Island Parent Winter 2023

7½ Spring Things to Do

Tired of being cooped up? There’s no time like springtime to get outside and shake off the winter blahs. Not only are the days getting longer, with the extra light chasing away the shadows, but there’s lots more to do now that we can get outdoors and explore. So where to start?

1. Reacquaint Yourself with the Aquarium. If you’re in Ucluelet, attend the Aquarium’s free opening day on March 1, 10am–5pm. Uclueletaquarium. org

2. Plant Flowers. What better time to plant flowers than on National Plant a Flower Day, March 12? For tips, register for Horticulture Centre of the Pacific’s program, Seed Starting for Kids on March 4 from 10–11:30am. hcp.ca

3. Be a Tourist. Okay so the official event isn’t running this year—why not make up one of your own? In Victoria, visit Miniature World or the Royal BC Museum, among many other tourist

attractions. In Nanaimo, follow the Nanaimo Bar Trail or visit the Bastion. In Courtenay, take a Fossil Tour at the Courtenay Museum and Paleontology Centre.

4. Stay Up Late & Play in the Dark before the clock springs ahead on March 12 and the days get longer. Play flashlight tag, glow-in-the-dark Frisbee or stargaze. The next morning, sleep in!

5. Hop On the Harbour Ferry. Take a 45-minute Harbour Tour, a 75-minute historic Gorge Tour or a hip and a hop on a water taxi. Stops include the Empress Dock, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. victoriaharbourferry.com.

6. Host a Community Garage Sale. Out with the old! Gather everyone together, hang up signs and make a day of clearing the clutter. Afterwards, spend your earnings and host a neighbourhood pizza party.

7. Visit Fort Rodd Hill. If it’s rainy, step inside the Fisgard Lighthouse and play an

old-fashioned game of checkers or one of the new video games.

7½. Play Capture the Flag. With lots of room to roam at Fort Rodd Hill, a game of Capture the Flag is an all-out exhilarating experience. Bring enough friends for two teams and play on!

– Sue Fast

NEED TO KNOW

Hit the Slopes

If you have a child in Grade 4 or 5, the Council offers a Snow Pass to save on skiing or snowboarding across Canada. The Snow Pass is a national program for kids in grades 4 and 5 (nine and 10 years of age) to ski or snowboard at 150+ hills across Canada for only $29.99 plus tax. The goal is to get kids and their families excited about winter and engaged at an early age so they can look forward to fun activities in the winters to come.

snowpass.ca

Keep the Drive Alive

Each year thousands of deserving kids benefit from the generosity of a committed group of caring people and organizations, like you, who donate items to the live and silent auctions at the Golf for Kids Charity Golf Classic. Items range from art, memorabilia, electronics, trips, industry products and much more. This year’s event will be held on Saturday September 9 at Bear Mountain Resort. For more information about donating an auction item email silentauction@golfforkids.net.

Pink Shirt Day

Celebrate our diversity while raising funds to support inclusive anti-bullying programs for kids in our communities. London Drugs will once again be selling Pink Shirt merchandise in their stores during February. Get your Pink Shirt today and stand up to bullying on February 22. pinkshirtday.ca

A Refreshed Place to Play

Tire Stewardship BC (“TSBC”), a not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling of scrap tires in British Columbia, announced the upgraded Wellness Park in Sidney, located at 10091 Resthaven Dr., has a new rubberized surface made from 744 recycled B.C. scrap tires. The Town of Sidney received a grant from TSBC last spring, valued at $17,171, to go toward the new safe and durable rubberized park surfacing.

Maritime Museum Bursary Program

The Maritime Museum of BC is working with the Victoria Foundation to provide a limited number of free programs for schools and organizations that work with underserved or marginalized communities. At-risk populations often lack safe access to arts, culture, and learning opportunities. The Museum’s goal is to create a sense of belonging and well-being within a community through facilitating engaging experiences. Schools and organizations are invited to complete the bursary form at mmbc.bc.ca

Check out these unique Island products!

Pack Up & Towel Off

Tofino Towel works directly with various fair-trade artisan makers from around the globe to create high quality multipurpose products that allow you to do more so you can own less. Every product they develop is crafted with the intention to be as equally suitable for outdoor and indoor use. From towels, surf ponchos and bags, Tofino Towel has got you—and your kids—covered! tofinotowelco.com

Repurposed Pallets

“I Used To Be A Pallet” upcycles pallets into repurposed products in categories including art, bathroom, commercial, furniture, interior decor, kitchen, novelties, outdoor, seasonal decor, storage, workshop and miscellaneous. The Victoria company use the majority of wood from a pallet to repurpose and saves end cuts to heat homes, disperses saw dust in gardens and donates nails to the Habitat for Humanity metal recycling bin. iusedtobeapallet.com

Going Dotty!

New and up-cycled clothes for kids and cool adults, handmade and screen-printed in Victoria. These sustainable, eco-friendly clothes are made with love. You’ll find everything from hoodies and tees for littles to bigs along with tea towels and bamboo circle scarves. Prints include whales, bunnies, wolves and unicorns, among many others.

dottiehandmade.com

Why Choose a Private School

With options ranging from boarding schools to alternative schools, there is almost certainly a school to suit each and every child. Read on for some of the reasons why parents are choosing independent schools.

Enriched Academic Opportunities

One of the benefits of private schools is that they provide challenging educational experiences through extracurricular activities, advanced placement courses, the International Baccalaureate program (and the IB diploma program) and gifted programs, just to name a few.

Smaller Classes

Studies on class size show that the smaller the class size, the better the average student performs on academic achievement tests. And the gains from smaller class sizes are stronger the longer a child is exposed to them. Private schools vary greatly in size, but depending on the teaching style, many focus on the importance of small class sizes to individually help students’ weak areas and advance their strengths.

Parental Involvement

Private schools encourage open communication between parents and administration, and they involve parents in the community. From parent-teacher meetings, social events and the participation of parent committees in fundraising initiatives, families become an integral part of the child’s education.

Dedicated Teachers

In a study completed by the Fraser Institute in 2007, 91 percent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school. Instructors are both qualified and passionate about their subjects, often holding advanced degrees in their field. Also, small class sizes make teachers and staff more readily available for extra help or to further challenge individual students.

A Safe Environment

Private schools have reputations for maintaining high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-to-student ratios allow for more observation and control of school grounds. In the Fraser Institute study, around 72 percent of parents surveyed with children in the private school system strongly agreed that their school was safe, which greatly improves the quality of the child’s educational experience and achievement.

Community Environment

According to a Fraser Institute survey, 62 percent of parents with children in the private school system believe their school’s environment is motivating, supportive and nurturing. Former students repeatedly report that the friendships they formed in private school have lasted post-graduation. A strong sense of pride is often instilled in private school alumni, creating networking opportunities upon entering the workforce.

Ample Resources

Private schools offer resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio and beyond. Resources and extracurriculars provide students with the opportunity to fully explore their interests and talents.

Extracurricular Activities

While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a well-rounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts or clubs. This involvement helps stimulate students in their studies, as noted in a study at Stanford University. Extracurricular activities can provide a muchneeded break from the stresses of academics, while developing skills and engaging in valuable social situations.

Shared Educational Philosophy

There are many approaches to education; finding a school or preschool that matches one’s own perspective can create a positive, productive academic experience for your child. Whether you prefer the student-directed learning method of Montessori

or the arts-based curriculum of Waldorf or Reggio Emiliainspired school, choosing the right private school will not only allow students to thrive in a supportive environment and build independence, but also gain unique skills that fit their learning style.

Development for Today’s and Tomorrow’s World

Private schools go beyond offering the mandatory subjects required by provincial curriculum; they can offer students a wide range of specializations including arts programs, athletics, math, science. Private schools are responsible for producing many leaders in politics, business and society, with a history of adapting quickly to changes in technology and culture. And today, they are also sought by parents of kids with special needs such as behaviour, learning, developmental or physical disabilities.

Our Kids Media is Canada’s Trusted Source for families who are looking for the best learning and living experiences for their children, themselves and their parents.

Youth Mountain Biking Club

With 20+ years of local trail knowledge and ride leadership experience, we’re able to recommend appropriate routes for your child. Our agenda is about fun, not competition. It’s a friendly mountain bike club, not a race (necessarily…)!

Is Montessori School Right for Your Child?

Have you ever considered sending your child to a Montessori school, but you’re just not sure what they have to offer? Here’s what you need to know.

The “Montessori” method, founded in 1907, is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. Based on her extensive research with neurodiverse children, Montessori’s method is designed to teach children with an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits and a respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical and social development.

Montessori caught the eye of Alexander Graham Bell, who opened Canada’s first Montessori school in Baddeck, N.S., in 1912, long before it became popular in the 1960s.

How does it work?

At a Montessori school the teacher observes children, then uses certain resources in the classroom to present lessons to kids who are ready to learn. Lessons are given in sequence; children don’t move on to the next lesson until they have mastered

the previous one. Once individual students are given a lesson, they can move freely around the classroom, working with classroom materials or on follow-up projects.

What can you expect from a Montessori school?

Preschool and kindergarten: Classrooms in a Montessori school for children from 3 to 6 years old are often called Children’s Houses, after her first Montessori school, the Casa dei Bambini in Rome in 1906. This level is also called “Primary.” The teacher usually presents activities; then the children depending on their interests may choose which skills they want to focus on. In early childhood, Montessori students learn through sensory-motor activities, working with materials to develop learning through all five senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching and movement.

Elementary: Classrooms for this age are usually referred to as “Elementary” and can range in size from very small up to 30 or more children, typically staffed by a trained teacher and one or more assistants. In the elementary years, a child continues to organize thinking through work with the Montessori method; essentially beginning the application of knowledge to real-world experiences. Classroom materials and lessons include work in language, mathematics, history, the sciences, the arts and much more. Montessori students learn to think critically, work collaboratively and act boldly—a skill ideal for life in the 21st century.

No matter which grade level your child belongs to, it is collectively known that all kinds of learning styles will be cultivated at Montessori school including: musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, intuitive and the traditional linguistic and logicalmathematical (reading, writing and math).

ParentsCanada.com provides expert parenting advice on everything from pregnancy, breastfeeding and baby sleep to kids nutrition and behaviour. Find a Montessori school for your child with ParentsCanada’s Private School Guide at parentscanada.com.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Independent Schools Education Guide &

Private School Directory

Artemis Place Secondary Victoria 10–12

ArtsCalibre Academy Victoria K–12

250-598-5183 artemisplace.org

250-382-3533 artscalibre.ca

Imagine a School...where music, dance, theatre and visual arts are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum. We did...and we created it!

Brookes Westshore Victoria 4–2

250-929-0506 westshore.brookes.org

Christ Church Cathedral School Victoria K–8 250-383-5125 cathedralschool.ca

Discovery School Victoria 4–12 250-595-7765 discoveryschool.ca

Glenlyon Norfolk School Victoria K–12

250-370-6821 mygns.ca

An inclusive family-driven community whose members care about each other and the world around them. Dedicated teachers and staff deliver the International Baccalaureate Program in a co-educational environment.

Lakeview Christian School Victoria K–9

Lighthouse Christian Academy Victoria K–12

250-658-5082 lcsvictoria.ca

250-474-5311 lcawestshore.com

Maria Montessori Academy Victoria K–12 250-479-4746 mariamontessoriacademy.net

Oak and Orca Bioregional School Victoria K–12

250-383-6619 oakandorca.ca

Pacific Christian School Victoria K–12 250-479-4532 pacificchristian.ca

Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry Victoria 9–12

778-433-3409 learningstorm.org

Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry is an independent school that employs a unique inquiry-based method as a means of offering a personalized, interdisciplinary learning experience for those in grades 9 through 12.

Regent Christian Online Academy

Selkirk Montessori School

Victoria K–12

Victoria K–8

250-592-1759 rcoa.ca

250-384-3414 selkirkmontessori.ca

42 years of inspiring engaged citizens and lifelong learners. Book a tour to see what makes our contemporary Montessori leads to stand out learners. Call 250-384-3414 or email penny@selkirkmontessori.ca.

St Andrew’s Regional High Victoria 8–12

St Christopher’s Montessori

St Joseph’s Catholic

St Margaret’s

St Michaels University School Victoria K–12

250-479-1414 cisdv.bc.ca

250-479-7171 stmarg.ca

250-592-2411

SMUS is an international day and boarding school known for its excellence in academics, arts, athletics and outdoor education, with a focus on character development and preparing students for life.

Discover

Nanaimo

The

Brentwood

Aspengrove

Aspengrove School, an independent school for students aged Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, is driven by a passion that allows children to play to their own individual strengths both socially and academically. Our students are inspired to be creative, curious and courageous, and are encouraged to become thoughtful global citizens.

Stz’uminus

Beachcombers

Duncan

Noorunissa Montessori

Queen

QMS is an inclusive community where every student finds personal success. Nestled on 30 acres in the Cowichan Valley, QMS offers an exceptional education that builds confidence, character and compassion. Queen

Phil

Nurture Your Natural Curiosity

Guided Nature Outings & Events

Learn about the fascinating natural and cultural history of the region from CRD Parks Naturalists and Cultural Programmers. > Educational and interactive guided walks and drop-in events

> Free or low cost for a variety of ages and abilities

Check out the full calendar at www.crd.bc.ca/parks

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

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

Perks of the Job

Last summer I was asked by a friend if my daughter would like a dogwalking job. At only 11 years old, the job opportunities are slim, so I felt excited about this opportunity for her to learn about responsibility and money management. I hoped that as a bonus my daughter would experience the feeling of empowerment.

When I realized how invested I was in the idea of her taking the job, it occurred

I started thinking about my sales pitch and tried to think about what it was that my daughter really wants but doesn’t have. You would think that the list would be long based on the complaints we hear on a regular basis around our house: “there’s nothing to do” and “it’s so boring.”

But the list was short. There was only one item on it. It was something that she had been asking for since she learned that

Summer Hours, May 1 to Sept 30: 10am to 4pm, Thurs through Tues

Winter Hours, Oct 1 to Apr 30: 11am to 3pm, Thurs through Tues For special days and events go to bcam.net.

to me that she may not see the same value in it. From her perspective, why would she even need a job? This is when I had to face the truth: because I have given my daughter everything, she has no reason to hustle.

Scooters, rollerblades, bikes, trampoline … you name it, my kids have it all. Therein lies the problem: My kids want for nothing, which I suspected would also include a summer job.

even nine-year-olds can have them: a cell phone.

Trading a phone for a job seemed like a terrible idea on many levels. So I realized that I was going to have to pitch the job without any pre-arranged incentives.

To my delight and surprise, when I asked her if she wanted the job, she enthusiastically agreed. I was blown away and curious to know what her motivation might be and when I asked her this,

her response was “it will be fun” and “I can buy stuff.” Easier than I thought but questionable as to the longevity of the rewards.

On her first day at work, she was picked up and taken straight to Starbucks. Venti frap-a-something in hand, she was driven around while picking up dogs. In that first two-hour shift, she made $20 cash and was treated to a $7 drink.

I returned home from my own job to find her thrilled and excited and eager to “work” again the next day. I was grateful that our friend had made our girl’s first day on the job fun, but it certainly didn’t mirror my own experiences of new employment.

The next day, another Venti Starbucks and twenty bucks. And the same the day after that, and the day after that.

I finally called our friend and expressed how generous it was of her to be treating our daughter to a drink every shift, but that she didn’t need to do it each time. At this rate, it was almost costing her money

to have an employee. She agreed to at least tone it down to a Tall.

I knew things had gone sideways when I started returning home from work to find that $20 bill and empty Starbucks cup abandoned on the counter. If the money was valuable, why was it lying around? And where was the responsibility and work ethic I was hoping my daughter would adopt? It certainly wasn’t in the unrinsed and unrecycled cup on my counter.

I started to worry about what my daughter was learning about the workforce. So far, from her viewpoint, here were the big takeaways:

1. Your boss can pick you up so that you never have to worry about getting yourself to work on time.

2. Your boss treats you to an expensive beverage of your choosing every shift.

3. You can get paid to do something that you aren’t willing to do in your own life (i.e. walk your own dog)

I was relieved at the end of the summer when school resumed and the “job” fiz-

zled out naturally. My daughter did save about half of the money she “earned” but not for anything specific. I can’t really say what she gained from the experience of her first job other than some fun time spent with some adorable dogs and a very skewed view of the workforce.

My own 30 years in the workforce have never been as relaxed and as rewarding as what my daughter was lucky enough to experience, but maybe it’s better to know what is possible. There certainly is more of an emphasis on work/ life balance these days.

I had hoped that her first job would prepare her for the real world. Instead, I suspect she will get a rude awakening when she arrives at her first job and hands the boss her Starbucks order.

Sarah Seitz is a working mother, wife and writer. She spends her free time cutting off crusts and uses good coffee and humour to get through the day.

FAMILY RESOURCE DIRECTORY

The Family Resource Directory is designed to highlight the caring community that we are a part of. This directory showcases organizations and businesses that provide services and support for families and children.

Reason to Celebrate

My daughter’s preschool has a sacred ritual: every day a different kid gets to be Helper of the Day.

My daughter talks about the Helper of the Day a lot—who it is, how they get to ring the bell for circle time, how they have a special badge to denote their preschool-royalty status.

One day I pick her up and ask, “Who was the Helper of the Day today?”

“I was,” she responds.

I stop. Gasp. Crouch down with my arms open for a hug.

“You were?!”

But instead of giving me a hug, my four-year-old channels her inner fourteenyear-old and leaves me kneeling with my arms open, and rolls her eyes.

It wasn’t the first time.

Navigate is an award-winning school, recognized nationally and internationally for our innovative approach to blended learning. We’ve implemented the new BC curriculum and built unique, flexible learning options for every student. This allows us to meet a diverse range of student needs, abilities and learning styles.

Discover more at NavigateNIDES.com

Thriving Roots Wilderness School

Thriving Roots provides hands-on, wilderness education and counselling services for youth and adults. Our year-long programs and summer camps are immersive in nature, fostering connection to land and community through earth-based skills, play, music and more. thrivingroots.org info@thrivingroots.org

I know. But it’s still exciting.

She didn’t want my enthusiasm. Maybe she thought my reaction was overkill. Maybe she thought my excitement wasn’t genuine. Or maybe she thought I was underestimating her by reacting too wildly to something she had already mastered.

Whatever the reason for the eye roll, it got me thinking about how much I wish someone would give me positive reinforcements for my accomplishments. You got the kid dressed and out the door? Applause! You made it to work on time? Cheers! You made a dinner that wasn’t a la Kraft? Standing ovation! You decluttered some old clothes on Varage Sale? Woop! You remembered to wake up at six am for ballet/jazz registration? I am so proud of you!

My daughter’s gotten pretty good at her “thank yous,” but I can’t say I ever feel truly validated for making it through the daily grind. Part of it is likely that the day-to-day work of being a parent doesn’t produce accomplishments other than keeping your kids alive for another day. There isn’t the nice bow of closure that comes with pressing publish on a blog post, sighing relief after an important meeting or even just logging off from email at the end of the day. Parenting is rewarded by hugs, “I like it when we’re together mommy,” and kissing a passedout child once they are finally asleep and looking deceivingly angelic. Parents aren’t usually on the receiving end of high fives.

Kids’ accomplishments are magical. Watching my daughter spell her name for the first time. Seeing that sly smile of pride as she stands on her own on the ice rink. Being disoriented when she washes her hands without needing a stool. It’s a world of firsts, or at least seconds, a time of measurable growth, of marveling at how each week, then month, then year is vastly different from the last. A time of growth charts marked in the kitchen, of certificates from each two-month long skating program, of preschool graduations.

In childhood, haircuts are sparkly, summer camps come with completion ribbons and each grandparent visit has ice-cream. Adulthood, on the other hand, is filled with who is going where today? Of oh crap, I didn’t realize I had another meeting now, of playing spot the new wrinkle, of s@#$ my girls’ night out that was planned months in advance just got cancelled, yet again, but I’m actually kinda relieved cause I could really use some Netflix and home-made nachos right now.

I vividly remember the first time we left the house after my daughter was born. She was five days old and we walked down to the Italian Bakery where a lovely older woman coo-ed at her in just the right way and congratulated me in a way that made me feel truly accomplished for having brought a beautiful human into the world.

I remember the first time I drove my infant daughter by myself, I couldn’t believe I could do it—it felt like how I imagine paragliding to me—that I was

flying high above the ordinary little people down below going about their average days. Some of these firsts keep coming but they are morphing all the while, the first daycare drop-off becomes preschool drop-off becomes kindergarten. The bedtime routine we finally got down stops working, and the white noise machine becomes a music box becomes reading Fancy Nancy twice in a row and making sure “tete” the teddy is at the foot of the bed.

I look to parents of older kids as experts, as seniors when I’m a freshman. Parenting is a weird mix of knowing some things really well but being at the precipice of the unknown. Being on a hike without a map, never knowing what will emerge around the corner. It’s exciting that things always change, but it’s also panic inducing. Suddenly my sevenstep bedtime routine just lost its power. Suddenly, she’s stopped saying “tete” and started saying “teddy.” Suddenly, her drawings of people include legs. After a toddlerhood of downing pepper slices, she’s asking me to pick them out of her lasagna. It’s a constant learning curve accompanied by the perpetual grief of losing a version of someone you love a little bit more with each passing day.

When my daughter was a newborn, my midwife showed up as I hid in the bathroom and cried in my sleep deprived, sore-nippled state. When I came out, she simply looked at me and said, “this is hard as f***.”

She was right.

It is all hard and no one gives you a gold star for it. So tonight, after bedtime and before the next wake-up, pour yourself some wine as the dishes wait and cheers to making it through all of it. Each exhausting, heartwarming, frustrating, fleeting moment of it. Because you deserve a kneeled-down, arms wide open, Helper of the Day hug.

You made it. You are making it. And that calls for one heck of a celebration.

Preschool to Grade 12

Julie Mais is a policy and communications professional in Victoria. She looks for beauty in the everyday through writing, photography and the outdoors. She lives in a messy, cheesefilled home with her husband and preschooler.

Imagine a School…where music, dance, theatre and visual arts are infused into all aspects of an outstanding curriculum.

v Preschool located at the beautiful Cedar Hill Recreation Centre

v Comprehensive K-12 program consistently exceeds BC Curriculum

v Excellent facilities, convenient locations throughout Victoria

50 Adventures in Pacific Rim National Park

Visiting the West Coast Trail, Broken Group Islands or Long Beach? Here—from Pacific Rim National Park Reserve—is a bucket list of adventures to discover along the way. How many can you do?

1. Watch a storm from the sunroom at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.

2. Listen to the sound of stones being rolled by waves at South Beach.

3. Watch the sunrise at Grice Bay.

4. Ride a cable car on the West Coast Trail.

5. Listen for the cry of an osprey.

6. Contemplate the landscape from the red chairs at Radar Hill.

7. Count a flock of shorebirds.

8. Measure a banana slug.

9. Camp at one of the seven campsites in the Broken Group Islands.

10. Go on a guided rainforest walk.

11. Surf a wave at Wickaninnish Beach.

12. Discover how Valencia Bluffs got their name.

13. Visit the three sections of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

14. Learn the Nuu-chah-nulth word for “black bear” at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.

15. Ride a bike down Long Beach.

16. Run the Willowbrea Trail.

17. Wade across Sandhill Creek at low tide.

18. Count the great blue herons in the eelgrass at low tide at Grice Bay.

19. Make an etching from an interpretive panel on the Nuu-chah-nulth Trail.

20. Sit on the red chairs amongst the majestic trees on the Rainforest Trail.

21. Volunteer for an invasive dune grass pull.

22. Hitch a ride on a giant slug at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.

23. Locate Keeha Beach on a map.

24. Paddle board around a bed of bull kelp.

25. Attend an evening presentation at Green Point Theatre.

26. Be CoastSmart and know before you go near the water at CoastSmart.ca

27. Go on the “Track the Wild” guided hike.

28. Visit the Tseshaht “first man” house post on Benson Island and learn about Tseshaht cultural history at Ts’ishaa.

29. Identify the difference between a crow and a raven.

30. Count the number of stairs down to Halfmoon Bay.

31. Explore a tidal pool on a guided shoreline walk.

32. Climb a ladder on the West Coast Trail.

33. Use the Dune Explora App.

34. Spot a flock of Whimbrel (giant bills) on the Grice Bay mudflats.

35. Find the brass geological survey marker at the top of Radar Hill.

36. Jump rope with a bull kelp.

37. Look through Kwisitis Visitor Centre binoculars.

38. Count the number of trees that are 500 years or older on Schooner Cove Trail.

39. Write your name in the sand at Long Beach.

40. Take off your shoes and wade in Lost Shoe Creek.

41. Touch a sea star at the Kwisitis Visitor Centre.

42. Play hockey on the beach.

43. Take a break on the red chairs at Valencia Bluffs on the West Coast Trail.

44. Toast a marshmallow at your campsite at Green Point Campground.

45. Find pelagic goose neck barnacles on drift logs on the beach.

46. Look for signs of a garter snake in the sand dunes.

47. Take a photo in the longhouse at Kwisitis Visitor Centre.

48. Spot swimming swans in winter at Sandhill Creek or Grice Bay.

49. Identify a shorepine tree.

50. Find the derelict donkey engine on the West Coast Trail.

For 100 more ideas, visit parks.canada.ca/ pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ150.

Making Nature Accessible to All

We all know the benefits of getting outdoors and experiencing nature. Many studies show that time in nature reduces stress and anxiety, promotes calm, promotes healthy movement, can improve concentration, lowers the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. Of course, we all should be getting outdoors and experiencing nature on a regular basis.

Being in nature can be especially important for children who are experiencing challenges. Playing outdoors allows children freedom, exploration, friendship and fun. All children can and should experience time spent enjoying nature.

Unfortunately enjoying nature isn’t as easy for some as it is for others. For people living with health, mobility, transportation, socio-economic and/or a variety of other challenges, getting into nature isn’t as easy as walking out the door or getting into the family car and heading

to the park. Challenges can deter families and people from using what should be easily accessible. That is why many local parks and recreation departments are working to make their parks more accessible to everyone.

Making a park more accessible can mean many things: it can mean looking at local transportation connections; building more accessible play structures and trails; offering introductory tours of parks; offering hikes with transportation included or partnering with other organizations to use their expertise. Making a park more accessible can also be as simple as communicating better to let the public know what is available or to show that there are ways to access a park or trail that may not be the typical way.

Most newer play structures are now built with differing abilities in mind. Some are accessible to every ability, and many have components that allow children to play freely regardless of mobil-

ity challenges. The same can be said for trails. There are trails and hikes all over Vancouver Island that are accessible: offering a flat grade, smooth path and tapping rails for visually impaired, among other amenities. The Lighthouse Country Regional Trail in the Regional District of Nanaimo is one of these, offering a 5km out and back fully accessible trail that meanders through the forest over bridges and around trees. This trail is popular with all ages and abilities and offers families a natural trail that can be easily walked or rolled by anyone.

Taking a tour or park orientation session can help to reduce any stress and answer any questions you have about the park or trail. Many parks and recreation departments offer these types of activities, sometimes with staff and other times in partnership with others. Look into your local activity guide or call your local parks and recreation department to see what they have to offer.

OUTDOOR-FOCUSED PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS IN SAANICH

Full-year preschool registration for Sept. 2023-2024 starts Saturday, Feb 4 at 6am. In-person only.

Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom

We are proud to offer this program in our outdoor forest classroom, with circle time, crafts, educational field trips, seasonal events and much more! Children learn through hands-on exploration, shelter building, forest play, science, painting, music, story time and more! Our goal is to prepare your child for kindergarten through structured activities in our outdoor nature environment. Minimum two days a week, may register up to four days a week.

Exploring Our World Licensed Preschool

Come explore with us! Themes that are inspired by your child’s interests, with a focus on outdoor play, stories, science, arts and crafts, music and dance. We offer a developmentally appropriate, play-based program with an emphasis on the whole child’s development. This fosters growth in each child’s emotional, social and physical well-being.

E.C.O. Educating Children Outside

Connecting through nature-based full-year early childhood education will help foster a sense of wonder, curiosity and imagination as children experience and engage with the natural world around them. Emergent and play-based curriculum, ECO is a community partnership with Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.

If transportation issues are what is holding you back from enjoying nature, there are solutions. Local parks and recreation centres are often on bus routes and can be accessed by the public. Busses often run close to or directly to parks and trails to make them more accessible and can be a fun mode of transport for young children with their caregivers. Look at your local transit area and see where busses run to see what you can access. For some of the harder to reach parks and trails, see if your recreation and parks department is offering transportation during their programs, or join a local group or school (many can be found via a quick google or social media search). Local groups sometimes offer rideshares or programs that include transportation.

In addition to your local parks and recreation departments, there are many other resources within your communities that you can go to for help in accessing more natural areas. Child development centres and other local medical supply can have equipment that is available for rent and may have other resources.

And always remember that even a little bit of nature works wonders: look out those windows, sit in the grass, feel the chill of the snow or splash in those puddles.

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.

Brighter Futures start at CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

junior kindergarten

affordable tuition & financial assistance available

extracurricular programs building community leaders

an intimate and supportive learning environment

renowned chorister program new strings program

kindergarten to grade 5 middle school grade 6-8 before & after school care Christmas, spring & summer day camps

an inclusive welcoming community

Raising Active Kids

In today’s world, it can be challenging to raise kids who like and want to move. But don’t despair, there’s a recipe to help you raise kids who will like (if not love) to move. And as we know, when kids love doing something, they keep doing it.

A Super Healthy “Smoothie” for Kids

The recipe to get kids moving is to serve them a daily dose of three ingredients: skills, confidence, and the love of movement. When you “blend” these three ingredients, they become a “supersmoothie” that kids can’t resist. We call this powerful recipe “physical literacy.”

Like all healthy food, the power of this blend comes from the goodness of its ingredients. Good ingredients make you healthy from the inside-out. Kale, for example, the superfood of the moment, is a “nutrition superstar” because it’s full of vitamins A, B6, K and C, and full of cancer-fighting ingredients.

And that’s what the three ingredients of physical literacy do to kids’ bodies and brains: it gets them healthy from the inside-out. But there’s more. Each one of the three ingredients amplifies the goodness of the other ingredients.

How Physical Literacy Works Inside Your Child’s Body and Brain

Imagine you’re sitting on the living room floor with your two-year-old. Your child is watching you play with a foam ball. You smile and laugh as you throw the soft ball against the wall and catch it after it bounces back to you. Your child can’t take her eyes away from you.

And then you turn to your child and give them the spongy ball. Your child smiles, looks up at you and then throws the ball too. The ball flies sideways. You laugh, and so does your child.

With kind words and a smile, you praise your child’s effort (“Well done!”).

You watch as your toddler fetches the ball and throws it and laughs again.

As your child throws the ball, magic is taking place in their young brain. As they watch the ball fly, your toddler’s brain engages, adapts and makes new connections. As all of this brain activity is taking place, your child is developing the skill of throwing.

Magic also takes place when you react with kind and constructive words. Every time you recognize how hard your child is trying, or how much they are learning, your child’s confidence in their ability to throw a ball grows.

The best part of this simple game is the addictive joy that fills both your child and you. Joy leads your child to throw the ball, over and over. As they throw, they get better at it. Their confidence grows and they experience more pleasure, which leads them to throw the ball some more. In that moment, your child falls in love with throwing a ball.

Active for Life is a Canadian not-for-profit social initiative founded by B2ten. We are a national initiative created to help parents give their children the right start in life through the development of physical literacy. activeforlife.com.

From preschool to grade 8, Selkirk Montessori School is a diverse and caring community offering a contemporary Montessori approach from exceptional educators to inspire empowered, engaged students. Call

Wholesome Dinners in a Hurry!

We’ve all had it happen to us. Those nights where we forgot to plan for dinner, ran out of time or didn’t have a chance to pick up groceries. While takeout is an option, it isn’t really that quick, easy or healthy. You have to figure out how long will it take to get your order. The choice between going to pick it up or wait for it to be delivered.

Instant dinners and fast food are high in salt, sugar, carbs and trans fats. Low in everything we need for a wholesome diet, namely vegetables and whole grains.

Here are three meals that truly take only 30 minutes to make. They are made with pantry staples so you can turn to them no matter what else is going on in your busy day. Best of all, they are SIMPLE. So you can take a deep breath at the end of a busy day and enjoy a healthy meal.

Super Nachos

Homemade nachos are a great way to sneak in extra vegetables and protein. The refried bean “sauce” is what makes these nachos super! It also is a great way of hiding all those extra vegetables.

5 spring onions

1 red pepper

1 bag of corn chips

1 cup of water

Salsa, guacamole and sour cream

Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

1 green pepper

3 Roma tomatoes

1 can of refried beans

2 to 3 cups of grated cheese

Veggie-Packed Frittata

Though eggs are thought of as breakfast, there’s no reason not to make them for dinner! Packed with protein and quick to make, they are the perfect go-to dinner. Try fried egg sandwiches or scrambled eggs on toast with a salad.

This particular dish is a cross between a traditional frittata and a quiche. It skips the added milk so that it cooks up quicker. It’s a simplified version that makes it a perfect stress-free dinner.

1 small onion

1 small zucchini

8 eggs

1⁄4 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375˚F.

Finely slice the spring onions. Dice the peppers. Slice the Roma tomatoes in half. Remove the seeds, then dice the tomato flesh.

Spread the corn chips out on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover with the vegetables. Pop the baking sheet in the oven for 7 minutes, to lightly cook the vegetables, while you prepare the refried bean sauce.

Scrape the refried beans out into a bowl. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir to mix thoroughly. It should be a thick, white sauce-like consistency. You may need to add more water, depending on the consistency of the refried beans.

Pull the corn chips out of the oven. Spread the refried bean sauce over the whole sheet. It doesn’t need to be in an even thin layer. The sauce softens the corn chips, so it’s actually nice to have some chips without the refried beans so they are crunchy.

Cover the whole baking tray in cheese. Pop the baking sheet under a broiler, and cook until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Serve immediately with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

1 red pepper

1 Tbsp butter

3⁄4 tsp salt

1⁄2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Finely dice the onion and pepper. Grate or finely slice the zucchini. I find grated zucchini tends to disappear in dishes, making it more kid- friendly.

Heat the butter in a large, oven-safe frying pan. Add the vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes, until softened. Remove from the heat.

Beat the eggs, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.

Pour the eggs over top of the cooked vegetables, in the hot frying pan. Stir once to make sure everything is evenly mixed. Top with the grated cheese.

Place the frying pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the eggs are set. Serve immediately with slices of toast.

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com

Carrot Almond Soup

When you’re juggling work and children, cooking dinner becomes a chore that takes away from spending time with your kids. This soup is the perfect solution for that. Why? Because there’s very little chopping. Seriously! Everything is pureed at the end, so there’s no need to slice or dice. Just quarter those onions and you’re done!

2 onions

6 carrots

2 cloves of garlic

5 cups of water

1 Tbsp bullion powder (or one cube)

1 bunch each parsley and cilantro

1 cup ground almonds (almond meal)

1⁄2 tsp salt, to taste

Peel and quarter the onions. Roughly chop the carrots. Peel the garlic.

Place the vegetables in a soup pot with the water and bullion cube.

Wash the parsley and cilantro. Tear off about 1⁄4 cup of leaves for a garnish. Then put the whole bunch, stems and all, into the soup pot.

Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots are soft, about 20 minutes.

Puree the soup (including the parsley and cilantro stems). I find this easiest with a stick blender, but you can do it by moving it to a regular blender in batches. Stir in the ground almonds and salt. Taste, and add more salt if needed.

Serve with a slice of buttered bread and a garnish of fresh parsley and cilantro.

Make the Most of a Trip to the Museum

The sun isn’t up yet when my threeyear-old runs into my room. He hands me Little Bear and Marshall to give me the false hope that this morning he might actually fall asleep then climbs up into the bed and takes over my pillow before bouncing up and down.

“What we doing today Mommy?”

I look up at him and admit defeat. “I was thinking we could go to the museum.”

“Yay!” He hops back off the bed and b-lines for the door. “Ready!” he calls as he bounds down the stairs.

When I first had a child, I was pretty nervous about taking him to art galleries or museums or anything that involved walking around the halls and staring at

exhibits. But I loved museum and gallery visits and didn’t want to give that up.

Now that I’m three kids and countless museum and art gallery trips in, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.

Be prepared. My son is usually pretty happy to run out the door in his pajamas, but I like to take some time to get ready so we can set ourselves up for a good day.

For starters, I pack a lot of snacks. My kids are hungry after running or crawling through the exhibits. Food isn’t allowed in most exhibits, so we find somewhere outside the exhibit area where they can eat their snacks. We like to eat food twice: once right when we arrive, and then again after we’ve had a chance to

We also take some time to go over the ground rules. Like no yelling, being careful with the exhibits they’re allowed to touch, and sticking together as a group.

Finally, I take a few moments to plan our route when we get there. Like I said, when we get to the museum, we usually have a snack, then we tour the museum before sitting down for our second snack, and then we finish off any of the other exhibits we’ve missed.

Go when it’s quieter. It’s not always possible, but if you can, try to go when it’s a bit quieter. It’s easier to keep track of roaming children when there are less people milling about. You also won’t have to worry about feeling like your children are being disruptive and ruining someone else’s enjoyment of the museum,

Junior Paleontology

We believe that hands-on, curiosity led experience is the best way to cultivate a lifelong love of science! Our Junior Paleontology programs give your child the opportunity to explore natural sciences in a whole new way, with learning, exploration and play mixed together.

Upcoming programs include multi-day camps for 8–10 and 11–14 year olds running March 21, 22 and 23 from 5–7pm. For our younger scientists in training, Prehistoric Preschool welcomes 3–5 year olds and their parent or guardian for 45 minutes adventuring in a prehistoric wonderland. Prehistoric Preschool runs the third Sunday o each month from 9–9:45am.

Details and registration available on our website: dinolabinc.ca

and anything that prevents extra mom guilt is a plus.

Tour at a toddler’s pace. You will be exploring the museum at a toddler’s pace, so plan to be there a while (hence all the snacks you’re bringing). But that doesn’t mean they’ll toddle slowly from one place to the next letting you read every sign you pass. Sometimes they will stop when there are things to play with, but other times they’ll simply rush from one thing to the next.

Side note, if you actually do want to read something or look closely at one exhibit that your kids have decided isn’t worth their time, remind your children that they agreed to stay close to you. Just remember to stay close to them if they want to spend more time than you would like to at a different exhibit.

Don’t overstay your welcome. Sometimes, it’s just not a good day to be at a museum. The last time we went my youngest did not nap on my back like I hoped he would, and he desperately needed a nap. We were also with a small group of other toddlers and preschoolers and we knew we were quickly approaching their naptime too, which meant no amount of snacks would stop the crying once it started. So we hurried through the last exhibit to get them out and on the way home before the tears began to fall.

It might not always be the perfect experience you’re hoping for, but it probably won’t be the horror story you’re imagining either. Just remember, with a bit of preparation, you really can enjoy a trip to the museum with your young children. So the next time they wake you up far too early to ask what you’re doing that day, why not say “I was thinking we could go to the museum?”

Christina Van Starkenburg lives in Victoria with her husband, children and cat. She is the author of One Tiny Turtle: A Story You Can Colour and many articles. To read more of her work and learn about her upcoming books visit christinavanstarkenburg.com. Facebook: facebook.com/christinavanstarkenburg and Twitter: @Christina_VanS.

Spring Prelude at Butchart Gardens

From February 6 to mid-March, The Blue Poppy Restaurant will be transformed into an amazing indoor spring display with paths lined by flowering shrubs, trees and thousands of bulbs. Outside, enjoy the solitude winter brings and take in the subtle beauty of the shrubs, trees and flowers, from delicate snowdrops to lush hellebore.

Free Family Day Events in Courtenay

This Family Day (February 20) bring the entire family to totally free activities happening at two locations! The LINC Youth Centre offers ping pong, pool tables, outdoor skateboarding, karaoke, and more between 11am and 2pm. While the Lewis Centre offers more free family games and activities between 10am to 4pm. courtenay.ca/EN/meta/events/events-list/ recreation/70037.html

Live Nation Presents: RAFFI

Bring the whole family to this all ages show at the Cowichan Performing Arts Theatre on February 18 to hear the best of Raffi. Sing along to old songs and learn some new songs. All ticket proceeds go to Raffi’s own children’s foundation—The Centre for Child Honouring. cowichanpac.ca/event/raffi-2023-02-18

Pacific Rim Whale Festival

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival from March 17–25 is an annual event celebrating the return of Pacific Grey Whales to the west coast of Vancouver Island on their Northern migration route. The week-long festival hosts a number of fun events throughout Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. For a calendar of events, visit pacificrimwhalefestival.com

Call your local CCRR for free referrals and resources.

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000

Sooke: 250-642-5152 ext 239 West Shore: 250-940-4882

Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231

PacificCare (Ladysmith North): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273

GREATER

COMOX VALLEY

TOFINO/UCLUELET

v Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 11

v Delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts

v Outstanding educators, locations and facilities

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare & Jr. Kindergarten

250-383-5132

ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstanding all day licensed program for 2.5–5 year olds at our Fairfield and Gordon Head locations. cathedralschool.ca

Pre-School Junior Kindergarten

PacificChristian.ca

250-479-4532

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God

Licensed child care facility with spots available for children aged 3-5 years. Contact us to book a tour today! Victoria Social Innovation Centre: 1004 North Park St littlephoenixchildcare.ca director@littlephoenixchildcare.ca 778-269-2273

Ready Set Grow Preschool .... 250-472-1530

Join our learning through play preschool located in Hillcrest Elem. Our caring ECEs offer an enriched Program for 3-4 hour, 2-5 days a week and help with kindergarten transition. heoscmanager@gmail.com

PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE DIRECTORY SEEDLINGS

Forest Education

Where nature becomes the Teacher! Seedlings Forest Education is a Nature based program that includes After School Care, Nature Preschool, Parent Workshops, Saturday Seedlings, Summer Camps and more! 250-880-0660 seedlingsforesteducation.com

St. Christopher’s Montessori School

Offering an enriched and nurturing Montessori program

Competitively priced independent school education

Half day for 3 & 4 year olds

Full day kindergarten stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213

Nestled on 4 acres of lush west coast forest, our Award winning, Nature based program will not disappoint! While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day. Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the trees from our forest. Come take a virtual tour on our website! lexieslittlebears.ca Waitlist: 250-590-3603

BC Award of Excellence in Childcare & Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

BUSINESSES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Piano Lessons

Oak Bay and communities close by

CUT IT OUT!

Setting Boundaries

Interpersonal boundaries may be defined as invisible lines, or “bubbles,” which separate people or groups of people. A healthy family is one in which each member can be loved and be himself or herself at the same time. Establishing boundaries begins with establishing family values. The Golden Rule is the basic value of all cultures: Treat others the way you would like them to treat you. Boundaries are essential for healthy families. Within the safety of boundaries established by the parents, a child can develop his own sense of self. Because that self has been protected by boundaries, the child can feel he is loved for himself, and can love others while respecting their right to be who they are and make their own choices.

As children are naturally egocentric, they have to be taught where others’ boundaries are. A two-year-old may not know he is actually causing pain to the person he hits; he only knows that he gets a reaction. Children often don’t understand the impact their behaviour has on a friend at school when they tease them. Similarly, a teenager may have no idea of how stressful it is when she adds to an adult’s work load; she has to be taught.

Limits are statements of people’s boundaries. It is not “selfish” of a parent to set limits for a child around respecting the parent’s own needs: for example, the need for sleep, or the need to not have to clean up all the time, or the need for some time to herself. These limits teach the child about others’ boundaries and about the Golden Rule.

As children older, you can establish family values which flow out of the Golden Rule, such as respect for persons, respect for others’ property, respect for body privacy, kindness to animals. Sometimes limits need to be enforced with consequences. However, empathy training (helping kids think through what it must be like for the person who has been harmed) is much more effective than scolding or punishing a child when he or she harms someone. It also helps to let the child make amends if she feels truly sorry.

Children learn most from our example, and they learn about boundaries when their boundaries are respected by us, and when we insist that other people respect their and our boundaries.

Dr. Allison Rees is a parent educator, counsellor and coach at LIFE Seminars (Living in Families Effectively), lifeseminars.com.

Serving

30 Things to Do with Your Teen

…that won’t bore them to tears or scare you to death

Peruse Music Stores for Old Records and Reminisce. Okay, you might not want to reminisce too much, but chances are both you and your teen(s) will have a blast searching through the long-forgotten-but-then-revived LPs. Seeing the price of these collectibles now will make you—and your kids—wish you’d hung on to your old N’Sync and Spice Girls records. Or not.

Embark on a Stand-Up Paddle Tour of the Inner Harbour. Learn the basics of stand-up paddle-boarding in the Inner Harbour during a 3-hour introductory course at Ocean River Adventures (oceanriveradventures.com) that will teach you the Hawaiian cultural history of stand-up paddle-boarding, the differences between board and equipment styles, and how to manoeuvre your paddle-board using different strokes.

Join a Running Clinic Together and Enter a Race. Your local community centre, along with various Frontrunners (frontrunners.ca) and Running Room

(runningroom.com) stores offer Learn to Run programs that will have you running a 5km or 10km in no time. Well, in 10 to 12 weeks. At the weekly sessions, you’ll learn all you need to know about running in all kinds of weather, biomechanics, nutrition, goal setting, injury prevention, motivation, pacing and more. Classes usually start with a 20 to 30-minute group seminar followed by a group run.

Practice Your Swing at a Driving Range. Not enough time for a full game? No problem. Improve your long ball drive, iron play, or wedge shots—oh, okay…just swing really hard—and keep your game up to par at one of the Island driving ranges. As Arnold Palmer says: “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” For a list of ranges, visit golfvancouverisland.ca.

Try Climbing. Take the $25 “Taste Test” at Crag X and sample climbing in an indoor gym. There is no safety system instruction during the Taste Test, just climbing. Staff manage all your safety

systems for the one-hour visit. After starting on some easier routes, you’ll get a chance to push your limits on the more advanced terrain. No experience is required. cragx.ca

Hang 10 in Tofino. As beautiful in summer as winter—with water temperatures that vary only between 1-2˚—Tofino is the perfect place to learn to surf. For a list of lessons, visit tourismtofino. com.

Go Ziplining. If ziplining by daylight isn’t scary enough, try the full-moon zip at Adrenaline in Sooke (adrenalinezip. com). Or in Nanaimo at WildPlay (wildplay.com), try two flights of 91 and 182 metres, spanning the entire length of the park.

Build Something Together. A go-kart, a skimboard, a skateboard ramp, a chicken coop. Find plans for almost anything on YouTube.

Get Matching Tattoos. Haha. Okay not likely, but worth the laugh, watching your teen squirm at the thought. So, too,

would be choosing a mutually-agreeable design. For ideas, google “Matching Tattoos.”

Go, Go, Go Go-karting. See if you can keep up with your teen before tripping the remote shut-off switch. In Comox Valley, saratogaracing.ca

Write a Blueprint for the Perfect Day and then turn it into a reality. Or Go 50/50 and have your teen plan one half of the day while you plan the other half. Then surprise each other with your plans.

Explore a New Area Together—even if it’s just a new neighbourhood. If you’re mobile, drive to another community on the Island and poke around. For an added activity, research your destination beforehand to determine some must-sees.

Recreate Family Photos. For inspiration, visit then-and-now-photos.tumblr. com. Or, if you have absentee family members, make a family collage or photo album instead. Too often, in this day of digital photographs, shots stay stuck on cellphones or in cameras and never make it into a photo album. Kids, whatever their ages, love looking at old family photos. Make them accessible and enlist their help in the process.

Go Out for Dinner Together to a place that serves a type of food that neither of you have tried before. Try Tibetan, maybe, or Caribbean, Moroccan or Creole.

Create Your Own Sandwich at Red Barn Market. Better yet, hike to the top of Mt. Work first to work up an appetite then head to the West Saanich Road Red Barn (other locations include Vanalman, Mattick’s Farm, Latoria Walk and Oak Bay). Teen-appetite tested and approved.

Visit the Royal BC Museum and then See an IMAX Movie. From documentaries to blockbusters, IMAX fits all ages.

Pretend to be Tourists. Sure the official version of Tourist in Your Own Home Town won’t be back until 2024, but don’t fret. Re-create a version of your own.

Rent Scooters. Two or one seaters, scooters at Cycle BC Rentals in Victoria are 49cc and require the driver have a regular licence to ride. $16-$19/hour. victoria.cyclebc.ca.

See a Psychic or Do a Tea Leaf Reading. Tea leaf readings at Silk Road Tea

Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry

The path is made by walking…

Have a child who loves learning and who is looking for a different kind of learning environment? We offer personalized, inquiry-based learning for people in grades 9 through 12, with competency development as the focus.

Information sessions for September 2023 enrollment information are being held on Saturday, January 21 and Saturday, February 4

Check us out online at learningstorm.org

You can also email us anytime at visitors@learningstorm.org if you want to connect.

SPRING BREAK WITH SPEND

Register for SKAM

School of Performing Arts' Spring Break Camp and enjoy a week of...

Acting Arts & Crafts Design Improv Theatre Games

and more!

GO TO SKAM.CA FOR MORE DETAILS & TO REGISTER

in Victoria on Saturdays from noon5pm silkroadteastore.com

Climb a Mountain. Mt. Work, Mt. Arrowsmith or Mt. Tolmie, match your teen’s interest level and endurance level with a suitable hill. Snacks and energy drinks work wonders and might get you and your teen a kilometre or two further.

Get Certified. CPR, Standard First Aid, Bartending, Food Safe or your White Sail certificate are only a few examples of certificates you could earn together. viu.ca, camosun.ca/ce, royalroads.ca

Face a Fear. From scuba diving, bungy jumping—okay, maybe not—and rock climbing to learning to knit or reading a collaborative haiku aloud at a poetry reading, doing something scary together will give you both the “Yes, we did it!” feeling and bring you closer together.

Shop for and Cook Dinner Together. Teach your teen a secret family recipe or signature dish.

Ride the Galloping Goose to Sooke Pot Holes and Take a Dip. For

trail maps and information, visit gallopinggoosetrail.com.

Volunteer. For a list of opportunities, visit volunteervictoria.bc.ca, volunteernanaimo.ca or google “volunteer opportunities on Vancouver Island” for specific events.

Pull an All-Nighter. The fun kind, not the kind you’d pull if you were cramming for exams.

Go Float at the Float House in Victoria. One way for a digital detox is in a sensory deprivation and floatation tank where $150 will get you three introductory sessions. floathousevictoria.com

Hang Out. Literally. At Free Spirit Spheres, unique tree house accommodations for adults (16 years old and up), set among the tall trees of the west coast rainforest. freespiritspheres.com.

While you’re in the vicinity…

Go Underground…Caving at Horne Lake. Caves for both self-exploring and guided tour opportunities. hornelake.com

Draft a 30 Things to Do List of Your Own—a family bucket list.

10 More Things to Do:

Go technology-free for 24 hours. Play video games. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Go to an arcade. Or try laser tag. Or to kick it up a notch, paintball. Go to a thrift store and shop.

Take a scenic boat ride on the Frances Barkley to points along Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound.

Learn something new: to cook at London Chef or sculpt at Opus Art Supplies. Visit Strathcona Provincial Park and hike the Forbidden Plateau in the summer or ski Mount Washington in the winter.

Kayak the Broken Group of Islands in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Reservations are now required but campsites are guaranteed.

Hike to Mystic Beach and cool off under the waterfalls.

Wash the car—and let your teen take you for a spin.

Go tubing on Cowichan River. cowichanriver.com

5 Ways to Get Involved in Volunteering

Are you a teenager ready to start volunteering? Or a parent looking for opportunities for their child? If so then volunteer centres can help! Volunteering can be a great way to develop skills, gain confidence, and make lifelong connections. Whether you need volunteer hours, sector experience, or are wanting to help your community, you’ll be able to find your perfect position by following these simple steps.

1. Start with your Local Volunteer Centre

Volunteer Centres are the number one asset for you when looking for volunteer positions. Centres are focused on promoting volunteering in the community and offer lots of resources and up-to-date local volunteer opportunities. Each Volunteer Centre is unique to its community. They host volunteer fairs, volunteer training and listings of volunteer roles that you can look through to find something you are interested in.

To find your local Volunteer Centre check Volunteer BC’s Volunteer Centre Network (volunteerbc.bc.ca/volunteer-centrenetwork).

2. Volunteer BC’s Volunteer Now Volunteer Now (volunteerbc.bc.ca/volunteer-now) is your one-stop shop for volunteering. With the help of this platform, you can search and apply for multiple positions all in one place.

Volunteer Now is maintained by Volunteer BC and is completely free for volunteers. Simply make an account and you will be able to browse local positions to find the best one for your needs.

3. Other Volunteer Matching Platforms

If you do not have a local Volunteer Centre you can check out other online volunteer posting boards: Volunteer Connector (volunteerconnector.org), Charity Village (charityvillage.com), or Craigslist (geo.craigslist.org/iso/ca). Schools, colleges and universities often have volunteer posting boards that post positions perfect for ’tweens, teens and everyone else.

The Pan-Canadian Volunteer Matching Platform (volunteer. ca) works in collaboration with Volunteer Centres nationwide in order to provide over 75,000 volunteer opportunities. We encourage you to reach out to organizations you like directly to see if they have any open positions that might not have been posted.

4. Check out Volunteer BC’s Online Training and Resources

Volunteer BC also offers access to a training and workshop calendar. The website is updated daily with new opportunities which are also posted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, making it easy for you to check for new positions from members.

Volunteer BC’s training calendar shows month-by-month opportunities updated as soon as new sessions become available and links to Volunteer Now so you can easily apply. This training will allow you to learn more about volunteering and the non-profit sector and help prepare to for future volunteer opportunities.

Want even more detailed info on volunteering? Download the detailed I Want to Volunteer handbook. This interactive pdf is a step-by-step guide on how to go about finding that perfect volunteer position.

5. Volunteer BC Memberships

A Volunteer BC Individual Membership is another great way to help you get involved with volunteering. As a member, you will receive the member’s only newsletter with monthly updates on volunteer centres, as well as new and upcoming positions. A membership is a great way to show support to Volunteer BC and receive amazing benefits that will help you on your journey to being your best volunteering self.

By starting to volunteer, you will be able to make a difference in your community, learn new skills, and feel good by doing something good. By following these simple steps you’ll be able to find the best volunteer position for anything you need. Good luck to you and your future volunteer endeavours! Together we can make a difference.

For more information, contact your local Volunteer Centre or visit volunteerbc.bc.ca.

Rayne Inkster is an administrator at Volunteer BC.

Job Search

Statistics show that 80 percent of job vacancies are not advertised. In some regions, that percentage is higher. Networking is a vital way to identify work opportunities and connect with potential employers in the “hidden” job market.

Your teen’s current social circle, both online and offline, is a good place to start to expand their network of acquaintances, but there are also other excellent networking opportunities listed below. Whatever networking strategies your teen employs, expanding their network will expand their prospects.

Networking for Career Development

Volunteer. This is a fine method for broadening their network and allowing prospective employers to discover their abilities. Youth can gain experience, make connections, demonstrate their skills and get noticed. Volunteering provides an opportunity for word to spread about your child’s talents and availability. And sometimes paid employment grows directly out of volunteer activities.

Join a job club. For those who are eligible, job clubs have many advantages: youth quickly find out they are not alone, discover which job-search methods that are working for people, and gain

Help your teen develop networking skills

a built-in network of people who know people. Someone in the job club may have a friend or relative looking for a landscaper, which may be your teen’s job target. You never know when an opportunity could present itself.

Encourage your teen to find groups in their area(s) of interest. Suggest they join a new group to build their network. If they like computers and are passionate about programming, find a programming user group. Such groups allow you to build lasting, mutually helpful professional relationships. As they become connected, they’ll likely discover career opportunities.

If they don’t know how to find a group, they can use a search engine like Google or Meetup to find groups in their field and community. For example, search “Programming user group Nanaimo.”

Tell community groups they are a part of. Organizations they are already part of may have many members, some of whom already know your teen well. Talk to them about your career or job-search goals. If people don’t know that they’re looking for work, then they can’t share any opportunities with prospective employees.

Social media networking. These days, social media is an excellent method for connecting with

employers and job opportunities. Find out more about using social media in their job search below. Attend job fairs. Job fairs are another great opportunity to connect with people: employers who are seeking workers, employment service providers and other job seekers. Even if a company isn’t looking for someone with your teen’s background, they may know of someone else who is. They may be happy to pass on their resume or keep it for their own future needs. Encourage teens to be proactive and do some homework on the companies they plan to approach at the job fair (participating companies are usually listed in advance event notices). Their obvious interest and preparation will increase their chances of winning an interview.

When networking, always remind your teen to thank the people who have given them advice or contacts by emailing or mailing them a thank-you note. Networking is all about building relationships. Showing that they appreciate the time of a person who helps them is their investment in a relationship that may ultimately benefit both parties.

WorkBC offers direct access to the world of work in B.C. For more tips and job search strategies, visit workbc.ca

GORGE SOCCER

Spring, Summer & Fall Programs

UNITED SOCCER YOUTH SPRING LEAGUE

...because soccer should be fun

• April 10 – June 17

• Ages 4–17

• Recreational—No Scores/ Standings

• Limited Coaching

• Warmer Weather, Music, Fun

GORGE 7’S ADULT SPRING LEAGUE

...where soccer and social hour meet

• April 10 – June 17

• Centrally Located

• Multiple Mens’ & Womens’ + Co-Ed Division

• 10 Weekly Games

• Corporate Teams Welcome

• Bar/Clubhouse, Friday Social/ BBQ, Windup BBQ/Beer Garden

FREE 2, 3 & 4 YEAR OLD SPRING SOCCER

• April 17 – June 23

• Ages 2, 3 & 4

• Parent & Tots Program

• Physical Literacy & Soccer Skills

• Sponsored Shirts

• Neighbourhood Based (Multiple Locations)

SUMMER & FALL PROGRAMS

• Spring Break Camps

• Summer Camps

• Fall Youth Soccer

• Fall Adult Soccer

• Over 60 & Walking Soccer

• Futsal (Indoor Soccer)

• Youth Academies

• Individual Soccer & Athletics Training

• Victoria’s oldest youth/ adult soccer club

• Programs available for all genders and ages: youth (3–17) and adult (18–80)

• All skill levels

• Not limited by where you live

• Fantastic facilities (turf fields, clubhouse, office)

For more details...

visit: gorgesoccer.ca

email: info@gorgesoccer.ca

Island Catholic Schools

Catholic Education on Vancouver Island is a system rich in tradition and history dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Island Catholic Schools is a dynamic community of schools having a strong reputation for academic excellence, instilling Catholic values and building community. We are committed to educating the “whole” child in a Christ-centered community of learning.

St. Joseph’s (Pre-K to Grade 7) 757 W Burnside Rd, Victoria 250-479-1232

https://stjosephschool.ca

Email: sjv@cisdv.bc.ca

Tours by appointment.

St. Patrick’s School (K to Grade 7)

2368 Trent St, Victoria 250-592-6713

https://stpatrickselem.ca/

Email: sp@cisdv.bc.ca

Open House February 9 from 10am to 2pm and 5 to 7pm.

St. Andrew’s Regional High School (Grade 8–12) 880 McKenzie Ave, Victoria 250-479-1414

https://standrewshigh.ca/

Email: sarhs@cisdv.bc.ca

Open House February 2 beginning at 6pm.

Queen of Angels (Pre-K to Grade 9) 2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan 250-746-5919

https://queenofangels.ca/

Email: qa@cisdv.bc.ca

Please contact the school for more information and/or a tour.

St. John Paul II (Pre-K to Grade 7) 4006 8th Ave, Port Alberni 250-723-0637

https://stjp2school.ca/

Email: jp2@cisdv.bc.ca

Please contact the school for a private tour.