by Doreen Marion Gee –
SEPTEMBER 4 Sea Shirt Sunday Create your own fishy fashion with a cool ocean-themed T-shirt. Bring a T-shirt or cloth bag or buy a shirt at Centre. 1 to 3 p.m. All ages. Regular admission plus $2 for paint. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
SEPTEMBER 10 Explore the E&N Rail Trail (Guided Bicycle Tour) Very exciting bike ride along newly opened sections of the E&N Rail Trail. Langford to Victoria and back. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 12 yrs+. Free; limited space; pre-register at 250.478.3344 by September 8. www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/events.
SEPTEMBER 10 Coast Capital Free Skate Free skate rental and free fun on the ice with family and friends. Remember to wear a helmet – and get a chance to win prizes. Saturday, 12 to 1:20 p.m. All ages. Panorama Recreation Arena A. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
SEPTEMBER 23 – NOVEMBER 4 LEGO® Stories Build your best LEGO® masterpiece yet. Listen to stories. Show off your creation in the library. Fridays: September 23, October 7 and 21, November 4. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Ages five to 12 years. LEGO® supplied. Free; register by email sidney@virl.bc.ca or phone 250-656-0944. Sidney/North Saanich Library. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich.
SEPTEMBER 10 DOODLEBUGS Parent & Tot Art Class Flower Pot Wind Chimes. Enjoy crafting with your little one and create a work of art together, then savour a complimentary swim. All supplies included. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Three to five years. $15. Panorama Recreation Poolside Room. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
SEPTEMBER 25 Seed Spectacular Come and see what Mother Nature is planting in her garden for next year. Enjoy crafts, a seed scavenger hunt, hands-on exploration and planting a seed to take home. Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m. All ages. Drop in. Admission by donation. Meet at Nature house. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. www.swanlake.bc.ca. 250.479.0211.
SEPTEMBER 28 Children’s Author: Kyo Maclear The picture book author of Spork and The Specific Ocean will explain how a picture book is created. She will read from her books and lead an art activity. 6 years+. Free drop in. 1 to 2 p.m. Sidney / North Saanich Library. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich. 250-656-0944.
OCTOBER 2 Thanksgiving CRAFTERNOON Get busy and creative – make a Thanksgiving centrepiece using mason jars and beautiful craft supplies. All materials provided. 2 to 4 p.m. Ages eight to 14 years. $35. Greenglade Community Centre Room #8. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
OCTOBER 2 Sea Shirt Sunday Create your own fishy fashion with a cool ocean-themed T-shirt. Bring a T-shirt or cloth bag or buy a shirt at Centre. 1 to 3 p.m. All ages. Regular admission plus $2 for paint. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
OCTOBER 4 – 25 MAD Science NASA Space Explorer – Home School Program Journey to the moon and Mars, team up with NASA to learn the joys of space, put on an astronaut’s suit, take a MAD planetary tour and make a rocket. Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Five to 11 years. Four classes/$78. Greenglade Community Centre Room #6. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
OCTOBER 5 – 26 Biology Buddies This series of activities for preschoolers offers a gentle introduction to the wonders of nature. Themes: Bats, Decomposers, Snakes, Insects. October 5, 12, 19 and 26: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. Four to 6 years. Four-class session: $60 (members ); $80 (non-members). Pre-register in-person or 250.4790211. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. www.swanlake.bc.ca/biology-buddies.php.
OCTOBER 21 MAD SCIENCE Earth Sciences Learn about animals in this exciting day camp. Fun-filled hands-on science activities. Kids will create, design and build interesting projects. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Five to 11 years. $65. North Saanich Middle School Classroom. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
OCTOBER 21 Science Sea Day Let’s celebrate science! Cool demonstrations, fun (non-exploding) experiments, and talks by local scientists. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages. Free with admission. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
OCTOBER 30 Creepy Crawlies Learn about tiny mysterious creatures that may give you the heeby-jeebies. Who has six legs, eight legs, no legs? Have you ever shook hands with a tarantula? Meet “Rosebud.” 12 to 3 p.m. All ages. Drop in. Admission by donation. Meet at the Nature house at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. www.swanlake.bc.ca. 250.479.0211.
NOVEMBER 2 – 23 Biology Buddies This series of activities for preschoolers offers a gentle introduction to the wonders of nature. Themes: Camouflage, Grossology, Hibernation, Migration. November 2, 9, 16, 23: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. Four to six years. Four-class session: $60 (members ); $80 (non-members). Pre-register in-person or 250.4790211. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. www.swanlake.bc.ca/biology-buddies.php.
NOVEMBER 6 Wooden Canvas CRAFTERNOON Decorate a pallet canvas with your favourite lyrics, music or quotes. Create your own unique work of art and taste some berry punch and cupcakes! All materials provided. 2 to 4 p.m. Ages eight to 14 years. $35. Greenglade Community Centre Room #8. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
NOVEMBER 6 Sea Shirt Sunday Create your own fishy fashion with a cool ocean-themed T-shirt. Bring a T-shirt or cloth bag or buy a shirt at Centre. 1 to 3 p.m. All ages. Regular admission plus $2 for paint. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
NOVEMBER 7 – DECEMBER 12 Bricks 4 Kidz, Energy is Everywhere Kids are introduced to energy in all of its fascinating forms. Learn about energy sources like the sun and wind – and the ideas of “renewable” and “greenhouse effect.” Mondays, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Five to 11 years. Six sessions/$90. Greenglade Community Centre Room #8. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
NOVEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 15 Floor Hockey Action Have fun and learn the fundamental skills of hockey, the best techniques, stick-handling and slap-shot. Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Six to eight years. Six sessions/$48. Greenglade Community Centre Gymnasium. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
NOVEMBER 19 FOODSAFE Level 1 Essential certification for work in the food service industry. A complete sanitation program for food handlers. Earn own Certificate. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 14yrs+. $70. Central Saanich Cultural Centre Room A. www.panoramarecreation.ca. 250.656.7271.
NOVEMBER 27 Super Slimers Explore the mysterious world of slugs and snails – slippery, slimy and super cool. Enjoy games, slug goggles and slime making. 12 to 3 p.m. All ages. Drop in. Admission by donation. Meet at Nature house. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. www.swanlake.bc.ca. 250.479.0211.
