Island Parent Family Resource Guide 2022

Looking for family fun and entertainment ideas? Or classes and programs to keep your kids busy and learning? How about travel ideas, birthday party possibilities or books to help teach kids about S.E.X.?

Then look no further…it’s all here!

Island Parent’s 2022 Resource Guide is packed with activities, events, services and support geared specifically toward families. You’ll find a comprehensive list of educational programs, day and overnight camps, health and wellness services and a host of Island family businesses. There’s new parent resources and support along with information on how to teach kids about money. For ideas on fun things to do, check out the calendar of annual family events, and don’t forget to read about 10 ways to build community.

Because we’re better together— and we’re here for each other.

We hope the listings, articles and resources in this guide help you in your job raising healthy, happy kids. Keep this issue on hand so you can refer to it throughout the year. And for a comprehensive list of Businesses You Need to Know, along with links to Island Parent’s Facebook and Instagram pages, visit islandparent.ca.

5 Ways to Explore the Great Outdoors

Remember being told to “go play outside?” We had play clothes, got dirty and sometimes got into trouble—usually nothing worse than a sunburn!

During all of this free time we somehow learned that deciduous trees lost their leaves while conifers kept their needles. We knew stories and rhymes about why the hemlock has the smallest cone and who Davy Crockett was. Some of us knew what to do if we saw a bear or wandered too far from our parents, but hopefully never had to use those skills! And we knew all of this without being taught, or at least knowing that we were being taught. I don’t think our parents researched or planned any of this. It just happened.

These days, the expectation when we go out seems to be that we find the best trail where our children can get exercise while exploring, a trail where we can play with our children, teach them everything that they need to know, keep them saferthan-safe and do this in a picture-worthy setting while keeping them clean, smiling, comfortable and looking good. We think we are required to know the names of all the trees, animals and berries that we come across and have our handy nature apps on hand if we run into something we don’t know about.

I have nothing against those nature apps, Instagram trail photos, or tackling amazing trails. But nature should never be intimidating; we don’t need to go on epic adventures or know everything there is to know, to be able to teach our children that nature matters and give them the skills to

explore safely. We can do this every day, in many small ways.

Your local parks, or even your own backyard, are great places to start exploring nature and can give your children the joy and skills they need to be able to eventually tackle those longer or harder walks and hikes.

Here are some easy, achievable goals that you can set for your family in nature this year:

Get outside every day. Yes, every day. Aim for at least 20 minutes of time outdoors (better yet, one hour or more) regardless of the weather. Go for a walk. Look into the storm drains, make footprints in the mud, seek the shady spots in your neighbourhood park when it’s hot, or see if you can find any bugs or creatures in your plants or grass or a neighbourhood park. It doesn’t have to be epic or amazing every day, just consistent.

Take your time. Don’t wait for that amazing view to stop and look. Take your time walking, notice how the wind feels, the sounds in the trees, or the little things around you. Better yet, stop. Stop and sit in the grass; how does it feel? Smell? Sound? What creatures are there in there and what do you think they’re doing? Make up a story about those creatures, or when you get home look them up on your nature app or google and see if your guesses about them were right. Be present, don’t worry about whether you’re teaching your children the “right” things, just be there with them.

Be curious. Ask those questions, even when you don’t have answers. Why is the sky blue or the grass green? Where is that

ant going? How do snakes slither and do centipedes really have 100 legs?

Be OK with saying “I don’t know.” When your child asks what type of tree that is, or what’s the name of this bug, there is nothing wrong with saying “I don’t know.” Not knowing can lead to conversation, to exploration, hypotheses that are both right and wrong. Not knowing leads to questioning and finding out the answers—or sometimes not! Your children may teach you something, or you can learn about it together, making it a great activity for connection.

Be OK with a little risk. When it’s safe, allow your kids to walk ahead, to explore a little without you right by their side. There are definitely times when you need to be next to your child for safety reasons or when you want to be there to support them, but there are also times when it is wonderful to see your child exploring on their own: picking up rocks, digging in mud, following a caterpillar, seeing what it’s like to get their feet wet. These times not only allow your child to see their own view of nature, but allow you to take that deep breath, look around and enjoy nature yourself.

Chrissie Finnie is a Recreation Coordinator, doing outdoor and parks programming in the Regional District of Nanaimo. In her spare time, she loves getting out on the trails and into the mountains, skiing, running, hiking and exploring.

rdn.bc.ca/parks and @RDNanaimo on Instagram

NEW PARENT RESOURCES

DOULAS

Victoria Doula Directory V doulasofvictoria.ca

VIDA Doulas V 250-661-2544 | vidadoulas.ca

MIDWIVES

Access Midwifery & Family Care V 208–2951 Tillicum Rd | 250-380-6329 accessmidwifery.ca

Born Healthy N 630 2nd Ave, Ladysmith | 250-245-3079

Community Midwifery Care G 164 Kings Lane, Salt Spring | 250-537-2243

Cook Street Community Midwives V 101–1005 Cook St | 250-386-4116 cookstmidwives.com

Cowichan Midwifery Group CV 164 Station St | 250-709-2040 cowichanmidwifery.ca

Dandelion Midwifery V 709 Connaught Rd | 250-590-7770 dandelionmidwifery.com

Midwifery Care V 547 Michigan St | 250-592-5407

The Midwives Collective V 107–1120 Yates St | 250-590-7605

Mid-Island Midwifery N 2506 Maxey Rd, Nanaimo | 250-741-1294 or 350 Stewart Ave, Nanaimo | 250-716-1366

Sooke Midwifery W 2050B Townsend Rd | 778-425-0780 sookemidwifery.com

Victoria Midwifery Group V 35 Cambridge St | 250-381-1977

West Coast Midwives V 2823 Dysart Rd | 250-384-5940

Western Communities Midwifery W 287 Stewart Ave | 250-589-3417

PRENATAL SERVICES

Aboriginal Prenatal Support V 231 Regina Ave | 250-384-3211

Birthright Victoria V 515–620 View St | 250-380-0305

birthrightvictoria.org

Camosun College V 250-370-3550 | ce.camosun.ca

Crossroads Crisis Pregnancy N Centre of Nanaimo 1717B Kerrisdale Rd | 250-714-2191

Gulf Islands Early Years G 250-653-4465 | giearlyyears@shaw.ca

Mothering Touch Centre V 733 Johnson Street (suite 112) 250-595-4905 | motheringtouch.ca

Sooke Family Resource Society W Prenatal Program 250-642-5152 | sfrs.ca

BEST BABIES PROGRAMS

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House V 250-385-2635 ext. 203

Peninsula Best Babies P 2410 Malaview Dr | 250-655-5300

Saanich Neighbourhood Place V Best Babies

250-360-1148 | saanichneighbourhoodplace.com

Sooke Family Resource Society W Best Babies Program

250-642-5152, ext. 237 | sfrs.ca

Victoria Best Babies V 1240 Gladstone Ave | 250-381-1552 fernwoodnrg.ca

Victoria Native Friendship Centre V 250-384-3211 | vnfc.ca

WestShore Best Babies W 250-217-6787 ext. 204 | bgcvic.org

PUBLIC HEALTH (Island Health)

Campbell River Public Health CX 200–1100 Island Hwy | 250-850-2110 islandhealth.ca

Duncan CV 675 Canada Ave | 250-709-3050 | islandhealth.ca

Esquimalt V 530 Fraser St | 250-519-5311 | islandhealth.ca

Gulf Islands G 250-539-3099 | islandhealth.ca

Lake Cowichan Health Unit CV 58 Cowichan Ave | 250-749-6878 islandhealth.ca

Nanaimo Health Unit N 1665 Grant Ave | 250-755-3342 | islandhealth.ca

Nanaimo Princess Royal Family N Centre 80 Chapel St | 250-739-5845 | islandhealth.ca

Parksville/Qualicum Health Unit N 249 W. Hirst Ave | 250-947-8242 | islandhealth.ca

Peninsula P 2170 Mt. Newton X Rd | 250-544-2400 islandhealth.ca

Port Alberni Health Unit N 4201 6th Ave | 250-731-1316 | islandhealth.ca

Saanich V 3995 Quadra St | 250-519-5100 | islandhealth.ca

Sooke W 6672 Wadams Way | 250-519-3487 islandhealth.ca

Tofino & Ucluelet Public Health PR & Coastal Family Place 265 First St | 250-725-4020 | islandhealth.ca

Victoria V 1947 Cook St | 250-388-2200 | islandhealth.ca

West Shore W 345 Wale Rd | 250-519-3490 | islandhealth.ca

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

La Leche League of Greater Victoria V 250-727-4384 | llc.ca

NEW PARENT SUPPORT

Aboriginal Infant Development V Program 231 Regina Ave | 250-384-3211 | vnfc.ca

to

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BC Association of Family V Resource Programs

250-590-5706 | frpbc.ca

Central Vancouver Island N Crisis Society

Nanaimo | 250-754-4447

Family Resource Association N 198 Morison Ave, Parksville 250-752-6766 | frabc.ca

Greater Victoria Down Syndrome V Society

250-479-7450 | gvdss.org

Hands On Prevention & G Education Centre 790 North Rd, Gabriola Island | 250-247-8730 hopecentre.yolasite.com

Healthy Beginnings N Ladysmith, Nanaimo | 250-755-6230

Infant Development Program V 3970 Haro Rd | 250-477-1826

La Leche League N 409 Belmonte Place, Nanaimo 250-754-5853 | lllc.ca

La Leche League N Parksville | 250-954-2922 | lllc.ca

Ladysmith Family & Friends N Resource Program 250-210-0870 | familyandfriends.ca

Margaret Moss Health Centre CV 675 Canada Ave, Duncan | 250-709-3050 islandhealth.ca

Nanaimo Infant Development N Program 1135 Nelson St | 250-753-0251 | nanaimocdc.com

Peninsula Best Babies Program P 9860 Third St, Sidney | 250-656-0134 beaconcs.ca

Sundrops Centre for CV Child Development 5856 Clements St, Duncan | 250-746-4135 clementscentre.org

Vancouver Island Multiple Birth Association

vimba234@hotmail.com

Victoria Pregnancy Centre V 112–826 North Park St | 250-380-6883 victoriapregnancy.org

Y Young Moms Program V 250-382-1004 | vancouverislandy.com

ADOPTION SUPPORT

Adoption Support Program V 2400 Arbutus Rd | 250-721-6751 | islandhealth.ca

Adoptive Families Association of BC 1-877-236-7807 | bcadoption.com

Victoria Pregnancy Centre V 112–826 North Park St | 250-380-6883

victoriapregnancy.org

Origins Supporting People V Separated By Adoption 250-419-1200 | originscanada.org

we’re good

Flight,

Qwanoes.ca 1-888-997-9266

Family Sunday: Curiosity, Creativity & Community Building

AGGV’s new Family Sunday Coordinator, illustrator, designer, and art educator, Apr il Caverhill, has been working with a range of artists to bring engaging online content to our Family Sunday community. “Knowing our virtual format makes Family Sunday accessible to an even wider audience than our in-person gatherings is an unexpected side benefit of our digital iteration”.

Since October, our guests have included guerilla gardeners, opera singers, improv artists, and eco-warriors. All of these dynamic guests have given us entertaining insight into what they do, while offering up delightful interactive activities for our viewers. Our line-up of Family Sunday guests for the next several months is equally exciting, so please check out our website for upcoming video releases every third Sunday of the month (October-June): aggv.ca/ events

Of course, we’re all looking forward to when that time comes to gather in the Gallery once again for some fabulous hands-on family fun! We wish you all a new season filled with hope and artistic abundance.

In response to COVID-19, the AGGV has introduced a new way for families to explore the AGGV collection: Meetups. Don't miss Parent and Tot, every third Thursday of the month from 10am-10:45am. Adults $2.50, children free. Please sign up in advance: aggv.ca/meetups-at-the-aggv

Image and illustrations courtesy of April Caverhill

FAMILY SUPPORT

COMMUNITY CENTRES

Beacon Community Services P 9860 Third St, Sidney | 250-656-0134 beaconcs.ca

Braefoot Community Association V 1359 McKenzie Ave | 250-721-2244

Burnside/Gorge Community Centre V 250-388-5251 | burnsidegorge.ca

Central Vancouver Island N Multicultural Society 101–319 Selby St, Nanaimo 250-753-6911 | cvims.org

Cherry Creek Community Centre N 3720 Moore Rd, Port Alberni | 250-724-1660

Child Development Centre N 1135 Nelson St | 250-753-3521 | nanaimocdc.com

District 69 Family Resource N Association

198 Morrison Ave, Parksville 250-752-6766 | frabc.ca

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House V 511 Constance Ave | 250-385-2635 | enh.bc.ca

Fairfield Gonzales Community V Association 250-382-4604 | fairfieldcommunity.ca

Fernwood Neighbourhood V Resource Group 1240 Gladstone Ave | 250-381-1552 fernwoodnrg.ca

French Community Centre V 2–1218 Langley St | 250-388-7350 sfvictoria.ca

Gabriola Community Centre G 250-247-9291

Inter-Cultural Association V 930 Balmoral Rd | 250-388-4728 | icavictoria.org

James Bay Community Project V 547 Michigan St | 250-388-7844 | jbcp.bc.ca

Ladysmith Parks, Recreation N & Culture

810–6th Ave | 250-245-6424

Ladysmith Resources Centre N Association

721 First Ave | 250-245-3079 | ladysmith.ca

Oaklands Community Association V 1–2827 Belmont Ave | 250-370-9101 | oaklands.life

Quadra Village Community Centre V 901 Kings Rd | 250-388-7696 quadravillagecc.com

Saanich Neighbourhood Place V 3100 Tillicum Rd | 250-360-1148 saanichneighbourhoodplace.com

Shawnigan Lake Community Centre CV 2804 Shawnigan Lake Rd 250-743-1433 | cvrd.bc.ca

Sooke Family Resource Society W 250-642-5152 | sfrs.ca

Victoria Immigrant & Refuge Centre V 1004 North Park St | 250-361-9433 | vircs.bc.ca

Victoria West Community Association V 521 Craigflower Rd | 250 590-8922 victoriawest.ca

YM-YWCA of Greater Victoria V 851 Broughton St | 250-386-7511 vancouverislandy.com

COUNSELLING

Canadian Mental Health Association CV 371 Festubert St, Duncan | 250-746-5521 cowichanvalley.cmha.bc.ca

Cowichan Valley Youth Services CV Society

554 Trunk Rd | 250-748-0232 | cvyouth.ca

Cowichan Family Life CV 250-748-8281 | cowichanfamilylife.org

Discovery Youth & Family Substance V Use Services Island Health 2nd Flr, 530 Fraser St | 250-519-5313 islandhealth.ca

Dr. Allison Rees V 250-595-2649 | lifeseminars.com

Duff Psychological Services V 250-580-1690 | duffpsychological.com

Duncan Mental Health & CV Addiction Services 250-709-3040 | islandhealth.ca

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House V 511 Constance Ave | 250-360-0644 | enh.bc.ca

Life Dances Counselling V lifedancescounselling.com

Maxine Fisher, M.Ed., RCC, MTA V 250-686-7582 | victoriafamilycounselling.com

Men’s Therapy Centre V 250-381-6367 | menstrauma.com

South Island Centre for V Counselling & Training

250-472-2851 | southislandcentre.ca

South Vancouver Island Assessment CV & Resource Service, Duncan 305–394 Duncan St | 250-746-6900 vancouverislandcounselling.com

Thaiss Psychological Services V 209–2186 Oak Bay Ave | 250-516-6692 | thaiss.ca

Torchlight Counselling V 321–1095 McKenzie Ave | 250-889-9502 torchlightcounselling.ca

Vancouver Island Child, Youth V & Family Counselling Services  1830 Oak Bay Ave #303A | 250-812-7829

Vancouver Island Crisis Society N 1-888-494-3888 | vicrisis.ca

Vancouver Island Psychological V Services

218–284 Helmcken Rd | 250-727-7060 202–4420 Chatterton Way | 778-440-8880 vipsychology.ca

Victoria Counselling Service V 420–1105 Pandora Ave | 250-418-0550

GRIEF SUPPORT

Compassionate Friends of Canada V 250-478-9270 | tcfcanada.net

Compassionate Friends of Canada CV 250-510-4360 | tcfcanada.net

Compassionate Friends of Canada N 250-714-4995 | tcfcanada.net

Learning Through Loss V

250-413-3114 | learningthroughloss.org

Nanaimo Community Hospice Society N

1080 St George Crescent 250-591-8811 | nanaimohospice.com

Origins: Supporting People Separated by Adoption 416-400-5730 | originscanada.org

Rainbows, Nanaimo N 250-751-7888 | rainbowsnanaimo.ca

Rainbows, Parksville (4–12 yr olds) N 345 N. Pym St | 250-248-3927 | kucparksville.ca

Spectrum, Parksville (13–18 yr olds) N 345 N. Pym St | 250-248-3927 | kucparksville.ca

Victoria Women’s Transition House  V 3060 Cedar Hill Rd #100 | 250-592-2927

Victoria Hospice Bereavement V Services

250-370-8868 | victoriahospice.org

Victoria Hospice Society V 1952 Bay St | 250-370-8715

PARENT EDUCATION

Children’s Health & Human Rights V Partnership CHHRP.org

LIFE Seminars Parenting Programs V

Dr. Allison Rees | 250-595-2649

PARENT SUPPORT

1UP Single Parent Resource Centre V 602 Gorge Rd | 250-385-1114 singleparentvictoria.ca

Dr. Allison Rees V 250-595-2649 | lifeseminars.com

Big Brothers Big Sisters V 230 Bay St | 250-475-1117 victoria.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Big Brothers Big Sisters CV

1–60 Ingram St, Duncan 250-748-2447 | bbbscowichan.ca

Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Nanaimo N 2030 Northfield Rd | 250-756-2447 cvi.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Boys and Girls Club of Greater V Victoria Parenting Programs

1195 Esquimalt Rd | 250-384-9133 ext. 222 bgcvic.org

Bridges for Women Society V

1809 Douglas St | 250-385-7410 | bfws.ca

Child Abuse Prevention/ V Mary Manning Centre

210–1175 Cook St | 250-385-6111 | vcapcc.com

Child Care Resource & Referral gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000

Sooke: 250-642-5152

Westshore: 250-217-7479

Duncan: 250-746-4135 ext. 231

Child Development Centre N

1135 Nelson St | 250-753-0251 | nanaimocdc.com

Children Who Witness Abuse G Counselling & Support

Salt Spring Island | 250-538-5569 | iwav.org

Cowichan Family Life CV 250-748-8281 | cowichanfamilylife.org

DRS Dialogue & Resolution Services W 102–2220 Sooke Rd | 250-383-4412 dialogueandresolutionservices.ca

Dragonfly Child Care & Family G Resource Centre Pender Island | 250-629-3039 | dragonflycentre.ca

Family Caregivers’ V Network Society

6–3318 Oak St 250-384-0408 familycaregiversbc.ca

Family Place Community Services G Salt Spring Island | 250-537-9971 saltspringcommunityservices.ca

Family Services of Greater Victoria V 1004 N Park St | 250-386-4331 | fsgv.org

First Metropolitan United Church V 250-388-5188 | firstmetvictoria.com

First Unitarian Church of Victoria P 5575 West Saanich Rd | 250-744-2665 victoriaunitarian.ca

Foster Parents Support Services W 145–735 Goldstream Ave 1-888-922-8437 | fosterhope.ca

Foster Parent Support Services N

102–6421 Applecross Rd | 1-888-922-8437 fpsss.com

Hulitan Family & Community Services V 902A Caledonia Ave | 250-384-9466 | hulitan.ca

Help Fill a Dream

250-382-3135 | contact@helpfilladream.com helpfilladream.com

Home Instead Senior Care V 222–1595 McKenzie Ave | 250-382-6565 homeinstead.ca

Island Parent Magazine 250-388-6905 | islandparent.ca

Island Women Against Violence, G Transition House Salt Spring Island | 250-537-0735 | iwav.org

Kw’umut Lelum Child & N Family Services

544 Centre St, Nanaimo | 250-591-0933 kwumut.org

Legacy Caregivers Inc 250 595-8123 | legacycaregiver.com

Lighthouse Church V lighthousechurch.ca

Mayne Island Early Childhood Society G 250-539-2402 | mayneislanddaycare.ca

Military Family Resource Centre V 250-363-2640 | esquimaltmfrc.com

Nanaimo Family Life Association N 1070 Townsite Rd | 250-754-3331 | nflabc.org

Nanaimo Mental Health & Addiction N Services

250-739-5880

Nanaimo Women’s Centre N 150 Wallace St | 250-753-0633 nanaimowomen.com

Nanoose First Nation N

209 Mallard Way, Lantzville | 250-390-3661 snawnawas.org

NARSF Programs Ltd. N

201–170 Wallace St | 250-754-2773 | narsf.org

NIŁ TU,O Child & Family Services V 250-544-1400 | niltuo.ca

Nutsumaat Lelum N

3947 Shell Beach Rd, Ladysmith | 250-245-0994

PacificCare N

250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 vancouverislandccrr.ca

Pacific Centre Family Services W Association, Colwood & Sooke

250-478-8357 | pcfsa.org

Parent Support Services Society of BC

1-877-345-9777 | parentsupportbc.ca

GRG/Kinship Information: 1-855-474-9777

GRG/Kinship Support Circles:

Victoria | 250-468-9658

Duncan | 250-468-9658

Nanaimo | 250-468-9658

Parksville | 250-468-9658

Parent Support Circles:

Victoria | 250-468-9658

Duncan | 250-468-9658

Nanaimo | 250-468-9658

Parksville | 250-468-9658

Parents Together Parents Line N Nanaimo | 250-754-9661 | bgccvi.com

Princess Royal Family Centre

80 Chapel St | 250-739-5845 | islandhealth.ca

The Representative for Children V & Youth

1-800-476-3933 | rcybc.ca

Salvation Army Meal Program

505 8th St | 250-754-2621

Snu Ney Muxw First Nations

668 Centre St | 250-740-2300 | snuneymuxw.ca

Sooke Family Resource Society W

250-642-5152 | sfrs.ca

SOS Community Services Centres N

245 West Hirst Ave, Parksville | 250-248-2093

744 Primrose St, Qualicum Beach | 250-752-2040 sosd69.com

SOS is a volunteer-supported, non-profit organization meeting the needs and improving the lives of residents in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region since 1968. Free and subsidized programs for all ages are provided thanks to community support.

Sooke Options for Community V Living Association 250-642-6364 | socla.ca

St. Barnabas Anglican Church V 1525 Begbie St | 250-595-4324 stbarnabaschurch.ca

Strong Start BC, Early Learning G for Families

Galiano Island | 250-539-2261

Mayne Island | 250-539-2371

Pender Island | 250-629-3711

Saturna Island | 250-539-2472

Success By Six V successby6bc.ca

Tillicum Lelum Friendship Centre N 927 Haliburton St | 250-753-8291 tillicumlelum.ca

TS Consulting V 250-590-4114 | tsconsultingvictoria.ca

UVic Family Centre V 39208–2375 Lam Circle | 250-472-4062

uvic.ca/familycentre

Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Centre V 1004 N Park St | 250-361-9433 | vircs.bc.ca

Victoria Native Friendship Centre V 231 Regina Ave | 250-384-3211 | vnfc.ca

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre V 201–3060 Cedar Hill Rd | 250-383-3232 | vsac.ca

Young Parents Support Network V 3100 Tillicum Rd | 250-384-0552 | ypsn.ca

WIN Administration Office V 812 Cormorant Ave | 250-480-4006

SPECIAL NEEDS & DISABILITY SUPPORT

Autism Services, V Community Living Victoria 250-477-7231, ext. 237 | communitylivingvictoria.ca

BC Lions Society for Children V with Disabilities

250-386-0668

BeConnected Support Services V 250-727-3891 | beconnectedsupport.ca

We are a multi-service organization offering a full spectrum of residential, community inclusion/school replacement, and contracted support options in South, Central and Upper Vancouver Island. We provide individualized mean-

ingful choices for the 160+ children, youth, adults and their families we currently serve.

Canucks Autism Network

604-685-4049 | canucksautism.ca

Child & Family Counselling V Association (Autism Program)

5–230 Menzies St | 250-595-4423

Child Development Centre

1135 Nelson St | 250-753-0251 | nanaimocdc.com

Clements Centre Society CV 5856 Clements St | 250-746-4135 clementscentre.org

Community Options for Children & Families

1595 Bay Street | 250-380-6363 | cocf.ca COCF offers 1:1 supports, quality programing for families with children facing disability or chronic illness in the community. Supports or Services include but are not limited to, resources and referrals, parent support groups, SibShops, and other sibling support groups.

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding CV Association

250-746-1028 | ctra.ca

The Cridge Respite Resource Service V

1307 Hillside Ave | 250-995-6412 | cridge.org

Early Intervention Team CV

202–394 Duncan St | 250-709-9022

Family Support, V

Community Living Victoria

3861 Cedar Hill X Rd | 250-477-7231, ext. 236 communitylivingvictoria.ca

Footholds Therapy Centre, Nanaimo N

250-585-4411 | footholds.ca

Greater Victoria Down Syndrome V Society

250-479-7450 | gvdss.org

HeadWay Victoria Epilepsy V & Parkinson’s Centre

250-475 6677 | headwayvictoria.com

Help Fill a Dream

250-382-3135 | contact@helpfilladream.com helpfilladream.com

Come on in and see our incredible live animals in this unique mini-zoo. Tour guides are always available to answer questions and show o our adorable critters! Virtual tours and outreach programs are available for larger groups and birthday parties. Masks and vaccines required. Thank you!

victoriabugzoo.ca

Occupational Therapy Just for Kids

Online Visits

Canadian Children’s Therapy

250-818-2034 canadianchildrenstherapy.ca

HME Mobility & Accessibility hmebc.com

Island Deaf & Hard of Hearing Centre N

205–55 Victoria Rd | 250-753-0999 | idhhc.ca

Lifetime Networks V

250-477-4112 | lifetimenetworks.org

Little Steps Therapy Services V 250-386-1171 | mylittlesteps.net

Nanaimo Brain Injury Society N 285 Prideaux St | 250-753-5600 | nbis.ca

Pivot Point Family Growth Centre V 778-410-2319 | pivotpoint.ca

Power To Be V

250-385-2363 | powertobe.ca

Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health 2400 Arbutus Rd | 250-477-1826 |

Ronald McDonald House rmhbc.ca

BC Schizophrenic Society V

941 Kings Rd | 250-384-4225 | bcss.org

Special Olympics V

250-477-7106 | victoriaspecialolympics.com

Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of BC

4480 Oak St, Vancouver | 604-878-7000 sbhabc.org

Victoria Brain Injury Society V D & E, 830 Pembroke St | 250-598-9339 | vbis.ca

Victoria Society for Children V with Autism

778-557-7749 | VictoriaAutism.ca

The War Amps waramps.ca Since its

Summer FUN at GNS

Glenlyon Norfolk School is offering a variety of fun summer camps for students age 5 to 17. Arts, cooking, baking, field hockey, day camps, kayaking, outdoor education and overnight camps, entrepreneurial camps and more—our summer programs offer something for everyone!

funds our essential programs for all amputees across Canada, including CHAMP for child amputees. CHAMP provides comprehensive support, including financial assistance for artificial limbs, to allow children to lead independent and active lives. With your help, our vital programs will carry on long into the future. The War Amps does not receive government grants.

Westshore Child & Youth W Family Centre

345 Wale Rd | 250-391-4320

YOUTH SERVICES

Cowichan Valley Youth Services CV Society

554 Trunk Rd, Duncan | 250-748-0232 | cvyouth.ca

Island Sexual Health Society V Clinical Services: 250-592-3479

www.mygns.ca/summer-fun

10 Ways to Build Community

These little things can help us slow down, even just a little, to check in on the quality of our relationships with family, friends and community.

1. Host a block party. Slow down, even just a little, and meet the neighbours! Most cities will issue road-closure permits and many offer grants, too.

Synchronize your event with things like the annual Car-Free Day and maybe add a garage sale, potluck, plant swap, battery recycling drop-off and music. You could also plant a pollinator garden on the boulevard, collect towels for the local shelter and get food or prize donations from local businesses.

Tap into the local skills and interests of residents. Canvass interest in helping with invites, food, activities and cleanup. A week or two before the big day, drop off invitations in mailboxes, put up a few signs and prepare to meet your neighbours!

2. Host a clothing swap. Invite friends and co-workers. You can even swap kids’ clothing. Spring and fall are both great times but get creative (maybe a Halloween costume swap?). Donate leftover items.

3. Host a skill swap. Share your clever skills and get services you need while saving money, reducing consumption and building community.

People donate a skill, set a minimum bid and post a sheet (paper or online). The diversity of skills makes it fun: bike tune-ups, dog-walking, salsa dance lessons, hemming pants, song writing…

It’s great for workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods. It could even be a birthday party theme! Celebrate mad skills and connect with each other more.

4. Host or join a repair café or “fix it” event. Repair cafés may help fix our throw-away society. Skilled volunteers fix your household items, so you don’t have to toss them and buy new ones. Most of the fixers are hobbyists who enjoy helping others and want to keep items out of the landfill. Fixers can repair computers, toasters, lamps, chairs, clothes, jewellery, books and more! Search for one in your city or download the start-up package by Repair Café Foundation (repaircafe.org) to host your own.

5. Start a food sharing club. Gather co-workers or friends for meals and

enjoy waste-free, home-cooked food. A food circle can help a family member, co-worker or neighbour. It’s the best baby shower gift ever and a kindness for someone going through a difficult time.

6. Host a green cleaning or nontoxic cosmetics workshop. Tried any DIY recipes? Plan your “make and take” as part of an evening with friends, baby shower or lunch ’n’ learn at the office. Invite your family, neighbours, friends, coworkers, parents from your kids’ school or the book club.

Use a green cleaning recipe at davidsuzuki.org or make deodorant and lip balm or toothpaste. Supply the ingredients (buy bulk) and ask people to bring jars or

trees or clean up shorelines, etc. Find groups active in the community or start your own. Many cities offer grants for citizen stewardship projects.

9. Hang a tree swing. Kids need to play outside! Choose a healthy branch (200 millimetres or more in diameter and at least 1.8 metres long) of a hardwood tree. Ensure the rope, carabiners and hardware are rated for the maximum weight. Reuse a tire, buy a used option or create your own wooden seat. When properly installed you won’t damage the tree.

Note: Backyards are a great location but to meet the neighbours and add to local social capital, put it on the front boulevard!

containers to fill. Maybe apply for a local community grant to cover your costs or pitch to a local community centre.

7. Organize a toy swap. Drowning in a wave of toys? Toy lending prevents clutter, curbs consumption, builds community and entertains the kids! Enlist families you know and choose toys that are age-appropriate and easily washed. (Exclude your favourites and delicates.)

Choose a theme like musical instruments, wooden blocks or dress-up. Label toys, take a picture or attach an inventory list to the cloth bag. Set a loan period and write a thank-you note. It’s that easy.

8. Become a citizen scientist. Find meaningful ways to contribute to fun projects that help restore and reclaim local biodiversity. Join backyard bird counts, find a bioblitz near you, remove invasive species (like English ivy), plant

10. Write love letters to express gratitude to nature. What do you love most about nature? Hide your note or letter for someone to find — around the house or at your local library, community centre or school. Enlist your kids or pitch the idea to your daycare or school. (Share the child art you’re hoarding!) Do it at work, covertly. Hide your letter inside the office or outside in a courtyard or garden. Or invite colleagues to participate. Provide markers and paper, then showcase the letters for everyone to enjoy. Create a gratitude tree on the front boulevard or in a public park. Find more inspiration at The Love Lettering Project (loveletteringproject.com).

Reprinted with permission from David Suzuki Foundation, davidsuzuki.org

EDUCATION

PRESCHOOLS, CHILD CARE & OCCASIONAL CARE

Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre V

3905 Haro Road | 250-477-3731 | arbutusgrove.ca

ArtsCalibre Academy V

3220 Cedar Hill Rd | 250-382-3533 | ArtsCalibre.ca

Countryside Preschool P countrysidepreschool.org

Duncan Christian School CV

250-746-3654 | duncanchristianschool.ca

La Pre-Maternelle Appletree V Preschool

250-479-0292 | prematernelleappletree.com

“The Art of Preschool”—an engaging, comprehensive program infused with music, dance, theatre and visual arts, giving children confidence and the social and academic skills to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Excellent staff and outstanding facilities within the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.

Aspengrove School N

250-618-2201 | aspengroveschool.ca

Camosun College Child Care Services V 250-370-4880 | camosun.ca/childcare

Carrot Seed Preschool V

813 Claremont Ave | 250-658-2331 carrotseedpreschool.com

Castleview Child Care V 250-595-5355 | castleviewchildcarecentre.com

Cathedral School Childcare V & Junior Kindergarten

1670 Richardson St | 250-383-5132

1806 San Juan Ave | 250-388-4550 cathedralschool.ca

Full day, licensed program for 3 and 4 year olds.

Centennial Day Care V

250-386-6832 | centennialdaycare.ca

Children’s Discovery Centre N

Qualicum Beach | 250-752-4343

Ciara Early Childhood Centre V

846 Phoenix St | 250-386-7369

Cordova Bay Preschool P 250-658-3441 | cordovabaypreschool.org

Duncan Christian School is an interdenominational school educating students from preschool to Grade 12. Our school property includes an elementary campus (preschool – Grade 7) and a secondary campus (Grade 8–12). The first steps in your child’s education. Building on Faith, Family and Community.

Emmanuel Baptist Church Childcare V

2121 Cedar Hill Cross Rd | 250-598-0573

Full o’ Beans Preschool V 250-360-1148 | saanichneighbourhoodplace.com

Glenlyon Norfolk School V Junior Kindergarten

1701 Beach Drive | 250-370-6801 | mygns.ca

A three and four-year-old licensed program that embraces developing curiosity and love of learning within the framework of the respected IB Primary Years Programme.

International Montessori Academy CV 2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan | 250-737-1119

Island Kids Academy V 542 Fraser St | 250-381-2929 286 Island Hwy | 250-727-2929 islandkids.ca

Island Montessori House P 250-592-4411 | islandmontessori.com

Children have the natural desire and ability to learn. Our child-centered program is committed to providing a rich, safe, developmentally appropriate and caring environment that promotes a sense of well-being, confidence and independence.

JLC Victoria Japanese Preschool V jlcvictoria.com

John Paul II Catholic School N Port Alberni | 250-723-0637

Kingfisher Preschool W 250-642-5152 sfrs.ca/programs/kingfisher-preschool

Lambrick Park Preschool V 250-477-8131 | lambrickparkpreschool.ca

Lexie’s Little Bears Child Care Inc. W 1931 & 1927 Millstream Rd | 250-590-3603 lexieslittlebears.ca

Little Phoenix Childcare Centre V 1004 N Park St | 1-778-269-2273

Little Star Children’s Centre N Qualicum Beach

250-752-4554 | littlestardaycare.ca

Lulu’s Child Care Centre P 9830 Fourth St, Sidney | thisislulus.com

Metchosin Cooperative Preschool W 250-478-9241

Nightingale Preschool & Junior V Kindergarten Ltd.

250-595-7544 | nightingalepreschool.com

Oakcrest Preschool V 3738 Cedar Hill Rd | 250-472-0668 oakcrestpreschool.org

Oak Bay Preschool V 250-592-1922 | oakbaypreschool.com

Pacific Christian School Preschool V 250-479-4532 | PacificChristian.ca

Pacific Heart Childcare P 1720 McTavish Rd | pacificheartchildcare.com

Parkside Academy CV Duncan | 250-746-1711

Queen of Angels Early Learning CV Centre

250-701-0433 | queenofangels.ca

Queen Margaret’s School CV 250-746-4185 | qms.bc.ca

Rainbows & Dreams V 4184 Keewatin Pl | 250-479-1966

Ready Set Grow Preschool V 250-472-1530 | heosc.com

Recreation Oak Bay V 1975 Bee St | 250-370-7200 | oakbay.ca

The River Preschool

stbarnabaschurch.ca

The Sir James Douglas Playschool

250-389-0500

St. Christopher’s Montessori School

2619 Currie Rd | 250-595-3213

St. Joseph’s Early Learning Centre V 757 Burnside Rd West 250-479-1237 | stjosephschool.ca

St. Margaret’s School Jr. Kindergarten V 250-479-7171 | stmarg.ca

Sunrise Waldorf School Preschool CV 2148 Lakeside Rd | 250-743-7253 sunrisewaldorfschool.org

Vancouver Island Co-operative Preschool Association 250-598-2667 | vicpa.org

Victoria Montessori V 250-380-0534 | victoriamontessori.com

Westmont Montessori School W 4075 Metchosin Rd | 250-474-2626 west-mont.ca

Westshore Parks & Recreation

1767 Island Highway | 250-478-8384 westshorerecreation.ca

West Shore Parks & Recreation’s vision is to inspire its community to Move, Learn and Play for life! Starting September 2021, WSPR is excited to offer a wide variety of programs to suit the child care needs of families in the West Shore, kick starting children’s journeys on an active, curious and healthy lifestyle. 24 new full-time daycare (30 mos–5 years), 30 new preschool and 40 new afterschool care spaces open September 2021. The registration process begins in February.

Willowbrae Childcare V 722 Johnson St | 604-366-7080 willowbraechildcare.com

Wiseways Preschool & Daycare V 250-477-1312 | wisewaysvictoria.com

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Chemainus Crofton Community CV Schools Association

3172 Garner St | 250-246-3588

flexibility for different learning styles optional hands-on learning activities support from a certified teacher gentle and constructive feedback

Conseil scolaire francophone de la Columbie-Britannique

180–10200 Shellbridge Way, Richmond 1-888-715-2200 | csf.bc.ca

School District #61 Victoria V

556 Boleskine Rd | 250-475-3212 | sd61.bc.ca

School District #62 Sooke W

3143 Jacklin Rd | 250-474-9800 | sd62.bc.ca

School District #63 Saanich P

2125 Keating X-Rd | 250-652-7300 | sd63.bc.ca

School District #64, Gulf Islands G

112 Rainbow Rd | 250-537-5548 | sd64.bc.ca

School District #68 N (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)

395 Wakesiah Ave | 250-754-5521 | sd68.bc.ca

School District #69 (Qualicum) N

100 Jensen Ave | 250-248-4241 | sd69.bc.ca

School District #79 CV 2557 Beverly St | 250-748-0321 | sd79.bc.ca

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Arrowmith Independent School N

861 Hilliers Rd, Qualicum | 250-752-2722 arrowsmithindependentschool.ca

ArtsCalibre Academy V

4201 Tyndall Ave | 250-382-3533 | ArtsCalibre.ca

Christ Church Cathedral School V

912 Vancouver St | 250-383-5125 cathedralschool.ca

Lakeview Christian School P 250-658-5082 | lcsvictoria.ca

Imagine a school where music, dance, theatre and visual arts are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum. Academic excellence is achieved in a dynamic, engaging and safe environment. Small class sizes, individualized education plans, highly skilled and dedicated teachers, excellent facilities and location.

Aspengrove School N

Nanaimo | 250-390-2201 | aspengroveschool.ca

Brentwood College School CV

2735 Mt. Baker Rd, Mill Bay 250-743-5521 | brentwood.bc.ca

Brookes Westshore W 1945 Sooke Rd | 250-929-0506 westshore.brookes.org

CCCS is an Independent Anglican School for K – grade 8. Outstanding teachers, programs and out of school care within a welcoming, inclusive community.

Discovery School V 250-595-7765 | discoveryschool.ca

Evergreen Independent School CV 3515 Watson Ave, Cobble Hill 250-743-2433 | evergreen.net

Glenlyon Norfolk School V

801 Bank St (Admissions) | 250-370-6801

801 Bank St (Middle Years) | 250-370-6803

801 Bank St (Senior) | 250-370-6802

1701 Beach Dr (Primary) | 250-370-6854 mygns.ca

John Paul II Catholic School N Port Alberni | 4006 8th Ave | 250-723-0637

Maria Montessori Academy V 1841 Fairburn Dr | 250-479-4746 mariamontessoriacademy.net

Oak & Orca Bioregional School V 2738 Higgins St | 250-383-6609 | oakandorca.ca

Pacific Christian School V 671 Agnes St (Elementary) | 250-479-9365 654 Agnes St (Secondary) | 250-479-4532 pacificchristian.ca

Queen Margaret’s School CV 250-746-4185 | qms.bc.ca

Queen of Angels Catholic School CV 2085 Maple Bay Rd | 250-746-5919

Selkirk Montessori School V 2970 Jutland Rd | 250-384-3414 selkirkmontessori.ca

St. Andrew’s Regional High School V 880 McKenzie Ave | 250-479-1414 standrewshigh.ca

St. Joseph’s Catholic School V

757 West Burnside Rd | 250-479-1232 stjosephschool.ca

St. Margaret’s School V

1080 Lucas Ave | 250-479-7171 | stmarg.ca

Confident girls. Inspiring women. Junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

St. Michaels University School V

3400 Richmond Rd | 250-592-2411 | smus.ca Jr. School | 820 Victoria | 250-598-3922

St. Patrick’s Elementary School V

2368 Trent St | 250-592-6713 | stpatrickselem.ca

Shawnigan Lake School CV 1975 Renfrew Rd | 250-743-5516 | shawnigan.ca

Sunrise Waldorf School CV

2148 Lakeside Rd | 250-743-7253 sunrisewaldorfschool.org

Vancouver Island School V of Innovation and Inquiry

Inquiry learning for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 in a small centre where interdisciplinary questions engage all dimensions of a child’s life. admin@visii.ca | visii.ca

Victoria School for Ideal Education V 2820 Belmont Ave | 250-383-6654 | vsie.ca

Welkin College School N welkinschool.com

Westmont School W

4075 Metchosin Rd | 250-474-2626 | west-mont.ca

DISTRIBUTED LEARNING

CEAP School District #69 N Home Learning Program 250-954-3043 | SD69.bc.ca

Hands-On Home-Learning for a V

Sustainable World 2738 Higgins St | 250-383-6619 | oakandorca.ca

Individual Learning Centre P

Broadmead | 250-744-1174

Saanichton | 250-656-4042 ilc.sd63.bc.ca

Juan de Fuca Distributed Learning W

814 Goldstream Ave | 250-391-9002 jdfdl.web.sd62.bc.ca

Navigate Heartwood N Learning Community

1-800-663-7925 | navigatenides.com

North Island Distance Education CX

2505 Smith Rd, Courtenay

1-800-663-7925 | navigatenides.com

LEARNING CENTRES & TUTORS

Alliance Française de Victoria V afvictoria.ca

KUMON Math & Reading V 1560 Fort St | 778-746-3185 214-3965 Quadra St | 250-479-1800 kumon.com

KUMON Math & Reading W 115–963 Langford Parkway | 250-516-2991 kumon.com

KUMON Math & Reading P 10091 Resthaven Dr | 250-656-6696 | kumon.com

KUMON Math & Reading N

5–6421 Applecross Rd | 250-390-2411 2753 Charlotte Rd | 250-743-3510 kumon.com

LDABC The Learning Curve V 250-370-9513 | ldasvi.bc.ca

Literacy Central Vancouver Island N 250-754-8988 | literacycentralvi.org

The Math Teacher CV 250-732-1597 | themathteacher.xyz

Pivot Point Learning Centres Inc.

1-866-531-4544 | pivotpoint.ca

School Is Easy In Home Tutoring N 1-877-ITSEASY | schooliseasy.com

Smart Tutor Referrals 250-544-1588 | SmartTutorReferrals.com

Sylvan Learning Centre V 1623 McKenzie Ave | 250-477-3212

3145 Jacklin Rd | 250-590-6211 sylvanlearning.com

Proven results. Digital tablet technology. Innovative teaching techniques, motivational programs and the Sylvan Insight assessment continue to make Sylvan Learning the leader in personalized learning from K-12. Call today to find out more.

Sylvan Learning Centre CV 215–80 Station St | 250-746-0222 sylvanlearning.com

Proven results. Digital tablet technology. Innovative teaching techniques, motivational programs and the Sylvan Insight assessment continue to make Sylvan Learning the leader in personalized learning from K-12. Call today to find out more.

Sylvan Learning Centre N 3260 Norwell Dr | 250-758-1526 sylvanlearning.com

Proven results. Digital tablet technology. Innovative teaching techniques, motivational programs and the Sylvan Insight assessment continue to make Sylvan Learning the leader in personalized learning from K-12. Call today to find out more.

Total Learning Services V 778-440-0997

totallearningservices2014@gmail.com

Victoria German School V 250-886-1420 | victoriagermanschool.org

Victoria Literacy Connection V A10-830 Pembroke St | 250-385-0014 victorialiteracyconnection.ca

Victoria Literacy Connection helps children, youth and adults improve their reading, writing, math, English and French language and basic computer skills through 1:1 or group tutoring. Volunteer tutors support most of our programs to offer free services.

POST SECONDARY EDUCATION

Camosun College V 250-370-3550 | camosun.ca

Royal Roads University W 250-391-2511 | royalroads.ca

University of Victoria V 250-721-7211 | uvic.ca

Vancouver Island University N 900 5th St | 250-753-3245 | viu.ca

OTHER

CISV Victoria V CISVvictoria.ca

Take Care of Yourself to Care for the Living World

Doctors can now give out A Prescription for Nature (parkprescriptions.ca) or PaRx to get patients into nature at least two hours per week. To treat mental and physical health problems, Canadian health care professionals give a free Parks Canada Discovery Pass, worth $70. While we’ve long understood that Vitamin “N” (for “nature”) is essential for healthy human function, we’re finally acting on that understanding. Nature is good for learning, health and well-being! The healing and spiritual perks of time in nature are also acknowledged around the world.

Six nature-lovin’ terms to experience

Dadirri (pronounced da-did-ee): Deep listening and inner quiet that can arise from contemplating the quietude and beauty of nature. It’s from the Ngan’gikurunggurr and Ngen’giwumirri languages of the Aboriginal peoples of the Daly River region (Northern Territory, Australia). It’s a spiritual skill based on respect.

Friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv): A way of life spent exploring and appreciating nature. It’s a Nordic term used to describe the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing.

Komorebi (pronounced koh-mo-rehbee): A Japanese word to describe the light that dapples the forest floor as it’s filtered through the leaves.

Meriggiare: An Italian term (verb) that means to rest at noon—the hottest hours of the day—in the shade. Tip: listen online for a pronunciation.

Petrichor (pronounced pe-tre-kor): The distinctive musty or earthy smell of rain as it hits dry earth. A term coined by Australian scientists in 1964.

Waldeinsamkeit (pronounced vahydahyn-zahm-kahyt): The feelings or emotions you have when being alone in the woods.

Reflect on the terms or test them out yourself! You’ll impress your nature lovin’ friends no matter your accent.

When we take care of ourselves, we also take care of the living world. As a family, explore a few acts of mindfulness to foster play, rest and joy:

Family portrait. Recall a happy moment with your family. Hold that image. Now use your family members to recreate it! Parents, grandparents, and siblings take a still position to illustrate your happiest moment. Maybe a parent becomes a tree? Or your sibling is the family pet? Take turns, then reflect on how it was to play different people and how it felt to share this moment with others. Source: Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness

with Children by Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village Community.

Sky meditation. Bring happiness and compassion to yourself and others. Lay comfortably on your back and look up at the boundless sky. (Don’t stare at the sun, it’s okay to blink!) Allow your thoughts and emotions to pass by like clouds. Can you become one with the sky? Can your mind have a quality of vast, open and limitless? Stay here a few minutes, breathing deeply. Close your meditation, by becoming aware of your body touching the surface of grass, sand or whatever your surroundings. Reflect on your feelings of freedom and peace. Tip: You can also practice indoors with a view of the sky. Source: adapted from Gelong Thubten’s book, A Monk’s Guide to Happiness.

Behold. Go into your garden, a patch of forest or stretch of beach. Practice being present by noticing a tree, the water, a stone or flower. Notice but don’t assign it an adjective. Let it be. Beholding means you don’t judge whether it’s your favourite kind of tree, or if it’s a beautiful flower. In non-judgement you enter a different state of being and open to a deep sense of wonder. This is communion, a true source of joy! (Hint: after practicing on flowers, try to behold people.)

Walking meditation. This practice deepens our connection with our body

and the earth. Each step brings us healing and happiness. Walk as if your feet are kissing the earth, go slow. Remember that you have a body! From this connection you experience aliveness. Walking meditation brings body and mind together peacefully. When we see our anger or sadness clearly, it dissolves. We feel more compassion for ourselves and others. “Walking meditation should not be work. It is very pleasant, especially in the early morning when the air is still very fresh. When we walk mindfully, we see the beauty and the wonder of the earth around us, and we wake up. We see that we are living a very wonderful moment.”

(Thich Nhat Hanh)

Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator, facilitator, naturalist, community catalyst, soul activist, mentor, and dedicated mother of two. She’s the Director of Communications, Culture and Community at EPIC Learning Centre, a forest and nature school in Victoria. Find her @SaneAction on Instagram and Facebook.

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CLASSES & PROGRAMS

ART PROGRAMS

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria V

Children’s Studio

250-384-4171 | aggv.ca

Artistic Statement Gallery & V School of Fine Art

107–2250 Oak Bay Ave | 250-383-0566

Fired Up Ceramics V firedupceramics.ca

McTavish Academy of Art P 1720 McTavish Rd | 778-351-0088 McTavishAcademy.ca

McTavish Academy of Art works with local instructors, organizations and the community, offering a unique range of creative classes, workshops and events for you to experience, at any age.

Poppet Creative V poppetcreative.com

Robert Bateman Centre V Junior Nature Sketch Club

250-940-3630 | batemancentre.org

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Boys & Girls Club, Victoria V

1233 Clarke Rd | 250-652-3021

521 Craigflower Rd | 250-686-9108

410 Macaulay St | 250-686-9107

626 Hoylake Ave | 250-478-0721

345 Wale Rd | 250-216-9583 bgcvic.org

Boys & Girls Club, Chemainus CV

3172B Garner St | 250-246-5421

Boys & Girls Club, Duncan CV

2471 Beverly St, Duncan | 250-748-1171

Boys & Girls Club, Ladysmith N 730 3rd Ave | 250-245-8921

Boys & Girls Club, Lantzville N 7–7221 Lantzville Rd | 250-390-4001

Boys & Girls Club, Nanaimo N 20 5th St | 250-754-3215

Girl Guides of Canada V 938 Mason St | 250-383-1712 | girlguides.ca

Girl Guides of Canada CV 321 Cairnsmore St | 250-748-1052 | girlguides.ca

Maple Bay Yacht Club CV 250-746-4521 | mbyc.bc.ca

Nanaimo Navy League & Sea Cadets N 750 Fifth St | 250-753-3797

Navy League Cadets V 250-565-3344 | navyleague.ca

Royal Canadian Air Cadets V 89pacific-aircadets.ca

Royal Canadian Air Cadets N 205 Collishaw Rd, Nanaimo | 250-754-0076

Scouts Canada V 1-888-726-8876 | scouts.ca

Victoria Sea Cadets V 250-363-0864 | vicseacadets.ca

DANCE

Arabesque Dance Studio V 250-595-3107 | dancearabesque.ca

Ballet Victoria V 643 Broughton St | 250-380-6063 balletvictoria.ca

Dance Unlimited V 250-361-3267 | danceunlimited.ca

Leap Forward Dance School W 2758 Peatt Rd | 250-818-9225 or 778-265-5955 leapforwardlangford.com

Maple Leaf School of Ballet V 310 Henry St | mapleleafballet.ca

Nanaimo Contemporary Ballet N ncballet.ca

O’Brien School of Irish Dance N 250-340-2370 | obrienirishdance.com

Stages Performing Arts School V 301–1551 Cedar Hill X Rd | 250-384-3267 stagesdance.com

Victoria Academy of Ballet V 2713 Quadra St | 250-590-6752

victoriaacademyofballet.ca

The Victoria Academy of Ballet offers recreational dance classes to students aged 3–18 in a stimulating environment focused on creativity, group interaction and self-expression. Balance, coordination and spatial awareness are developed in a fun atmosphere. Younger students are continually inspired by our internationally acclaimed instructors and professional training program students from all over the world. VAB is the only ballet school on Vancouver Island designated with the BC Ministry of Advanced Education.

Victoria School of Irish Dance V 250-888-9421 | victoriairishdancers.com

Westcoast Academy of V

Performing Arts

250-415-1477 | wapa.ca

DAY PROGRAMS

Airhouse N 4381 Boban Dr | 250-585-8888

Autism Services, V Community Living Victoria 250-477-7231 | communitylivingvictoria.ca

BC SPCA N 250-388-7722 | spca.bc.ca

Bear Mountain Academy Programs W 250-744-2327 | bearmountain.ca

Boys & Girls Club V 250-384-9133 | bgcvic.org

Byte Camp V 250-661-3358 | bytecamp.ca

Canadian Forces Sailing V 250-385-8873 | cfsa.wordpress.com

Christ Church Cathedral School V 250-383-5125 | cathedralschool.ca

Easter Seals, British Columbia & Yukon Camp Inquiries: 604-873-1865, 1-800-818-4483 camp@eastersealsbcy.ca | eastersealsbcy.ca

FUN Camps V 600 Richmond Ave | 778-712-2267

Glenlyon Norfolk Marine Adventure V Program

250-370-6852 | mygns.ca

Hands On Summer Camp V 250-995-6425 | HandsOnSummerCamp.com

Nanaimo Art Gallery  N 150 Commercial St | 250-754-1750

Oaklands Equestrian Unicorn Club V 879 Dooley Rd | oaklandsunicornclub@gmail.com

Rogers Society V 765 Rogers Ave | rogerssociety.org

Royal Victoria Yacht Club V 250-592-2441 | rvyc.bc.ca

Seedlings Forest Education V/N 250-880-0660 seedlingsforesteducation.com

SMUS Education Extension V Holiday Programs

250-370-6120 | smus.ca

YM/YWCA V 880 Courtney St | 250-475-3777 vancouverislandy.com

DRAMA PROGRAMS

Four Seasons Musical Theatre V fsmtheatre.ca

Kaleidoscope Theatre V 250-383-8124 | kaleidoscope.bc.ca

SKAM School of Performing Arts V 250-386-7526 | skam.ca

Spotlight Academy V 250-714-2555 | spotlightacademyvictoria.com

Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts V 250-580-2588 | vadarts.com

GYMNASTICS

Falcon Gymnastics Centre V 208–721 Vanalman Ave | 250-479-6424 falcongymnastics.com

Flipside Gymnastics N 250-756-9102 | flipsidegymnastics.ca

Island Circus Space V islandcircusspace.com

Nanaimo Gymnastics School N 1975 Bollinger Road, Nanaimo | 250-740-0330 nanaimogymnastics.ca

Nanaimo Gymnastics School is a not-for-profit society dedicated to the teaching of artistic gymnastics at all levels. Our mission is to develop physical literacy through gymnastics in a fun, safe and structured environment, while also teaching important life skills for the future! Our programs include Preschool, Recreational and Parkour structured classes, and a successful Competitive Artistic Gymnastics Program. For additional programs, visit our website! Come Learn With Us!

Victoria Gymnastics V 2051 Store St | 250-380-2442 victoriagymnastics.com

Victoria Gymnastics W 520 Mt View Ave | 250-265-6414 victoriagymnastics.com

LIBRARIES

Greater Victoria Public Library

250-940-4875 (GVPL) | gvpl.ca

Bruce Hutchison Branch | 4636 Elk Lake Rd

Central Branch | 735 Broughton St

Central Saanich Branch | 1209 Clarke Rd

Emily Carr Branch | 101-3521 Blanshard St

Esquimalt Branch | 1231 Esquimalt Rd

Goudy Branch | 119-755 Goldstream Ave

Juan de Fuca Branch | 1759 Island Hwy

Langford Heritage Branch | 102-1314 Lakepoint Way

Nellie McClung Branch | 3950 Cedar Hill Rd

Oak Bay Branch | 1442 Monterey Ave

Saanich Centennial Branch | 3110 Tillicum Rd

Vancouver Island Regional Library

virl.bc.ca

Campbell River Branch

1240 Shopper’s Row | 250-287-3655

Chemainus Branch

2592 Legion St | 250-246-9471

Cowichan Branch

2687 James St | 250-746-7661

Hornby Island Branch

1765 Sollans Rd | 250-335-0044

Ladysmith Branch

3–740 1st Ave | 250-245-2322

Lake Cowichan Branch

38 King George North | 250-749-3431

Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch

90 Commercial Dr | 250-753-1154

Nanaimo Wellington Branch

3032 Barons Rd | 250-758-5544

Parksville Branch

100E Jenson Ave East | 250-248-3841

Port Alberni Branch

4245 Wallace St | 250-723-9511

Qualicum Beach Branch

101–660 Primrose St | 250-752-6121

Sidney-North Saanich Branch

10091 Resthaven Rd | 250-656-0944

Sooke Branch

2065 Anna Marie Rd | 250-642-3022

MUSIC

BC Music Teachers’ Association V bcrmtavictoria.webs.com

Let us find you a private music teacher. The BCRMTA assures you qualified and professional instruction on every instrument at every level. Find your local teacher today.

Comox Valley Youth Music Centre CX cymc.ca

Drumwave Music School V 778-679-7985 | drumwavemusic.com

Island Show Choir V islandshowchoir.com

Mary Rogers Music Studio V 250-744-9049 | maryrogerspianostudio.ca

Music for Young Children

1-800-828-4334 | myc.com

Nanaimo Conservatory of Music N 250-754-4611 | ncmusic.ca

Sage Piano Studio W Sooke | 250-213-7883 | sagepiano@gmail.com In studio and online lessons

Speak Sing Studio W speaksingstudio@gmail.com 250-893-8806 | speaksingstudio.com

Sydney teaches voice, piano, and music theory in Langford and online. Students will learn healthy ways to make music while having fun! Visit our website to book your free consultation today! All ages welcome.

Tom Lee Music W 105–2401D Millstream Rd | 250-838-5222 tomleemusic.ca

Victoria Children’s Choir V 250-721-0856 | VictoriaChildrensChoir.ca

Victoria Conservatory of Music V info@vcm.bc.ca | 250-386-5311 | vcm.bc.ca

A non-profit organization founded in 1964, the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) has earned an outstanding reputation of quality in education, performance, and music therapy. As a music school for the whole community, the VCM welcomes students of all ages and musical abilities and teaches in all musical genres from classical to contemporary and music technology. The Victoria Conservatory of Music currently has two beautiful locations in Downtown Victoria and Langford (Westhills YMCAYWCA building).

RECREATION CENTRES

Archie Browning Sports Centre V 1151 Esquimalt Rd | 250-414-7103 | esquimalt.ca

Beban Park Social Centre N 2300 Bowen Rd | 250-756-5200

Bowen Park Complex N 500 Bowen Rd | 250-756-5200 | nanaimo.ca

Cedar Hill Recreation Centre V 3220 Cedar Hill Rd | 250-475-7121 | saanich.ca

City Centre Park W 250-391-1738 | citycentrepark.ca

Cowichan Aquatic Centre CV

2653 James St, Duncan | 250-746-7665 northcowichan.ca

Cowichan Lake Sports Arena CV 311 South Shore Rd | 250-749-6742 | cvrd.bc.ca

Cowichan Sportsplex CV

5847 Chesterfield Ave | 250-746-5666 cowichansportsplex.com

Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre V

2275 Quadra St | 250-361-0732 victoria.ca/recservices

Swimming lessons for all ages and abilities; 50m pool with waterslide, two kids’ pools and sauna/ steam rooms; full fitness facilities and wellness programs.

Esquimalt Parks & Recreation V

527 Fraser St | 250-414-8500 | esquimalt.ca

Frank Crane Arena N 2300 Bowen Rd | 250-756-5200 | nanaimo.ca

Gordon Head Recreation Centre V

4100 Lambrick Way | 250-475-7100 | saanich.ca

Henderson Centre V

2291 Cedar Hill X Rd | 250-370-7200 | oakbay.ca

Kerry Park Recreation Centre CV 1035 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd 250-743-5922 | cvrd.bc.ca

Kinsmen Park Pool N

5799 Alderlea St | 250-746-1018

Ladysmith Parks, Recreation N & Culture

810–6th Ave | 250-245-6424 | ladysmith.ca

McGirr Sports Complex N 6185 McGirr Rd | 250-756-1173 | sd68.bc.ca

Nanaimo Aquatic Centre N 741 Third St | 250-756-5200 | nanaimo.ca

Nanaimo Ice Centre N 750 Third St | 250-756-5200 | nanaimo.ca

North Cowichan Parks & Recreation CV 2876 Fuller Lake Rd, Chemainus | 250-246-3811 northcowichan.ca

Oliver Woods Community Centre N 6000 Oliver Rd | 250-756-5200 | nanaimo.ca

Panorama Recreation Centre P 250-656-7271 | panoramarecreation.ca

Pearkes Recreation Centre V 3100 Tillicum Rd | 250-475-5400 | saanich.ca

Ravensong Aquatic Centre N 737 Jones St | 250-752-5014 | rdn.bc.ca

Recreation Oak Bay V 250-595-7946 | recreation.oakbay.ca

Saanich Commonwealth Place P 4636 Elk Lake Dr | 250-475-7600 | saanich.ca

Salt Spring Island Parks & Recreation G 145 Vesuvius Bay Rd | 250-537-4448

Save On Foods Memorial Centre V 1925 Blanshard St | 250-361-0732

victoria.ca/arena

Passport to skating lesson programs for all ages and abilities; special events and theme skates; youth and sports programs; rental opportunities for ice/dry floor/meeting rooms.

SEAPARC Leisure Complex W

2168 Phillips Rd, Sooke | 250-642-8000 crd.bc.ca/seaparc

Shawnigan Lake Community Centre CV

2804 Shawnigan Lk Rd | 250-743-1433 | cvrd.bc.ca

West Shore Parks & Recreation W

250-478-8384 | westshorerecreation.ca

Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and Centennial Centre offer a variety of programs for preschoolers, school age and teens, plus drop-in swimming, skating, child minding and more.

RIDING

Alpine Stables CV

250-743-6641 | alpinestable.com

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding CV

250-746-1028 | ctra.ca

SCIENCE/NATURE

BC SPCA V

250-388-7722 | spca.bc.ca/kids

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre CV

1845 Cowichan Bay Rd 250-597-2288 | cowichanestuary.ca

CRD Parks Programs

250-478-3344 | crd.bc.ca

Cedar Coast Field Station N cedarcoastfieldstation.org

Friends of Uplands Park V 250-595-8084 | friendsofuplandspark.org

Gorge Waterway Nature House V Gorge Park | 778-265-5119 | gorge.ca

Mad Science V

250-391-1814 | madscience.org/vancouverisland

Morell Nature Sanctuary N

787 Nanaimo Lakes | 250-753-5811 morrellnaturesanctuary.ca

Swan Lake Christmas Hill V

Nature Sanctuary

250-479-0211 | swanlake.bc.ca

Thriving Roots Wilderness School V 778-554-4741 | thrivingroots.org

SKATING

Oak Bay Figure Skating Club V oakbayfsc.ca

Juan de Fuca Skating Club W jdfskatingclub.com

SPORTS

Boardworks Diving P 4636 Elk Lake Dr | 250-479-0330 | boardworks.ca

Capital Region Female V Minor Hockey Assoc. VictoriaGirlsHockey.ca

Central Saanich Little League P cslittleleague.com

Elevate Ultimate V victoria@elevateultimate.com 778-715-0037 | elevateultimate.com

Gorge Soccer Association V 240 Hampton Rd | info@gorgesoccer.ca gorgesoccer.ca

Join a champion! Join one of Victoria’s oldest soccer clubs and become part of our tradition of soccer excellence and development. Youth soccer 4–17 years old including winter, spring, recreational and competitive leagues. Holiday and Pro D Day camps and academy programs. Winter league adult soccer 17–70+ years old

Greater Victoria Horseshoe V Pitching Association 250-727-2543 | vichpa.org

Highland Pacific Golf W 450 Creed Rd | 250-478-4653 highlandpacificgolf.com

Island Circus Space V 3–625 Hillside Ave | 250-532-8282 islandcircusspace.com

Island Swimming P 250-744-5536 | islandswimming.com

Let us teach your child to be a great swimmer! Island Swim Skills, for swimmers 6–10, who can swim a length of the pool on their own, are at Commonwealth and Juan de Fuca pools. Programs emphasize skill development and endurance in a fun and welcoming environment. Island Wave Skills, for kids 4 – 7, who are learning to swim, is back at Commonwealth Pool.

Check the latest Saanich Active Living Guide for registration.

Kids At

Tennis

Society V tenniskids9@gmail.com

250-412-1406 | kidsattennis.ca

Our mission is to improve the physical, emotional and social well-being of children and youth from families facing challenges due to chronic low income or due to cognitive or physical developmental disabilities (Autism, Down Syndrome, Wheelchair Disabilities). Over the past 7 years the Society for Kids at Tennis (KATS) has provided free tennis lessons to over 14,000 underserved children and youth in the CRD. We strive to offset the growing negative impacts kids face today by providing, free of charge, tennis lessons including all equipment, and are conducted in a manner that promotes physical activity and engages the participants in learning and connectedness with peers and mentoring adults.

Lions Baseball V lionsbaseball.ca

Navigate Performance Athlete CX Custom Education (P.A.C.E.)

2505 Smith Rd, Courtenay

1-800-663-7925 | navigatepace.com

Operation Trackshoes V 3100 Foul Bay Rd | 250-721-2233 | trackshoes.ca

Pacific Cheer Empire W 210–314 Wale Rd | 250-516-0507 pacificcheerempire.com

Pacific Coast Swimming V/P/W 250-727-9243 | pacificcoastswimming.com

Pacific Coast Swimming is a coach-owned, athletecentred, parent-supported organization that operates out of most of the pools

in the GVRD. Our Lightning Fast Swim Series is now up and running at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre! The program focuses on a specific progression of skills that teaches the sport of swimming safely and effectively. We’ll have your child swimming in no time!

Pacific FC V PacificFC.ca

PISE (Pacific Institute for V Sport Excellence)

250-220-2510 | piseworld.com

Royal Soccer Club V 1-800-427-0536 | royalsoccer.com

Royal Victoria Yacht Club V 250-592-6113 | rvyc.bc.ca

Sooke Horseshoe Pitching W Association

778-352-1222 | sookehorseshoes.weebly.com

South Island Youth Cricket League V siycl.ca

The Rising Centre for Circus Arts V 250-857-1785 | therisingcircus.com

Triangle Baseball W trianglebaseball.ca

Tyee Aquatic Club V tyeeaquaticclub.com

Victoria City Rowing Club V vcrc.bc.ca

Victoria Judo Club V 250-886-0056 | victoriajudoclub.com

Victoria Junior Field Hockey V VictoriaJuniorFieldHockey.ca

Victoria Sea Cadets V 250-363-0864 | vicseacadets.ca

Victoria Synchro V victoriasynchro.com

Victoria Youth Paddling Club V vypc.ca

Western Educational Adventures westernadventures.ca

Westshore Basketball westshorebasketball.com

Westshore Motocross Assoc. 250-590-8088 | westshoremx.com

World Cup Soccer Camp worldcupsoccercamp.com

OTHER

CISV Victoria cisvvictoria.ca

Under the GUI 778-967-2150 | underthegui.com

Natasha Shepherdson wildoakcreative.com @wildoakcreative

Photographing love and connection through soulful stories

Teaching Kids Ethical Online Behaviour

Most kids live as much of their lives online as they do offline. But on the Internet there are lots of moral and ethical choices that don’t have to be made offline. These tips lay out ways you can help your children develop a moral compass to guide them through those choices.

The foundation for helping kids to behave ethically is to teach them to respect themselves and other people. Online, this mostly falls into three categories: respect people’s privacy, respect people’s feelings and respect people’s property.

Respect People’s Privacy

Because nearly all of the services and platforms young people use are networked, every time a friend posts something they have to decide if—and how—to share it. Unfortunately, they often ignore the ethical issues of this choice, expecting others to tell them if they don’t want something to be shared.

Teach kids to:

Consider other people in photos or videos they are posting or sharing:

Do I have their permission? How will they feel if I post this? Is there anything they’d be worried about?

Think about what might happen if something that they post or share gets sent to people they didn’t expect:

How will the people in this photo or video feel if their parents see it? Their teachers? Their friends, girlfriends or boyfriends?

Parents can also model good habits by thinking about their children’s privacy before posting videos, photos or other personal things about their kids. Having clear and consistent family rules about respecting privacy is a great first step in helping kids to make good choices.

Respect People’s Feelings

Sometimes it can be hard to remember that the people we communicate with online are real people who have feelings. This is because we don’t see or hear many of the things that trigger empathy in us, like a person’s tone of voice, body language or facial expression.

To help kids better understand and respond to bullying, teach them:

How some online spaces, especially ones that are popular with boys, encourage trolling (annoying people on purpose to get a response, which can include annoying erstand what is—and isn’t—acceptable online behaviour.

How to react appropriately to online drama (flare-ups with peers). This includes learning skills to mediate between friends to prevent situations from spiraling out of control as well as strategies that can be used to avoid drama themselves. This includes taking time to “cool down” before posting a reply, assuming the best about other people and not automatically thinking that comments are meant to be mean and talking face-toface to make sure you haven’t misunderstood an online conversation.

Signs of an unhealthy relationship, like jealousy, possessiveness and constantly wanting to keep tabs on someone. As well, pay attention to what your kids are watching, playing and listening to and be ready to talk about how romantic relationships are depicted.

Strategies for when they witness any kind of bullying. Confronting bullies publicly can be effective, but there are also times when a private conversation might be better, especially between friends. Remind your kids not to automatically take sides just to defend their friends; this can turn drama into harass-

ment. Instead, suggest they mediate between the participants.

What is and isn’t acceptable online behaviour. Having clear and consistent family rules is a great way of communicating to your kids how you expect them to treat other people online.

What to do if they are targets of bullying. Make sure your kids know you will support them if they come to you. Find out what their school’s policies and procedures are for reporting bullying and make sure your kids know these as well.

Respect People’s Property

One of the most common ethical decisions kids face online has to do with how they access and use things like music, games and videos. So much stuff is easily available online that it’s hard to resist “putting your hand in the cookie jar,” especially since we’re not reminded—as we would be if we were to sneak into a movie or steal a video game from a store—that people are hurt by what we do. There’s also lots of confusion, among both kids and adults, about what’s permitted and what’s not; while some things are clearly unethical (like illegally downloading movies), many common activities (like watching movie clips on YouTube and similar sites) are less clear.

We need to teach kids to think about whether they’re watching, listening to and playing things online in a way that shows respect for the people who made it and own it:

Teach kids that just because something’s online doesn’t mean you can take it and use it. For things you are allowed to use, always give credit to the person or company who owns the copyright.

Correct the idea that any use is okay as long as the author is given credit. While

it’s important to do this, kids need to know that crediting the author may not always be enough.

Remind kids that when an artist creates a work, they own it and they deserve to control what happens to it. They may choose to give it away, but if they want to charge for it that’s their right. Given all the stuff that’s freely available online, if something isn’t free it’s because the person who made it expects to get paid.

Kids may think that cheating a media company is not the same as cheating a person, so we need to explain that selling and licensing copyright is an important part of how artists make a living. If companies stop doing this because they aren’t making profits, it’s the artists who suffer. (Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Canadians working in jobs that are supported by the film, television, video game and music industries.)

Address the idea many youth buy into that “copying isn’t stealing.” One way to help kids think through this is to help them understand that when they pay to access music, games and videos, they’re not really paying for a product but for a licence to access and enjoy that product.

Show them where and when they can use music, games and videos legally and for free. (MediaSmarts’ tip sheet “Getting the Goods Ethically” explains how this can be done.)

Explain that plagiarism is not a victimless crime; the victims are the students themselves who miss out on a learning experience, the other students in the class who didn’t cheat and the author of the material that’s being copied.

Reinforce the idea that plagiarism of any kind is disrespectful by putting your kids in the shoes of artists and other copyright owners (for example: “Remem ber how you sold your drawings at the school craft fair? What if someone took a picture you drew, copied it and started selling it? How would that make you feel? Is it fair?”).

Set clear and consistent family rules on using and accessing online content and using Internet materials for school work.

FAMILY FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

ANIMALS

Beacon Hill Children’s Farm V

250-381-2532 | beaconhillchildrensfarm.ca

Ponies & Pipsqueaks P

6044 Oldfield Rd, Victoria | 250-812-2008 poniesandpipsqueaks.com

Ponies, costumes, adventure quests and endless possibilities!

Ponies & Pipsqueaks offers a wide variety of one-of-a-kind programs to peak imagination, educate and of course, develop a love for all things horsey. One time visits, ongoing programs, birthday parties and monthly special events, Ponies & Pipsqueaks has something for everyone!

Tiger Lily Farms Barnyard N & Trail Rides

1692 Errington Rd | 250-248-2408 | tigerlilyfarm.ca

Victoria Bug Zoo V

631 Courtney St, Victoria 250-384-2847 | victoriabugzoo.ca

The Victoria Bug Zoo is an incredible mini-zoo dedicated to educating people about the wonders of some of this world’s most misunderstood inhabitants. Come see giant walk ing sticks, fuzzy tarantulas, glowing scorpions, enormous beetles and so much more!

FAMILY FUN

The Boulders Climbing Gym

1627 Stelly’s Cross Rd | 250-544-0310 climbtheboulders.com

Boulder House – Langford W 1109 Langford Parkway | boulderhouse.ca

Boulder House – Victoria V 2829 Quesnel Street | boulderhouse.ca

City Centre Park, Playzone W Langford | 250-391-1738 | citycentrepark.ca

Esquimalt Farmers Market V Town Square

501 Park Pl | esquimaltmarket.com

Galey Farms Corn Maze V Market & Railway

250-477-5713 | galeyfarms.net

Highland Pacific Golf W 450 Creed Rd | 250-478-4653 highlandpacificgolf.com

Langford Lanes W 250-391-1738 | citycentrepark.ca

Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf P 5325 Cordova Bay Rd | 250-658-4053 matticksfarm.com

McNab’s Corn Maze N mcnabscornmaze.com

Miniature World V 649 Humboldt St | 250-385-9731 miniatureworld.com

The Tube Shack, Cowichan River CV 250-510-RIDE (7433) | cowichanriver.com

WildPlay Element Parks W 250-595-2251 | wildplay.com

WildPlay Element Parks N 35 Nanaimo River Rd | 1-888-716-7374

FESTIVALS & FAIRS

Festival de la francophonie

Filberg Festival Comox Valley | 1-866-898-8499 filbergfestival.com

Fringe Festival 250-383-2663 | intrepidtheatre.com

Gabriola Theatre Festival artsgabriola.ca

Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival

250-386-9223 | gvpaf.org

Islands Folk Festival CV Duncan | 250-248-8975 | islandsfolkfestival.ca

Pacific Rim Whale Festival V pacificrimwhalefestival.com

Rifflandia Festival V rifflandia.com

Saanich Fair P 250-652-3314 | saanichfair.ca

Shakespeare Festival V vicshakespeare.com

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival V 250-704-2500 | victoriadragonboatfestival.com

Victoria Film Festival V 250-389-0444 | victoriafilmfestival.com

MUSEUMS

Alberni Valley Museum N 4255 Wallace St | 250-723-2181 | portalberni.ca

BC Aviation Museum P Sidney | 250-655-3300 | bcam.net

BC Forest Discovery Centre CV 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan | 250-715-1113 bcforestdiscoverycentre.com

Black Nugget Museum N 12 Gatacre St, Ladysmith | 250-245-4846

Craigflower Schoolhouse & Manor V 2790 Shoreline Dr | 250-383-4627

Comox Air Force Museum CX comoxairforcemuseum.ca

Courtenay Museum CX

Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse W National Historic Sites of Canada 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd | 250-478-5849 parkscanada.gc.ca/fortroddhill

Come run, climb and go underground at Fort Rodd Hill. Then steer a ship, sound the fog horn and master the games inside Fisgard Lighthouse. Free admission for youth 17 and under.

Hatley Park National Historic Site W 2005 Sooke Rd | 250-391-2666 | hatleycastle.com

Come on in and see our incredible live animals in this unique mini-zoo. Tour guides are always available to answer questions and show o our adorable critters! Virtual tours and outreach programs are available for larger groups and birthday parties. Masks and vaccines required. Thank you! victoriabugzoo.ca

Maritime Museum V 250-385-4222 | mmbc.bc.ca

McLean Mill Historic Park N 5633 Smith Rd | 250-723-1376 | mcleanmill.ca

Nanaimo Museum N 250-753-1821 | nanaimomuseum.ca

Royal BC Museum V 675 Belleville St | 250-356-7226 royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, P Heritage Acres

7321 Lochside Dr | 250-652-5522 | shas.ca

NATURE

Butterfly World N 1080 Winchester Rd, Coombs | 250-248-7026 butterflyworldcoombs.com

CRD Parks 250-478-3344 | crd.bc.ca/parks

Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park CX 61 Filberg Rd | 250-339-2715 | filberg.com

Galey Farms Corn Maze & Market V 250-477-4450 | galeyfarms.net

Goldstream Nature House W 250-478-9414 | naturehouse.ca

Gorge Waterway Nature House V Gorge Park | 778-265-5119 | gorge.ca

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve G 250-654-4000 | pc.gc.ca

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park N Qualicum Beach | 250-248-7829 | hornelake.com

Horticultural Centre of the Pacific P 505 Quayle Rd | 250-479-6162 | hcp.ca

Morrell Nature Sanctuary N 787 Nanaimo Lk Rd | 250-753-5811 morrellnaturesanctuary.ca

North Island Wildlife Recovery N 1240 Leffler, Errington | 250-248-8534 | niwra.org

Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours 250-248-3667 | rainforestnaturehikes.com

Learn about BC’s aviation history from early bush planes to bombers and beyond!

Parks Canada parkscanada.gc.ca

The Raptors CV Duncan | 250-746-0372 | pnwraptors.com

Seaview Game Farm CX 1392 Seaview Rd, Black Creek | 250-337-5182 seaviewgamefarm.com

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea P Sidney | 250-665-7511 | salishseacentre.org

Swan Lake & Christmas V Hill Nature Sanctuary 250-479-0211 | swanlake.bc.ca

Tiger Lily Farm N 1692 Errington Rd | 250-248-2408 | tigerlilyfarm.ca

Ucluelet Aquarium PR 180 Main St | 250-726-2782 | uclueletaquarium.org

Victoria Butterfly Gardens P 1461 Benvenuto Ave | 250-652-3822 butterflygardens.com

THEATRE & ART

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria V 250-384-4101 | aggv.ca

Belfry Theatre

250-385-6815 | belfry.bc.ca

Winter Hours, Oct 1 to Apr 30: 11 am to 3 pm, seven days a week

Summer Hours, May 1 to Sept 30: 10 am to 4 pm, seven days a week

Covid Hours: Thursday to Sunday 11am to 3pm

Please check our website bcam.net for updates and current hours

Chemainus Theatre CV 1-800-565-7738 | chemainustheatrefestival.ca Cinecenta

Student Union Building @ UVic 250-721-8365 | cinecenta.com Civic Orchestra of Victoria

250-426-9048 | civicorchestraofvictoria.org

Cowichan Theatre CV 2687 James St | 250-748-7529 cowichanpac.ca

Four Seasons Musical Theatre V 250-478-0329 | fsmtheatre.ca

Intrepid Theatre V 2–1609 Blanshard St | 250-383-2663 intrepidtheatre.com

IMAX® Victoria in the V Royal BC Museum 675 Belleville St | 250-480-4887 | imaxvictoria.com

Nanaimo Theatre Group N 2373 Rosstown Rd | 250-758-7224 nanaimotheatregroup.ca

Pacific Opera Society V 250-382-4944 | pov.bc.ca

Port Theatre N 125 Front St, Nanaimo | 250-754-8550 porttheatre.com

Sooke Fine Arts Show W sookefinearts.com

Theatre One N 250-754-7587 | theatreone.org

University Centre Farquhar V Auditorium 250-721-8480 | uvic.ca/farquhar

Victoria Operatic Society V 10–744 Fairview Rd | 250-381-1021 | vostheatre.ca

Victoria Symphony V 610–620 View St | 250-385-6515 victoriasymphony.ca

SPORTS

Flying Squirrel Indoor V Trampoline Park 778-404-1778 | flyingsquirrelsports.ca

Harbourcats Victoria V harbourcats.com

Nanaimo Night Owls N nanaimonightowls.com

Pacific FC V pacificfc.canpl.ca

Victoria Horseshoe Club V 620 Kenneth St | 250-889-0166 | vichpa.org

Victoria Royals V victoriaroyals.com

OTHER

1910 Norseman Road, Sidney 250-655-3300 | bcam.net

Kaleidoscope Theatre V 2780 Richmond Rd | 250-383-8124 kaleidoscope.bc.ca

Navy Run, CFB Esquimalt V 250-363-1008 | navyrunesquimalt.com

See airplanes, seaplanes, helicopters and more at the BC Aviation Museum

Kids & Money

You have a kid! You have (some) money! You want your child to learn all about this money thing, perhaps earlier than you did. What is the best way to teach someone all about money? Teaching kids about money is so important for establishing good habits and understanding that money is just a tool to be used.

• DO talk about money (what it does, what it is used for)

• DO use positive money language (“We are planning to use our money for our family goal” or “We are saving our money for that trip (to the festival), so we haven’t planned to buy that new toy/buy that snack.” Language that shows intent and planning helps guide behaviour, instead of the often-heard (and sometimes felt) “We can’t afford it” or “We don’t have (the) money.”

Teaching Money Habits

• Encourage reflection on NEEDS and WANTS. We need food, clothing, shelter. We don’t need the latest iphone, namebrand shoes, or video games. Sometimes wants can really feel like needs - even to adults.

• Introduce tasks and helping out around the house *before* starting an allowance

• If giving an allowance, approach it as a way to share in the family finances

• Recognize that receiving money (gifts or earned income) and spending it is an opportunity for kids to learn about good money habits

• Talk to kids about their goals and what they want to spend money on, what they want to save for (longer-term) and what the options are for giving back (the holidays are great for talking about sharing wealth)

• Help your child set guidelines for money received. A 50/50 rule can work: 50% to savings (start the habit early) and 50% for spending (or saving for short-term goals). Spend/give as appropriate for your family (ex. money aside for donation to a favourite charity or hospital, purchasing gift cards to donate to a food bank, etc).

• Let kids spend their money. This means letting them make poor decisions/buy things you don’t agree with. If they want to buy some junky plastic, let them (unless there is a no plastic rule in the house). My kids like to spend money on ice cream in the summer. Allowing (safe) choices to be made, even if we don’t agree with them, gives children the (self) control they will need later in life, when there isn’t someone there to guide each purchase.

Allowance

• This is a family’s personal decision, but here are some thing to consider, regarding giving an allowance:

• Do you want to tie allowance to chores? Or general participation in the household (chores/tasks/homework/respect)?

• Will you give a set amount per week/month, regardless of participation?

• Are there guidelines to how the money is saved or spent?

Kids can be resistant to learning about things that don’t make sense, and some money concepts can even be difficult for adults to consistently implement. We learn valuable lessons

from our experiences—especially our money mistakes. The best time to make mistakes is when we’re younger, and without the consequences that we may have as bill-paying, familysupporting adults. The habit of saving for a rainy day—or an opportunity—is an important foundation to try and encourage children to learn.

When talking about money, keep it light and choose words carefully. Is it always true that “we can’t afford it?” or is it that we’re choosing to use our money somewhere else (even if that choice is for a need)? Remember to try phrases such as: “We didn’t plan to buy that today.” or “Remember our goal to go to a restaurant next week? That’s what we’re using our money for.” If possible, make it fun! We don’t like being told what to do...neither do kids.

Helping your child create money memories and positive money habits now will set them up for success later in life, when they need to make money decisions on their own.

Resources:

• The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: canada.ca/ en/financial-consumer-agency/services/teaching-childrenmoney.html

• Talk With Our Kids About Money: talkwithourkidsaboutmoney.com/

• Registered Education Savings Plan Info: canada.ca/en/ services/benefits/education/education-savings/resp.html

• BC Training & Education Savings Grant Information: gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/ scholarships/bc-training-and-education-savings-grant

• Canada Education Savings Grant: canada.ca/en/revenueagency/services/tax/individuals/topics/registered-educationsavings-plans-resps/canada-education-savings-programs-cesp/ canada-education-savings-grant-cesg.html

Alyx Valdal’s two kids are always asking to buy things (with their own money). Besides financial advising for adults at Apple a Day Financial, she is passionate about financial literacy for the next generation and teaches kids money classes online.

Healthy Families, Happy Families

Child, Youth & Family Public Health

South Island Health Units

Esquimalt 250-519-5311

Gulf Islands 250-539-3099

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula 250-544-2400

Saanich

250-519-5100

Saltspring Island 250-538-4880

Sooke

Victoria

250-519-3487

250-388-2200

West Shore 250-519-3490

Central Island Health Units

Duncan

Ladysmith

250-709-3050

250-755-3342

Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878

Nanaimo

Nanaimo

250-755-3342

250-739-5845

Princess Royal Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242

Port Alberni 250-731-1315

Tofino

250-725-4020

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

islandhealth.ca/our-locations/ health-unit-locations

Changes with BC Medical Services Plan premiums mean that families eligible for partial payment of some medical services and access to some income-based programs now must apply for Supplementary Benefits through the Government of BC. Applications can be done online and take approximately 15 minutes.

Families who previously qualified for MSP Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to confirm coverage before proceeding with treatment to avoid paying out of pocket.

For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/ bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Cowichan Craniosacral CV 250-748-5551 | cowichancraniosacral.com

CHIROPRACTORS

Rise Health Centre

250-381-7473 | risehealth.ca

DENTISTS

Cadboro Bay Dental V 3849 Cadboro Bay Rd | 778-433-1888 cadborobaydentist.com

Eagle Creek Village Dental V 130–31 Helmcken Rd | 877-707-2413 ecvillagedental.com

Oaklands Dental V 202–1581 Hillside Ave | 250-592-7874 oaklandsdental.ca

ORCCA Dental Society P 778-351-3393 | orccadental.org

Otter Point Dental

6689 Sooke Rd | 778-425-4140 otterpointdental.com

Saanich Dental Group

119–1591 McKenzie Ave | 250-477-7321 saanichdentalgroup.com

Westshore Dental Centre

152–2945 Jacklin Rd | 250-474-2296 westshoredental.com

HEALTH CLINICS

Coleman Clinic CV 186 Kenneth St, Duncan | 250-746-4102

Margaret Moss Health Centre CV 675 Canada Ave, Duncan | 250-709-3050 islandhealth.ca

Matraea Centre CV Duncan | 250-597-0085 | matcentre.ca

Millstream Medical Clinic W 107–2349 Millstream Ave | 250-391-7554 wheelhouseintegrativemedicalclinic.com

St. Anthony’s Medical Centre W 582 Goldstream Ave | 250-478-6242

HOSPITALS & HEALTH CENTRES

Tillicum Medical Clinic V 14–3170 Tillicum Rd | 250-381-8112 tillicummedicalclinic.ca

Valleyview Treatment Centre CV 27–1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill 250-743-9395

Bamfield Health Centre PR 353 Bamfield Rd, Bamfield | 250-728-3312

Chemainus Health Care Centre CV 9909 Esplanade St, Chemainus | 250-737-2040 communityfarmstore.ca

Cormorant Island Health Centre CX 49 School Rd, Alert Bay | 250-974-5585

Cortes Health Centre G 941 Beasley Rd, Manson’s Landing | 250-935-6718

Cowichan District Hospital CV 3045 Gibbins Rd, Duncan | 250-737-2030

Denman Island Health Centre G 3351 Piercy Rd, Denman Island | 250-335-2260

Gabriola Medical Clinic G 695 Church St, Gabriola Island | 250-247-9922

Galiano Island Health Care Centre G 908 Burrill Rd, Galiano Island | 250-539-3230

Hornby Island Medical Clinic G 1885 Sollans Rd, Hornby Island | 250-331-8631

James Bay Care Centre V 547 Michigan St, Victoria | 250-519-3770

Kyoquot Health Centre CX Kyoquot | 250-283-2626

Lady Minto/Gulf Islands Hospital G 135 Crofton Rd, Salt Spring Island | 250-538-4800

Ladysmith Community CV Health Centre 1111-4th Ave, Ladysmith | 250-739-5777

Mayne Island Health Care Centre G

526 Felix Jack Rd, Mayne Island | 250-539-2312

Medical Arts Care Centre, Nanaimo N

Unit 103 - 650 South Terminal Ave | 250-753-3431

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital N

1200 Dufferin Cr, Nanaimo | 250-755-7691

Nexus Primary Care Clinic N

#3–1273 Island Hwy, Nanaimo | 778-841-0685

North Island Hospital CX

375 - 2nd Ave, Campbell River | 250-286-7100

North Island Hospital Comox Valley CX 101 Lerwick Rd, Courtenay | 250-331-5900

North Quadra Urgent & Primary Care V 100–4420 Chatterton Way | 250-519-3820

Pender Island Health Centre G

5715 Canal Rd, Pender Island | 250-629-3233

Port Alice Health Centre PR

1090 Marine Dr, Port Alice | 250-284-3555

Port Hardy Hospital PR 9120 Granville St, Port Hardy | 250-902-6011

Port Hardy Healthy Care Centre PR 9140 Granville St, Port Hardy | 250-902-6008

Port McNeill Hospital PR 2750 Kingcome Pl, Port McNeill | 250-956-4461

Queen Alexandra Centre V 2400 Arbutus Rd, Victoria | 250-519-5390

Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) V

1952 Bay St, Victoria | 250-370-8000

Saanich Peninsula Hospital P 2166 Mt. Newton X Rd | 250-544-7676

Saturna Island Medical Clinic G 104 Harris Rd, Saturna Island | 250-539-5435

Sayward Primary Health Care Clinic CX 601 Kelsey Way, Sayward, BC. | 250–282–3815

Sointula Health Centre PR #25-2nd St, Sointula | 250-973-2373

Tahsis Health Centre PR 1085 Maquinna Dr, Tahsis | 250-934-6322

Tofino General Hospital PR 261 Neill Street, Tofino | 250-725-4010

Victoria General Hospital (VGH) V 1 Hospital Way, Victoria | 250-727-4212

West Coast Family Medical Clinic W 1300 - 6600 Sooke Rd, Sooke | 250- 642-4233

West Coast General Hospital N 3949 Port Alberni Hwy, Port Alberni | 250-731-1370

Yates & Quadra Health Centre V 105-911 Yates St, Victoria | 250-388-3080

Zeballos Health Centre PR 500 Parkway Dr, Zeballos | 250-761-4274

NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS

Juniper Family Health V 314–1175 Cook St | 778-265-8341 juniperfamilyhealth.com

Sage Clinic V 250-590-7809 | sageclinic.com

OPTOMETRISTS

BC Association of Optometrists optometrists.bc.ca

Dr. Joslin, Dr. Morin & Associates W 105–814 Goldstream Ave | 250-747-4567 5–6726 West Coast Rd | 250-642-4331 langfordoptometrists.com

Family Eyecare Centre V 749 Yates St | 250-383-2411 familyeyecarecentre.com

ORTHODONTICS

Ocean’s Edge Orthodontics N Nanaimo | 250-390-1331 Parksville | 250-248-1130 oeosmiles.com

PHARMACIES

Cadboro Bay Peoples Pharmacy V 3825 Cadboro Bay Rd | 250-477-2131

victoriapharmacy.com

Fairfield Peoples Drug Mart V 15–1594 Fairfield Rd | 250-598-9232

victoriapharmacy.com

Fairfield Peoples Pharmacy V 1282 Fairfield Rd | 250-595-5997

victoriapharmacy.com

Shelbourne Plaza Peoples Pharmacy V 3643 Shelbourne St | 250-577-1881 victoriapharmacy.com

UVic Campus Pharmacy V UVic SUB, 3800 Finnerty Rd | 250-721-3400

victoriapharmacy.com

Valleyview Peoples Drug Mart CV 26–1400 Cowichan Bay Rd | 250-743-1448

YOGA

Mothering Touch Centre V 975 Fort St | 250-595-4905 | motheringtouch.ca

OTHER Food Allergy Canada foodallergycanada.ca

Thaiss Psychological Services V 209–2186 Oak Bay Ave | 250-516-6692 | thaiss.ca

Victoria Pilates Inc. P Mattick’s Farm | 250-727-0075 | victoriapilates.ca

Camp Thunderbird

vancouverislandy.com

Coastal Bliss Adventures

Cowichan Bay | 1-800-896-9525 | coastalbliss.ca

Coastal Current Adventures

Salt Spring | 250-537-2571 | adventurecampbc.ca

Galiano Conservancy

250-539-2424 | galianoconservancy.ca

Outward Bound

1-888-688-9273 | outwardbound.ca

Pioneer Pacific Camp

1-800-784-1415 | pioneercamppacific.ca

UVic Vikes

250-721-8406 | govikesgo.com

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

supports quality programming for families with children facing disabilities within your community.

supports quality summer programming for families with children facing disabilities within your community.

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

DONATE TODAY!

https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/

supports quality summer programming for families with children facing disabilities within your community.

You gifts promotes kids being kids this summer!

supports quality summer programming for families with children facing disabilities within your community.

COMMUNITY OPTIONS

DONATE TODAY!

Have you ever wondered about the future and what it might bring to families with family members with a disability? You can make a difference by designating Community Options for Children and Families as your charity of choice when considering leaving a gift through your will or any other gift planning instrument (gifts of stock). Community Options has supported thousands of families in the community over the past 30+ years— supporting a better quality of life for families on Southern Vancouver Island.

supports quality summer programming for families with children facing disabilities within your community.

DONATE TODAY!

DONATE TODAY!

You gifts promotes kids being kids this summer!

For more information, please contact Kathleen Burton, Executive Director 250.380.6363 ext 205

You gifts promotes kids being kids this summer!

https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/

https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/

Photo: Camp Qwanoes

FAMILY BUSINESS

BABY SUPPLIES

Bellies in Bloom Maternity V

3531 Uptown Blvd #113| 250-479-0803 bellies.ca

Momease Baby Boutique V 778-265-5651 | momease.ca

Sutubra Naturals & Organics V

112–1644 Hillside | 250-999-8038 sutubrabeauty.com

TJ’s The Kiddies Store V 3045 Douglas St | 250-386-2229 | tjskids.com

BEDS & BEDDING

inBed Organics Custom Mattress & Frame Gallery

1683 Chestnut St, Vancouver | 604-630-BEDS (2337) inBed Organics provides 100% Natural and certified Organic, handcrafted latex mattresses and a variety of organic GOTS and cotton sleeping products, promoting a healthy sleep environment for children and their sleep deprived parents, resisting dust-mites, mold, mildew and bacteria, also naturally hypoallergenic.

Resthouse Sleep Solutions CV 126 Station St, Duncan | 250-597-REST (7378) resthouse.ca

BOOKS

Bolen Books V 111–1644 Hillside Ave | 250-595-4232 bolen.bc.ca

Orca Book Publishers V 1-800-210-5277 | orcabook.com

School House Teaching Supplies V 2014 Douglas St | 250-385-9030 schoolhouseteaching.com

CLOTHING

Baggins V 580 Johnson St | 250-388-7022 bagginsshoes.com

Freya-Sophia Waldorf Store CV 5380 Hwy 1, Duncan | 250-597-4763

Once Upon A Child – Victoria V 1563 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8R 6P9

Once Upon A Child – Nanaimo N 6461 Metral Dr, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L9

Pumpkin Pie Kids Wear N 411A Fitzwilliam St | 250-754-3933 pumpkinpiekids.com

Sailor Jack Family Consignment Store V 424 Craigflower Rd | 250-382-5225 | sailorjack.ca

Sugar Sandwich Design Studio V sugarsandwich.com

This Kid Clothing Co. V thiskidclothing.com

Thistle & Wren V 1292 Gladstone Ave | 778-265-9736 thistleandwren.com

TJ’s The Kiddies Store V 3045 Douglas St | 250-386-2229 | tjskids.com

WIN Resale Shops V 1803 Cook St | 250-389-2203 785 Pandora Ave | 250-361-9303 174–160 Wilson St | 250-412-0369 womeninneed.ca

GROCERIES

Chemainus Health Food Store CV 9738B Willow St | 250-246-9838

Community Farm Store CV 2–5380 Hwy 1, Duncan | 250-748-6227 communityfarmstore.ca

Country Grocer V countrygrocer.com

Lifestyles Market V 180–2950 Douglas St | 250-384-3388 343 Cook St | 250-381-5450 lifestylemarkets.com

Lifestyles Market P 9769 5th St, Sidney | 250-656-2326 lifestylemarkets.com

The Market on Yates V 903 Yates St | 250-381-6000 themarketstores.com

The Market on Millstream W 2401 Millstream Rd | 250-391-1110 themarketstores.com

Mt. Tolmie Market V 3517 Richmond Rd | 250-590-8460

The Old Farm Market V 2585 Cadboro Bay Rd | 250-590-9260 theoldfarmmarket.ca

The Old Farm Market CV 5164 Francis St, Duncan | 250-748-7141 theoldfarmmarket.ca

Quality Foods qualityfoods.com

Red Barn Markets redbarnmarket.ca

Save On Foods saveonfoods.com

Thrifty Foods 250-544-1234 | thriftyfoods.com

HAIR SALONS

Lizzy Lee & Me V Hillside Shopping Centre | 250-590-5568 lizzyleeandme.com

HOME DECOR/FURNITURE

inBed Organics Baby Furniture Collection

Kids Market, Granville Island 1496 Cartwright, Vancouver | 778-892-4044

Sleep little Sheep Baby furniture and bedding collection by inBed Organics are made in Canada. Through its Greenguard GOLD Certification, combining it with our certified organic crib mattresses, you can have peace of mind that your baby will get the healthy sleep it need to grow and develop.

TJ’s The Kiddies Store V

3045 Douglas St | 250-386-2229 | tjskids.com

LEGAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES

BC Parenting Coordinators V Roster Society bcpcroster.com

Brown Henderson Melbye Lawyers V 217–2187 Oak Bay Ave | 250-595-2220 bhmlawyers.ca

Browne Associates Law V

250-598-1888 | browneassociates.ca

Local, family operated law firm; specialise in Estate Planning (Wills, Powers of Attorney, etc.), Real Estate, Matrimonial matters and Corporate law. Kid- and pet-friendly office. Home visits available. Let us help clarify and solve your legal issues.

Collaborative Family Law Group V

250-704-2600 | collaborativefamilylawgroup.com

Cox Taylor Barristers Solicitors V

3rd Flr, Burnes House, 26 Bastion Sq 250-388-4457 | coxtaylor.ca

Credit Counselling Society V 1-888-527-8999 | nomoredebts.org

Dialogue & Resoultion Services V

250-383-4412 | dialogueandresolutionservices.ca

Conflict is a normal part of life. Navigate it successfully with conflict coaching, mediation, arbitration and communication training—effective strategies for separation and divorce, parent-teen conflicts, conflicts about elder care and more. Email office@dialogueandresolutionservices.ca.

Legal Services Society V

250-382-4620 | lss.bc.ca

Patricia Lane V 250-598-3992 | patricialane.bc.ca

Re/Max Duncan, Melissa Collins CV 250-510-2729 | cowichanvalleyrealtor.ca

Royal LePage, V

Rosemarie Colterman & Tom Oak 250-592-4422 | homewardbound.team

Sitka Law Group V sitkalaw.ca

TS Consulting V 250-590-4114 | tsconsultingvictoria.ca

150 Commercial St

Nanaimo, British Columbia 250.754.1750

NanaimoArtGallery.com

PRO-D DAY, SPRING & SUMMER CAMPS

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS & ADULTS SCHOOL PROGRAMS

ARTIST TALKS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Foster Homes Needed in South Island

The need is great, the opportunity to change a life is even greater...

There are children and youth in your community who are not able to live with their families. They need a temporary home, a safe haven where they can stay while they and their families heal and become strong again.

Can you help just one?

Maybe you about fostering. Maybe you’ve thought about it for a long time. Maybe now is the time.

fosterhope.ca

to learn more and to register for a Foster Hope Information Session

Or call 1 -888 -922-8437

MATERNITY

Bellies in Bloom Maternity V 104–4489 Viewmont Ave | 250-479-0803 bellies.ca

Mothering Touch Centre V & Birth Services 733 Johnson St | 250-595-4905 | motheringtouch.ca

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Long & McQuade V 250-384-3622 | long-mcquade.com

Tom Lee Music W 105–2401D Millstream Rd 250-838-5222 | tomleemusic.ca

Tom Lee Music N 10–6894 Island Hwy N | 250-390-2626 tomleemusic.ca

PARTY PLANNING

Falcon Gymnastics V 208–721 Vanalman Ave | 250-479-6424 falcongymnastics.com

IMAX® Victoria in the V Royal BC Museum 675 Belleville St | 250-480-4887 | imaxvictoria.com

Lizzy Lee & Me V Hillside Shopping Centre | 250-590-5568 lizzyleeandme.com

Mad Science Vancouver Island 250-391-1814 | vancouverisland.madscience.org

The Puppet Booth V 250-472-3546 | puppetbooth.homestead.com

Recreation Oak Bay V 250-595-7946 | recreation.oakbay.ca

SilverCity V 3130 Tillicum Rd | 1-888-3FAMOUS | cineplex.com

Victoria Bug Zoo V 631 Courtney St | 250-384-BUGS victoriabugzoo.ca

Victoria Gymnastics V 2051 Store St | 250-380-2442 520 Mt View Ave | 778-265-6414 victoriagymnastics.com

PETS

Furever Clean Dog Wash V 602b Esquimalt Rd | 250-217-9433 fureverclean.ca

Island Pet Source W 106–751 Goldstream Ave | 250-590-4460 islandpetsource.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ashley Marston Photography CV ashleymarstonbirthphotography.com

Chris Higginbottom Photography V chrishigginbottom.ca

Cloe Thomson Photography V instagram.com/cloe.thomson

Erin Wallis Photography CX Campbell River | erinwallis.com

Nicole Israel Photography V 250-889-5639 | nicholeisraelphotography.com

Sophie Lecavalier Photography V sophiephoto.com

SHOPPING CENTRES

Broadmead Village Shopping Centre V 777 Royal Oak Dr | broadmeadvillage.ca

Hillside Shopping Centre V 1644 Hillside Ave | 250-595-7154 hillsidecentre.com

Mattick’s Farm P 5325 Cordova Bay Rd | matticksfarm.com

Mayfair Shopping Centre V 3147 Douglas St | 250-383-0541 mayfairshoppingcentre.com

Tillicum Centre V 3170 Tillicum Rd | 250-381-7123 | tillicumcentre.ca

Uptown V shopuptown.ca

Westside Village Shopping Centre V 174 Wilson St

Westshore Town Centre W 2945 Jacklin Rd | 250-474-3269 westshoretowncentre.com

Woodgrove Centre, Nanaimo N 6631 Island Hwy North | woodgrovecentre.com

SPECIALTY STORES

Soccerworld V 831 Vernon Ave | 250-475-3777 soccerworldvictoria.com

TOYS/EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES

Freya-Sophia Waldorf Store CV 5380 Hwy 1, Duncan | 250-597-4763

Kool & Child N Nanaimo | 250-585-1778 | koolandchild.com

Red Balloon Toyshop CV 158 Craig St, Duncan | 250-748-5545 theredballoon.ca

Toying Around P 115–5325 Cordova Bay Rd | 250-658-2721 toyingaround.ca

778-351-0088

Books About S.E.X.

One of my first memories about talking with my mom about sexuality happened when she strategically gifted me a book called, Where Do Babies Come From? I was about eight when she invited me to sit down on the couch with the book, one she’d purchased at our local bookshop. The cover was purple with an unassuming, pastel illustration of a baby.

Being the 80s, the book focused primarily on reproduction and mentioned sex only in this context which, for the time, still would have been considered fairly progressive. My mom’s use of this book to ground a conversation about sex was a brilliant strategy that 30+ years later, as a professional sexual health educator, I fully support!

That pastel covered book was important to me for three basic reasons: 1) it was a source of correct and reliable information 2) it gave me a way to safely satisfy my very normal and natural curiousity about sex and, most importantly, 3) it sent me a pretty clear signal that my mom trusted me enough to learn about sex. I don’t remember many details of this partic-

ular conversation because quite honestly I was pretty thrilled to have a book of my own that seemed far more sophisticated than the Beverly Cleary books I was bringing home from the school library or the encyclopedia set that sat on the shelf collecting dust!

Because there are many different approaches to sexuality books for youth, it can be difficult to know where to begin and how much information is adequate. So as the brighter, warmer nights begin and summer holiday approaches, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my current favourite books that will help families strategically grow your conversations and support your kids in the most fun, accessible ways possible.

What Makes A Baby? written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth (Toddlers+)

This colorful dynamic book explains what makes a baby from conception, pregnancy through birth in a positive, inclusive manner. It’s written with concrete concepts that are easy for young children to understand but also allow you to personalize this information for you and your family whether you are gender diverse, single parent, blended, intergenerational, or foster families. You can elaborate as much or as little as you want (or have the time) to answer the question about where babies come from?

The Every Body Book written by Rachel Simon and illustrated by Noah Grigni (8–12 years)

This book approaches growing up through a gender- and orientation-inclusive lens. The information offered about puberty explains the many changes in a way that is honest and empowering. The more involved topics such as gender identity and orientation that parents may struggle to explain are simply and articulately explained. This book affirms all people who read it and it will provide them with all the information about puberty they need.

Consent (FOR KIDS!) Boundaries, Respect and Being in Charge of YOU written by Rachel Brian (ages 6–10)

From the makers of the wildly effective and beloved “Tea as Consent” and “Consent for Kids” videos comes this amazing book which does a fantastic job exploring consent in many different settings through a fun and youthful graphic novel approach. This book offers lessons about boundary setting, role-modeling healthy relationships, and consent as a practice that requires skill.

S.E.X 2nd edition by Heather Corrina (15 years+)

From the creator of Scarleteen, this is an amazing guide for older youth and young adults and it accomplishes exactly what it strives to do—be a comprehensive guide on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. This is a resource guide that will become a favourite go to for your older youth inclusive of their gender identity and orientation.

Sex, Teens & Everything in Between written by Shafia Zaloom (parents/families/adult allies/caregivers)

This book acknowledges and challenges the current sex-

focused culture that bombards our youth. This book explores the power of decision making through the lenses of values, safety, and equality. It is honest and engaging in approach and explores safer, meaningful relationships and sexuality in an affirming way. One of the most useful pieces of this book is that it combines information, real-life scenarios and questions to ground your conversations.

As you begin to build or add to your family library of resources, it’s essential that books are used strategically, like my mom did, as a supplementary teaching tool supported by conversations about our family values, beliefs, and expectations. Books are not a replacement for conversation; they are a tool to invite further discussion, explore new and differing ideas and also to find community through. Human sexuality and relationships are far too important to simply offer a book without a conversation. Not only do our kids deserve

strategic gifts that offer them opportunities to learn about far more than just sexuality and reproduction; they also deserve to have these resources close by to explore and satisfy their very normal curiosities. So grab your mask or your mouse and connect with your local library and/or booksellers to get your strategy started!

Jennifer Gibson, MA, is also known as “The Sex Lady”—officially now for almost 20 years in Greater Victoria!—to the thousands of amazing youth and adults she is lucky to educate and learn with through her job as the Coordinator of Community Education at Island Sexual Health. She’s passionate about making sexuality education as positive, fun and non-cringe-able as possible.

ENJOY

FAMILY TRAVEL

ACCOMMODATIONS/RESORTS

Beach Acres Resort N 1-800-663-7309 | beachacresresort.com

Blue Vista Resort G Mayne Island | 1-877-535-2424 | bluevistaresort.com

Pacific Sands Beach Resort PR Tofino | 1-800-565-2322 | pacificsands.com

Strathcona Park Lodge CX 250-286-3122 | strathconaparklodge.com

Tigh-na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort N & Conference Centre Parksville | 250-248-2072 | tigh-na-mara.com

YWCA Hotel  733 Beatty St, Vancouver | 604-895-5830

NATURE

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park N Qualicum Beach | 250-248-7829 | hornelake.com

Kwisitis Visitor Centre PR Tofino | 250-726-7721 | pc.gc.ca/PacRim

The Land Conservancy of BC 1-888-738-0533 | conservancy.bc.ca

Raincoast Education Society PR Tofino | 250-725-2560 | raincoasteducation.org

CAMPGROUNDS

Pacific Playgrounds CX Black Creek | 877-239-5600 | pacificplaygrounds.ca

Park Sands Beach Resort N 250-248-3171 | parksands.com

Weir’s Beach RV Resort W 250-478-3323 | weirsbeachrvresort.bc.ca

OTHER

Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce G mayneislandchamber.ca

Tourism Tofino PR 250-725-3414 | tourismtofino.com

Stay

YWCAHOTEL.COM

PEACE/Children Who Witness Abuse

Established in 1975, Victoria Women’s Transition House (VWTH) offers emergency shelter, counselling and support services to women and their children impacted by intimate partner violence and abuse.

VWTH is committed to breaking the intergenerational cycle of abuse and has developed a series of specialized, trauma-informed, individual and group counselling programs and supports for children, youth and their caregivers.

Research shows that children who witness violence and abuse in the home can be more likely to grow up to perpetuate the abuse—either as victims or abusers. Professional counselling and support from organizations like Victoria Women’s Transition House can help these young people overcome their trauma.

The VWTH Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling & Empowerment (PEACE)/Children Who Witness Abuse team offers counselling and support for children

age 3–18 by providing tools to help children express emotions such as anger, hurt or fear. Counselling helps children recognize abusive behaviour, set boundaries, learn skills to cope with their experiences and emotions and consider alternatives to violence in their own behaviour. Support is also available to caregivers.

PEACE programs include individual counselling, Boys’ Group, Girls’ Group, Spring and Summer Camps as well as multi-media supports. Youth can access PEACE podcasts to listen to discreetly from their own devices; and a series of videos is available for pre-school-age children with Murphy, a friendly puppet who shares age-appropriate information and coping tools. As well, client-caregivers can participate in a series of webinars, to help navigate family dynamics and support their children.

For more information on PEACE resources for children and youth who have witnessed violence and abuse in the home, call the VWTH Community Office at 250-592-2927, Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm.

For more information call 250-592-2927 transitionhouse.net

We offer compassionate, trauma-informed, individual and group counselling programs and supports for children and youth who have witnessed violence and abuse in the home.

JANUARY

New Year’s Day

January 1

There’s nothing like a cold dip on New Years Day and thankfully, you can create your own sociallydistanced COVID-safe Polar Bear Swim.

FEBRUARY

Victoria Film Festival

Feb 4–13, various venues

A 10-day celebration of film. victoriafilmfestival.com

Family Sunday

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Explore hands-on art-making and ideas for all ages. This recurring program is Oct-June and often features special guests like storytellers, artists, performers, or musicians. aggv.ca/family-sundays

Pink Shirt Day

Celebrated on February 23, Pink Shirt Day raises awareness around bullying. Help support antibullying initiatives in BC by purchasing a pink shirt at pinkshirtday.ca

Family Day Downtown Sidney

Scavenger Hunt

February 18–March 7, Sidney

Download your map at sidneymuseum.ca and find then email your completed form (for LEGO prizes) to info@sidneymuseum.ca.

MARCH

Pacific Rim Whale Festival

March 18–26, various venues

Celebrate the grey whale migration at this annual festival, with a return to the usual in-person format.

pacificrimwhalefestival.com

APRIL

Easter Sunday

April 17

Happy Easter!

Orcas: Our Shared Future

Continuing until Thursday, March 31 at Royal BC Museum

Immerse yourself in all things Orca at RBCM’s awe-inspiring exhibit. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

MAY

Thrifty Foods 122nd Victoria Day Parade

Monday, May 23, Inner Harbour

An exciting and “reimagined” multicultural event featuring talented marching bands, community and commercial floats, cultural performances and many other surprises. gvfs.ca

JUNE

Oak Bay Tea Party

Friday, June 3–Sunday June 5

Come take part in all of the activities you know and love, including the parade, rides and neighbourhood festivities. oakbayteaparty.com

World Ocean Day

Tuesday, June 8; various online activities

Go online or directly to the beach and celebrate all things seaside. salishseacentre.org

JULY

Canada Day

Friday, July 1

There’ll be lots to ways to celebrate Canada Day online. For a Canada Day Celebration Kit, visit canada.ca

National Ice Cream Day

Monday, July 18

Make it yourself or go out for a scoop or two. Today’s the day to scream for ice cream!

AUGUST

BC Day

Monday, August 1

With so many beautiful places in BC—and especially on the Island—there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate BC Day outside. Greater Victoria, crd. bc.ca; Cowichan Valley, cvrd.bc.ca; Nanaimo, rdn. bc.ca; Alberni-Clayoquot, acrd.bc.ca; Comox Valley, comoxvalleyrd.ca

Dragon Boat Festival

August 12–14, Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The festival comes alive for its 27th year with Dragon Boat Racing and all the other cultural and community components. victoriadragonboat.com

SEPTEMBER

Saanich Fair

September 3–5, Saanich Fairgrounds

Check out the 154th Saanich Fair over the Labour

Day weekend. This year’s theme: “Plant Your Roots at the Fair” and the feature is Vegetables.  saanichfair.ca

Labour Day

Monday, September 5

Cowichan Exhibition

September 16–18

The Cowichan Exhibition has been a tradition in the valley for over 150 years. Come find out why! cowex.ca

Orange Shirt Day

Thursday, September 30

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. orangeshirtday.org

OCTOBER

Thanksgiving

Monday, October 10

Diwali

Monday, October 24

Happy Diwali

Halloween

With masks a part of everyday life, costumes and candy add some fun! Trick or Treat.

NOVEMBER

Remembrance Day

Thursday, November 11

DECEMBER

Hanukkah

Sunday, December 18 – Monday, December 26

Happy Hanukkah!

Santa Light Parade

The much loved parade is the Miracle on Government Street and kicks off Christmas on the Westcoast. This year, together with the IEOA truck convoy and Esquimalt Light Parade, Victoria will Light Up the City. gvfs.ca

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25

Kwanzaa

Monday, December 26–Sunday, January 1

Happy Kwanzaa!