmail.com. 9:30am at Linley Valley Parking Lot Explore the amazing world of spiders and learn what Wonderful Woodpeckers they eat, the types of webs they spin, and why they FRIDAY ND TO 10am at Francis/King Regional Park do it. For 3-6 year olds. Parent participation required. SUNDAY TH Discover all of the tricks of the woodpecker trade. $8/person. 250-756-5200. What makes them so good at what they do? Join Victoria & CRD a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and learn about Learn to Fish woodpeckers on this fun guided walk. There is no 10:30am at Long Lake (Loudon Park) Island Summer Games fee for this program but you must pre-register as Join the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and 9am at Topaz Park space is limited. 5 years and under. Free. crd.bc.ca/ learn the basics of freshwater fishing. Rapala fishing 841 Finlayson St. parks. 250-478-3344. rods are provided, and program runs rain or shine. This 3-day outdoor festival is Vancouver Island’s Parent participation required. Free. 250-756-5200. largest and most unique homegrown sports & en- SUNDAY TH tertainment extravaganza of its kind. Tickets start Glow in the Dark Skate at $15. islandsummergames.com. 778-989-5000. Victoria & CRD 3pm at Cliff McNabb Arena info@islandsummergames.com. Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and Wetland Wanderings special effects. Regular admission. 250-756-5200. SATURDAY RD Noon at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary 3873 Swan Lake Rd SATURDAY TH Victoria & CRD What makes a wetland such a great place to enjoy and protect? Join in the discovery with hands-on Victoria & CRD Esquimalt Clothing & Toy Exchange exploration, pond dipping for live wetland creatures, 10am at Wheeley Hall, Esquimalt United Church crafts and games. Event sponsored by the VNHS. By Traditional Indigenous Storytime for Families 500 Admirals Rd donation. swanlake.bc.ca. 250-479-0211. 10am at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library A non-judgemental, non-stressful, wheelchair & Join Surrounded by Cedar Children and Famstroller friendly clothing exchange. Please bring ily Services for a monthly storytelling group for the Grimm Brothers’ tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, this show is filled with toe-tapping musical treats sure to make everyone smile. $15. tickets.marywinspear. ca/TheatreManager/1/login&event=1014. 250-6560275. info@mountaindreambc.com.

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June 2018 45

ONGOING

families featuring traditional storytellers, art and songs. Everyone welcome; children under 3 must be accompanied by an adult. Email counselling@ sccfs.com to register. Free. gvpl.ca. 250-940-GVPL PRESCHOOL (4875). counselling@sccfs.com. Victoria & CRD Tree-Mendous Trees 1pm at Francis/King Regional Park Baby’s First Year Unlock the mysteries of trees on a fun forest adven- Mondays 11:15am-12:45pm until June 25 at Saanich ture with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist. Follow Commonwealth Place clues and riddles along the trail to meet Francis/ A drop-in community support for families with babies. King’s giants. Meet at the Francis/King Nature Discuss, share and connect with other new parents. Centre off Munn Rd. 5+ years. Free. crd.bc.ca/parks. Chat about infant feeding, babywearing, safety, 250-478-3344. postpartum adjustment, sleep and more. Drop in at any point. Bring a blanket for your baby to lie on, or Nanaimo & Area for tummy time. $2. 250-475-7600. Splish Splash Swim 10am at Ravensong Aquatic Centre A water adventure you don’t want to miss. The lifeguards are going to bring out all the pool toys for you to enjoy. From the rope swing to the snake, to the dino ribs, there will be water play for everyone. Regular admission. rdn.bc.ca/recreation. 250-752-5014.

Young Parent Weekly Drop-in Thursdays 10am-noon at Kiwanis Family Centre. Come and enjoy a hot meal, socialize with other young parents, enjoy a kids’ craft, let your little one explore the fully equipped playroom, or have a look in the ‘free’ store for gently used children’s items and household supplies. Staff available to help with information about relevant local resources, advocacy and counselling support, help with paperwork, and parenting support. 250-382-1004.

CHILDREN Victoria & CRD Museum Tots Saturdays 11am at Maritime Museum A weekly program introducing children 2-5 to the fun world of museum learning. New theme each week, allowing children to learn through crafts, play, games, song, and dance. $5/child. 250-385-4222.

TEENS Nanaimo & Area Twoonie Teen Swim 7-9pm at Ravensong Aquatic Centre Fridays are reserved for the teens. $2 until June 29th. rdn.bc.ca/recreation. 250-752-5014.

FAMILY Victoria & CRD Family Dinner 4pm at James Bay Community Project 547 Michigan St.

Also playing America’s Musical Journey, Mysteries of Egypt and More

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46 Island Parent Magazine

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Family Dinner program every Tuesday 4-6pm. Free. jbcp.bc.ca. jserediuk@jbcp.bc.ca. 250-415-0814. Vic West Toy Library Saturdays 9:30am at HighPoint Community Church 949 Fullerton Ave $15/6 months or $30/year. 250-383-6290. dawn@ pointful.ca. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Circles A safe, supportive place to meet others in a similar situation and to share information and resources. For information about groups near you, call 250384-8042. Province-wide toll free information and support line at 1-855-474-9777 or email grgline@ parentsupportbc.ca. parentsupportbc.ca. Parent Support Circles Parenting isn’t always easy. Sometimes it helps to talk things through with other parents. At the Parent Support Services Society of BC, they believe that every parent is the expert of her/his own family. For more information about groups near you, call 250-3848042 or 1-877-345-9444 or visit parentsupportbc.ca.

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Shauna began her practice as a family, estates and commercial litigator in 1991 in Vancouver, and later joined Brown Henderson Melbye to practice family law in Victoria.

Drop-In Science Studio Thursdays and Saturdays 10am-noon at NS3 Science Studio. Children can explore the many features of the Science Studio including KEVA blocks, marble wall, air field, wind tunnel, and a variety of discovery boxes. $4/child; adults free. Schedule subject to ! change, so please check nanaimoscience.org for most current schedule. 4355 Jingle Pot Rd. 778- ! 971-6893.

Shauna’s practice focuses on family and elder law, with her certification as a Family Law Mediator, Elder Law Mediator and Parenting Coordinator. Shauna is increasingly convinced that family members in conflict are better served outside of the Courts, using other dispute resolution processes.

Water Parks Open ! 9am-8pm June to September in Nanaimo ! (weather permitting) Departure Bay Kiwanis Park; Deverill Square Park;! Harewood Centennial Park; Mansfield Park Hours are subject to change. It is recommended ! that all children use the parks with adult supervi! sion. 250-756-5200.

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Day Programs & Overnight Camps coastalbliss@shaw.ca June 2018 47

Sensory

Garden W

hen I was small, my grandmother’s garden was a wondrous place. It had a mystical forest, an imposing fort, magic pathways sparkling with fairy dust and giant, fragrant, colourful roses with blooms the size of my head. When I returned later as a young adult, I was astounded to discover that the “forest” was five dwarf fruit trees at the end of the garden, the “fort” a small wooden garage, and the “fairy dust” the luminous trails of snails. The roses really were that terrific, though—my grandmother rocked at roses! For children, it is a given for them to be immersed in and inspired by the natural world, especially a garden. They are so receptive to all the senses: the sound of the wind in the trees; the sight of birds and flowers; the feel of mud or stone; and the scent of herbs or freshly cut grass. It sparks the imagination and nurtures the self. We can keep this in mind when we are gardening by creating a sensory garden. The options and ideas are endless. It can be simple, multifaceted, small, expansive, long term or short term. The base of all sensory gardens is different elements that stir the senses and encourage imagination and play.

Smell

• Just cutting the grass to create that heavenly smell! • Adding scented flowers such as herbs, roses, wallflower, carnations, nicotiana • Some herbs, such as thyme can tolerate being crushed so can be grown between paving slabs to release their scent when walked on

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Sound

• Grasses or plants that have seed heads that rustle • Wind chimes are great and can be made at home with a variety of objects • The most wonderful sound is of water, so a small water feature is lovely • Birdsong—encourage them with feeders and a bird bath

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Taste

• Veggies that are easy to grow such as lettuce, radishes, peas, beans • Plant delicious fruit such as berries or invest in a fruit tree. • Herbs such as mint, and lemon balm can be added to hot water to make tea, or dried and used later especially during the winter to bring back fragrant memories of sunny days

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June 2018 49

Vision

• Of course wonderful flowers! • Let’s not forget structural elements such as giant sunflowers, and the contrast between foliage shapes • Trees provide a beautiful canopy of leaves that is heaven to lie underneath in the dappled sunlight. • Movement is visual too so plants that sway and bend in the wind or close their petals at at night and open them in the day. • Birds are gorgeous and enliven a garden. Bird, bug and bat houses are also a wonderful addition to encourage visiting creatures.

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• If the space isn’t fenced for deer, use deer resistant plants to avoid disappointment • Speaking of fencing, parents should use their best judgement as to level of supervision according to their child’s age and character as well as the garden environment and its surroundings • Water features should also be suitable for the age of the youngest child that is playing in the garden • Learn the best spot for certain plants so that they have the best chance of doing well • Impress upon your child(ren) that some plants can make them sick if eaten and to check with you before anything goes in their mouths, even if it is part of a “magic potion” or if even if they have seen birds eat it (birds’ tummies are not the same as ours!)

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Play

• A twig tent covered with cedar branches or one made by growing beans or other vines up supports for a magical hideaway • A muddy corner for making mud pies • A sand play area (this is best covered when not in use to avoid local cats visiting it) • Let’s not forget the wonder of twigs, leaves, pebbles, moss and just plain dirt for creating little kingdoms! Sturdy toys such as plastic animals or dinosaurs can happily roam this magic land • Bring the garden inside by painting a picture (outside like the Impressionists did—also much easier for clean up!), pressing flowers or gathering them with herbs or branches to make a cheerful vase on the kitchen table • Make a fall leaf “stained glass” picture by putting leaves between two sheets of wax paper and ironing them together (with a cloth in between to avoid the wax melting onto the iron). Tape it onto a window, and voila!, watch the sun light up your creation. • Make stepping stones and decorate with marbles, broken crockery or buttons • Fairy lights or lanterns (the flameless kind) makes a warm and magical atmosphere • And let’s not forget the old classics of bubbles and sidewalk chalk to enjoy There are lots of ideas to try and even creating a small corner is a great start to enjoying the beauty and wonder of the garden—for kids and parents too!

ASPENGROVE SCHOOL inspires Academic Excellence Innovative Thinking Global Citizenship

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Louise Berry is a mum of three, an avid gardener, writer, and lover of chocolate!

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June 2018 51

A Beautiful (Hot) Mess

t’s a beautiful mess. My hair. My home. My bed. My thoughts. My kids. My kids’ hair. Their faces. Clothes. Noses. All. Of. It. I think back to before I became a mother. I was babysitting my friend’s toddler so she could get her hair cut. A few things struck me. At the time I remember looking at Esme, her hair all curly and wild and blonde and unbrushed. I remember how cute and also how dirty she was. Her nose was a slimy snot-rocket that flowed continuously into her mouth which she would either lick or wipe onto her sleeve which was, as a result, caked with a glossy smear of slime. The stroller was littered with crumbs of crumbled Mum Mums and smashed Cheerios dust and I thought to myself that there are, no doubt, very challenging parts to parenting, but this is so basic. When I am a mom, I told myself, I am going to wipe my kids’ noses, dress them in clean clothes, and keep my stroller spotless. No big deal. (Insert hysterical laughter here.) No part of my younger self had any understanding of the gratitude my dear friend must have felt to be able to sit, child-free, at the hair salon that day. My focus at the time

52 Island Parent Magazine

was on myself, and on avoiding a toddler meltdown. For me it was only an hour, and yet to her, it was like a week-long retreat. Three years later I am that mom. I am the mom with the disgusting stroller. Once a year I try, halfheartedly, to scrub it but my kids produce a unique filth against which a Magic Eraser doesn’t stand a chance. Not long after having my youngest, I remember watching this new mom walk into a coffee shop downtown with a stroller identical to mine. She parked it next to mine as she waited for her latte, her soft, clean, sleeping babe strapped safely into the dentless baby-shower gift. Like the cappuccino I’d just downed, a mug-full of emotion percolated inside me. I felt shame, then envy, and eventually a quiet knowing. A knowing that I am on my own path of motherhood and she was on her own path. I remembered that when I was at her stage on my own path, no doubt my stroller looked that pristine too. That was the me who looked at my friend’s stroller in disgust. But from here, I see the continuum. There are moms who came ahead of me and moms who will come after me. None of our

journeys will look alike but we will share a common knowing that connects us all. I used to think that a neat pram and wiped noses were a measure of success. Since then

Christi Holiday I’ve learned to lean into the mess. I wipe noses and faces and counters and bums, but I’ve learned that my worth is not measured in these things. I was mistaken in my belief that cleanliness is next to godliness. I’ve learned instead that it is kindness. Kindness to myself, my littles, and to that beautiful young mom in the coffee line who is oblivious to the world of smashed Goldfish crackers in her future.

Christi Holiday was a yoga teacher in a former life but today she lives her yoga off the mat with the help of her two tiny gurus on beautiful Vancouver Island. Instagram: @christiholiday

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There are over 1,000 children and youth in care on Vancouver Island. CAN YOU HELP JUST ONE? ON Do both your heart and home have room to help one child? Can you include one more in your day at the beach, the Saturday movie night, or family dinner? If the answer is, “yes” or even, “maybe”, it’s time to learn more. You don’t have to be an extraordinary person to be a foster parent. A perfectly ordinary person can be the perfect foster parent for one child...and they can both become extraordinary people because of it. Maybe fostering is something you’ve never thought about. Maybe it’s something you’ve thought about for a long time. Maybe now is the time. It begins with a phone call. Go to fosterhope.ca today Together, we CAN make dif di d iifff ffe ffe fe nc fere nce e a difference

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June 2018 53

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he conversation started out innocently enough. I had taken my granddaughter, Randi, out for dinner and a movie and we were sitting in a restaurant, having a perfectly lovely conversation when she grew quiet and a look of sadness crossed her face. “Why did mommy ever marry daddy?” she asked. “He isn’t a very nice person.” These are the types of questions that cause grandparents to wish that age had endowed them with the wisdom to offer a truly inspired response, both truthful and sensitive—an answer that would forever put this impossible question to rest. But aging doesn’t work that way. I was taken aback that my outing with Randi had taken an unexpected turn. I supposed she had gotten to thinking about how she’d never had a similar outing with her father and, on some level, it bothered her. We’ve had similar episodes before, where she has asked about her father, but these have generally been reserved for special occasions like Father’s Day, her birthday and Christmas, when popular culture still tends to play to the myth that all families are a mom, a dad, and the kids. I’ve come to expect those times and have generally had some deflection ready. (“I don’t know honey. Hey, did I mention that I bought you a pony?”) This unexpected question told me, though, that while Randi might seem like she’s come to terms with the lack of a father, the wound is real and, like a recurring injury, ready to flare up at any time. So how was I to answer this loaded question? I weighed the options. I’ve read the work of experts on the issue and knew of the school of thought that dictated that one should never say anything negative about a child’s parent, even if you feel there’s nothing positive to say. What I was supposed to say was something like: “Daddy isn’t a bad person, he’s just

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54 Island Parent Magazine

made some bad choices. I’m sure he loves you and you have to know that it wasn’t anything you did that caused him to leave. I’m sorry that what he did hurt you. I’m sure he’s sorry, too. He’s trying to be a better person and maybe, some day, he will be.” That response was bouncing around my head as I engaged in some politically correct mental gymnastics. But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to say those words. Doing so would have required me to lie to someone I love more than I could ever have imagined. I also knew that it wouldn’t be right to tell her what I thought of her father—that he would never change and was incapable of any emotional growth. Those statements would have been opinion, coloured by my own feelings toward the man. So instead I said: “Sweetie, I’m not sure why Mommy married Daddy. I guess she had her reasons. All I know is that you were born and that you are a very special person that I love very much—and that Gramma and Grampa and Mommy will always love you and be there for you so long as I live. You are the best.” Randi heard my answer and thought about it for a long time before she got off her chair, came over to me and gave me a quiet hug. “I love you Grampa,” she whispered. “You’re really like my Daddy now, and I’m okay with that.” “Me too,” I replied. My voice may have cracked a bit and I think I had something in my eye. We moved on and the rest of the night was wonderful. We ate real restaurant food and I insisted that Randi order from the adult menu. She is, after all, almost all grown up. The movie was cute, better than I’d anticipated. But our discussion stuck in my mind and demonstrated that sometimes I get it right. It also told me that separation

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and divorce can’t help but impact a child. Oh sure, there are all kinds of families out there, and single parent homes are becoming ever-more common. It’s also true that the children who have been abandoned by one parent may, on the surface, seem to be alright with it all. But we should also be aware that our children and grandchildren are not stupid. They recognize when their family structure is

Tim Collins different from the norm, and they will have questions. Some may feel that, somehow, they were to blame for a breakup. They may want to hear an easy explanation where no easy answers exist. It may also occur to them that, if one parent has decided that they don’t love them, it might be possible that the love of others might be just as impermanent. We need to be able to respond to these concerns with sensitivity and honesty. Always honesty. Sometimes I think it would be better if my daughter’s ex would simply disappear, but I know that isn’t likely to happen. He calls every few months and every call is a demonstration of what I’d call narcissistic personality disorder. Upon reflection, perhaps his occasional presence is a good thing. A totally absent parent has the potential to be romanticized and, particularly in later years, inspire fantasies in a child about that person. That isn’t likely to be the case here. Randi’s father is what he is and, so long as he pops up every few months, it’ll be his own actions that will reveal his character to his child. That may be a painful thing, but those of us who love this amazing little girl are doing everything we can to show her that not everyone is like her father—that there are nice people who do love her and who will always care about her. And it’s our behaviour will inform her of that truth. I’m hoping it’s enough.

Tim Collins is a writer and freelance journalist living and working in Victoria.

IslandParent.ca

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June 2018 55

Celebrate Jazz

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ith the Victoria International JazzFest just around the corner (June 22July1) it’s a good time to introduce your kids to the world of jazz. Jazz music is based on improvisation and it makes you want to tap your feet and sing and move to the music. For children, the key to improvisation is encouragement. Encourage them to hum their own made-up melodies and clap and snap their fingers to the rhythms. Encourage them to listen to different styles of jazz such as hot jazz, cool jazz, Dixieland, swing, bebop and fusion. As well, let them experience jazz in different ways—as a listening piece or as music for free dance. Below are three jazz albums with playlists that will get your kids singing, clapping and dancing along with the tunes.

6–8

“A useful start ing point for conversations about an important topic.” —Booklist www. TheWorld AroundUs Series. com

Jazz for Lil’ Jumpers! by Sarah

Gardner This interactive album will get your kids up and moving with awesome jazz songs such as “Jump,” “It’s Raining Cats & Dogs,” and “Construction Site.” There are also Sesame Street favourites including “Ladybug Picnic,” “C is for Cookie,” and a salute to the 1920s with “Happy Feet.” The album features vocals, piano, trumpet, drums, standup bass, slap fiddle, clarinet, and trombone. 56 Island Parent Magazine

IslandParent.ca

Jazz for Kids: Sing, clap, Wiggle, and Shake by Ken Druker

The title of this album says it all! Kids will be up dancing and shaking to this toetapping jazz anthology. The write-up on the CD jacket states, “Here’s a jazz anthology with a family-friendly twist: 11 sweet and

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Jerri Carson silly performances with one foot in Mother Goose Land and the other in Birdland.” The music on this album introduces kids to “swing” and syncopated rhythms that are key elements in jazz. Sing along to familiar favourites such as “Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens” and “When the Red, Red, Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’Along).” As well, listen to great jazz artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson and Louis Armstrong.

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and Diane Dillon This is a great CD to introduce jazz instruments to children as it has an accompanying colourful picture book with pictures of the instruments. Kids can hear the sound of each jazz instrument on the CD as well as hear the featured toe-tapping song “Jazz on a Saturday Night.” The book explains how jazz is performed as well as interesting biographies of many jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald. The Victoria International JazzFest takes place June 22 to July 1. As well as ticketed events, JazzFest offers free performances at Centennial Square featuring well-known jazz artists such as Maureen Washington Quintet, Lust Life Jazz Band, and the Soul Shakers. Furthermore, June 24 features free student performances with an opportunity to hear the Oak Bay High Senior Jazz Band, Spectrum Jazz Combo and the Victoria High R&B ensemble. There is some kind of jazz for everybody. Sharing a passion for music with your kids can be exciting and rewarding. By taking them to live jazz concerts, you will be fostering an appreciation for the musical arts as well as the soulful world of jazz.

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For more information and to register, visit our website at www.u-jam.ca

June 2018 57

58â&#x20AC;&#x192; Island Parent Magazine

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The Odd State of 2018 Parentthink

creen time! Vaccines! Formula feeding! Sorry: just made your blood pressure rise, didn’t I? Yeah, it’s a bit intense sometimes these days, being a parent and trying to navigate your way through hot-button parenting issues like the above, especially when people are getting, you know, close to violent when it comes to some of these things. Almost makes you yearn for the days when we were young, doesn’t it? I’m noticing an odd trend these days, where parents get together and lament the fact that things are different today. Yup, we “need” to have our kids enrolled in three different classes a week, and what a drag that is. But, wait: when I was a kid, I never took a single extracurricular activity. Why would I have? I was too busy being a kid. I learned to play an instrument when I got older. I learned a sport when I got older. And I figured them both out without lessons. It’s fine, parents: three classes a week are just stressing everyone out, kids and parents alike, and it’s time to admit that. But we can’t (and I’m just as guilty of this as a parent, and I struggle with it; my weekly schedule is currently overflowing with lessons). There’s an odd societal pressure at play in the parenting world, where even though we all gripe about these activities, we continually sign our kids up for them, as if they’re going to be cello-playing karate masters before they learn how to floss their own teeth. We’re bringing the stress on ourselves, and we all hate it, but everyone’s afraid to be the first to stop. Here’s something we stopped recently, at least temporarily: giving out goodie bags at our kids’ birthday parties. Oh, man, was I ever in support of this. Every parent, I’d bet, hates those things. And besides, if it’s not someone’s birthday, why are they getting a gift out of the deal? I realize the bags are fun and a bit of a tradition, and it wasn’t me being a no-fun stick in the mud, it was me reaching the end of my rope with the dollar store garbage, the plastic bags that can be recycled but few people do so it’s more landfill waste, the absurd toys that IslandParent.ca

just get forgotten anyway, one more thorn in the side of every parent trying to clean up that no-man’s-land that exists beside desks, under beds, and in baseboard heaters across North America. All of which is a long-winded way of saying that it is possible to not do something,

Greg Pratt Dadspeak even if it seems like all the other parents are doing it so you probably should too. Because all this stuff that causes so much panic and stress is, generally, not worth it. If you catch yourself saying, “I wish it was more like when I was young,” you know what? Make it more like when you were young. Don’t tell me kids can’t go outside these days. Sure, you might get disapproving frowns from Billy’s parents down the road, but that’s just at first. Eventually, Billy will come out to play, too. So will the kid next to him. And the kid next to him. We’ll all drop out of our etiquette for beginners classes and burn effigies of goodie bags and, well, we’ll probably keep arguing about vaccines, because you can’t win ’em all. But you can win some of ’em. The power’s in your hands, not in the slightly skewed parentthink that is dominant these days. Want your little one to experience the wonderful feeling of a hot summer day turning into a brisk, late, long summer night, unsupervised, and exploring the neighbourhood around your house? Chances are you have some good memories of that sort of thing. Do what you want to do, but just remember that it’s what you want to do, not what you feel pressured to do. Greg Pratt is the father of two children and a local journalist and editor. His writing has appeared in, among other places, Today’s Parent, Wired, Revolver and Douglas.

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www.playfulpencil.ca June 2018 59

A Fancy Feast for Farmers’ Market Fare

love Farmers’ Market Season. The mounds of fresh berries. Tomatoes that actually smell like tomatoes. Once-a-year finds like asparagus and artichokes. As Islanders we are blessed with an abundance of farmers’ markets featuring locally grown produce and artisan foods—from cheeses to chutneys. Dropping by a farmers’ market is a great way to enjoy the sunshine and ease of summer. My favourite way to feature farmers’ market produce, sauces and cheese is in homemade crepes. They can be sweet when filled with fresh fruit and topped with yogurt. However, savoury crepes are a great way to enjoy the delicious flavours of summer in a meal that is fancy, yet surprisingly quick and easy to make at home. It’s fun to serve crepes with a variety of fillings so that everyone can put together their own favourite combinations.

Some ideas for crepe fillings: Sweet Fresh berries Other fresh fruit (pears, peaches, mango, oranges) Vanilla yogurt Chocolate sauce Fruit sauce Whipping cream Savoury Cheese (perfect for fancy cheeses like brie or Swiss) Fresh tomatoes Fresh mescalin greens Sauteed greens (kale or chard) Steamed asparagus Scrambled eggs Smoked salmon Cooked chicken Cheese sauce Hollandaise sauce Crepes are so easy to make, that it’s a great meal to inspire your children to cook. Younger children can help decide the fillings. They can help prepare vegetables, grate cheese, mix sauces. Older children can mix up crepe batter and cook the crepes themselves, leaving you free to get the fillings organized. Though traditional crepes are larger than a dinner plate, I recommend making small crepes which are easier to flip. Then you get to eat more than one crepe and try a few different fillings!

60 Island Parent Magazine

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French Crepes

2. Let the batter sit for at least an hour to fully saturate the flour. If you want to 1 cup flour (white or whole wheat) mix it up the day before, just pop it into 11⁄4 cup milk the fridge. 2 eggs 3. Stir the crepe batter before cooking as 1⁄4 cup butter the herbs will float and the chickpea flour Pinch of salt will settle. Pour a 1⁄4 cup of the batter onto Optional: 3 Tbsp of sugar for sweet crepes a hot griddle. Flip it over when the edges have started to dry out and the centre of the crepe is bubbling. It should take about 3 minutes to cook a crepe. 4. Serve immediately, or cook up a few and keep warm in the oven. These are delicious with savoury fillings. Cooking

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Emillie Parrish With Kids

Directions: 1. Melt the butter. 2. Mix together all the ingredients for the crepe batter. Only add the sugar if you are making dessert crepes. The crepe batter will be very runny. 3. Let the batter sit for at least an hour to fully saturate the flour. You can make it up to two days in advance; just refrigerate the batter. 4. Stir the crepe batter before cooking. Pour a 1⁄4 cup of the batter onto a hot griddle. Flip it over when the edges have started to dry out and the centre of the crepe is bubbling. It should take about 3 minutes to cook a crepe. 5. Serve immediately, or cook up a few and keep warm in the oven.

Socca This is a recipe for chickpea flour crepes that I discovered while travelling in France. It is traditional in the south of France, and I can’t help but remember that memorable trip whenever we make these at home. If you think rosemary and cumin might be too savoury for your children, then simply omit them. However, they really make this crepe delicious. 1 cup chickpea flour 2 Tbsp olive oil 3⁄4 tsp salt 11⁄4 cup of water 1 Tbsp minced rosemary 1 tsp cumin 1. Mix together all the ingredients for the crepe batter. The crepe batter will be quite wet.

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Hollandaise Sauce This is a cooked variation of Hollandaise. It’s perfect for anyone who might otherwise balk at the amount of butter required in a classic recipe. I find it convenient to use whole eggs, as well, my kids find the classic Hollandaise to be a bit strong tasting, so this is a milder version. It’s easy enough to prepare that an older child should be able to do it—as long as they have the patience to keep stirring while the eggs cook and thicken. cup of butter 2 whole eggs 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp water 1 large pinch of salt 1 tiny pinch of cayenne

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1⁄4

Directions: 1. Put butter into a small sauce pan. Melt it on low heat. 2. While the butter melts, beat together the eggs, lemon juice and water until pale yellow and well blended. 3. Once the butter has melted, slowly whisk the egg mixture into the butter. 4. Continue to cook over low heat, whisking until the sauce has thickened. You should be able to scrape a spoon across the bottom of the pan and see a trail. Remove from heat before the eggs become solid. 5. Mix in the salt and cayenne. Taste and add more salt if you need it. 6. Serve right away or refrigerate until needed.

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. She lives in Victoria and is the author of the fermentation-based blog fermentingforfoodies.com.

Performing Arts School since 1980

e -S ch o o l r P r e m m Su C l a s spe s & s p m a Da n c e C 8 months and u for ages

Even the littlest angel can dance For more information call 250-384-3267 or email us at stagesdance@shaw.ca or visit us at www.stagesdance.com June 2018 61

Books & the Lessons They Teach Us

rom My Journey to the Stars, which is written by an actual astronaut, to Creatures Close Up, this month’s selection of books encourages readers to look at both the vast expanse of space and at the teeny tiny bugs in our gardens. All of these books celebrate some part of science, whether it’s biology, astronomy, or meteorology. Be prepared to be grossed out by all of the different bugs and bacteria you will learn about and amazed by all the ways even amateur meteorologists can predict the weather. In his first children’s book, My Journey to the Stars, astronaut Scott Kelly (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017) lets readers know what it’s like to be an astronaut. He describes what his life was like growing up with his identical twin brother Mark, and what inspired them to become astronauts. While both Scott and Mark have been in space a few times, My Journey to the Stars focuses on the time when Scott went to space for a year. As the first identical twins in the NASA program, the Kelly brothers were in a unique position to run a study comparing what happened to Scott Kelly, in space, to his identical twin brother, Mark, who remained on Earth. This story is full of cute illustrations by André Ceolin about Scott and Mark’s life growing up, as well as photographs that Scott took—or were taken of him—while he was in space. Seeing and hearing about Scott’s adventures will inspire the budding astronauts in your life to fly to Mars when they grow up. For ages 5 to 9. Red Sky at Night by Elly MacKay (Tundra Books, 2018) brings us a little closer to earth. This book focuses on the sky and weather and features a series of different sayings people use to predict the weather, like “red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” MacKay arranges the aphorisms to create a story she pairs with gorgeous photographs of paper dioramas that depict a grandfather taking his two grandchildren on a fishing trip. In case readers are curious about whether or not these sayings are accurate, MacKay

spoke with a meteorologist to learn the answers. She shares this knowledge at the end of the book, so your child can confidently stare at the morning sky and tell you if it’s going to be a good day for a fishing trip or a better one to curl up inside with a book. For ages 3 to 7. My Journey to the Stars isn’t the only book where the Kelly brothers show up. They also make an appearance in Inside Your Insides: A Guide to the Microbes that Call You Home by Claire Eamer and illustrated by Marie-Ève Tremblay (Kids Can Press, 2016). In this book Eamer introduces readers to the different kinds of microbes that make our bodies their home: from archaea to viruses. If you simply look at the cover, illustrations, and thickness of this book you might assume that it is for a younger crowd of kids. However, if you try to read it to a young child, chances are they will be up and off your lap before you’ve finished reading page two. There is a lot of information crammed into this 32-page book, so much that you will need to read it more than once to get take it all in. That said, Trembley’s colourful illustrations keep the information interesting, and may even cause a giggle or two. Be prepared to be grossed out and fascinated all at the same time. For ages 8 to 12. Another book that focuses on really tiny things—although, not as tiny as bacterium—is Creatures Close Up. This book is a photography collection by Philippe Martin (Firefly Books, 2016). Each image is paired with text written by Gillian Watts. In the beginning of this book, Watts and Martin explain to aspiring photographers why and how Martin created the Hyper Focus and stacking processes he used to capture the images in this book. The rest of the pages contain close up images of tiny, and a few not-so-tiny, creatures from around the world, like the lined day gecko from Madagascar, and the rose chafer from Europe. Along with the photographs, the book provides factoids on each animal,

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teaching readers about its name, where it is from, and any other snippets of information. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy flipping through the pages of this book. Finally, there’s Bunk 9’s Guide to Growing Up: Secrets, Tips, and Expert Advice on the Good, the Bad and the Awkward a.k.a. “The Book” by Adah Nuchi and illustrated by Meg Hunt (Workman Publishing Company, 2017). This amazing book teaches

Christina Van Starkenburg Book Nook young girls about the changes that happen to their body when they go through puberty. It also includes all sorts of information about personal hygiene that you might not think about when you consider puberty, like the best way to care for different hair types, how to put a shirt on without getting deodorant streaks on it, and what to do when you’re crushing on a boy. This colourful book is supposed to sound like it’s written by 16-year-old girls (except for one chapter that the Counselor in Training boys take over The Book). Nuchi and Hunt succeed in both making it sound like a bunch of teens having a conversation, and look like it is a teen girl’s binder. If the thought of leaving an important conversation to a book makes you nervous, the front of The Book points out that parents and guardians can use it as a conversation starter. It gives you the facts and answers to a whole slew of questions real 14-year-olds are asking. For ages 8 to 12. Whether your children is into space, bugs, or bacteria there is a book for each one on this list. So take some time this month to learn how to predict the weather, what’s going on inside our bodies, and what it’s like to be squished into a Soyuz capsule and falling to earth.

Register for Summer Camps OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, June 17, 1–4pm Victoria Youth Paddling club offers fun, safe water sports for youth ages 9 and up. On-water activities are led by qualified coaches and are held on the Gorge Waterway. Our summer camps introduce youth to a variety of paddling styles including sprint kayak, outrigger canoe and whitewater kayak. We also offer year-round afternoon/evening programs. See you this summer!

See www.vypc.ca or call 250-744-8543 for details

Thistle & Wren

CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT

Christina Van Starkenburg is a freelance writer and mother of two young boys. You can read about their adventures at thebookandbaby. com.

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With a focus on curating beautiful preloved articles and partnering with like-minded small local and Canadian businesses; T&W’s goal is to provide local products while conscientiously extending the life of a garment.

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778-265-9736 1292 Gladstone June 2018 63

Your Brain on Fat Healthy Families, Happy Families

Child, Youth & Family Public Health South Island Health Units Esquimalt Gulf Islands

250-519-5311 250-539-3099

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula 250-544-2400 Saanich 250-519-5100 Saltspring Island 250-538-4880 Sooke 250-642-5464 Victoria 250-388-2200 West Shore 250-519-3490

Central Island Health Units Duncan Ladysmith Lake Cowichan Nanaimo Nanaimo Princess Royal Parksville/ Qualicum

250-709-3050 250-755-3342 250-749-6878 250-755-3342 250-755-3342

Port Alberni Tofino

250-731-1315 250-725-4020

250-947-8242

North Island Health Units Campbell River 250-850-2110 Courtenay 250-331-8520 Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289 ‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522 Port Hardy 250-902-6071

viha.ca/prevention_services/ 64 Island Parent Magazine

ost of us don’t think about our brain too much and why would we? It does our thinking, feeling and every other body function for us. What you might not know is this magical three-pound constellation of 100 billion cells inside your skull is made mostly of fat, at least 60 per cent! The rest is basically protein and water. So, if more than half our brain is made up of fat and it runs everything we do, shouldn’t we make sure the fat we eat is not only the right type of fat but in the right amount, too?

The Root of All Evil or Just a Bad Rap

In the 1980s, researchers and health professionals heavily promoted low-fat diets to stop what they believed was the reason for an increase in the rates of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health conditions. Food manufacturers responded swiftly by decreasing or eliminating the amount of fat in food. In addition to marketing low fat options, corporations began to add larger amounts of sugar, additives and fillers to make their foods taste better. Advertising “The chief function of the body is to and marketing agencies promoted these carry the brain around.” Thomas A. Edison products as healthier than the traditional, more natural, higher-fat foods that were What the Science Says About eaten before. The result was that many Fat people became afraid to eat fat and so According to the Dietary Reference became sugar-addicted and ultimately, less Intakes, Canadians should get 20-40 per healthy, all of which was not their fault. cent of their total daily calories from fat In the end, all fat got a bad rap and all with the rest of their calories coming from fats were seen as equally bad. protein (5-35 per cent) and carbohydrate We need fat to survive and we need the (45-65 per cent). That gives us two things right type and amount. Though there are to think about: health guidelines related to fat intake, every 1. Not all fat is good for us. person’s needs are unique. Research now 2. We don’t eat nutrients, we eat food. tells us that if we lower our sugar intake we put on less body fat.

What You Can Do—The Happy Balance Fun Facts • Dietary fat (the fat in food) does not turn into fat on your body; it’s more complicated than that. When excess calories are consumed from food and drink, those calories are stored as body fat. • Bodies need fat for energy and energy storage and it is essential to the absorption and transportation of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K. We can’t live without enough fat in our diets. • Eating fat gives us healthier skin, better eyesight, is very important to brain development in babies and children, protects the body’s organs and is very important for hormone production.

Notice and respond. Pay attention to what you eat. Think quality over quantity. When you eat a mix of healthy foods you receive a mix of nutrients, your tummy is satisfied more quickly and your body and brain work better. Many people find that when they eat in a more balanced way they actually eat less since their body is getting what it needs. Take interest in your food. Where it comes from, how it was grown and what is in it. This puts you in the driver’s seat of your food choices. Your grocer should be able to tell you how products were made and provide information about quality control. Make smart choices. Companies spend big dollars to get your business. Packaged, convenience products are less healthy than their home-prepared cousins. With a little IslandParent.ca

bit of planning and food preparation on the weekend, you can have wonderful weeknight dinners. To start, check out Today’s Parent Mealtime todaysparent. com/todays-parent-mealtime-app/ or another menu-planning app for recipes, ideas, shopping lists and more.

Morgan Fankboner CH I LD YO UT H & FA MILY P U B L IC H E A LT H

Happy Families, Healthy Families

Shop for whole, real food. We don’t eat nutrients, we eat food. So, we need to consider whole foods and not just one component (or nutrient) of food. Choosing food that comes in a form that is closest to the way it is found in nature—that is, food that looks like food—is best. Choose items that have little to no packaging, a short ingredient list and are made with ingredients you can pronounce. Avoid added sugars and if you don’t recognize an ingredient listed on a label, look it up or don’t buy it. • Choose traditional, whole, unrefined and natural foods like beef, pork, poultry and fish, coconut oil, avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds. • Enjoy eggs, plain yogurt, butter and cheese. Higher fat yogurt and cheese have more flavour and are satisfying so you’ll use less. • Enjoy legumes, beans and peas. • Fill your cart with colourful veggies. • Avoid fats like hard margarine, shortening and butter substitutes. Go for the real deal!

The Bottom Line

The pendulum has now swung to a greater fat intake, which is a huge improvement over the 1980s low-fat, high-sugar craze. Remember to eat a balanced diet consisting of natural and whole foods. Make variety, taste and enjoyment part of providing your brain with the fat it needs—there are 100 billion cells counting on you!

Morgan Fankboner, RN, BSN, MN, is a Public Health Nurse with the Comprehensive School Health team. She has a background in Mental Health and Addictions and is mother to a 7 year old girl. IslandParent.ca

PSP RECREATION

Summer Camp Programs

The following camps run 9am-4pm / Before Care 7-9am / After care: 4-5:30pm. Drop in rates available!

Fun Seekers (5-10 Yrs)

Each week is themed with crafts, games, outdoor play, swimming and bus trips. Date: July 3-August 31 Location: Youth Activity Centre, Belmont Park

Adventure Seekers (9-13 Yrs) Top Chef (9-13 Yrs) This camp has daily out trips with activities picked for the older adventurer. Date: July 3-August 31 Location: Colwood Pacific Activity Centre, Belmont Park

Each day covers basic cooking and baking techniques plus kids learn Food Safe knowledge. Date: July 30 – August 3 Location: Colwood Pacific Activity Centre, Belmont Park

Register for any PSP Camps program by contacting PSP Recreation at 250-363-1009 or stopping into the Colwood Pacific Activity Centre or Naden Athletic Centre Kiosk.

Send Us Your Stories! Island Parent is looking for articles for upcoming issues. Some of our best content comes from people just like you—Vancouver Island parents who are passionate about their families and are dealing with the day to day issues of raising children in our community. Share your experiences, your thoughts on a particular issue, your ideas on places to see or projects to do—anything related to parenting. Check our Writer’s Guidelines at islandparent.ca for specific information on submissions. We’d love to hear from you. Please email submissions to editor@islandparent.ca.

THE ‘STAYCATION’ OF A LIFETIME Join us for a summer of discovery: • Explore the best of the Island • Learn new skills • Challenge yourself • Gain a High School Credit • Work towards a Duke of Edinburgh's Award • and much more! Register at outwardbound.ca

June 2018 65

Come Ride With Us! Dirt Bike Birthday Parties

We supply everything: Bike • Gear • Riding Lesson for ages 4yrs to adults over 30 bikes to choose from

Kids’ Summer Camps (7–14) Westshore Motocross Park No experience necessary 2207 Millstream Rd, Langford

250 590 8088 westshoremx.com

Summer Programs July-August • Poetry & Protests (Drop-in) Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30pm

• SeaSalt& RiverRocks(Drop-in) Fridays, 1:30-3:30pm

• Cemetery Tours

Thursdays, July & Aug 2 10-11:30am, Registration $15

Make a Discovery! NanaimoMuseum.ca • 250.753.1821 program@nanaimomuseum.ca 66 Island Parent Magazine

Lasts & Firsts

une is either about Firsts or Lasts, depending on who you ask. To my kids, it’s a month of firsts: first daffodils, first bug bites, first week wearing sandals rather than gumboots—the signs of early summer appear, slowly but surely, and they eagerly embrace each one. Daily I must listen to long and pitiful complaints about how hard it is to wait for summer, how tired they are of school. They are ready to step into all the firsts of the next season. But for me, June is more about lasts, and I can’t help feeling a little melancholy about most of them: the last day of school routines, the last weeks of driving together in the mornings, the last day of each grade. To me, these lasts are bittersweet, each one a vivid reminder that another chapter of my children’s lives is closing for good. This year, June’s lasts feel particularly poignant because they mark two significant milestones for our family. For my eldest, the last day of school is also her last day of elementary school. This fact is absolutely baffling to me: wasn’t it just last week she was headed to her first day of preschool? And now we are talking middle school and pink streaks and saving for iPods? But whether or not I can believe it, on the last day of school, I will have to accept it: she is growing up. Meanwhile, equally distressing to a mama’s heart, my youngest is approaching her last day of kindergarten. Back in September, letting her go on the first day was hard enough; but then, June seemed so very far away. And now we are on the threshold of the last day, preparing to leave her youngest years behind us forever. It’s the end of an era not only for her, but for our whole family—the LAST last day of kindergarten. It’s practically a cosmic metaphor. My husband has suggested more than once that in fact, kindergarten has nothing to do with cosmic metaphors, and perhaps I may be a little over-dramatic about all this. And yes, I can see his point. I am happy they are growing and changing, but I can’t help feeling a sense of closure. Anyway, the summer firsts are coming,

and as soon as I’m done moping about the lasts, I’ll be excited. This is the first summer the youngest is a confident swimmer, and also the first summer we’ll be able to enjoy the beach since she got over her intense— and rather inconvenient—paranoia about

Sarah Milligan Is There an App for This? a single grain of sand touching any of her body parts. This summer is the first my middle child is able to mow lawns all by himself, and the first for the eldest being an official neighbourhood babysitter— meaning this will be their first summer of gainful employment. The summer brings so much promise and adventure, and so many firsts, most of which I don’t even know about yet. And before very long, I will be mourning the last day of the summer and preparing for the first day of another school year—finding shoes that fit bigger feet, and jeans that fit longer legs, and bigger sweaters and bigger backpacks and fresh haircuts that make them look older and noticing how much taller everyone seems, on that first day. Will they be ready? Absolutely. Will I be ready? Probably not. But each time we celebrate a Last Day, we get to celebrate a First Day; and hopefully we will be ready. On the Last Day we will reflect what has been; and on the First Day, we will celebrate what’s next. But for now, at least, the summer months feel like the magic in between; when we will pause, suspended just for a little while between yesterday and tomorrow, for a sweet and thankful breath.

S arah Milligan lives on Vancouver Island. She is grateful to her children for the joy they inspire, not to mention the endless writing fodder.

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Water Safety & Young Children D

rowning is the second most common cause of death for children under five years of age in Canada. Children can drown in as little as 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water. Many of these tragedies happen in backyard pools, and almost always in pools without four-side pool fencing and self-closing, self-latching safety gates. For rural and remote living children, lakes and rivers serve as transportation routes as well as sources of recreation. Regardless of whether water is in nature or a in a backyard, parents need to use caution around water.

Take the following essential precautions to help protect your children:

Babies who can’t sit without support and are too young to wear a portable flotation device (PFD) should be held by an adult at all times. Toddlers should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when they are in or around water. This includes pools, bathtubs, and beaches, and other water sources. Swimming lessons are a great opportunity for families to participate in fun activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. But on their own, they will not protect or prevent a child from drowning. All children should be supervised by an adult when they are in or around water and should never be left alone in a pool or bathtub, even for a moment. The Lifesaving Society recommends a supervision ratio of at least one adult for every two young children, and one adult for every baby.

Should I use a life jacket or a personal flotation device (PFD) for my child?

Life jackets are different from PFDs. A life jacket can turn the person over from face-down to face-up. A PFD will keep a person floating, but not necessarily face-up. It is lighter and less bulky than a lifejacket. PFDs also keep people warmer in the water because the foam in the vest is spread more evenly around the body. You can use either a lifejacket or a PFD for your child, as long as it is designed for children. IslandParent.ca

What are some other water safety tips?

In Canada, approved life jackets and PFDs are not available for infants who weigh less than 9 kg (20 lb). There is no safety standard for smaller infants. PFDs or life jackets should be worn by all infants who weigh at least 9 kg (20 lb) and by toddlers who are swimming or playing near or in the water. Check the label to be sure that your child’s PFD or life jacket meets current national safety standards. It should be approved by at least one of the following: Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard or Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It should be the right size for your child’s weight. Make sure it stays buckled up. Keep all safety straps fastened, including the crotch strap. Remember that water wings, bathing suits with flotation devices in them, inflatable wings and other swim toys are not safety devices.

Use diapers designed for use in water. They don’t get as heavy as regular diapers and are less likely to cause your child to lose his balance in a wading pool. Empty buckets and pails, ice chests with melted ice, or bathtubs as soon as you are done with them. Do not keep a container filled with water (such as a rain barrel) around your home unless the container is child resistant and labeled as such. When your children are playing under a sprinkler, watch for pools of water collecting on the ground. They can be slippery. Move the sprinkler often, or take a break until the water has drained. Use sprinklers on grassy surfaces only, and make sure the play area is free of toys or other obstacles. A backyard water slide should be used with caution. Set it up on a soft, grassy slope, free of bumps, and well away from trees or shrubs. Teach children to slide in a sitting position. Keep children away from ponds and streams at any time of year, unless you are with them. Be extra cautious with fast currents that occur during spring runoff and after heavy down pours.

What should we do if we have a swimming pool at home?

When can my child take swimming lessons?

Swimming pools—whether in- or aboveground—should be fenced on four sides. That means not having direct access to a pool from a deck, patio or back door (the house doesn’t count as a “side”). The fence should be climbing-resistant and at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) high. Any gate to the pool area should be self-closing and self-latching. Make sure that hot tubs and spas not contained within the fenced pool area have a locking hard cover or are located in an area that can be closed and locked. Empty toddler and other portable backyard pools after use (at least once daily if you are using them every day). By not having standing water, you also help reduce the risk of mosquito spread illnesses. Parents and pool owners should learn how to swim and how to rescue a drowning victim. They should also maintain certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Pool owners should have an emergency action plan, rescue equipment, and a telephone on the deck or poolside. Slide or play equipment should be designed specifically for pool use.

There are many opinions and not a large body of research about the exact age when young children are ready to learn how to swim. Several studies show that children do not have the skills to swim on their own until they are four years old, even if they start lessons at a younger age. The Red Cross offers ability-based classes that are ‘unparented’ as young as three years of age. Kids won’t really become competent swimmers until age six or seven. If your child is younger than four years old, look for swimming programs that focus on building water confidence and that teach parents about water safety. This is a great way to have fun and be active with your child. Teach your children these important swimming pool rules and follow them at all times: No swimming without an adult. No running or pushing. No food or drinks. No riding toys. Reprinted with permission from the Canadian Paediatric Society. For more information, visit caringforkids.cps.ca. June 2018 67

Grooming • Food • Supplies

Firsts & Lasts

A Phone: 250-590-4460 Grooming: 250-590-5803 #106–751 Goldstream Avenue islandpetsource.com Your pet’s source for health and happiness

FALCON

GYMNASTICS CENTRE

Summer Sault Gymnastics Camp 2018 Call for more information:

250-479-6424

July 9 to August 31, 2018

School Age Recreational – Half Days morning or afternoon and Full Days, ages 5–14.

For more information visit our website at www.falcongymnastics.com We also have: • The best gymnastics and most affordable classes. • The best Birthday Parties in town. 208 – 721 Vanalman Ave, Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6 250-479-6424 www.falcongymnastics.com info@falcongymnastics.com 68 Island Parent Magazine

couple weeks ago, while I was reading Angus’s bedtime story in the “book nook” in his room, he fell asleep. I didn’t notice until I put the book down. His body shifted closer, his mouth drooping open. I sat there for a few minutes with him snuggled against me, then lifted him up, set him into his bed, and pulled up the covers. As a baby, the only place Angus would fall asleep was in my arms. The second I placed him in his crib, his eyes would spring open and his chin would start to quiver in preparation for a wail. After months of this, when I was too exhausted to see straight, Mike and I accepted that we would need to sleep train our son. The universal “step one” of every method: don’t let him sleep while you’re holding him. And so I stopped, and Angus learned to sleep without me. When Angus finally transitioned away from supplemental bottle feedings, he refused to drink from the bottle again. Similarly, when Angus became capable of sleeping without my body as a mattress, his stayed firmly awake whenever I held him. Very rarely, if he was exhausted or sick, he’d sleep in my arms, but before that day on the book nook it had been months, maybe years, since I’d held my sleeping child. And I savoured it. Every day my kid is growing up, becoming more independent. This is something we’re working towards—as a family, at school, with Angus’s autism support workers. There are a number of things Angus struggles with that most kids his age can do well on their own: buttoning up his pants, bringing a spoon to his mouth without spilling half its contents, washing himself in the tub. But there are successes too: in the last few months, so long as the clothes are arranged in the precise way on the floor, Angus has begun dressing himself for school. He can zip his jacket. He takes himself to the bathroom without prompting. I sometimes find myself in such a hurry for Angus to gain new skills, to learn to do things on his own, that I focus solely on

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celebrating his “firsts” without sufficiently enjoying the “lasts.” These lasts are coming: when Angus learns to wash himself, I won’t be welcome on the bathmat during tub time. There will be no bathroom serenades of made-up songs and rehashing of the school day as I rinse his hair. And though I don’t think I’ll miss washing the walls after meals, and the copious amounts

Laura Trunkey

Attention Non-Profit Organizations Would you like your informational brochures or magazines professionally distributed to 16 high traffic areas in Greater Victoria?

Maternity & Beyond of Spray ’N Wash I go through, there are other lasts that will be difficult. There will be a last time that he reaches for my hand while walking to the park. There will be a last time that he wants a story before bed. There will be a last time that he says “just cuddles” when I ask what he wants to do after school. And possibly, that night he fell asleep during Roald Dahl’s “Going Solo,” was the last time I held my sleeping son. This June, Angus will celebrate his last days of being six—and his first days of being seven. He’ll have his last days of Grade 1; his last days all together with his classmates; his last days at Elizabeth Buckley. Maybe that’s why I’m thinking about lasts so much—dreading them. Worried that there are lasts that will slip by without my noticing. Though I was given a baby book when Angus was born, I never recorded anything: no first steps, first word, first food. Aside from photographs, seven years of this column is my record of Angus’s earliest years. Sometimes when I read them again I am amazed at the transformation between the kid I was writing about and the kid who now exists. And just as I did in the book nook, I know I need to sometimes stop and appreciate who he is at this moment. Let a picture blaze itself into my memory. And assure myself that though Angus will grow and change, he’ll remain equally as remarkable.

Victoria Community Information Services (VCIS), an Island Parent Group subsidiary, services these locations on a weekly basis to ensure your brochures and magazines are highly visible for pickup by walk-by traffic. Our wall-mounted distribution boards are outside partnering grocery stores and inside many recreation centres. Space is available for either brochures (approx. 4" x 9") or magazines (approx. 8.5" x 11"). For distribution rates or additional information, please contact: Mark Warner publisher@islandparent.ca 250-388-6905

Laura Trunkey is the mother of the amazing Angus, and the author of the story collection Double Dutch (House of Anansi, 2016). Find her at lauratrunkey.com.

IslandParent.ca

June 2018 69

FAMILY SERVICES Directory

CHOICES Adoption & Counselling is a licensed, professional, non-profit agency that provides services to adoptive parents, birth-parents, and adoptees. CHOICES arranges adoptions domestically and internationally. We are committed to proThis directory, sponsored by Thrifty Foods, features not for profit agencies and organizations serving children, youth and families. viding a comprehensive, client-centered adoption service which best meets the needs of everyone in the adoption constellation. Please contact us at 1Up, Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre people find work since 1982! Our programs build on choices@choicesadoption.ca, or call 250-479-9811 (1-up.ca) provides support, education and resources a person’s strengths and resolve barriers to finding for further information. for parents in the Greater Victoria area through and keeping employment. We also work with our free counselling, volunteer training, a mentoring employer network to support job seekers. Need program for single moms, and a support group for help finding a job? Need employees? Contact us Dialogue and Resolution Services (DRS) is the dads, as well as a variety of integrated life skills for FREE assistance! 9860 Third St. Sidney. 250- South Island’s only non-profit specializing in alterand parenting courses which are open to the whole 656-0134. beaconcs.ca. native conflict resolution for both civil and family community, with fees on a sliding scale. For single matters. Offering quality, professional mediation, parent members, the Centre provides free toys and coaching and parent coordination in a supportive books, a clothing room and bread pantry. Donations Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school environment for families, co-parents, co-workers of gently-used clothing, small household items, and and evening social, educational and recreational and neighbours, DRS works with clients to help toys are welcome. Hours: Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri.: 9–4, programming for children and youth at 5 locations them create lasting, effective solutions. DRS also & Wednesdays: 12–7. Location: 602 Gorge Road (Colwood, Langford, VicWest, Central Saanich and offers its flagship “Communicating through Conflict” East. Phone: 250-385-1114. Esquimalt) and summer camps both in Esquimalt workshop series quarterly both days and evenings and at our Outdoor Centre in Metchosin. We also of- throughout the year. Find us at 250-383-4412 or fer support to parents through our Parents Together dialogueandresolutionservices.ca. Beacon Community Services is a community- program and parent workshops. For more informabased, non-profit agency dedicated to helping tion on all programs and services visit bgcvic.org or people and improving lives on southern Vancouver call 250-384-9133. Island and the southern Gulf Islands. Beacon thrift shops fund important LOCAL community services and programs. Beacon also offers: child, youth and family services (including the Peninsula Early Years FAMILY SERVICES Centre and child care); counselling; employment OF GREATER VICTORIA services and training for people of all ages; home support care; volunteer services and opportunities; Family Services of Greater Victoria (formerly BC affordable housing/care/supports for seniors and Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year- Families in Transition) is a non profit agency that has people with disabilities. For Home Support, please round sports and recreation programs for children, been serving families since 1978. We provide a full call 250-658-6407. For other programs: 250-656- youth, young adults and families living with autism. range of services to the whole family in support0134. beaconcs.ca. Programs in Victoria, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley ing their relationship and through separation and include Intro to Physical Activity, Intro to Soccer & divorce. Counseling, mediation, legal information Basketball, Swim, Skate, Social Events (fall, winter and a range of group programs are available for Beacon Community Services Employment and spring), Overnight Camp (summer), and Family children, youth and adults on a sliding fee scale. Call Programs. Beacon Community Services offers a Events (year-round). For more information, visit us at 250-386-4331 or visit fsgv.org. We can help. full menu of employment services on the Saanich canucksautism.ca. Peninsula and Gulf Islands. We’ve been helping

Maxine Fisher M.Ed., RCC, MTA

Counselling for Children, Families & Adults Over 20 Years Experience (Music Therapy Also Available)

Stress & Trauma (Acting Out) • Parenting • Family Transitions Physical & Learning Disabilities • Relationships • Individuals Skype & Phone Sessions Available M.Ed. | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Accredited Music Therapist

Call Today for a Complimentary 10 minute phone consultation Call 250-686-7582 maxinefisher@shaw.ca victoriafamilycounselling.com 70 Island Parent Magazine

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HappyBaby Sleep Solutions helps families create healthy sleep habits in babies and children so everyone is well rested and happy. Sukkie Sandhu, M.Ed., has worked with hundreds of families locally in Victoria and worldwide. Sukkie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor so the cost of a sleep consultation may be covered under your extended medical plan. For more information visit happybabysleepsolutions.com or call 250-857-1408 for a FREE evaluation. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get started!

t n e r a P d n a l Is ation for Vancouver

Celebrating

30 Years

The Resource Public

June 2018

Yo! Papa

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is a registered charity and nonprofit helping individuals and organizations to connect across cultures. Programs offered include immigrant and refugee services, parenting programs, employment services, interpretation and translation, diversity workshops and training, English language training, volunteer placements, youth programs and tutoring, seniors groups, and inter-cultural arts programming. Located at 930 Balmoral Road, 250-388-4728 info@ icavictoria.org, icavictoria.org.

LDABC The Learning Curve (previously The Learning Disabilities Assn.) supports, educates and advocates for children with learning disabilities and related challenges. Individual and group support, education and consultation is available for children, youth, parents, caregivers and professionals. Please visit our website @ ldasvi.bc.ca or call us for more information or to book an appointment: 250-370-9513.

Sooke-West Shore Early Years Centres provide information to families about children and family services, supports, child development and parenting. The Early Years Navigator will assist families with referral information for local early years programming, child care, public health, special needs intervention services, and social supports. The Sooke-West Shore Early Years Centres are hosted by Sooke Family Resource Society and located at the Child, Youth, and Family Centres in both Sooke and the West Shore and can be reached at 250217-9243. Additional information can be accessed at sfrs.ca/early-years-centre.

Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) supports immigrants and refugees living in Greater Victoria. Services are free and include oneon-one counselling, parent education workshops, youth life skills classes, a preschool program, art therapy, language classes and academic support, employment help, computer classes and fun community events like free yoga, tai chi, dance and cooking classes. Visit us online at vircs.bc.ca or phone 250-361-9433. IslandParent.ca

Island Parents

Tips, Advice & Ramblings

7 Essential Tips for Camping Season

ms Summer Progra Please visit any of our valued partners to pick up your latest copy of Island Parent. GREATER VICTORIA Thrifty Foods Fairway Market Real Canadian Superstore Save-On-Foods (except Westside) Lifestyle Market Country Grocer (Esquimalt & Royal Oak) Quality Foods Market on Yates & Millstream Western Foods Recreation Centres Public Libraries Serious Coffee Victoria Gymnastics

SOOKE Western Foods Village Foods Seaparc Recreation

LADYSMITH Save-On-Foods 49th Parallel Public Library

DUNCAN Thrifty Foods Save-On-Foods Real Canadian Superstore 49th Parallel Public Library

NANAIMO Thrifty Foods Fairway Market Quality Foods Save-On-Foods

CHEMAINUS 49th Parallel Public Library

PARKSVILLE Thrifty Foods Quality Foods Parksville Centre

SHAWNIGAN LAKE Aitken & Fraser Grocery Community Centre Kerry Park Recreation

For a complete list of where you can find a copy of Island Parent Magazine, go to

islandparent.ca 250-388-6905 June 2018â&#x20AC;&#x192; 71

PRESCHOOL & CHILD CARE Directory COLWOOD/LANGFORD

Gonzales Co-op Preschool....................... 250-727-1003 Children use imaginations in a Learning through Play classroom and natural playground. Reggio-Emilia inspired, focus is on art, nature and music. Nurturing, highly qualified ECE and ECE assistant. Parent participation options. Allergy aware. gonzalescooppreschool.com.

HIGHLANDS

Licenced group childcare for children ages 12 months to 5 years old. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. Leap Forward Dance School offers weekday and Saturday dance classes for children ages 2 and up. 2758 Peatt Road, Langford

250-818-9225 info@leapforwardlangford.com

www.leapforwardlangford.com

Coastline Montessori Childcare............... 250-881-6318 Experience an educational hands on learning environment for infants, toddlers and preschool age. Half-day program offered. Located in Langford off Latoria Rd. coastlinemontessori@shaw.ca.

CORDOVA BAY Carrot Seed Preschool.............................250-658-2331 Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. carrotseedpreschool.com. Cordova Bay Preschool........................... 250-658-3441 A bright and cheerful parent participation preschool with a philosophy of learning through play. 4 yr olds - M/W/F 9:151:15; 3 yr olds - T/Th 9:15-12:15. cordovabaypreschool.org.

ESQUIMALT Ciara Early Childhood Centre...................250-386-7369 Education and Fun Hand in Hand! Exceptional care for ages 1-5yrs. Inclusive nature inspired kindergarten readiness program with Christian values. Facebook.com/ CiaraEarlyChildhoodCentre. Island Kids Academy Esquimalt...............250-381-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Enriched Curriculum. Includes Music Classes and Character Development using the Virtues Project. Part -time spaces available. Islandkids.ca. La Pré-Maternelle Appletree Preschool......250-479-0292 A French Immersion Preschool Program. 30 months to school age. Licensed Christian centre. prematernelleappletree.com.

Recreation Oak Bay.................................250-370-7200 Fully licensed, ECE Daycare, Preschool and Nature Preschool. Play based, child led learning. Afterschool care available.

Nestled on 4 acres of lush west Coast forest ,our Award winning, Nature based program will not disappoint! While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day. Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the trees from our forest. We have recently expanded to our new Spirit bear Lodge located right next door! Programs for Infants/Toddlers and PreKindergarten children.

SAANICH

Award of Excellence in Child Care

lexieslittlebears.ca 250-590-3603

METCHOSIN Metchosin Cooperative Preschool................................. Play Explore Learn and Grow in beautiful rural Metchosin. Morning programs available for 3 and 4 year olds. Contact our ECEs at metchosinpreschool@gmail.com. West-Mont Montessori School.................250-474-2626 Exceptional preschool Montessori instruction in a beautiful natural environment. Ages 30 months and up. Providing a balanced approach to incorporating French, Music, Art and Nature. Stop by and experience what it is like to be part of a community devoted to the development of the whole child. Open House: Thursdays 9-11 am. west-mont.ca.

NORTH SAANICH In The Garden Childcare Centre.............. 250-654-0306 A GREAT PLACE TO GROW. Offering preschool, full day care, before and after school care for children aged 2.5 to 12 years old. Open all year. Now offering Infant and Toddler Care.

OAK BAY Emmanuel Preschool.............................. 250-598-0573 Children learn through play in our non-denominational Christian preschool near UVic. Bright attractive setting. emmanuelpreschool.ca.

Child Care

Resource & Referral

vancouverislandccrr.ca ccrr.bc.ca 72 Island Parent Magazine

• Half day and Full day Preschool Programs • Children’s learning is nurtured and supported through exploration, discovery, play and creative expression 3905 Haro Road, Victoria BC

250-477-3731 arbutusgrove.ca Camosun College Child Care Services........250-370-4880 Quality licensed facilities on both campuses providing children, newborn to 5 years, with rich early learning experiences in a learn through play environment. camosun.ca/childcare.

• Licensed 2.5 hr and 4 hr programs, flexible part-time classes • Qualified ECEs offer play-based programs that stimulate curiosity and imagination and support optimum growth and development. Supported spaces available. • Indoor and outdoor programming, community visitors and special activities provide opportunities for learning through play and exploration. Fullobeans.ca 250-360-1148 saanichneighbourhoodplace.com

Island Montessori House.....................250-592-4411 Inclusive, integrated and nurturing Preschool and After School Care programs. Lovely rural setting with a focus on nature and outdoor environmental activities. islandmontessori.com. Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare........ 250-477-8131 Gordon Head’s parent-participation preschool and childcare center. Flexible hours M-F 9am-3pm & drop-ins offered. Play based learning and outdoor play. Allergy friendly. Celebrating 40 years. lambrickparkpreschool.ca.

Looking for child care? Need help with subsidy forms? Taking care of children? Need child care training? Your community’s best source of child care information and resources. Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868 Sooke: 250-642-5152 West Shore: 250-391-4324 Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 Funded by the Province of BC

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Oakcrest Preschool................................ 250-472-0668 A welcoming, nurturing environment with a large, bright facility. Learn through play with 2 caring ECEs. oakcrestpreschool.org.

Pre-School Junior Kindergarten PaciﬁcChristian.ca 250-479-4532 Educational Excellence to the Glory of God Ready Set Grow Preschool....................... 250-472-1530 Inside Hillcrest Elm. in Gordon Head, we help children transition to Kindergarten. Licensed Preschool with highly qualified, warm ECE. heoscmanager@gmail.com. St. Joseph’s Early Learning Centre.............. 250-479-1237 A Christian childcare centre offering daycare and preschool programs for 3-5 year olds. Children learn through playbased and emergent curriculum in a warm and nurturing environment. Wiseways Preschool & Daycare........... 250-477-1312 Established, quality, licensed, Christian centre for 3-5 year olds. Experienced ECEs, cheerful spacious facilities, large playground. Subsidized fees welcome. Call for a tour. Wisewaysvictoria.com.

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare and Junior Kindergarten.......................... 250-383-5132 ECE and Specialist teachers provide an outstanding all-day, licensed program for 3–5 year olds. Spacious, renovated facility with a huge backyard in Fairfield. cathedralschool.ca.

Parkside Academy..................................... 250-746-1711 Providing high quality early learning and care from infancy to 12 years of age, in a stimulating, respectful, nurturing, nature based environment with fully educated and passionate early childhood educators. Visit parksideacademy.ca or find us on Facebook.

Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten Ltd.....................250-595-7544 We offer education through creativity and play, providing rich learning experiences through a well sourced and stimulating indoor and outdoor environment. Early years reading programme. nightingalepreschool.com. Arts/ Drama programme. kidsworks.ca.

Queen Margaret’s School.......................... 250-746-4185 Early Childhood Education Program. Co-ed nurturing curriculum to develop the whole child. Healthy snacks and lunch provided. qms.bc.ca.

Rainbow Express Daycare....................... 250-382-2314 A nurturing environment for children to learn through play and discovery in a natural setting. ECEs and specialist teachers. rainbowexpressdaycare.com. Close to city centre. Ross Bay Preschool.................................250-383-7445 Our positive and supportive program motivates children to learn, discover and grow through play. Contact us for a tour of our little blue school! The Sir James Douglas Playschool.......... 250-389-0500 Fun, creative and educational ECE program for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life long skills. Come play and learn in our bright and modern centre in Fairfield. Victoria Montessori................................ 250-380-0534 Unique, innovative learning environment combining the best of Montessori and Learning Through Play. Open yr. round. 30mths–K. victoriamontessori.com.

VIEW ROYAL

VICTORIA

v Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 8 v Delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts v Outstanding educators, locations and facilities

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 Licenced group childcare for children ages 1 to 12 years old Offering Before & After school care for Vic West Elementary School

Island Kids Academy View Royal.............250-727-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Enriched Curriculum. Includes Music Classes and Character Development using the Virtues Project. Part -time spaces available. Islandkids.ca. View Royal Childcare...............................250-479-8067 Preschool structured, high quality childcare. Victoria Conservatory of Music classes. Part time spaces available. 2.5-5year olds. viewroyalpreschool@live.com. View Royal Preschool..............................250-479-8067 Exciting inclusive program in a safe and exceptional care environment. 3-5 year olds. Outside play and themes enrich this program. Full/part-time spaces available. viewroyalpreschool.com.

DUNCAN

Open 6:30am–5:30pm

babiestobigkids.com 250-590-2722 info@babiestobigkids.com

CHEMAINUS St. Joseph’s Preschool..............................250-246-3191 An enriching preschool program allowing children to grow as individuals in a safe and nurturing Christian environment.

NANAIMO

ASPENGROVE SCHOOL

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Learn more today! 250-390-2201 AspengroveSchool.ca

N A N A I M O ’ S J K -12 I N T E R N AT I O N A L B ACC A L AU R E AT E W O R L D S C H O O L

QUALICUM BEACH Children’s Discovery Centre.....................250-752-4343 A nurturing, safe and creative learning environment. Licensed preschool, group care and out of school care. Early Childhood Educators. childrensdiscovery centre.ca. childrensdiscoverycentre@hotmail.com. Little Star Children’s Centre.....................250-752-4554 Mother, Daughter owned and operated. Earth friendly preschool education inspired by nature. Infused with fun and creative daily yoga practices! Licensed group care. Enthusiastic ECE instructors. littlestardaycare.ca

John Paul II Catholic School.....................250-723-0637 “Where children grow and learn through play.” We provide a program that will inspire development physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively and spiritually.

Castleview Child Care............................. 250-595-5355 Learning Through Play & Discovery. Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. Morning or full-time care. castleviewchildcarecentre.com.

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Sunrise Waldorf School Preschool..............250-743-7253 In a warm environment, this nature and play-based program enlivens and nurtures the growing child. sunrisewaldorfschool.org.

PORT ALBERNI

949 Fullerton Ave

Centennial Day Care............................... 250-386-6832 Exceptional childcare and education 35+ years. Nature inspired, play based program. NEW central, “green” building. centennialdaycare.ca.

Queen of Angels Early Learning Centre...... 250-701-0433 Our Centre is a lively, happy place for 3-5 year olds where children are encouraged to be confident, independent learners in a nurturing and safe environment.

International Montessori Academy of Canada................................................. 250-737-1119 Offers an enriching environment for preschool children 2-4.9 years with potty training. Nurturing young minds, keeping the spirit free. intmontessori.ca.

June 2018 73

Bleiddyn del Villar Bellis Artistic Director Fellow & Examiner CSC-CICB Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma

Kinder Camps Ages 4-6 July 3-6, 9:30-11:30am July 9-13, 9:30-11:30am BOYS CAN DANCE Ages 7-11 - FREE for boys new to VAB!

2018 Children’s Summer Ballet Camps 250-590-6752 admin@victoriaacademyofballet.ca victoriaacademyofballet.ca

ARE YOU New to the community? A new parent? A new business owner?

CONTACT WELCOME WAGON TODAY! Nanaimo 250-756-9794 welcometonanaimo@shaw.ca Or online at: welcomewagon.ca

74 Island Parent Magazine

Destined for Greatness D on’t you wish your name was prefaced with an adjective to describe you? Like, Kind Laurie? Or Funny Jim? From the first introduction people would know something important about you to set the relationship off on the right foot. Well, there is a bird in our midst that has been given the perfect adjective: Great. Here at Swan Lake, we have all had great moments with this solitary bird. From watching it struggle to survive unusually cold winters by pulling out frozen feathers so that it can fly, to marvelling at its ability to stand statue still while hunting; these birds are truly great. Have you guessed who I am referring to yet? The one, the only, the Great Blue Heron!

Photo: Jason McLean

Photo credit: David Cooper

July 9-13, 1:00-2:30pm

Ahem, well, actually it turns out that the species commonly known as Great Blue Heron in British Columbia is actually two distinct subspecies: The Pacific Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini) and the Interior Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias). Oh, and there’s a third subspecies elsewhere. But the point is, Great Blue Herons are truly the greatest! Pacific Great Blue Herons occupy the west coast of the continent from southeast Alaska down to Washington State, foraging in saltwater and freshwater habitats, from open coasts, marshes, sloughs, riverbanks, and lakes to backyard goldfish ponds. Here on southern Vancouver Island, they are consistently common all year round, showing

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no fear of the cold winter weather, unlike their interior relatives who migrate as far south as Honduras. If you have yet to encounter one, you’ll likely recognize a heron by its colour (yep, you guessed it: blue grey) and size. Great Blue Herons are the largest of the North

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL Directory

Coral Forbes

Humeira Studios

Nature Notes

• Counselling Services: Individual & Groups • Day Camps: Pro-D days • Life Skills Training • Open Art Studio • Blissful Relaxation Program

American herons with long legs, a sinuous neck, and long slender pointed bill. Their head, chest, and wing plumes give them a shaggy appearance. In flight, Great Blue Herons curl their neck into a tight “S” shape to compensate for the weight of their beak.

Professional referrals required

250-889-1863 humeirastudio@gmail.com www.humeirastudios.com

So, what makes them so great? Patience I don’t know about you, but as a parent I am seriously lacking in this department. Herons, however, have the ability to wait and wait—and wait for their food (including fish, frogs, shrimp, crabs, snakes, lizards and even small mammals) to come near and then strike with amazing accuracy with their dagger beak and specially shaped neck vertebrae. I think that I would be using a fish net three minutes into the hunt, and maybe even earlier if I’m hangry. Prehistoric squawk Great Blue Herons have the most pterosaur-like screech when startled, reminding us of their evolutionary origins. Approximately 65 million years ago, modern birds descended from two-legged dinosaurs known as theropods which are characterized by hollow bones and threetoed limbs and included feathery velociraptors and tyrannosaurs. Powder down Herons have specialized feathers on their chest that constantly grow and are combed with a fringed claw on their middle toes. This “powder down” then disintegrates into a preening powder which absorbs and removes dirt, thereby increasing waterproofing and insulation. IslandParent.ca

ADVERTISERS Directory Abra-Kid-Abra............. 55 Alliance Francaise........54 Alpine Stables............. 29 Arts Calibre Academy.................. 15 Aspengrove School..... 51 Atomique..................... 30 Ballet Victoria............... 77 Boardworks................. 30 Bolen Books............... IFC Brown Henderson Melbye......................47 Burnside Gorge........... 50 Byte Camp......................4 Canadian Forces Sailing........................17 Cathedral School......... 31 City of Victoria............ IBC Coastal Bliss Adventures...............47 Community Living Victoria.....................23 Cowichan Estuary........ 10 Dialogue & Resolution Services....................33 Discovery School....... IBC Emmanuel Baptist Church......................33 Emmanuel Preschool................ 55 Falcon Gymnastics...... 68 Foster Parent Support Services......53

Glenlyon Norfolk..........49 Gorge Soccer...............33 Harbour Cats................58 IMAX.............................46 International Montessori............... 13 Island Catholic.............27 Island Circus Space.... 25 Island Pet Source........ 68 Junior Cricket.............. 29 Kaleidoscope Theatre..................... 13 Kool & Child.................. 77 Kumon......................... BC Lifestyles..................... 52 MacDonald Realty........ 61 Mad Science............... 26 Mary Rogers Music Studio.............54 Math4me..................... 59 Maxine Fisher..............70 Miniature World............23 Momease................... IFC Mothering Touch............7 Nanaimo Museum....... 66 Oak & Orca............ 46, 52 Orca Books................. 56 Oxford Learning......... IFC Pacific Christian.............6 Pacific Coast Swimming................ 56 PISE................................9 Playful Pencil............... 59

PSP Recreation........... 65 Pumpkin Pie................ 68 Raincoast Education... 30 The Raptors..................49 Recreation Oak Bay..... 18 Royal BC Museum........ 10 Royal Soccer Camp...... 12 Royal Victoria Yacht Club................ 31 Saanich Dental............. 16 Saanich Fair.................. 11 Saanich Recreation...........Insert Scamps.........................49 Scouts Canada.............45 Serious Coffee............. 16 SKAM School of Performing Arts........57 Smart Tutor.................. 55 St. Joseph’s Chemainus.............. 50 St. Margaret’s.................8 St. Michael’s University School..... 12 Stages.................... 29, 61 Sugar Sandwich...........57 Sylvan Learning...........37 Thistle & Wren..............63 Thrifty Foods................43 Thriving Roots..............57 TJ’s The Kiddie Store........................ 25 Tom Lee Music............. 51

Total Learning...............17 U-JAM Society..............57 Ucluelet Aquarium.......38 UVic Vikes....................78 Van Isl Psychological Services....................32 Victoria Academy of Ballet....................74 Victoria Bug Zoo.......... 51 Victoria City Rowing Club...............8 Victoria Conservatory of Music.................... 15 Victoria Gymnastics.... 50 Victoria Operatic Society..................... 25 Victoria Synchro...........47 Victoria Youth Paddling...................63 VIHA.............................64 Welcome Wagon..........74 Welkin College School........................3 Westcoast Academy of Ballet....................44 Westmont Montessori.............. 29 Westshore Dental..........5 Westshore Motocross............... 66 Westshore Parks and Recreation.........38 World Cup Soccer........ 31

June 2018 75

ES & FAM ATTRACTIONS, ACTIVITI

ILY FUN!

2 0 1 8/ 2 0 1 9 Parks & Playgrounds Museums

Sword fighter Great Blue Herons have an array of social displays including neck extensions, head tilts and wing spreading, but bill duelling is the greatest! In times of aggression, opponents will try to grab each other’s head while in more romantic situations, gentle bill duelling is used for pair bonding. Stilt walker Although Great Blue Herons may be seen inland, their long legs keep their body dry when wading out into the water. In addition to stilts, the herons’ long toes spread their weight to prevent sinking in soft mud and are used for stirring it up to find crabs and worms. By wrapping their long toes and claws around branches, herons are able to sit very high up in trees, which is always an unexpected sight! Momentous whitewash Have you ever woken up, looked outside and sworn that someone had splashed white paint all over your car and yard? It’s not paint. Get the hose.

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No fear Heronries are way up on the tippy top of trees up to 70 meters high and can be composed of over 250 nests around three meters apart. As you might imagine, the ground below is covered in the previously mentioned whitewash, discarded food and, yes, dead chicks. I don’t imagine the chicks feel any fear almost 30 stories high on a platform of sticks less than a meter in diameter. Well, until they begin to fall before they can fully fly I guess. Or are attacked by vultures, eagles and owls only too happy to carry away a meal. Equal opportunity parenting Although the male chooses the nesting spot (usually in the same area as the last year) and provides the building materials, it is the female who builds the nest. Three to five eggs are laid in April and both parents share the job of incubation for approximately four weeks. After hatching, the chicks are fed and protected by both parents for approximately 10 weeks before venturing out on their own.

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Photo: Geoffrey Barnard

Adaptability I have always been amazed by the heron’s tolerance of noisy ferry terminals as hunting grounds, urban areas like Stanley Park or Beacon Hill for heronries, and its ability to live in habitats like drainage ditches. Not only that, but Great Blue Herons can hunt day and night thanks to a large amount of rod-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision.

Ultimate survivor The Pacific Great Blue Heron is listed under the Species at Risk Act due to the usual suspects: habitat loss due to development and human disturbance. But, surprisingly, the main culprit for their population decline is predation specifically by another protected bird, the Bald Eagle. The harassment of heron by eagles can cause colony abandonment and reduce breeding success. And yet, those that make it will live long lives, up to 17 years! Across the border, the oldest recorded Great Blue Heron was found to be almost 25 years old in Texas. So, what do you think? Does our local heron deserve its title of Greatness? I believe so. Although every species is special in its own right, Great Blue Herons go above and beyond and are truly one of a kind here at Swan Lake.

Silly Coral Forbes is a Program Naturalist at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary and is looking forward to the replacement of the floating boardwalk so that we can continue to watch the Great Blue Heron in its natural habitat for generations to come. To find out how you can help support the Bridges to Nature Campaign, please visit swanlake.bc.ca/capital-project.php IslandParent.ca

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Make Mistakes

here is a time for teaching and a time to be supportive without the lesson. The idea of natural consequences is often misunderstood. Standing back and letting kids make their own mistakes with “kid issues” is part of allowing natural consequences, but what happens when they make a mistake? Our reaction afterward is just as important. When my son was 18 months old, he picked up a plastic container while we were shopping

and then dropped it onto the hardwood floor. This made a loud noise and it scared him. He didn’t need me to tell him not touch anything or scold him. He needed support and understanding from me. “That was scary. It made such a loud noise.” The experience had an impact on him. Imagine if I scolded him on top of this? What would the message be? When my daughter, at 2½, went to play in the backyard wearing only a diaper—on a cold, November day—she argued that she didn’t need clothes, a coat or boots. A few minutes later she wanted to come inside. She was mad! “I’m cold!” I asked her what she needed and she said “I need my shoes, I need my coat!” So off we went to fetch some warmer clothes. I didn’t say, “I told you so.” At 13 she went to school with her bright green bra straps showing. I mentioned that there were school rules about not showing your bra. She said they were stupid rules! When I picked her up from school, she was upset. “I had to wear a smelly gym shirt from the lost and found all day just because my bra straps were showing.” Biting my tongue I gave her some empathy

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and simply said, “Bummer, those shirts must really stink!” Throughout childhood our children learn how to cope with an increasingly wider world. Our message to them at each stage, including their

Allison Rees Cut It Out! teens, needs to be one of trust and confidence. First we need to equip them with the necessary knowledge and training. Next we need to express confidence in their knowledge, their good sense, and their ability to handle things. And finally we need to give them the opportunity to experiment and gain experience on their own. If you react and become angry when your child makes a mistake, you take over the functioning of your child’s own conscience and good sense.

LIFE Seminars has two books available, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. See lifeseminars.com.

Come spend your summer with the Vikes! Develop skills, make new friends, explore creativity and experience exciting activities in a fun, safe and positive environment.

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WHEN ENROLLING IN JUNE 2018* • Summer is the perfect time to accelerate your child’s math and reading skills. • Many Kumon Students are studying above grade level. • For more than 50 years, Kumon has benefited millions of kids around the world.

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