WestCoast Families Pre-Summer 2023

Mama Never Told Me

There’d Be Days Like This

5 Tips to Keep Kids Reading

All Summer Long

Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Fishing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Camping, Paddle Boarding, Stargazing, Naturalist Programs & So Much To Explore!

Winter Camping, Snowboarding, Downhill Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing & Ice Skating

There’s something for everyone at UBC Point Grey, right on your doorstep. Whether it’s parks, playgrounds, amenities, shops & services, museums, beaches, a forest, community events and more — find that, here.

Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@westcoastfamilies.com

Sue Fast Editor editor@westcoastfamilies.com

RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@westcoastfamilies.com

Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@westcoastfamilies.com

For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com

WestCoast Families, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for west coast families. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

Mailing Address 518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 250 388 6905

A proud member of BC

Cover Photo: Tamara Bond, Eternal Bond Photography instagram.com/eternal.bond.photography

Tweens & Teens Cover Photo: Sheena Davies Photography sheenadaviesphotography.ca

WestCoastFamilies.com

Vol 30, Ed 6 twitter.com/wcfmag facebook.com/westcoastfamilies pinterest.com/wcfmag @westcoastfamilies

Jump Into June & July!

Like a rollercoaster reaching the top of its steepest hill, the school year is reaching its peak. Now comes the exhilarating plunge into summer—as invigorating as a dive into a cold lake at the end of a hot summer’s day. To help you and your family make the most of the ride, here’s a list of summer to-do’s:

1. Don’t miss Bard on the Beach from June 8–Sept 30. Plays include Julius Caesar, Henry V, a Beatles-themed version of As You Like It and Goblin: Macbeth. bardonthebeach.org

2. Attend National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations at Fort Langley National Historic Site on June 17. Learn directly from Indigenous presenters and artisans. Discover skills and knowledge that First Nations Peoples use through demonstrations, storytelling and hands-on activities. parks.canada.ca

3. Be on the lookout for the elusive sasquatch at Harrison Hotsprings’ Sasquatch Days on June 17–18. The annual festival features war canoe races, First Nations cultural

performances and a salmon BBQ in the resort town of Harrison Hot Springs. tourismharrison.com

4. Celebrate Canada Day on July 1 at various locations. There’ll be fireworks in the Burrard Inlet, a celebration at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver, the Salmon Festival in Steveston Village in Richmond and the annual Canada Together event at Canada Place, among others.

5. Dance the day away on July 8 from 1–9pm at New Westminster’s On Your Block Multi-Cultural Festival, an event featuring music, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a Kids’ Dance Party. onyourblockfest.com

6. Look waaaay up at the Honda Celebration of Lights on July 22, 26 and 29. The festival lights up the sky over English Bay with three countries competing to wow crowds, choreographing their spectacular displays to music as they’re launched off a barge in the bay. hondacelebrationoflight.com

7. Stay up late for Stanley Park’s Theatre Under the Stars featuring Roald Dahl’s

Matilda: The Musical running at Malkin Bowl throughout July and August. Recommended for children 6 and up due to darker themes, exaggerated bullying and some language. tuts.ca

8. Cool down at Cultus Lake Waterpark, BC’s biggest waterpark! There are body slides, tubes and raft slides, Adventure River, Pirates Cove, a Tots Castle, Family Spray Park and a host of other options for littles and bigs alike! cultus.com

9. Stop by a farmers’ market and experience the unique community spirit—all while supporting local farmers. Stock up on picnic supplies then find a shady spot or breezy seashore and tuck into some of the freshest food money can buy. bcfarmersmarket.org

10. Get dizzy at Playland. Get less screen time and more scream time. Find thrills the algorithm could only dream of at Playland. Get your passes now and prepare for a screaming good summer! Save $5 on daily passes when you purchase in advance. pne.ca

Happy Summer! From our family to yours.

Bard on the Beach

The 2023 Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival returns to Sen’ákw/Vanier Park in Vancouver from June 8 to Sept 30. New this season: infants and children of all ages are welcome at Family Day Performances—in the company of a parent or guardian—on July 16 and August 20 at 2pm. Arrive at the village early for family-friendly activities, then enjoy a performance of the blockbuster As You Like It. Children aged 2–5 require a ticket. bardonthebeach.org

BC Farmers’ Market Trail

Want to find a farmers’ market near you? The BC Farmers’ Market Trail is the definitive guide to over 145 markets across the province. Shop for fresh, local, in-season food and artisan goods. No matter where you are in the province, local farmers’ markets allow you to connect directly with passionate growers, makers and bakers. Use the market finder to help you discover local farmers’ markets near you. bcfarmersmarkettrail.com

Playland 2023

Playland re-opens June 3 for the 2023 season, celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Wooden Roller Coaster. Purchase a Fun Pass ($33 advance / $38 at the gate) for guests of all ages looking for more family-friendly rides like Dizzy Drop, Bug Whirled and Kettle Creek Mine Coaster, plus mini golf and the climbing wall. Or purchase a Thrill Pass ($45 advance/$50 at the gate) for those wanting all the thrills including rides like the Coaster, the Beast, Atmosfear and Skybender (guests must be 48 inches and taller). Buy online to save $5 off all single day admission types, or get a season pass to enjoy savings all summer long.

Giants, Dragons & Unicorns, Oh My!

Museum of Surrey’s new exhibition, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures (in the Feature Gallery) is a traveling exhibition that features unique cultural objects to highlight the surprising similarities and differences in the way people around the world envision and depict mythic creatures. surrey.ca/arts-culture/museum-of-surrey

Theatre Under the Stars

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) presents its hilarious and heartwarming 2023 season, featuring The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, on stage July 6 to August 26 at Stanley Park’s scenic Malkin Bowl. From high school prom to elementary schoolyard, both musicals invite audiences to witness the power of kindness and inclusion in the fight for freedom to love and be loved. A Vancouver tradition since 1940, TUTS’ two-show subscription packs are on sale now at $90 for adults and $60 for youth ages 5–12, and include premium tickets to both productions, souvenir programs and exchange insurance for both nights. tuts.ca

Fresh Finds

What do bubble blowing, hula hoops and a super soaker have in common? We dare you to do them all at once for the ultimate summer challenge! Then relax and catch your breath in the hammock and find your way back indoors once the sun sets using the owl lamp to light your way!

Fisher Price Bubble Blower

Kids can get sudsy in the sunshine while helping “mow” the lawn with the Fisher-Price Bubble Mower! This outdoor push toy looks and sounds like a real lawnmower. As toddlers roll it along grass, sidewalk or imaginary lava, the pretend motor spins and silly bubbles fly all around.

Canyon Hoops Kids Hula Hoops

These hoops will stand up to the punishment of many hours of hooping, pulling, spinning and whatever else your child’s imagination can come up with. Sized and weighted perfectly to withstand hours of imaginative play and available in a variety of styles, colors, patterns and bright decorative tapes that kids love.

Nerf Super Soaker

Squall Surge

Stand back or get ready to get soaked—the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer’s day! This squirt gun can shoot a stream of water farther than 10 metres and the gun’s half-litre reservoir is great for sustained play without being unwieldy when completely full.

Aubllo Toys Owl Headlamp

This headlamp helps kids observe nature and build science concepts that get so overlooked indoors—by day and at night! Go on a night hike and have your hands free to explore what you find.

Vivere Double Cacoon Hammock

The Vivere Double Cacoon was made for sharing relaxation. With a hanging system included and no tools required for assembly, two people will be able to fully stretch out in the new Cacoon in a matter of minutes. Available in a variety of colours, this hammock is sure to be the highlight of any yard or bedroom.

Boredom Busters

Unplugged Childhood

Children between 6 and 13 are developing complex personalities and doing things independently. They are open to new experiences, quick to pick up skills, eager to make friends. Some like to take risks and push the limits of what their growing bodies can do, while others develop more introspective and artistic skills. It’s a time of tremendous mental and physical expansion, which also makes it a terrible time to get snagged on screens.

Excessive time spent on social media, YouTube and video games represents time not spent doing all the other seem-

ingly pointless yet marvelously productive activities that kids at this age should be doing. Too much screen time introduces self-consciousness and a nagging sense of dissatisfaction in a child’s life at a time when they should be unconcerned with what others think or do and focused on pursuing friendships, imaginary play and physical development, as well as coping with boredom.

Children at this age are busy. They like to be occupied with a range of activities, some initiated by the parent if the child is younger, others done with greater independence as the

child grows. This requires time and effort from the parent. It is difficult, without a doubt, to squeeze in a bike ride or visit to the park before bedtime, but it’s a healthier and more fulfilling choice than letting a child retreat to a bedroom to play online for an hour or two while you send emails, fold laundry and maybe scroll through social media yourself.

Parents must also be willing to accept, at least partially, the free-range philosophy; if screen-based entertainment is being taken away, it has to be replaced by something, and that must be the freedom to play.

There are so many ways to spend a day offline that you’ll soon wonder how your child ever found time to sit on screens. Here’s a list of 30 ideas gathered both from my own experiences and from Emily Greene’s great list of “boredom busters” for kids. You could create a similar list with your kids’ input and direct them to it when they’re not sure what to do.

• Go for a long bike ride. Decide on a destination, take a snack and enjoy the scenery.

• Pack a picnic lunch and walk to a nearby park to enjoy it.

• Make your own book—fiction or non-fiction, a book of jokes, a colouring book, a graphic novel featuring a superhero of your creation.

• Host a tea party. Create invitations, do some baking and tell guests to dress up. Spend a fun afternoon in Victorian England.

• Draw a map of your town. See how accurately you can depict it from memory. Then go out on your bike to clear up any confusion.

• Take the One Hundreds Challenge. Green writes, “Do one hundred squats, one hundred push-ups and one-hundred sit-ups every day for 30 days.” Time yourself and track your progress to see how you improve.

• See how many times you can jump on a pogo stick without falling off, dribble your basketball without losing control or juggle balls without dropping them. Try to beat your record.

• Come up with a business idea, create a plan and put it into action. Lemonade stands are a rite of passage. See if a neighbour wants their dog walked, leaves raked or walkway shoveled. Host a bake sale with friends. Split the profits or donate them to a cause.

• Set up a treasure hunt for friends or siblings. Write clever clues and hide them around the house or yard.

• Put on a play with friends, siblings or relatives. Write it, rehearse roles, find costumes and invite adults to watch.

• Have a campout. This could be in the backyard, on a balcony or flat urban rooftop or even in the living room. Set up a tent, get out the sleeping bags and tell ghost stories.

• Become an expert at one recipe. Choose something you love to eat, like chocolate chip cookies, and perfect it. Your family won’t complain about the repeated batches.

• Find a special “sit spot” in nature where you spend time in silence and observe it at different times of day, throughout the seasons. Get to know it well.

• Make homemade boats out of a plastic soda bottle, tin cans, popsicle sticks, cloth and more. Attach a long string and take them to a nearby pond or river to float.

• Plan a Nerf war with friends. Tell everyone to bring their own Nerf guns and set up barriers and hideouts around the yard. Clean up thoroughly.

• Create a comic strip. You could use funny episodes from your family life, experienced by imaginary characters.

• Do your homework in a special outdoor spot. (I used to paddle my canoe across the lake to a sunny rock to do assigned reading.)

• Plant a garden. Claim an area of yard or a few soil-filled pots and plant seeds. Take care of them and watch them grow.

• Go visiting. Another seemingly old-fashioned idea, but elderly neighbours often love a visit from friendly children. Turn it into a weekly meeting if you both enjoy it.

• Take apart an old electronic item, such as a hair dryer or an alarm clock, and see if you can figure out how it works. Then put it back together again. Does it still work?

• Come up with an invention that would make your life easier or more fun. See if you can figure out a way to build it. (I know a man who made a clothesline with a motor that delivered his clothes so he didn’t have to get out of bed to get dressed.)

• Build a potato launcher. (Sorry, parents.) Yes, this is a real thing, and it’s hugely fun if you live out in the country. Handle with care.

• Feed the birds. If you stand still in the winter, birds might land on your outstretched hands to nab tasty sunflower seeds. It’s a fun way to observe these quick little creatures up close.

• Write a letter to your future self, sealed and dated for when you can open it. Someday it’ll be a delightful glimpse into your former self. (I wrote a letter when I was 12 to be opened on my 21st birthday. It was cute and embarrassing and totally worth it.)

• Practice a magic trick. There are lots of great books on magic for kids. You can never go wrong with a sneaky card trick to wow an audience.

• Make a photo album. Have a parent print off photos from the past year or a particular trip and arrange them into a scrapbook.

• Fold paper airplanes. Learn different designs and see which ones fly the furthest. While you’re at it, explore the wondrous world of origami.

• Go fishing. Take your rod and lures to a local fishing hole. Make sure you know the seasonal regulations and how to take fish off a hook before you go without an adult.

• Practice tricks on your bike, skateboard or scooter. Learn how to do a wheelie, endo or bunny hop, an ollie or kickflip, a no-footer or bar spin.

Katherine Martinko, from Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance, New Society Press, 2023. newsociety.com

Outdoor Games to Play this Summer

Tried and tested, these fun outdoor games are easy for everyone to enjoy. Roll up this issue for the glove box or pack with your camping supplies! Play them at the company picnic and annual block party.

FOREST FORAGERS

Ages: 5+

Time needed: 30 minutes or more

Where to play: In the forest

How to play: One player starts as a seeker. The rest of the players are hiders. The hunter counts with their eyes closed while the hiders hide. When the hunter spots someone, they silently ask them if they are hiders or seekers (using hand signals). If they are hiders, the hunter tries to tag them. Once tagged, the hider becomes a hunter as well. This continues until everyone becomes a hunter.

How many players: 8–15 players

Variations: The hunters pair up, or the hunter gives the hiders a 5–10 second head start to run away.

FIRE IN THE FOREST

Ages: 5+

Time needed: 15 minutes

Where to play: In a field

Materials: Bandanas, a rope or cones to mark each side

How to play: There’s a fire in the forest and the animals are running to escape. The goal is to not get burned by the fire. Pick three forest animals. Players choose to be one animal. They don’t tell anyone which animal they are. One player is

the fire. This player is “it” and stands in the middle of the field. All the animals start on one side. Fire starts the game by calling out one of the three animals. When players hear their animal, they run to the other side without getting tagged by fire. If tagged, you become a tree on fire. You can tag people running through, but you cannot move from your roots; you can only pivot on one foot. If the fire person calls out, “fire in the forest,” all the animals must run across to the other side without getting tagged. The game ends when the last animal is tagged.

How many players? 8+ players

FOX TAILS

Ages: 5+

Time needed: 10-15 minutes

Where to play: In a field

Materials: Bandanas (one per player) and an open field or lawn

How to play: Each player tucks one “tail” (bandana) into the back of their waistband. Players run around within a designated boundary trying to capture the tails of other players. They most also keep their own tails safe! If a player’s tail is captured, they sit on their knees. They can re-join the game if they capture a new tail from another player while sitting. The game ends when one player captures all the tails or set a time limit.

How many can play: 4+ players

Variations: Add Fairies. They collect extra/donated tails from players who already have two tails. They give tails to players that are sitting down and are out.

OTTER STEALS FISH

Ages: 6+

Time needed: 10–15 minutes

Where to play: field or forest

Materials: “Fish” (bandanas) and a field or forest

How to play: Create a circular boundary 6–8 metres in diameter. Use backpacks or bandanas to delineate the boundary. Clear the circle from obstacles. Cheeky otters are on the outside of the circle. The patient heron guards their fish (one bandana) in the middle. The heron cannot touch the fish during the game. They can stop an otter from stealing their fish by tagging the otter. The goal of the otters is to grab the fish without being tagged by the heron. If an otter steals the fish, they become the heron.

How many players? 6+ players

Variations: Once an otter is tagged, they can go outside the circle and count to ten or run to touch a nearby tree before trying again.

BAT AND MOTH

Ages: 5+

Time needed: 15 minutes

Where to play: Forest or field

Materials: Blindfold (bandana) and level field surface

How to play: One person is a bat, everyone else is a moth. The bat stands in the centre and calls out “bat” to those who are moths. When the bat calls, the moths reply, “moth.” The bat must try to catch the moths, and the moths do their best to “fly” away from the bats. Everyone can move around, with the bat repeatedly calling out “bat” and the moths replying “moth.”

How many can play? 5–10 players

Variations: Instead of saying “moth,” moths can clap their hands and the bat can follow the sounds. Also, if you have a lot of players, for safety you can create a forest ring of kids to make a boundary. The boundary are kids (aka trees) and stand with hands outstretched to keep the bat and moths inbounds. Still select one bat but only 3–4 moths who play inside the forest. Then take turns rotating kids to play bat, moths or trees.

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

July 3-August 4

Spark creativity this summer! Camps and programs for ages

3-19 in Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, Film, and more. Register now! artsumbrella.com/summer

Credit: Devan Francis

My Thrifting Habit

Is it turning my son into a materialist?

Confession: I like to thrift. I mean, I really like to thrift. There is something about the combination of endless novelty, potential treasures and bargains, learning about history and identifying objects that is positively intoxicating for me. My husband and son enjoy it as well, and it has become a regular

gling idea that we are turning our son into a materialist. Wish me luck.

I started thrifting for clothing about 15 years ago as a way to save money and also find unique pieces that felt more “me” than trending fashions. Over the years I began branching out, peeking into other corners: kitchenware,

However, he has also caught the thrifting bug. It happened after Santa brought him a Hulk action figure. He became focused on hunting for other Marvel characters he didn’t have, then for rarer figures and now if our house is ever invaded he’s accrued quite an army of super heroes to defend it. And stuffies. Oh my goodness, the stuffies. You might be thinking, well why did you buy them for him? Excellent point, and I will answer it honestly: because they were super cheap and if he was happy it bought me time to look at things I wanted to look at.

A few months ago I had to nip in the bud what had become an expectation of toys with every trip. This wasn’t because of his overstuffed bedroom, but because he started being so focussed on getting “something” that he was picking up any old object, even if he didn’t really want it or if it were of poor quality. This led to some tense exchanges and a couple of public meltdowns, but it was also a great teaching opportunity—my son has learned to be discriminating in his purchases and also that it is perfectly OK to leave a store emptyhanded. He sees me do it all the time. The real fun of thrifting is in the hunt, not necessarily the acquisition.

fun family activity. Between Marketplace and the many excellent second-hand stores on the Island, we’ve found many treasures with which to furnish and decorate our home in a way that makes us happy.

But, at what point do we have too much? I know Maximalist design is all the rage right now, but we’re running out of space, and spending money on things we don’t need is still spending money, even if the money spent is a fraction of what said things are worth. I’m also acutely aware of the privilege of our position— we can choose to shop second-hand and are lucky to have a little bit of disposable income with which to do so, whereas many don’t have the choice.

All that said, stay tuned as I try to justify my thrifting habit and talk myself out of the nig-

art, jewellery, books, etc. Now I cannot leave a store without giving the entire place a good once—or twice—over to make sure I haven’t missed anything amazing.

When my son was younger, a weekly solo thrifting trip to the local shops was a wonderful way for me to unwind and get out of my overactive brain for a bit. As he got older, my son became intensely curious about what I was doing so I started to bring him with me once in awhile. I won’t lie; this was incredibly stressful—my tactile little guy reached for everything shiny in sight as I inwardly screamed, “Not the crystal!” Fortunately (miraculously?) we’ve had only one breakage incident, and his dad was beside him for that one, so perhaps all my anxiety has been for naught. At any rate, my now seven-year-old has learned to be remarkably careful and respectful in all stores.

Now, although the acquisition continues (more slowly), it is better stuff. My husband and I are interested in the history behind objects, and also in learning about quality materials and construction. My son is privy to all of this discussion and the discoveries we make through our research. He’s actually got a fabulous eye for spotting collectible objects and identifying them: “Oh Mama, there is a Blue Mountain Pottery swan over there, but remember, you said you were cut off!” That’s my boy…

He sees first-hand how older, vintage items are often constructed with more quality and care than modern fast-fashion/fast-breaking/ fast-to-the-trash merchandise. I doubt that he will ever be one to rush out to buy the latest and most hyped products, since he has seen how temporary and wasteful they are.

My son witnesses the cycle of Stuff and knows that just because something is “old” or slightly worn, or wasn’t someone else’s cup of tea, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value for someone else. Instead of ending up in the landfill, it can enjoy another lifetime of usefulness. Points for Planet Earth!

All this material does build up though, and we have had to start culling our collections. This has been great practice for my son, who used to have an incredibly hard time giving up any of his possessions, even if they didn’t fit or were broken. He gets the opportunity to assess, on a fairly regular basis, what is important to him (what “brings him joy”) and what can continue forward in its life-cycle: passed to a friend, back to the thrift store, repurposed, upcycled or in some rare cases, disposed of.

When we first encouraged my son to part with some objects, one of our arguments was that the money the stores raised from selling things helped to support important charities and organizations in the community. This continues to open the door for more in-depth discussions of how these places make a positive difference for people who are having a hard time.

Financial literacy is in the school curriculum, and my son has already learned much about it (especially once he started making purchases with his own money). Coin values, change, taxes, comparison shopping and coupons are all things with which he gets plenty of practice and experience. Oh, and bargaining. Last summer at a garage sale I almost choked when I overheard him ask the seller if she would take half price for an item. He must get that from his dad.

So let’s see. I’ve explored how frequent trips to the thrift store have helped my son learn to be careful with breakables, to look for quality and assess needs/wants/attachments, how to identify collectible and rare objects as well as the materials with which things are constructed, how to use money, how to save money, how to save the planet and how to help the community. Maybe, just maybe, my addiction is actually a positive thing, helping my son become, not a materialist, but material literate.

At any rate, this is what I’ll keep telling myself.

Develop Grace, Flexibility & Co-ordination

Experience a fun-filled camp featuring gymnastics, dance and music combined with colorful handheld rhythmic apparatus: balls, ribbons, hoops, ropes.

3 Weeks of August Summer Camps to choose from

Girls aged 5–10 years

Recreational Fun for Beginners

internationalrhythmics.com

Kelly McQuillan is a writer, musician, teacher and fledgling mother living in Comox. kellymcquillanwriter. weebly.com, music teacher: kellymcquillan.com

4500 Arbutus St | Details, dates, fees and registration:

5 Tips to Keep Kids Reading

ALL SUMMER LONG

“Practice makes progress.” So said a Grade 5 class to me when I visited their school to promote the BC Summer Reading Club at the Vancouver Public Library. Never is this truer than when it comes to kids and learning to read. Educators and researchers have been lamenting the “summer slide” for decades and urging parents to encourage kids to read over the summer break from school. If you’re nervously thinking about your already overflowing plate, don’t worry. There are many ways to sprinkle in fun ways to read—some may already be part of your family’s life, and the joy and benefits will last a lifetime. Read on for five tips to make summer reading a success!

1. Let them lead

Nobody likes boring. When kids get to choose their own books, they are far more likely to actually read those books. Even if it seems like they are not challenging themselves or reading the “right” books, they are still making a lot of progress. So next time your kid cracks open their 428th Geronimo Stilton book or spends a month hiding behind a Minecraft Guide to Survival, pat them (and yourself) on the back for a job well done.

2. Listen

Audiobooks are fantastic. They can be shared with friends and family. They allow kids to hear stories and vocabulary that are beyond their reading level. They leave the hands and body free for fidgeting, doodling, bouncing and moving, which can help kids focus. Listening to audiobooks is also easier for those who struggle with attention or decoding words. If you need more reasons to check out an audiobook this summer, just imagine avoiding carsickness by keeping eyes off the page! So when you’re planning the next family road trip, download Apartment 13 by Kevin Sylvester and sit back and enjoy the ride together.

3. Talk

This tip seems counterintuitive because there is no reading involved. But sharing family and cultural stories has benefits that go beyond the ABCs. For kids, knowing who they are and where they came from is important for social-emotional learning. Stories that are passed down through generations instill family and cultural values, practices and teachings. Kids who feel secure in their place in the world and exposed to rich

language are kids who are primed to be open to reading. If storytelling doesn’t come naturally for you at first, try picking up a copy of Silly and Sillier by Judy Sierra to read aloud or tell them a tale of your own free-range youth!

4. Go graphic

Nothing says summer like lounging in the grass with a pile of comic books spread around you. Fortunately for kids and adults alike, graphic novels are a treasure trove of interesting and unique words. Their shorter format and vivid imagery are great for kids who have trouble picturing a story in their minds. For kids who think reading is “not their thing,” they can often find a graphic novel similar to what they love to watch. If you think graphic novels are lacking in story quality, think again. Hope Larson’s glorious, graphic re-imagining of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is just one example of a fresh remake of favorites from your childhood.

5. Go to the library and join the Summer Reading Club

The final and most effective tip: outsource! It takes a vil lage, and the library is part of that village. Libraries across the province are hosting the BC Summer Reading Club, which is

an easy and fantastic way to get kids reading. As a gathering place with fun programs, author and artist talks and challenges all summer long, kids can meet other kids who love to read at their local library. That’s where they’ll find a wide selection of the latest and greatest books and staff will happily lend a helping hand to match readers with their next favourite books. Find out more at bcsrc.ca and visit a library near you to sign up for this free program. This year’s theme is “Journey Through Time” and it promises to be dino-mite!

For more reading tips, booklists and fun programs for kids, visit a Vancouver Public Library near you or find us online at vpl.ca/kids

Kelly Savage is the Assistant Manager for Middle Years at Vancouver Public Library. She is honoured to live, work and raise her family on the lands of the the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations.

Major Festival Support:

Major Festival Support:

Major Festival Support:

Major Festival Support:

Major Festival Support:

THE SALAD DAYS OF Summer

Farmers’ markets have kicked into full gear. And if you’re anything like me, then a trip to a farmers’ market on a sunny Saturday morning is the perfect start to the weekend. My kids love watching the musicians and meeting up with friends. I love looking at the produce: the colourful carrots, funny looking tomatoes, and lettuces that look like bouquets.

A trip the farmers’ market makes me crave salads with an instinctual drive towards taking all that beautiful produce and consuming it for myself.

Unfortunately my children don’t always agree.

And I understand. Lettuce is leafy, relatively flavourless and about as appealing as eating grass. Though perhaps lettuce’s worst crime is the fact that it is nearly impossible to stab it with a fork. It makes my preschooler so frustrated as she chases it around her plate in a desperate attempt to get it into her mouth.

However, salads are still favourites at our house. And that is because I never serve a boring salad.

So if a salad evokes a picture of a pile of lettuce decorated with a variety of chopped up vegetables and a few bottles of dressing on the table, then you are missing out on the wonderful flavour options that are available.

Here’s a quick rundown of some salad toppings that turn a bland pile of greens into a mouthful of farmers’ market happiness: Sweet flavours: chopped fresh fruit, dried fruit, berries, candied nuts.

Protein: toasted nuts and seeds, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, bacon bits, smoked fish, leftover cooked meat.

Crunchy toppings: croutons, banana chips, crispy noodles, corn chips or vegetable chips.

Last week I overheard my son talking to his

friend about his favourite salads. His friend’s favourite salad was Caesar (always a classic) and my son rattled off these two salads as being his favourite. Not only does he love to eat them, he also loves to help with preparing them!

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

We provide programs that enable children to grow mentally, emotionally and socially. Most programs are presented through play, music and movement.

TACO SALAD

Taco anything is delicious, and this salad is no exception. It’s not like the usual throw chili on top of lettuce style of salad. It is a salad that truly celebrates its saladness while still having a delicious taco flavour.

Older children can probably help with all aspects of this recipe. Young children can help with some slicing, grating cheese, measuring and mixing the dressing.

Cooked Bean Mixture:

A clove of garlic minced

Onion chopped

Green Pepper chopped

1⁄2 tsp Oregano

1 can of Kidney or Black beans

1⁄2 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

Salad Dressing:

2 tbsp ketchup

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1⁄4 tsp dry mustard ( or 1 tsp Dijon)

1⁄4 cup oil

2 tbsp white vinegar

1⁄2 tsp brown sugar

dash of hot sauce (optional) salt and pepper

Salad:

1 head of lettuce

1 coloured pepper

2 tomatoes

1⁄2 cup grated cheese

1⁄2 cup crushed corn chips

Fry onions, garlic and green pepper in a saucepan until soft.

Mix in the beans and spices. Put the lid on the pan and allow everything to simmer on low for 15 minutes. Then turn off the burner and take the lid off the pan to allow bean mixture to cool down.

Mix all the ingredients for the salad dressing in a jar and shake until combined.

Chop up lettuce, coloured pepper and tomato. Put into a salad bowl.

Toss salad with dressing, then toss in bean mixture and top with cheese and corn chips. Serve immediately and enjoy!

SALAD NIÇOISE

I think this is popular at my house because my kids love eggs, fish, potatoes and olives. Really, this is a flexible salad that is built in layers. Feel free to let your kids build their own salads so everyone can have a salad they enjoy. Also, this recipe is not like the posh French

restaurant version of a Niçoise. But it is easy enough that kids can make it themselves!

Scale the ingredients so that each person gets 1 egg, some fish, 2–3 potatoes, etc.

Italian dressing (or other vinaigrette)

Lettuce

Canned fish or smoked salmon

Eggs

Waxy potatoes (new potatoes are best)

Vegetables (tomatoes, green beans, asparagus, carrots, coloured peppers, I used farmers’ market garlic scapes for the photo. Really any veg will do.)

Niçoise olives (or black olives)

Put potatoes and eggs in a saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 10–15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked. Wash and dice all the vegetables. If using beans and asparagus, then add them to the pot of potato and eggs for the last 2–3 minutes to cooke them slightly.

Rinse eggs and cooked vegetables until cool. Peel eggs and slice them.

Build the salads on the dinner plates. Start with a bed of lettuce then arrange potatoes, eggs, fish, olives and vegetables in piles on the plate. Top with the dressing and enjoy!

The Tyranny of Memory Making

Ikeep a journal, separate from my own journal, where I write down the memorable parenting moments—in case I forget. The names my daughter has called herself over the years and the names we’ve called her. That time we had to drive to the float plane terminal because it was the only way we could

that one is worth writing down and we go to daycare, I go to work, she throws a hungrybefore-dinner tantrum, we cajole her into the bath and pass out beside her in bed, only to wake up craving evening TV, prepping lunch, washing dishes, scrolling Instagram on the couch.

behind in printing the photos. How I’m not sure where to put her art, and how that cute fold-out dragon she made for Lunar New Year is now crumpled on the car floor mat covered in mud.

Yet treating life like an artifact, a page of a scrapbook, a journal entry I can look back

reassure her that her imaginary friend had arrived safely. That time her infant projectile poo landed all over the wall.

I make photo albums of our trips, our sunny weekends, birthdays, Halloween. We look through them and she remembers—or at least remembers the stories we tell her about the photos. When a friend visits from out of town, she doesn’t remember them unless they feature in an album.

And yet there are so many times I think

Then the next day starts and somewhere between laundry and meetings, I think what was that thing that happened yesterday? Or I get overwhelmed with all the memories that aren’t in albums, how I’m already two holidays

at and smile makes me anxious. It makes me feel like I did when I was a teenager about to graduate and everybody told me that high school was the best time of my life, as if I was on the precipice of a downward spiral.

Julia 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, cheese-filled home with her husband and preschooler.

I feel this mostly in the summer, when there are so many memorable, fun adventures to be had. I feel torn—the beach, camping, paddleboarding, festivals, days at the lake. Every year I overbook us, and every year we are relieved when the crispness of fall means that we can stay home without feeling like we are wasting a summer day.

In the fall, the moments of “you only get 18 summers” and of “this is what they’ll remember” pass. In the fall, we can clean the house, play in the living room, make cookies, be entirely unmemorable and unproductive in our autumn laziness.

The other day, my husband picked up my daughter’s skating “report card.” Where do we keep these? Do we have a spot?

I lashed out I don’t know!

It’s not a big deal, he responded, I was just asking.

But it is a big deal. How could I not have an archive system for our daughter’s love of her Pedalheads teacher? How could we forget the names of the kids at her first daycare? How can we not laminate her cute little stick figures with super long legs before she starts to draw proportional humans?

All this focus on preserving and enjoying and being in the moment is exhausting. What does my life mean if the super cute part of parenting is fleeting? How can I be at peace with living and not memorializing and not needing to create fun and memories all the time. How can I live with mundane and boring and uneventful when life is fleeting, and precious and could end at any moment?

Soon, my four and three-quarter year-old will be gone, replaced by an older, different version of herself. Soon, she will stop talking about her imaginary friends. Soon, “squishy cat” won’t be her favourite toy anymore. Soon, she will be a different person who I will love and get irritated with in different ways. Soon, I will need to be okay with this phase passing, as hard as it may be.

I need to trust that beautiful passing moments can still be beautiful without documentation, without “making the most of every minute,” without “seizing the day.” In mourning the passing of each phase, I need to remember that these moments are just temporary gifts; they will be replaced by different types of memories and that is not a tragedy, it is simply life. And with that, I take a deep breath, dig my toes into the sand and watch as today’s kingdom washes away with the tide.

MAMA NEVER TOLD ME There’d Be Days Like This “D

on’t blink, these are the best days of your life!”

I’ve heard this adage a few times over, actually. First as a child, where adults told me how easy it was being me, with no responsibilities or concerns. No bills or a job to think about. Easy? I questioned. It didn’t feel easy.

cause these are the best days of your life!” and I remember thinking, “huh, is this it?” Now quite frankly, I loved living in dorms with all my friends, eating cereal for dinner, skipping the odd class because I just didn’t feel like going, calling my parents when I needed a little cash (OK a lot of cash… I had zero dollars to my name). I loved university. Adult freedom with little actual responsibility? Yes please!

But even still, the idea that I was possibly living the “best days of my life” was a little disturbing for me. Did this mean it would all go downhill from that point on? And what if I had a bad day? (which I had many). What if I screwed up? (which I often did). These couldn’t possibly be the best days, so what was I doing it wrong?

“I remember those early days of motherhood very well, and even a few years later my memory hasn’t erased the tough times.”

And then the big one came: I had a baby.

Now this, more than any other time, was supposed to be the ultimate best time of my life. This would surely take the cake. At least that’s what literally everyone told me (except other new moms who seemed to stay eerily quiet on that matter).

I knew how fortunate I was to get pregnant, to have healthy children, to have support around me. I was genuinely grateful.

But I remember those early days of motherhood very well, and even a few years later my memory hasn’t erased the tough times like more seasoned moms promise will happen eventually. In fact, my mom tells me she doesn’t remember it being that hard at all. Mother nature does sweet favours for us, doesn’t she? My mother, after all, had three under three (#superhero), she must have had a day every now and again!

But right now, I still remember.

I remember the early days that I now refer to in a joking-not-joking way as the “dark days.” Those blurry couple years where I felt shocked. In pain. Desperately sleep-deprived. Like I had gone through some kind of personality change (or more like my personality was replaced with a vapid haze of weepy-overcaffeinated-nothingness).

Life felt day by day. Moment by moment. Survival.

My mind reminded me over and over again that I should be grateful. I should enjoy this. These are the best days of my life; don’t miss them! Write it all down, savour it! But what was I doing wrong, then? Why didn’t I feel like I was supposed to feel? Am I getting ripped off here?

In my young mind, I had a lot of worries that felt big! Like would anyone notice that I only had one cool pair of flared jeans… that used to be my sister’s? How embarrassing. Or what if no one asked me to slow dance and I just stood in the corner feeling like a loser? Or would I make a total fool of myself during my presentation the next day? I had a lot of worries. Adulthood looked pretty cool to be honest.

“The idea that I was possibly living the “best days of my life” then was a little disturbing for me.”

Then people told me during my university years to “soak it up, be-

With the beauty of hindsight, I can already see the balance that I certainly did not feel at that time. I can remember that new feeling of pride that would swell as I witnessed my daughters learn and grow. The joy sprinkled here and there. The giggles. The snuggles. The simple pleasures that I never truly appreciated before, like a freshly poured (not microwaved) coffee and the sound of a quiet house.

“It’s normal for parents to miss their lives pre-kids… It’s normal to question how these could be the best days of your life.”

And as I support new mothers today, their words jog my memory even further. I hear their pain alongside simple moments of joy. I hear their disappointment that motherhood wasn’t what they expected.

Their acknowledgement that they don’t love everything about it. Their courage to say that these might not be the best days of their lives. And quite honestly, I feel this sense of collective shame that builds alongside the honesty. This part of us that wonders: “Is it OK if I don’t like everything about this?”

When we hear messages about what’s “normal” that fall outside our personal experience, we have to find a way to reconcile the difference. We can’t help but believe the messages we hear from society. And so, when our experiences don’t line up with what we expected, we often conclude “I’m not normal” or “I’m not good at this” or “there’s something wrong with me” when in fact, we might be feeling something that most other parents feel too. Maybe we aren’t doing this wrong after all.

Most parents have some incredibly difficult times with their kids. Most parents have moments where they feel like they don’t know what they’re doing. It’s normal for parents to miss their life pre-kids, to miss their career, their identity, their freedom, their sleep. It’s normal to feel frustrated, discouraged, exhausted. It’s normal to question how these could be the best days of your life.

“What if, during your darkest days, you could expand your awareness to also notice your encounters with ease and joy?”

Because ultimately, there’s no phase in life that’s all good, or all bad. Most things have a shadow, that’s just life. Maybe our challenge is to accept the grey-ness rather than searching for black and white? So what if you allowed yourself to acknowledge how hard these days can be, without judging yourself for it and without taking on guilt?

And what if, during your darkest days, you could expand your aware

ness to also notice your encounters with ease, joy, and fun, no matter how brief they seem? Remembering that every day brings a whole mixture of emotions. Can you look for the joy, seek it out, go find it? Can you give more energy to it when it happens, make it bigger, soak it in?

There’ll be times in life when we can’t necessarily change the situation, but we can always shift our mindset. We can shine our awareness in new areas. We can give ourselves compassion. We can allow ourselves to show up and experience life exactly as it truly is without telling ourselves that we’re not good enough or that we’re doing it wrong.

And hopefully, there’ll be times when we can find the silver lining somewhere in those dark days. In fact, many people who go through difficult life experiences go on to say they wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. They grew from it. It became part of their tapestry, their life story. So even during these phases and stages of parenting that bring about incredible challenges, I wonder how they’ll change you? How they’ll help you grow, and shift and transform into an even better version of you? You might not look back to say these were the best days of your life, but you’ll probably look back with a grateful smile, not trading those memories for anything.

Kate Borsato is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC, and the founder of the Canadian Perinatal Wellness Collective, a team of perinatal mental health therapists across Canada. Kate also creates self-help and educational resources for moms’ mental wellness. perinatalcollective.com and

HEAD. HANDS. HEART.

whole child –head, hands, and heart.

Teen Summer Challenge

Summer is a favourite time of year. Ask teen librarians at Vancouver Public Library and they’ll tell you it’s when they get to do fun, far-out programs and meet teens through the Teen Summer Challenge. What’s that, you ask? Take the Summer Reading Club, which is geared for young readers, and imagine it grew a little taller, had a glow-up and went to high school. Oh, sure, it’s meant to foster a love of reading and learning, but it can’t deny what the kids really want. That’s a summer program designed for teens with the help of actual teens.

Throughout the year, teens join teen advisory groups to share ideas about what youth want to get into at the library. One of the benefits of holding these meetings virtually is that teens can participate at their comfort level and can adjust their mode of engagement at any point. This is where they share their growing interests in baking, crafting and relaxing activities to de-stress. Librarians also hear the demand for online workshops and in-person events, and the desire for a place to hang out with new friends after years of living with the stresses of a pandemic.

The result of this months-long brainstorm is a Teen Summer Challenge aptly themed “Hot Book Summer”—a title that sparked from one shy teen’s suggestion on chat. Every week during summer break features something different such as a virtual Bake Along with CBC Great Canadian Baking Show champion Lauren Tjoe, eco-conscious crafting workshops and Dungeons and Dragons campaigns. There’s even an adventurous spin on emergency preparedness with The Last of Us: Library Edition.

Having a creative outlet is a great way for teens to work out feelings, cope with stress and build resilience through selfexpression. Budding teen writers will want to check out the creative writing workshop with author Sarah Suk (author of Made in Korea and The Space Between Here & Now). Inspiration Lab will host an electronic music workshop that will lay the foundation for aspiring young artists to create their own beats.

No library program is complete without books and the teen-led Bingo Reading Challenge encourages teens to keep reading throughout the summer. Whether they’re discovering something new from our curated reading list or revisiting a fan favourite, completing a reading or creative challenge earns entry into a prize draw. Even if they don’t win the prize lottery, between all the free events, inspiring workshops and great reads, teens are sure to discover some of the parts that add up to a memorable summer.

Julia McKnight is Assistant Manager of Teen Services at Vancouver Public Library and the proud parent of a teen. She is passionate about serving Vancouver teens through an inclusive, teen-led model, and grateful to the library’s teen volunteers for their creativity and leadership.

Free Sizzling Summer Teen Events

Hot Book Summer Kickoff | Tue, July 4 | 2pm

Kick off a great summer of creative challenges on the roof of the Central Library. Make a book, style a macramé bookmark and craft a needle-felted companion to keep you company on your adventures.

Play Dungeons & Dragons

D&D 101: Tue, July 11 | 2pm

D&D 102: Jul 12 & 13 | 2pm

Curious about D&D, but not sure where to start? Already play D&D and want to level up? Let the adventures begin! Learn more about the world of D&D and play a short campaign. All levels of players welcome.

Writing Workshop with Sarah Suk | Wed, July 19 | 3pm

Hone your skills and get great tips from writer Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea and The Space Between Here & Now, at this creative writing workshop just for teens.

The Last of Us: Library Edition | Thu, July 27 | 2pm

Do you have what it takes to survive an apocalypse? Build your team and confront challenges that could arise after civilization ends.

Bake Along with Lauren Tjoe | Mon, July 31 | 3pm

Learn how to become a star baker with CBC Great Canadian Baking Show champion Lauren Tjoe at this sweet online workshop.

Create Beats & Music with FL Studio | Tue, Aug 8 | 2pm

Make your own electronic music! Get an intro to our Inspiration Lab’s music production software and learn how to create, record, edit and add effects to your songs at this hands-on workshop.

’90s Movie Night: Jurassic Park | Wed, Aug 23 | 5:30pm

Wrap up your summer with a night of ’90s trivia and dinosaurs on the big screen. Wear your best ’90s outfit or Jurassic Park cosplay to earn extra prize entries.

For more event details and locations, visit vpl.ca/teens.

Happy (?) Graduation!

“How many more days until summer?”

As the days begin to get longer and the sun shines warmer, this question begins to percolate in many homes around this time of year. We cross days off the calendar in buzzing anticipation of lazy mornings, family vacations, and summer camps. My kids are no different. They cannot wait for a taste of freedom.

I am also counting down, but for an entirely different reason.

My oldest child is in grade eleven. This time next year, we will be fully immersed in graduation festivities and family celebrations. While my son can hardly wait to enjoy this monumental rite of passage, my feelings are decidedly bittersweet.

Joy and excitement are mixed with nostalgia and sadness.

As I count down the days to his final year of school and impending graduation, the number I keep stumbling on is ONE.

One more grade.

One more winter holiday.

One more spring break.

One more soccer season.

One more summer.

One more year.

You see, from the moment my children were born, I knew what the future held (more or less) for the next eighteen years. Granted, I did not anticipate all the broken bones, quirky phases, heart breaks, hobbies, and fads. But I knew that I would kiss them goodnight each evening and that they would wake up in my home, ravenous for breakfast each morning. I could count on sports practices, birthday parties, even driving them to their first jobs. Now, those days are numbered.

At this time next year, what lies beyond the horizon will be entirely unknown. Will he go to university? Will he move away from home? Will he join us for family vacations?

The way I connect with my son will, by necessity, take on a different shape and form. While my parenting days will be far from over, I will no longer be in the thick of it. He will float in and out of the family’s orbit but will be pulled by a gravity of his own.

I am so excited to see what kind of adult he becomes—if he discovers his passion, how he contributes to society, what adventures he courageously dives into. Undoubtedly, I will be there for him when his plans go awry, or when life gets challenging. I’m certain there will be many texts, phone calls, and hours of FaceTime.

Kelly Cleeve is a best-selling author and an educator. More importantly, she is the proud parent of two amazing sons. Visit kellycleeve.com or follow her on Instagram @resilient_kel and Facebook, Raising Resilient Children/Radiant and Resilient.

BUSINESSES YOU NEED TO KNOW

But how often will I get to hug him?

As we walk into his last year of public education, my intention is to soak up every moment. To be present as we celebrate his successes, plan for his future, and overcome disappointment.

To all the parents whose children are graduating this June… Take a moment to pause. Look at your baby dressed in their tailored suit, their formal tuxedo, their gorgeous dress. Remember their pudgy baby faces and infant belly laughs and think about how far you both have come. Congratulate yourself on raising an incredible human! You did it.

And, though the only certainty we have is that change is coming soon, perhaps we can find some excitement about the next stage. My turn is coming. I have ONE more year to get my act together before I too, need to follow my own advice.

Happy graduation to the class of 2023.

Sunset Savings at Sea-to-Sky Gondola

Friday–Sunday until Labour Day seatoskygondola.com

To take advantage of all that Sea to Sky Gondola has to offer during the summer with its longer days and stunning sunsets, the attraction is extending its hours from 9am–8pm (last ride down at 9pm) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Labour Day. As a further incentive, Sea to Sky Gondola is also launching its new Sunset Savings program. Every Saturday and Sunday, visitors can save 40% off day tickets after 4pm. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 17 | parks.canada.ca

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 17 from 10am–5pm, drop by Fort Langley National Historic Site to help celebrate the Nations that call this territory their home. Intermingle with costumed interpreters and learn directly from Indigenous presenters and artisans. Discover skills and knowledge that First Nations Peoples used and continue to use through demonstrations, storytelling and hands-on activities. Special guests from local Nations will be presenting throughout the day. Learn to turn an obsidian rock into a functional and useful tool through the art of stone knapping. Elders will share their knowledge and experience with visitors.

Fishing On Father’s Day

June 16–18 gofishbc.com

B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is an annual celebration of fishing that coincides with the Father’s Day weekend each year. In 2023, the three-day event falls on June 16–18. This is a great chance to get together with family and friends and try fishing. Fish for free during the Father’s Day weekend. During B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend, free fishing events for anglers and families are held throughout the province. Volunteers will be on hand at most events to teach tricks of the trade to all family members. For a list of locations, visit gofishbc.com.

With the start of summer, there’s no shortage of things to do! From sea level in Richmond to sky high in Whistler, you’ll find an assortment of family-friendly sites and attractions!

BURNABY ONLINE

Learn where you want, when you want

August Completion Courses

COURSES OFFERED:

Career Life Education 10

Éducation au Choix de Carrière et de Vie 10

Physical and Health Education 10

Spanish 10, 11, 12 • French 11

Intro Spanish 11 • Intro Italian 11

Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12

20th Century World History 12

Physical Geography 12

BC First Peoples 12 Photography 12 • Art 11

Visit our website, listed below, for registration information

BURNABY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLINE PROGRAM

Open to all residents of British Columbia online.burnabyschools.ca

Registration: online.burnabyschools.ca/registration

Ministry approved BC curriculum

Kindergarten to Grade 12 program

Contemporary Indigenous Studies and BC First Peoples 12 available for enrollment

Full time or part time available Grade 10 to 12

Adult Learning options

Grade 8 to 12: over 50 course options

Innovative Learning Management system

Experienced Online learning teachers

Opportunities for self-paced, flexible, convenient learning

Direct teacher support available

Develop communication and technical online skills registering full-time or for a single course