– by Doreen Marion Gee –
Please visit respective rec centre websites for further programming and registration information
MARCH
March 16 to 20: Free Swimming Lessons
Kids are needed to help budding swimming instructors learn their skills. The lessons are part of the Water Safety Instructor Course. All trainees are supervised. 3 – 14 yrs. Register for one session only. Each session is same 1/2 hr. slot between 3.30 & 5.30 p.m., Mon-Fri. 5/$5. Panorama Recreation Pool. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
March 21: Panorama Presents: Guardians of the Galaxy
(PG) Watch Peter Quill and his strange friends save the galaxy from an evil alien. Have fun in the pool as you enjoy the film on a huge inflatable screen. 11 – 16 yrs. Sat 8 – 10 p.m. Panorama Recreation Pool. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
March 24 to June 2: Tap, Jazz & Ballet Combo
Children move to the sounds & rhythms of tap, learn the postures & positions of ballet, & end with the exciting energy of jazz dancing. Tuesdays 9.30 – 10.15 am (3 – 4 yrs); Tuesdays 10.15 -11 am (4 – 5 yrs) 11/$66. Dansko Dance Studios. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.6606
March 29 to June 14: Fencing – Youth
Youths will learn an exciting new skill – fencing with high-tech equipment. Basic instruction at the beginner level, foil fencing. All equipment supplied. 10 – 15 yrs. Sundays 5 – 6 p.m. 10/$77. Saanich Commonwealth Place. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
APRIL
April 5: Sea Shirt Sunday
Have a colourful creative blast by printing fish on fabric! Bring a shirt, a pillowcase or a cloth bag to decorate with fishy art! (Small shirts available to buy at the Centre) All ages. 1 – 3 p.m. Admission price & $2.00 per item for fabric paint. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250.665.7511.
April 7 to May 12: Reading Buddies
Have a great time reading with a best Big Buddy. Kids are paired with teen volunteers to play games & read books. Please fill out an application for your child at the library and return it before March 16. Grades 2 – 4. Tuesdays, 4 – 5 p.m. Free. Sidney / North Saanich Library. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich. 250.656.0944.
April 9 to June 11: Floor Hockey Action
Learn the fundamental skills of hockey in a safe environment. Have a blast with team-building activities, scrimmage & a skills competition. Non-contact. All levels welcome. 7 – 9 yrs. Thursdays. 6.30 – 7.15 p.m. 10/$70. Greenglade Community Centre Gym. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
April 11: Nature Journaling Class
Children will create and personalize a journal from new & recycled materials. Inspired by the sea life in our habitats, mini-writers will learn tips to fill the pages with art & insights. All supplies included. Age 8 – 12. Sat 9.30 a.m. – 12 noon. $25 (includes all day admission). Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. www.oceandiscovery.ca. 250.665.7511.
April 15: Awesome Science Class
Explore science with hands-on homemade experiments. Two demos & a fun-filled experiment that children will do on their own. Make a “fantastic foamy fountain” and “Ooey Gooey Slime.” 7-12 yrs. Wed 6 – 7.30 p.m. $12. Greenglade Community Centre, Room #7. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
April 24: Horseback Riding Day Camp
Riding a horse is a real thrill with safe, schooled horses & qualified instructors. Includes horse care, riding lessons and safety around horses. Beginner to intermediate. 7 – 13 yrs. Fri 8.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. or 1 – 5 p.m. $49. Braes Mhor Farm. www.saanich.ca. 250.412.3793.
April 27 – June 8: Pottery – Kids N’ Clay
What fun: Squishing your hands in clay, making cool things and discovering a whole new world. Focuses on the process, not the final product. Clay and firing included. 8 – 12 yrs. Mondays 4 – 5.30 p.m. 6/$88. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7121.
MAY
May 4: School’s Out! $2 swim
Laugh and play in the pool, have a super time on the climbing wall and the waterslide. Prizes, games & more. School-age. Mon 1 – 3 p.m. Panorama Recreation Pool. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
May 5 to June 9: Mini Mudders
Kids learn agility, speed & strength. Obstacle course & games teach teamwork, goal-setting. Age-appropriate talk about eating good food follows each class. 4 – 7 yrs. Tuesdays 3.30 – 4 p.m. 8/$64. Saanich Commonwealth Place. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
May 6 to June 10: Piano for Preschoolers
Parents can join in as tiny tots find notes on the piano & actually learn to play a song. They will also learn to read music, play by ear & be little music composers. 3 – 5 yrs. Wednesdays, choice of 9 – 9.30 a.m., 2 – 2.30 p.m. or 2.30 – 3 p.m. 6/$66. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7100.
May 9: Drop-in Rock Climbing
Experience the thrill of rock-climbing as you scramble up the walls of a world-class facility. Register one week in advance. 6 – 11 yrs. Sat 10 – 11.30 a.m. $17. The Boulders Climbing Gym. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.544.0310.
May 12 to June 16: Drawing at the Zoo
Children will have fun drawing jungle animals, farm animals or their pets from home. Play at the Animal Zoo while learning the basic techniques of drawing animals. Materials extra fee. 7 – 11 yrs. Tuesdays 4 – 5.30 p.m. 6/$84. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7121.
May 13 to June 17: Art Adventures
This program instills the joy of creativity and a love of art in the lives of little ones. Toddlers use fine arts materials (included in cost). Moms join in. 2 – 4 yrs. Wednesdays 9.30 – 10.30 am. 6/$78. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7121.
May 13 to June 24: Creative Craft & Splash
Kids enjoy creative play, Red Cross swimming lesson & leisure pool adventures. 3 – 5 yrs. Wednesdays 9 – 10 a.m. 7/$56. Panorama Recreation Poolside Room. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
