May is always a fun issue for us at WestCoast Families because it’s time for some of our favourite themes. We love looking for the latestest and greatest preschools, the most fun day camps, and ways for your little ones to stay healthy and active. We have so many amazing providers in the Lower Mainland that rounding them up makes our jobs easy!
We have many great articles for you this month. Don’t miss our feature on the necessity of flexibility in children and another one about mitigating risk in play. And don’t miss our Mother’s Day Gift Guide along with our WestCoast Mom feature on Emily Ohler, a woman who is sure to impress! And of course, our preschool and day camp listings, both of which will be continued online.
Of course, this month is also Mother’s Day, so a big thanks to all the Moms out there who works tirelessly, selflessly and so darn hard to be the best parents to their children. It can be a struggle and it can be tiring, but raising healthy, capable and loved children is the greatest reward. Three cheers for Moms!
In the meantime, enjoy the budding trees and cherry blossom-covered streets!
Our advertisers support WestCoast Families magazine, so we can provide you with all this great local information each issue. We’d love it if you supported them in return. And don’t forget to tell them you saw their ad in WestCoast Families!
Managing Editor Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com
Assistant Editor Kelly S. Thompson kelly@westcoastfamilies.com
Visit us online for new contests every issue! www.westcoastfamilies.com
Family Fun!
Win one of 3 family packs of tickets, valued at $108, to the Surrey International Children’s Festival! Each pack includes 4 tickets, which allows visitation to one performance and access to all of the fun activities on site. Kids and adults alike will be spoiled for entertainment, activities and more!
Deadline to enter: May 15, 2015 Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com
westcoast finds
Naked Snacks
Have healthy, tasty snacks delivered right to your door with this service, which provides a wide range of nuts, fruits and more to satisfy any sweet or savoury craving. Choose from different snack packs with the individual snacker in mind. www.nakedsnacks.ca | $25 monthly
Special offer for WCF Readers! $10 your first box, using Promo Code WESTCOASTFAMILIES !
Manzanita Kids Wooden Toys
These Montessori-inspired toys are handmade for your little one right in Seattle. These puzzles, games and toys will inspire your child and can even be personalized with their name to make each item special. Best of all, these toys are ecofriendly and sustainably sourced.
www.manzanitakids.com | $15 and up
Puzzleheads
These Montessori-inspired wooden toys will inspire any child while simultaneously engaging them for hours on end. All puzzles are made by hand with water-based ink and focus on simple designs that don’t overstimulate kids.
www.puzzleheads.ca | $29 and up
mother’s day
Crabtree & Evelyn
We love classic Crabtree & Evelyn scents, skin care and luxurious products for Mother’s Day this year! Our faves are their travel sets of skin creams and their new nail laquers, which come in a wide variety of colours that will please any mom this year! www.crabtree-evelyn.com | $6 and up
It’s About Pearls
A sabbatical in China inspired Vancouverite Nicky de la Roche to create her business where she sources freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones to create stunning pendants, rings and more. Dealing directly with the wholesaler, she is able to offer incredible prices and unique pieces for your jewellery box.
www.itsaboutpearls.ca | $12 and up
Pure & Co Gallery Coat
Pure & Co clothing items are all knit by hand, offering employment to women in Thailand while producing incredible garments you’ll be treasuring for seasons. We love the long, flowing Gallery Coat that is perfectly versatile in unpredictable Lower Mainland weather. www.pureandco.com
Explore our Backyard
The Splendid South Okanagan
by Jodi Iverson
living in BC, we are fortunate to have some pretty remarkable terrain to explore, including the breathtaking southern Okanagan Valley. A scenic five-hour drive from Vancouver, Osoyoos and Oliver are the two southern most towns in the Okanagan Valley. Canada’s only desert, the southern Okanagan is actually a continuation of the Sonoran desert, reaching all the way from Mexico! Fruit and lakes (okay, wine) may be what come to mind when you consider the Okanagan, but there is a rich heritage and unique landscape perfect for your family to explore.
Choosing accommodation in the Southern Okanagan is a breeze, with a lakeshore full of options. Just be sure to book early, as summer fills up fast! We wisely chose the beautiful Watermark Beach Resort, located directly on the beach of Osoyoos Lake, and within walking distance to all amenities. Watermark offers a variety of rooms to suit your family’s needs, a full service spa, salt water pool with waterslide, and a wine and tapas bar complete with kids menu and charming outdoor kitchen.
We booked a beachfront townhouse, which felt like home. Boasting two spacious bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and my vacation essential, the washer and dryer, our room was clean and comfortable. We were pleased to find the familiar Telus TV remote with movies for when we needed a break from the sun. Our private patio was perfectly appointed for morning coffee while watching the kids play on well-manicured green space between our suite and the beach.
Osoyoos boasts over 2000 hours of sunlight annually and Canada’s warmest lake, making it the perfect setting to enjoy water activities. Watermark conveniently has a marina located a short walk down the beach, offering private slips for guests who bring their own boat. While we didn’t bring our own boat, we chose to enjoy a morning on the water with Wakepilot, a local company offering private wakeboarding lessons. Perfect for the whole family! Our dear daughter, who was nine at the time, was a big fan of our personable coach, Travis, and had no trouble learning the ropes! I was a little reluctant at first, having tried (and failed) previously, but Wakepilot’s coaching (via helmet speaker) had me up in no time. Highly recommended!
Wanting to learn more about the local history, we ventured across the lake to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Built sustainably on the side of a mountain, the centre blends beautifully into the landscape. Our family was enchanted by the interactive experience, including guided tours, hands on displays, galleries, and exhibits immersing us in the Okanagan people’s rich culture. Outside of the centre are two kilometres of hiking trails, perfect for exploring the desert! If you are lucky, you might even see a coyote, scorpion, or rattlesnake, all of whom call the desert home.
Driving north out of Osoyoos, you will come across what is arguably the best stretch of wineries in Canada. Take Black Sage Road as an alternative to the highway and enjoy the scenic rolling desert hills. We took time to stop and view wildlife at the turtle crossing and photo opportunities at Haynes Ranch historical site. The wineries in the region are remarkably kid-friendly, with sprawling grounds to run on and even some treats and sparkling cider! Our top picks: Black Hills, Church & State and Stoneboat.
On the north end of Oliver, situated at the foot of the beautiful and storied McIntyre Bluff, lays Covert Farms, a family owned organic farm, vineyard, and winery. We enjoyed a guided tour exploring the farm in a vintage 1952 Mercury Truck. Depending on the time of year, you will see a variety of farm animals, crops, and amazing views. We enjoyed learning about bio-dynamic and permaculture farming methods directly from the farmer. After the tour, we enjoyed a charcuterie plate and glass of wine in the wine lounge, a renovated farmhouse turned charming gift and wine shop. While we relaxed, our daughter…okay, mostly my husband, bounced on the giant bouncy pillow, which was as amazing as it sounds!
When planning your next BC summer adventure, seriously consider the southern Okanagan Valley. With ample sun, history and unique terrain waiting to be explored, there are no limits to your family adventure!
Resources
www.watermarkbeachresort.com
www.wakepilot.com
www.covertfarms.ca
www.nkmipdesert.com
modern
home-ec
fuel their brains
by Alyssa Schottland-Bauman of Nourished.ca
Kids are always hungry. They are busy navigating their creative worlds— constantly exploring, jumping, skipping, running, thinking, playing. So it is important to fuel these high energy levels with nutrient-dense snacks so they can thrive, as opposed to nutrient void (sugar, refined flours) foods that could potentially alter moods, attention, focus and behaviours. What our children eat has a huge effect on their overall wellbeing, happiness, and success.
Since kids consume about half their days worth of calories in snacks, having/packing healthy foods to graze on are just as essential as preparing nutritious meals. Ideal snacks are:
• Under 3 grams of added sugar (this does not include fruit sugar from a whole fruit source)
• A complex carbohydrate and protein: apple with nut or seed butter; hummus/bean spread and cut up veggies; organic cheese with airpopped popcorn; hard-boiled egg with brown rice crackers; edamame
• High in fibre: 3 grams or higher keeps kids fuelled and full
• A whole food rather than processed: Foods as close to their natural state as possible—i.e. blueberries instead of a blueberry bar
• Whole grains such as oats, millet, quinoa, teff, amaranth, 100% sprouted whole grain flour (germ, bran and endosperm are included) as opposed to refined white rice and breads.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Green Smoothie
We have something in my house called “vacation cereal.” Why? My girls discovered Cinnamon Toast Crunch on a trip to Grandma’s house and they’ve been obsessed ever since. But that is one seriously scary label. I don’t think we recognized any of those “foods” in this house. I have played around to make a green smoothie to taste as much like this cereal as possible. I think I just about nailed it, minus the crunch. Greens+healthy fats+protein=an easy, fast breakfast/snack in a pinch, minus the sugar, preservatives, fillers, pesticides, chemicals, etc.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1 cup almond milk or hemp milk (I prefer hemp milk)
• 2 tbsp raw, organic almond butter
• 1/2 avocado (optional, but this makes it smoother and more filling)
• 1 cup organic spinach
• 1 tsp (or more if you want) ground cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt
• 2 dates, pitted
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Ice
Instructions
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Energy Bites
Where do I ever get to have all three of my favourite nutrientdense seeds—chia, hemp, flax—in the same bite, as well as my all time favourite antioxidants—dried organic cranberries and dark chocolate? These high fibre, high protein, glutenfree superfood snacks are seriously the most delicious power nuggets to keep you and your kiddies’ energy levels up. Go ahead, have another.
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped dates, packed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (dry)
• 1 cup shelled and broken pistachio nuts (omit this to be school-friendly!)
• 1 cup dried cranberries (organic please)
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• Shredded coconut; optional
Instructions
Combine pitted dates, honey, salt, chia, hemp and flax seeds in a food processor and pulse until smooth and combined. You should be able to stir the mixture—if it is too thick, add in a little water. Transfer to large bowl, stir in the oats, pistachios (if using), dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once the mixture is cool, take a small amount and roll into 1-inch diameter balls. If you like coconut, roll balls in shredded coconut. For more of a bar, these can also be pressed into a pan lined with parchment. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. www.nourished.ca/superyum-energy-bites/
Banana Hemp Sushi
I’m not sure a snack gets any healthier—Omega 3s, protein, calcium, fibre, folate, and Vitamin E. It’s also yummy, sweet, creamy, rich, decadent, and satisfying. Kids love that it is messy and fun to eat. Serve with fresh hemp or almond milk for an even healthier kick.
Ingredients
• 1 banana
• 1-2 tbsp your favourite organic nut butter (If allergic to nut butters, sunflower butter or Greek yogurt is a great but messier alternative)
• 2 tbsp organic hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp ground chia
Instructions
Peel banana and coat top half with your favourite nut butter. In small bowl, mix ground chia and hemp seeds. Sprinkle over banana. Slice and devour. www.nourished.ca/banana-hemp-sushi/
Alyssa Schottland-Bauman is a nutritionist and health consultant with Nourished.ca, which helps families and individuals approach nutrition holistically to benefit their bodies.
kids get active
Letting Kids Take Risks
More Risk, More Reward
by Jennifer Hood of Jump Gymnastics
as parents, our job is to protect our children and keep them safe. But our job is also to prepare them to navigate the world around them with confidence as they grow up. And part of that is letting them take risks so they can learn to manage risk in the future. Without exposure to some risk, like the instability when a baby takes their first steps or a tween learns to skateboard, children wouldn’t learn anything new. Ultimately, being exposed to the risks that are inherent in trying something new helps them develop as athletes and as people. But it can be hard as a parent to know what risks are appropriate and what is simply too much.
When choosing a sport or physical activity for their child, parents should look for programming that is designed to help children learn to identify, assess, and manage any risks that they will face. For example, soccer programs should educate athletes on the risk of concussion and help athletes learn how to avoid skills or activities where the risk of serious injury outweighs the potential benefits.
But what about outside of an organized sport or activity, such as situations like playing at the park? Risk taking is an essential part in the healthy physical, social, and emotional development of children. But again, children must learn how to identify, assess, and manage risk, all of which are skills that are essential in adulthood. And this learning process is often messy, with bumps and bruises along the way.
So how do we, as parents, feel comfortable allowing our children to take risks with the inevitable minor injuries that come with them, and help them manage risk in a responsible manner? The key to both of these lies in that process of identifying risk, assessing risk and managing risk, and this process needs to be taught, modeled, and practiced over and over again.
First parents themselves need to know how to identify a risk versus a hazard. At a recent talk on Overprotected Kids, Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a Developmental Psychologist at UBC and a mom herself, identified the difference. She said, “A hazard is something a child does not or cannot see. A risk is a challenge a child can see and chooses to undertake or not.” A two-year-old crossing the street is a hazard, whereas a twelveyear-old crossing the street is a risk. As a parent,
you manage the hazards but let your child choose whether or not to engage with the risks.
It’s equally important to talk to your kids about risk and teach them how to identify it. As they get better at identifying the risk themselves, ask them to start telling you what the risks are in certain situations. Ask them, “I’m worried about you climbing up the slide. Can you think of why?” As they develop, you can start them off with small, low-stakes risks, like playing on the playground, and then move to more complex, higher-stakes risks, like climbing trees. Once your child becomes confident spotting potential risks, get them involved in assessing it.
Say, for example, your child wants to ride their bike to school alone. Start by talking with them about what the risks are–traffic safety, getting lost, falling and injuring themselves etc. Then have them help you assess how likely these risks are and what the “worst case scenario” would be. Finally, involve your child in putting together a plan to manage these risks. This could include practicing with you for a week first, packing a first aid kit, travelling with a friend and so on.
This can feel overwhelming and scary for a parent but completely removing risk from a child’s life puts your child at much greater risk as they grow up. According to Dr. Brussoni, “Eliminating
risk leads to a child’s inability to assess danger.” Not only does it send a clear message to your child that you don’t trust them to make sound decisions and that the world is a scary place to be avoided, but without practicing how to identify, assess, and manage risk, children become adults who are unable to safely negotiate the risks that come with everyday life and are far more likely to be hurt or injured.
It’s likely that your child will be the leader when it comes to risk taking. Instead of letting your fear and anxiety guide you, which stems from your natural instinct to protect your kids at all costs, try to reframe their insistence on taking risks as an appropriate and necessary developmental activity. Be confident that you are setting the foundation now for your child to be confident, healthy and safe later in life.
Jennifer Hood is the owner of Jump Gymnastics. www.jumpgymnastics.ca
Jennifer has a degree in Anthropology and a degree in Education. Jennifer opened Jump Gymnastics in 2008 and opened a second facility in North Vancouver in 2014. The Jump curriculum, based on her years of experience and research, helps children become active for life by teaching them foundational movement skills.
Importance of Flexibility in Children
Why bending and stretching is vital
by Laura Patrick
struggling to touch your toes? Tight hamstring got you down? Does your lack of flexibility prevent you from moving the way you’d like in your adult years? Have you heard that improving your flexibility or mobility will help to prevent injury? If you had learned to move a certain way as a child, and maintained those movements throughout growth spurts and into adulthood, you would likely be more flexible today. And you’d perhaps have had fewer injuries as a result.
Stop for minute and think about a toddler playing with a car on the floor. The position of deep squat to play requires flexibility in lower legs, knees, and hips. On the flip side, the ability to maintain this position while actively playing requires load strength in deep core and pelvic muscles, as well as postural muscles of the spine. Go on, try it!
How we move throughout our lives greatly impacts how flexible we are later in life. The good news is we can help our kids develop habits that will stick with them. Here are a few tips to increase flexibility in your home:
Active Positions of Play: Encourage deep squat and criss-cross sitting on the floor. These positions require strong tummy muscles and promote good posture and flexibility.
Play on the Floor: This encourages dynamic transitions as a child navigates their play environment.
Get Off the Couch: Limit time spent in chairs and on the couch. Today’s technology (iPads, laptops, tablets and game consoles) is causing kids to spend hours and hours in a flexed, seated position. Try instead to have your child use their device while propped on their tummy on the floor, or standing up at a table or the kitchen island. Getting out of the position of flexed knees and hips and slouched shoulders will greatly impact their posture and keep hamstring and hips from getting tight.
Warm Up by Moving: Dynamic movement is better than static stretching. Static stretches are not shown to impact muscle length and joint range of motion. Plus, they’re not overly fun! Instead, choose a dynamic or active warm-up. Pre-exercise warm-up should focus on weight bearing, multijoint movements that take young athletes through full range of motion in a progressively more dynamic context.
Animal Walks: Imitate how different animals move, especially animals that use both arms and legs for walking. Try doing relay races where you walk like a bear, a gorilla, a duck, crab, or a kangaroo.
Growth Spurts: When your child is growing, stress the importance of dynamic movement and flexibility. Bones grow much more quickly than muscles. In some cases, growth-related injuries can occur when muscle tightness leads to pulling on bony insertions (eg. Osgood-Schlatters in the knee and Sever’s Disease in the ankle).
Ultimately, flexibility offers freedom of movement. When kids move freely in their playful environments, they are more inclined to participate in sports and activities and will have the confidence to try new things. In some cases, tight muscles can lead to injury that might require a child being sidelined for their favourite sport.
A pediatric physiotherapist can help assess your child’s movement patterns, the quality at which they move and what areas in their body might be limiting them from achieving their goals. In the event of injury, physiotherapy can assist to properly rehabilitate the child so that they stay active for life.
Finally, don’t forget to think outside the box of what flexibility means for kids. For kids, being flexible means being willing, keen, and courageous to try new activities, or climb higher, run faster, throw farther, roll, spin, and hop in ways your child may not have tried before. Exploring these fun movement patterns will leave your child feeling empowered.
Laura Patrick is a pediatric physiotherapist and the founder and owner of Kids Physio Group, a private physiotherapist clinic designed exclusively for children with location in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Surrey.
camp feature
Leadership Potential at Camp
How learning leadership creates future powerhouses
By Nic Enright-Morin
i
f you think that the youth of today are a moody, self-obsessed bunch with a penchant for taking selfies, think again. This summer, all across the Lower Mainland, young people are gearing up to participate in leadership camps. This is an experience that will not only give them valuable life skills, but an opportunity to become camp counsellors themselves, offering new forms of employment and skills that will serve them for a lifetime. There are a plethora of camps available, from one-day options, to those that that last for up to four weeks. Some are in convenient downtown locations, whilst others are in more remote places, like the gulf islands. Aimed at kids between 12 and 19 years old, leadership camps are a chance to participate in programs that build self-confidence and teach kids and teens to think for themselves. As well as a learning independence, kids have the opportunity to experiment with challenges outside of their comfort zone, while in a safe and structured environment.
At a leadership camp, young people engage in a wide range of activities. This can mean anything from overnight wilderness trips, to taking part in sports like canoeing and archery. But leadership camps aren’t all outdoors. They can also involve educational opportunities where they work on communications skills. Everything campers learn is practical and can be applied in everyday life and adult camping situations; such as taking a group of children sailing, or helping a camp newcomer overcome a bout of homesickness. Campers also learn conflict resolution and team building skills, and get the chance to participate in activities that develop their own leadership style.
But the experience is not just theory-based. Teens also get to put what they’ve learned into action. At many leadership camps, teen participants get a chance to work with younger children, all while under the guidance of a mentor. This opportunity allows them to see first-hand how important it is to relate not only to their peers, but also to younger children. By serving as a role model, they learn valuable lessons about self-esteem, what they are capable of accomplishing and how they can make a difference in the world. Although the skills these
teens learn are related to camp activities, they are applicable to real life and many kids are much better self-starters and more motivated when they go home.
One of the greatest things about leadership camps is that it’s an opportunity for everyone. Often there is an assumption that you have to be an extrovert, outgoing and brimming with confidence to attend, but in reality, leadership camp is suited to all types of personalities. However, since there is such a wide array of camps available, it is important to find the right one for your child’s particular strengths. For example, if the ultimate goal of the camp is to work with children, an enthusiasm for little ones is a must.
Many teens involved in leadership camps find that it is such a rewarding experience that they go on to become camp counsellors in the future, while others pursue careers as recreational leaders, teachers, or other jobs in the child development field.
As a teen, Jacqueline Lalor took the two-year leadership program with the YMCA and is now returning for her seventh season as one of their camp counsellors. She says that attending camp has been a game-changer for her, as the skills that she’s learnt have helped her to come out of her shell. Although she considers herself to be
shy, she says that attending leadership camp has helped build confidence and interpersonal skills. By developing a belief in herself and a can-do attitude, Jacqueline said that when she went on to university in a new city, with no support network, it helped her to not only make friends, but to set goals and push herself academically. “Taking leadership camp changed my life in a way that I didn’t think it could. I am a different person, a better person than I would have been had I not taken part in camp. It has helped me develop in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to do by myself,” she said.
Leadership camp is not only about developing a broad range of life skills, but also about having fun. It is about making lifelong friendships. It is the chance to take part in a unique experience with your peers that will turn into life-long memories. Lalor says, “The people you meet at camp are special. It’s a very welcoming community. You feel like people care about you here and I think that’s really important. Some of my best friends in life are people I’ve met at camp. Now I have a network all over the world.”
Ultimately, leadership camps are a rare chance to try new experiences in a nurturing environment. It is an opportunity for young people to believe in themselves and gain a new skill-set that may last a lifetime.
Explore these Leadership Camps for Summer 2015
Leadership at the Sasamat Outdoor Centre
Offered to high school youth from grades 10 and up, this leadership program is designed to foster the development of the skills and qualities of an effective leader, focusing on personal growth, developing facilitation, confidence and outdoor skills.
www.sasamat.org/Leadership_.html
Leadership I and II at The YES Camp
Skills training is offered for 14 to 18-year-olds in the areas of self-awareness, co-operation, communication, global awareness, environmental sustainability and leadership. www.theyes.ca
Step Out Program at Camp Qwanoes
Be encouraged and challenged to grow in your relationship with God, make new friends, and make a difference as you learn and serve in the midst of summer camp.
www.qwanoes.ca/leadership/stepout.php
Counsellor in Training at Camp Pringle
In this second-level leadership program, campers will learn invaluable leadership skills, including group management, decision-making, conflict resolution, team building, and communication.
Junior and senior leadership training programs focus on team building, leadership development and Christian discipleship for ages 15 to17. www.squeah.com/Leadership-TrainingPrograms.html
Leadership
at
YMCA Camps
For campers wanting to become dedicated YMCA staff team, this two-year leadership development program is designed to help them reach this goal. Teamwork, self-discipline and initiative help campers succeed in this program.
www.vanymca.org/camps/overnightcamp. html
Counsellor in Training at SFU Camps
Three progressive levels of leadership training, designed for teens wanting to develop their leadership skills in a youth camp setting. These courses review the necessary skills desired for volunteer, instructor, and head instructor positions.
The Future Leaders Youth Leadership Program at City of Surrey
This five-step program will help youth age 14 to 21 build leadership skills, training and experience towards becoming an instructor, day camp leader or child-minder.
www.surrey.ca/youth/75.aspx
Knowledge in Concept at Broadleap
KiC seeks to educate, engage and empower young people to effectively shape their worlds and, in turn, the world.
www.broadleap.org/kic
Debate Camp in Vancouver
Debate Camp Canada provides training in public speaking and debating for students eager to improve their skills, confidence and ability with the spoken word.
www.debatecamp.org
Advertisers listed in red
nature/adventure camps
BC SPCA Kids Camp
Beehaven Kids
Various Locations www.spca.bc.ca/kids
North Vancouver www.beehavenkids.com
Burns Bog Conservation Society Delta www.burnsbog.org/summer-day-camps
Camp Pringle
Soaring Eagle Nature School
Grouse Mountain
Sasamat Outdoor Centre
SFU Camps
Stanley Park Ecology Society
Timberline Ranch
UBC FarmWonders
Shawnigan Lake www.camppringle.com
Vancouver www.soaringeaglenatureschool.org
Vancouver www.grousemountain.com/camps
Belcarra www.sasamat.org
Burnaby, Surrey www.sfu.ca/camps
Vancouver www.stanleyparkecology.ca
Maple Ridge www.timberlineranch.com
Vancouver www.farmwonders.ca
Urban Safari Surrey www.urbansafari.ca
Vancouver Aquarium Kids Camps
YMCA Camps of Greater Vancouver
science/tech/education camps
Digital Media Academy Vancouver www.digitalmediaacademy.org
GEERing Up! Vancouver www.geeringup.apsc.ubc.ca
Genome Geneskool Camp Vancouver www.genomebc.ca
High Touch Science Made Fun Vancouver, Victoria www.sciencemadefunbc.net
Pear Tree Vancouver www.pear-tree.ca
Science World Vancouver www.scienceworld.ca/summercamp
SFU Camps Burnaby www.sfu.ca/camps
UBC Phenomenal Physics Summer Camps Vancouver www.ubccamps.ca
Vancouver www.vanaqua.org/learn/camps
Multiple locations www.vanymca.org/camps
general fun camps
Burnaby Village Museum Burnaby www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Camp Squeah Hope www.squeah.com
CEFA
Multiple locations www.cefa.ca
City of Surrey Surrey www.surrey.ca
JCC Camps Vancouver www.jccgv.com
Mulgrave Camp West Vancouver www.mulgrave.com
PJ Kids Clubs West Vancouver www.pjkidsclub.com
Resort Municipality of Whistler Whistler www.whistler.ca
Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co Vancouver www.rockymountainflatbread.ca
Urban Academy New Westminster www.urbanacademy.ca
Westside Montessori Academy Vancouver www.wmasummercamp.com
leadership & growth camps
www.debatecamp.org
sports camps
Canlan Sports - Burnaby 8 Rinks
Cliffhanger Climbing
Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak
Dojang
Endless Biking
Flicka Gymnastics
First Steps Archery
Gord Haukas Tennis Camp
Jericho Sailing Centre
Jump Gymnastics
My Gym Children’s Centre
North Shore Equestrian Centre
Phoenix Gymnastics
Pony Pals Riding Stables
Royal Soccer Club
SFU Camps
Ultimate Soccer School
Burnaby www.icesports.com
Multiple locations www.cliffhangerclimbing.com
North Vancouver www.deepcovekayak.com
Vancouver www.dojang.ca
North Vancouver www.endlessbiking.com
North Vancouver www.flickagymclub.com
New Westminster www.boormanarchery.com
Vancouver www.gordhaukastennis.com
Vancouver www.macsailing.com
Vancouver www.jumpgymnastics.ca
Maple Ridge www.mygym.com/langley/camp
North Vancouver www.wecreateriders.com
Vancouver www.phoenixgymnastics.com
Delta www.ponypals.ca
Multiple locations www.royalsoccer.com
Burnaby www.sfu.ca/camps.html
Burnaby www.ultimatesoccerschool.com
Vancouver All Stars Summer Baseball Camp Vancouver www.vancouverallstars.ca
Vancouver All Star Cheer
Vancouver Hockey School
West Van Soccer
Windsure Adventure Watersports
performing/visual arts camps
Arts Umbrella
Delta, Coquitlam www.vancouverallstarcheer.com
Vancouver www.vancouverhockeyschool.com
West Vancouver www.westvansoccer.com
Vancouver www.windsure.com
Vancouver www.artsumbrella.com
Bard on the Beach Vancouver www.bardonthebeach.org/young-shakespearean-workshops
Dance Matrix New Westminster www.thedancematrix.webs.com
Evergreen Cultural Centre Multiple locations www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Gateway Academy for Performing Arts Richmond www.gatewaytheatre.com
Leigh Square Community Arts Village Coquitlam www.portcoquitlam.ca/leighsquare
Pacific Dance Arts Vancouver www.pacificdancearts.ca
Place des Arts Coquitlam www.placedesarts.ca
School of Groove Vancouver www.schoolofgroovevancouver.com
Staccato Burnaby www.staccatostudios.com
The Drama Class Surrey www.thedramaclass.com
Tom Lee Music Multiple locations www.tomleemusic.ca
More online! Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see
geekology camp vibes
www.westcoastfamilies.com
Go to our website for a comprehensive list of overnight and day camps for summer 2015! We’ve searched high and low to bring you the most comprehensive list possible.
www.camps.ca/british-columbia-camps.php
Great list of day and overnight camps, offering the option to search by age and location.
www.kidsclubs.ca/bc-children-summer-camps
Fun list of interesting and unique day camps, with links and lots of individual information.
www.kidscampscanada.com
Not always the most visually appealing website or listings, but lots of great ideas, and searchable by season and type of camp.
www.gocampingbc.com
This website is searchable by amenity and location, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for in a family getaway.
www.campingrvbc.com/camping
This site has an interactive map that makes it really easy to navigate and find what you want. This site is especially handy for families camping with RVs.
There are some amazing schools and learning centres in our area, giving parents more options than ever for their kids’ education. Take a look at the ones we’ve featured below! For more resources and live weblinks too, go to: www.westcoastfamilies.com/listingsEDUCATION/
ELEMENTARY & INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS
Meadowridge School Maple Ridge www.meadowridge.bc.ca
Westside Montessori Academy Vancouver www.westsidemontessoriacademy.ca
Eaton Arrowsmith School Vancouver www.eatonarrowsmithschool.com
Fraser Academy Vancouver www.fraseracademy.ca
Fraser Valley Elementary Langley www.fves.bc.ca
West Vancouver School District www.sd45.bc.ca
Urban Academy New Westminster www.urbanacademy.ca
Vancouver Montessori www.vancouvermontessorischool.com
Pythagoras Academy Richmond www.pythagorasacademy.ca
For many of us, leaving our children at preschool can be daunting at best. Thankfully, well-trained educators ensure your child’s safety while helping them build independence and confidence for their futures. Our preschool advertisers give their best pieces of advice for building independence in your little one.
Realize they can do more for themselves than you’d think! Let them try!
Top 3 ways parents can encourage independence in their children:
1.Encourage your child to take on tasks that are age appropriate such as picking out their clothes, dressing, and taking part in chores.
2. Let them voice their own opinion and listen to them.
3. Show how you as a parent are independent. Children learn best through observation and their environment.
Jennifer Chaloner, KEY Admissions Strategy & Learning Enrichment | www.keyadmissions.com
All young children need to become independent is love. Unconditional love and strong emotional attachment is the clue for independent children because they trust in others and their environment, owning their decisions and moving forward at their own time. Take your time and enjoy those years. Kids need to feel that they belong and that they are accepted.
Diana Kadi, PJ Kids Club www.pjkidsclub.com
1)Independence is Inner Dependence: Encourage self-directed effort, even if it’s messy. Avoid bribes, shame, rewards, and punishments; they teach dependency on external sources for motivation.
2)Life Skills: Getting Food, Toileting, Setting Boundaries & Getting Help. Teach them how to “do it by myself.” Then, sit back & let them practice
Miss Jen Upsdell, At My Pace’s My Whole Earth Academy www.mywholeearth.ca
promoting independence
Here are some ways you can help promote independence in your child:
1. Resist doing for her what she can do for herself. This takes time, so give yourself an extra five minutes to put on coats and shoes, clear the table, or get dressed so she can do it on her own.
2. Raise your expectations. At school and daycare, your child is probably doing things you wouldn’t expect – hanging up coats, pouring her own water, and tidying up. Give your little one an opportunity to do this at home too. They may surprise you!
3. Lower your need for perfection. Don’t redo what he’s already done, even if the quilt on his bed isn’t perfectly straight or her hair
isn’t quite the way you’d like it. This may discourage them from continuing to do the tasks, and get better at them.
4. Give them chores. Kids love to help and accomplish things. Assign tasks appropriate to her age (see our infographic on page 28-29 in this issue!) and let her feel like a contributing member of the family. Ensure the tasks are manageable and useful.
5. Let them find solutions. Don’t feel the need to fix everything he can’t do right away. You’re there to help and teach, but it’s also important to let him assess a situation and learn how to resolve it on his own.
Although we sometimes want our children to remain children forever, we also owe them the gift of independence and confidence, which is partly built through accomplishing tasks on their own. Having kids perform chores around the house helps them to learn the value of hard work and the reward of a job well done! Here are some chores your little one can do while they grow into confident, capable adults!
Care for a Pet
Ages 9+
Have your child brush or feed the family pet or take them for a walk together. There’s nothing to build empathy like caring for another living animal.
Ages 10+
Vacuum Dishes
Have them help run the machine back and forth over the carpet or let them use a handheld one on their own. Kids will love the satisfying sound of sucking dirt!
Ages 7+
Even if your wee one can’t quite reach the sink, they can learn the value of helping to set the table or clear up after a meal. (Just be sure to use non-shattering dishes for a while!) Older kids can wash and dry.
Unpack Groceries
Ages 5+
Your child can help put away groceries after a long shopping trip, even if it just means passing goods to you while you stock shelves. Get them involved!
Pack a Lunch Tidy Their Room Laundry
Ages 5+
With supervision (and help with chopping!), kids should learn how to pack their own lunch, full of healthy whole foods. Let them have a say in what goes in the lunch box!
Ages 3+
As much as they’d have you believe otherwise, kids are perfectly capable of putting clothes away, packing up toys, and making their own bed! Think of how accomplished they’ll feel!
Ages 10+
After a little education on the machine and talks about separating colours, children can easily do their own laundry, or it could be their weekly house chore!
>> ISEF Science Fair
An education in science and technology can be the spearhead of a promising future for children, and parents should look for every possible opportunity to hone these skills. Thankfully, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), from May 10-15 in Pittsburg celebrates and encourages innovation and education in the science world. The competition has teens invent new and exciting projects, then bring them to the competition to win cash prizes. Thankfully, Team Canada has much to be proud of, with five British Columbia teens participating in the event. Last year, Team Canada won 11 ISEF awards and they hope to achieve the same success this year! These brainy teens have developed everything from low cost HIV testing to bike frames designed to protect bike riders from front impact collisions. Support the teens while promoting our country as a forefront of technology, engineering and science. www.youthscience.ca/news/team-canada-isef-2015-announced
>> Digital Media Academy Girls Program
It’s no secret that the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is the way of the future, and children who choose to educate in this realm have promising careers ahead of them. Unfortunately, this field is often overwhelmingly male-dominated, as women earn only 18 per cent of Computer Science degrees. But do not fear, as Digital Media Academy has heard the call and now offers the Made by Girls program at UBC, the week of July 13. This STEM-based camp strives to close the gender gap in STEM while simultaneously empowering girls to recognize their potential and harness their imaginations. Girls can learn computer programming, work on STEM inventions, or hone graphic design skills while making new friendships and engaging new parts of their brains. Check out details on upcoming camps and register before classes fill!
www.digitalmediaacademy.org
>> Driveway Libraries
There’s nothing quite like a good book to boost intelligence, increase vocabulary and keep both young and old minds occupied. And for many of us, holding an actual paper book beats reading from a device any day of the week! For those in the Lower Mainland, you may have seen small, handmade “libraries” popping up at the end of driveways or even built into fences. These book boxes operate under a “take a book, leave a book” idea, with anyone passing free to choose anything that piques their interest. Not only do these libraries build a sense of community, but they also offer an opportunity to reuse and prevent waste in landfills while simultaneously boosting literacy. For a box your own, check out Little Free Library, which lets you buy a pre-made box to pop at the end of your very own driveway. Decorate it as a family and fill it with pre-loved books for a new family to enjoy!
www.littlefreelibrary.org
>> Mann Farms
Here in the Lower Mainland, there’s no end to farming options for sourcing local, sustainable food that is freshly grown. But none have a story quite like the Maan Family Farm, located in Abbotsford, BC, and grower of some of the best berries in town. Started in 1977, the Maan Family Farm was a thriving, berry-and-wineproducing machine until a fire burnt the farm to the ground. Thankfully, with support from their community, Maan Farms is rallying up against misfortune with a reopening on Friday, 29 May. Furthermore, on July 11th, the farm will open their doors with free food, entertainment, vendors, u-pick berries and more! Maan Farms is now offering new features to complement their tourist attraction farm, with a play area, petting zoo and adventure zone, and wine and farm educational tours for the adults. So make the trip to Maan Family Farms for great eats, entertainment, and a tasty glass of berry wine!
www.maanfarms.com
mom westcoast
Emily
By Kelly S. Thompson | Photo by Dylan Doubt lawyer, humanitarian
Ohler
“You have to make the world how you want it,. That’s what I want to teach youth.”
avisit with Emily Ohler is an education in role juggling, humility, and dedication, considering her job as a high-powered lawyer, business owner, and mother. When speaking about her work or her family, Emily’s excitement quickly reveals her commitment not only to the wellbeing of her family but that of humankind as a whole. It’s impossible not to feel as though Emily is the kind of person who would “have your back,” in the courtroom and out.
On top of her friendly and welcoming demeanor, Emily also has a breadth and depth of education that is as diverse as her professional experience. She has a BA from UBC, a Juris Doctorate from the prestigious Osgoode Hall at York University, and a Masters from the National University of Singapore. Like the jobs she would hold in the future, Emily’s education had her globetrotting early in life.
Several years ago, Emily was working as a fast-paced lawyer for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The job required long hours and an extremely hectic schedule that Emily thrived on but made having a family difficult. Once her daughter was born, Emily returned to work only six weeks later, bouncing a baby on her lap while trying to maintain her position. “I would meet with a Minister, then zip into the bathroom and hope the sounds of breastfeeding weren’t echoing back down the hallway of the Human Rights offices,” said Emily with a chuckle. With her husband taking a position back in Canada, Emily and her child packed up and moved home to reunite with her family.
Despite her move, Emily’s passion for human rights, diversity and ecological sustainability couldn’t be tempered, and soon she sought new opportunities by creating her own business. “I realized I needed to turn my attention to something comparable to what I was doing at the UN, but with a local focus,” said Emily. “In the private sector, there was a gap in terms of understanding how certain international principles, like environmental ones, translated into some abstract policy in day-to-day life.” Today, Emily is the founder and CEO of Broadleap, an organization dedicated to helping businesses succeed while simultaneously being sustainable and inclusive of all genders, races and orientations in their hiring and operating standards. “People are hungering for solutions to the kind of problems we’re seeing, like climate change and gender equality,” said Emily.
In her quest for corporate responsibility combined with environmental sustainability, Broadleap has proven a success all its own by reaching out and offering training to other organizations. “The biggest thing we look at is, ‘What impact are you having on the communities you’re doing business in?’” said Emily.
But Emily didn’t stop there. With a child of her own and a passion for the future, Emily sought to educate kids on how they can be the solution to a challenged future. After her return to Canada, she became aware
of media focus on bullying and decided to create a youth branch to Broadleap, which focuses on helping children reach their potential and be a part of creating and maintaining a sustainable world. “The youth side of Broadleap is a passion project,” said Emily. “As adults we are clearly not meeting the needs of this new generation of young people.”
The youth branch of Broadleap runs educational programming, workshops and summer camps, academic in nature and a fun change from traditional outdoor camps, with a focus on politics, global affairs and technology. Despite her fast-paced role as CEO, Emily still teaches in the youth programming offered through Broadleap and serves as a mentor for the next generation. “It’s an anti-bullying program without ever actually taking about a bully,” says Emily. “It helps kids to examine the world around them with a critical lens.” In giving teens the tools to change their own environment, she helps them discover themselves, embrace their own power and seek change and potential in other aspects of their lives.
If you’re not already astounded by Emily’s dedication to humanity and youth, her career doesn’t stop there. She also instructs at UBC and continues her work as consulting legal council to the United Nations Security Council. It quickly becomes clear that for Emily, her work comes home with her simply because her passions influence the projects that she tackles professionally.
But life is not all work and no play for Emily and her family, despite her admission that she was once a serious “workaholic.” Today, she commits to taking at least one day a week that is all about her four-year-old daughter, where they play, explore and live in the environment around them. Emily notes that these “daughter only” days are usually spent outdoors, either in the forest or on the beach, with a bag full of dolls and well-stocked imaginations. “We like to make adventures,” said Emily. When she isn’t busy running Broadleap, working as a lawyer and caring for her family, Emily and her husband continue to explore the Lower Mainland they call home, while spending time with their extended families, both located in the area. Family is a big part of the Ohler family’s decision to move back to Canada so that their daughter could know her grandparents and know their roots.
In just five minutes with Emily, you will leave determined to be a better person, to volunteer, and to fight injustices faced by minorities across the globe. She radiates not only professional and familial dedication, but also a keen ability to look towards the future with positivity about all that we, and future generation can achieve. “You have to make the world how you want it,” said Emily. “That’s what I want to teach youth.” Undoubtedly, between her work in the United Nations, her role within Broadleap, and the daughter she is raising to be interested and invested in her own future, Emily is accomplishing all that she sets out to do.
hotspots
On the Water!
My favourite place to get active is on the water, where I can always be found kayaking in my Epic kayak (dubbed Roxanne). After badly breaking my leg while in the military, I had to learn new ways to keep fit, as my leg has never healed properly and I deal with a lot of chronic pain. But Roxanne and I stay fit all year long thanks to the mild Lower Mainland weather that lets me paddle twelve months a year. I love kayaking not just because it’s physically manageable for me, but also because it offers a whole new perspective of the world, exploring it up close. And there’s nothing better than watching summer fireworks from out in the middle of the ocean or taking weeklong trips that feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere. And of course, whenever I get too hot, I simply roll the boat or hop out for a swim. I finish every year with new upper body muscles that make me feel like Superwoman!
Kelly, WCF Assistant Editor
Terra Nova
One of our picks for an active day out is the Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment in Richmond, aka the Million Dollar Park. Regardless of how much it cost, we love the beautiful, yellow cedar play structures nestled in tree-lined former farmland on Lulu Island. Parking is free and easy to come by. The walk into the park takes you over a beautiful stream where we often spot a blue heron observing the landscape. Our littles enjoy the impossibly tall vertical climb to the spiral slide, the 35-metre long zip lines and the perhaps unexpected favorite: the fence that surrounds one of the play zones. Unlike some modern parks, Terra Nova encourages exploration by providing steps, allowing even the littlest legs to climb to the top rail of the fence and tightrope walk their way around! If you would like to extend your visit, consider packing a picnic, exploring the marshlands or take a plane-watching hike along the Fraser River!
Jodi, WCF Contributing Editor
Centennial Beach Park
My favourite spot to get active with the kids is Centennial Beach Park in Tsawwassen. This park has everything! The all-ages playground has lots of great space for free play and imagination. At low tide, there’s a huge beach with sand flats that go on forever to provide hours of exploring, walking and running. The Boundary Bay bike path starts here, so you can hike, run, or bike with the kids for miles. There’s an open field for ball games and picnics, and when you get hungry, the beachside concession is perfect for snacks, ice cream, and even a full dinner for the family. If you want to carry on into the evening, you can pick one of the many fire pits and roast your own hotdogs while the kids run around in the sand and climb over the washed up logs. Lots of free parking and great washroom/shower facilities too. Heaven!
Andrea, WCf Publisher
Water Parks
As the days get warmer, the options for outdoor activities increase exponentially. Although as warm turns to hot, kids can start to wilt in the heat, and proximity to water can be crucial. If you and your kids want to beat the crowds at the local beaches and pools, a great alternative are the numerous water parks peppered throughout the Lower Mainland. A bit more low-key than some of the bigger ones, our favourite is at Prince Edward Park. Adjacent to David Livingstone School, this water activity feature is just the right size for a few neighbourhood kids to get together and burn off some of that energy that comes with long summer days. When we can’t convince our daughter to commit to a long bike ride or a day at the beach, she can always be talked into an hour at the water park!
Krysta, WCF Art Director
timeout
Eat! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival
BC Place
May 3, 10am-9pm
EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival is the ultimate Consumer Food Expo and is back for another year at BC Place. www.eat-vancouver.com
6th Annual Dish ‘n Dazzle
Park View Terrace, Vancouver Convention Centre East
May 6
Join in for an unforgettable night that will feature more than 80 premium Argentinean wines, bites prepared by 14 celebrated restaurants and chefs, and a silent auction filled with hospitality industry offerings. www.bchospitalityfoundation.com/portfolio/ dish-n-dazzle/
Breakfast with the Bank
Bombay Banquet Hall, 7475 135 St, Surrey
May 8, 7-8am
Join local business leaders and community members for one hour of inspiration and information about the Surrey Food Bank for this annual fundraiser. Free continental breakfast. Bring your chequebook or collected donations! Call Katrina at 604-581-5443 ext 105 or email events@surreyfoodbank.org www.surreyfoodbank.org
Outdoor & Active Living Expo
Willowbrook Shopping Centre
May 9, 9:30am-6pm
This free, indoor, family-friendly event will feature fun activities to celebrate the great outdoors. It will showcase camping, rafting, surfing, horseback riding, team sports, and more, with 35+ community exhibitors, 7 kids’ activity stations entertainment & demonstrations. First 500 people win a goodie bag. www.shopwillowbrook.com
Bloom Market
Fort Langley Community Hall
May 9 & 10, 10am-5pm
From original home décor and stunning fashion through to handcrafted jewellery and unique paintings by 30 established and rising artisans from around British Columbia, there’s no telling what products you might find! www.bloommarket.com
Miss & Mister World Canada National Finals and Crowning Gala
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
May 16, 6-8:30pm
The most beautiful girls and the most handsome guys from all over Canada will compete for the coveted titles of Miss World Canada and Mister World Canada 2015, and you have the chance to witness it live!
www.missworldcanada.com
James & Jamesy in High Tea
Jericho Arts Centre
Daily from May 18-May 24
When catastrophic disaster floods the world in tea, the critically-acclaimed caffeine connoisseurs must leap into action using spectacular imagination, physical feats, and uproarious humour to keep afloat.
www.jamesandjamesy.com
Cirque du Soleil’s VAREKAI
Pacific Coliseum
May 20- 24
Recognized the world over for high-quality artistic entertainment, Cirque du Soleil has brought its unique combination of dance, acrobatics, art, and music to more than 100 million spectators. 604.252.3700 | www.cirquedusoleil.com
In a Forest, Dark and Deep by Neil LaBute Havana Theatre, Vancouver
May 20-30, 8pm
Intimate. Intense. Intriguing. Secrets and layers unravel in this modern day Hansel and Gretel. www.nakedgoddessproductions.com
Art! Vancouver
Vancouver Convention Centre
May 21-24
Vancouver will host a world-class art event, featuring reputable art galleries and artists from across Canada and around the world. www.artvancouver.net
Scotiabank MS Walk
Plaza of Nations
May 24, 8am check in Head west along the scenic seawall as the 5 km round trip course takes in the sites of Vancouver’s urban waterfront. Then enjoy snacks and refreshments, music, and the great company of other dedicated walkers. Wheelchairs, scooters and strollers are welcome to take advantage of the accessible route option. 604.602.3221 | mssoc.convio.net
Kid-free Events for Mom & Dad!
Unique Lives: Shirley MacLaine Orpheum Theatre
May 26, 7:30pm
With her trademark wit and candour, Shirley will take you on a journey of a lifetime. Not only will you hear about her award-winning film and stage career but also her years with the “Rat-Pack”; her journey on the Camino and her greatest passion: The Spirit, Mind and Body. Also, a chance to ask Shirley your own questions. Tickets start at $44. www.uniquelives.com/vancouver
After Hours
Vancouver Aquarium
May 28, 6-10pm
This uniquely aquatic adult-only evening includes access to the wet lab, special programming and time to explore the galleries with a glass of wine or beer in hand. Must be 19+.
www.vanaqua.org
City of Bhangra Festival
Various locations in Surrey and Vancouver
May 28-June 6
This 10-day, all-out dance party showcases the music and dance of the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. On indoor and outdoor stages, in parks, clubs, and even in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Festival features hundreds of local and international artists in dynamic performances. 604.825.0223 | www.vibc.org
Vancouver Craft Beer Week
Various locations throughout Vancouver
May 29-June 7
An annual festival that showcases some of the best local and international craft brewed beers, featuring events in 30+ venues across the city. www.vancouvercraftbeerweek.com
2015 Vancouver International Tequila Expo
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
May 30
The Fourth Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo is Western Canada’s largest festival dedicated to Mexico’s number one export spirit. The festival aims to increase the presence of tequila and mezcal in Western Canada. www.vantequilaexpo.com
Kids Swap Meet
Cloverdale Fairgrounds
May 30, 9am-12:30pm
Find everything from baby items, kids clothing, toys, books, outdoor toys and so much more. Early bird admission (9-10am) is $4. After 10am is $5. 604.533.1970
The Making Place
Vancouver Art Gallery, 4th floor
Sundays, 12noon-4pm
The Vancouver Art Gallery hosts the Making Place, which offers explorative, hands-on workshops featuring collaborative and independent activities for all kids.
www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
May Day Festival
Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex
May 1, 7:30pm
Enjoy the Port Coquitlam community’s May Day celebration, which includes a whole week of funfilled activities, including a May Day Rotary Parade on May 9th.
www.portcoquitlam.ca
BMO Vancouver Marathon Kids Run
Ceperley Park, Stanley Park
May 2, 11am
Be sure to register as early as possible for the Kids Run, which is capped at just 500 children, aged 5 to 12 (all participants must have parental consent).
See the creative project displays about Canadian history and heritage, created by local Richmond students. Then take part in a variety of hands-on, family-friendly activities that inspire curiosity and pride in Canada’s history and heritage. Free. www.richmondmuseum.ca
23rd Annual Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
“Ride For The Kids”
9785 192nd Street, Surrey
May 3, 9am
Enjoy a great ride and help kids with burn injuries. All proceeds benefit the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Burn and riders can come early for a tasty breakfast followed by a fun ride with fellow bikers. $20 per person. www.burnfund.org
community
Circus of Oz
CircusWest Performing Arts Society, Vancouver
May 7-10
Join CircusWest as they update the infamous Frank L. Baum Oz story and infuse it with aerial artistry, daring acrobatics, and compelling circus acts to amaze and delight.
Participate in hands-on experiments, walk through interactive science labs and greenhouses, watch demonstrations of high-tech patient simulators in our nursing labs, and take a tour of the state-of-theart brewing lab! A marketplace will also be set up featuring local businesses and organizations. www.kpu.ca/sciencerendezvous
Kids and Family Surrey RCMP Open House
RCMP Main Detachment, Surrey
May 9, 12noon-3pm
Kids will get the chance to see police vehicles, have police “briefings,” while enjoying demonstrations, activities and food! www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation
Owl Show
Richmond Nature Park
May 10, 11am-3pm
See live owls up close. Presented by the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. Admission by donation. www.richmond.ca
Mother’s Day at the Glades Garden
561 172 Street, Surrey
May 10, 10am-4pm
Enjoy live music from the Armadillo String Quartet among masses of rhododendrons in full bloom. Gourmet coffees, teas and hot chocolate available for purchase, as well as a spring plant sale. Advance tickets $5 per person. Children under 12 are free.
604.501.5100
Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge
Locations throughout Lower Mainland May 10, 10am
From seasoned painters and novice artists who love the great outdoors, to groups of friends looking for a creative activity, and families celebrating a meaningful Mother’s Day with a painting picnic! $6000 in prizes available. Pre-register at your local Opus store.
www.opusartsupplies.com
Xtreme Theatre presents Tarzan 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge May 14, various times
High-flying excitement and hits like the Academy Award winning music make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience. Show length is approximately 120 minutes with one intermission. Tickets: $16.
www.xtremetheatre.ca
Partners in Parks Outdoor Treasure Hunt Hawthorne Park, Surrey
May 14, 5-6:30pm
Participants navigate to specific Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates and then attempt to find the cache (container) hidden at that location. Sign the log stored inside the cache and return it to the exact place you found it for the next hunter then visit the booth for prizes and refreshments. 604.501.5100 | www.surrey.ca
Fraser Academy’s Open House
Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Ave, Vancouver May 14, 9:30-11:15am
Fraser Academy is a leader in education designed to empower students in grades 1-12 who struggle with language-based learning differences. Learn more about Fraser Academy at our Open House. RSVP at (604) 736 5575 x 222 or admissions@ fraseracademy.ca.
www.fraseracademy.ca
Cloverdale Rodeo
Cloverdale Fairgrounds
May 15 - 18
This 4-day rodeo features games, rides, concerts, demonstrations, a beer garden and tons of fun! www.cloverdalerodeo.com
calendar
Cineplex Sensory Friendly Screening; The Avengers: Age of Ultron Cineplex Cinemas, Langley
May 16, 10:30am
This program provides a sensory friendly environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families to view new release films in theatres. These screenings are presented in a light up, sound down environment. www.cineplex.com/Theatres/SensoryFriendly
Sea to Sky Gondola’s First Year Anniversary Celebration
Sea to Sky Gondola, Highway 99, Squamish
May 16
Come out and celebrate their first birthday! They’ve had a great first year, learned a lot and couldn’t have done it without the community’s support. So, they want to celebrate their birthday with live music and birthday cake! www.seatoskygondola.com
Day Out with Thomas West Coast Railway Heritage Park. Squamish
May 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24
Join Thomas and Friends, meet Sir Topham Hatt and get your picture with Thomas! There will be lots of activities, shows and fun!
604.898.9336 | www.wcra.org
Celebrate Queen Victoria’s Birthday at the Farm
Historic Stewart Farm
May 17, 12noon-3pm
Little princes and princesses can bring their families to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday dressed as kings and queens and craft a magnificent crown. Meet the Queen herself, and have your royal family portrait taken. Sip a beverage in the Tea Garden and enjoy a piece of birthday cake.
604.592.6956 | www.surrey.ca
Teddy Bear Picnic Kilby, Harrison Mills
May 17
Kids can bring their teddy bear and get ready for some great old-fashioned family fun! Decorate a cookie to have with your “tea,” get glamorous with the Dress-up Tickle Trunk, make super-cute teddy bear crafts and settle in under the trees for story time. Bring your own picnic or try theirs! www.kilby.ca
Vancouver Symphony Kids Koncerts Presents Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs
The Orpheum Theatre
May 17, 2pm
The arrival of an eccentric boarder turns a young boy’s life upside down. Ludwig van Beethoven has moved in upstairs! At first Christoph resents their new tenant but slowly he comes to understand the genius of the man, the torment of his deafness and the beauty of his music. In the end he is won over by the music and true incidents from the great composer’s life.
604.876.3434 | www.vancouversymphony.ca
Surrey International Children’s Festival
Surrey Arts Centre & Bear Creek Park
May 21-23, various times
The 11th annual Festival is a world of artistic experiences for children to explore. Check out live music, dance and puppetry from Vietnam, Iceland, and across Canada. Site access is free with some affordable ticketed activities and performances. 604.592.6983 www.surrey.ca/childrensfestival/
Music with Marnie
Surrey Arts Centre
May 21, 6-7pm
Get ready to boogie with WestCoast Families magazine’s 3-time Readers Choice Gold Winners for best Children’s Band: The Music with Marnie Band. This theatrical and magical show will put ants in your pants. Marnie’s Furried friends like Mumbu the Monkey and Tula the Kangaroo will be there too. www.musicwithmarnie.ca
Gilmore Country Carnival
Gilmore Community School, Burnaby
May 22, 4-9pm
Come One! Come All! Put on your cowboy boots, round up your family and friends & enjoy a BBQ, kids activities, pony rides, contests and entertainment fun for all ages!
604.790.0301
Vancouver Symphony Presents Tiny Tots Teddy Bears Musical Picnic
May 29, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre
May 30, Terry Fox Theatre, Port Coquitlam, 10 & 11:30am
This playful show introduces children and families to the music of Claude Debussy where the audience will move along to classic “miniatures” of his most famous melodies. Sing-a-long favorites and musical games round out the fun. Children are encouraged to bring their own teddy bears to the concert. 604.876.3434 | www.vancouversymphony.ca
Material Play
Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver
May 30, 12noon-3pm
The CAG invites all ages to drop-in for short exhibition tours and free art making activities that respond to their current exhibitions. www.contemporaryartgallery.ca
The Art of Capoeira with Axé Capoeira ArtStarts
May 30, Vancouver & May 31, New Westminster, 11am & 1pm
Join Axé Capoeira for an interactive educational tapestry of Brazilian history, culture, traditions and beliefs will entertain an audience of all ages. Admission is free. www.artstarts.com
Plants and all their Parts!
Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants, Richmond
May 31, 10-11am
Plants are fascinating organisms made up of all kinds of different parts: roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, bracts, petals, sepals, stamens, pistils, pollen & more! All of these parts play roles from nutrition, to photosynthesis, to reproduction. Learn about all these parts then make paper flowers to label & take home.
www.phoenixperennials.com
Visit www.westcoastfamilies.com/events_calendar for more family friendly events this month! To have your event included in the WestCoast Families community calendar, please email your details to admin@westcoastfamilies.com.
Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see more local and community family events in your area.
last look
Chalk it Up to Fun!
by Jodi Iverson
Warmer weather means we are playing outside! Hopscotch is a classic game that can be enjoyed by any age, solo or with a large group. Do you remember the rules? Use this simple tutorial to join your children and play like generations before you.
materials
• Sidewalk Chalk
• A stone or other object to use as a marker
make it!
Step 1: Draw a classic 10-block Hopscotch grid in the three single, one double, one single, one double, finish pattern.
Step 2: Ensure the squares are large enough to adequately fit a foot! Step 3: Asphalt, paver stones or concrete make the best canvas.
play it!
• Player one tosses their marker onto square one, making sure the marker lands within the marked lines.
• Player hops over the marked square, completes the course, turning around at #10 and returning to the beginning, again skipping over the marked square.
• If you step on a line you lose your turn!
• Player one passes the marker to the next player, who will attempt the course.
• On player one’s next turn, they toss the marker to square two and repeat the process, always skipping the marked square.
• First player to complete the course wins!
did you know?
The first recorded references to Hopscotch date back to the late 17th century, but some believe an ancient form of the fame was played by Roman children! Variations of the game are played all around the world! In India it is called Stapu or Kith-Kith, in Israel it is called Klahss, and in Cuba and Puerto Rico it is called La Peregrina. The Guinness Book of World Records holder for the quickest game of Hopscotch is Ashrita Furman, who completed it in 68 seconds.
