– by Doreen Marion Gee –
June 2014
June 8: Morning Mist Canoe Adventure An awesome morning adventure paddling on a lake searching for eagles, herons and turtles with a CRD naturalist. No experience needed. 8 – 11am. 5yrs+. Pre-register by June 6th: $20+GST (15 yrs+); $10+GST (5–14 years). Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. www.crd.bc.ca/parks. 250.478.3344.
June 14: Home Alone Program Preparing Youth This program teaches children aged nine to 14 how to be alone at home safely, teaching personal safety and emergency procedures. 9 am – noon. $31. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250-475-7100.
June 14: “Just Me and My Dad” Storytime and Craft Hey Kids: Bring Daddy to storytime at the library on Father’s Day and enjoy fingerplays, puppets, stories and and a special craft. 11 – 12. Tots. Saanich Centennial Library Branch. gvpl.ca. 250-477-9030.
June 15: Family Kayaking 45 minutes of kayaking fun! Join the “Family Swim” before or after and have splashy fun with your family. Price included with swim admission. 8 yrs+. 4:30 – 5:15pm/5:15 – 6 pm. Saanich Commonwealth Place. www.saanich.ca. 250-475-7600.
June 28: The Beach Rocks! Guided Walk with a CRD naturalist to explore all those strange little creatures who live and wiggle around under the rocks. 12 to 1:30 pm. All ages. Bring beach shoes. Island View Beach Regional Park. www.crd.bc.ca/parks. 250.478.3344.
June 30 – August 9: Sunseekers Camp Laughs and fun as kids enjoy the summer with swimming at Panorama Rec, outings, group games and sparkly crafts. Mon-Fri. Full days: $32/day; $160/week. Half days: $18/day www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
June 30 – August 22: UVic Science Venture Camps An awesome hands-on adventure for kids to learn biology, chemistry, physics and engineering in a university setting. Grades 1-9. Schedule: scienceventure.ca. Register: 250-721-8983.
June 30 – August 25: Martial Tots Little ones can learn karate, boxing and self-defense. 8/$80. 3-5 yrs. Pearkes Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca.
July 2014
July 2 – August 27: Sportball Soccer Children are taught fundamental skills of kicking and catching a ball. Promotes self-confidence and self-esteem. Includes soccer ball and jersey. 2-3yrs. Wednesdays, 5:15-6pm. 9/$164. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250-475-7100.
July 3: Play in the Park Launch Party Families will have fun at Rodolph Park, 5:30 – 8:30pm. Free BBQ dinner. Prizes. 10% discount for some August camp registrations. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 6: Strawberry Festival Yummy strawberries and ice cream from 1 to 3pm for 50 cents. Pony rides, relays, arts and crafts, bouncy castle and a pie-eating contest. 11 am to 3 pm. Free. All ages. Beaver Lake Park. More info: www.saanichsunfest.ca.
July 7-11: ECO Camp (Educating Children Outside) A wild outdoor adventure for kids in the natural world. Children discover the wonders of a lakeside ecosystem. Exploring, play and nature study sessions. 3-5 yrs. Monday to Friday, 9-12. 5/$99. Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. www.saanich.ca. 250-479-0211.
July 7-18: Musical Extravaganza at the Mary Winspear Centre. Action packed, two-week camp to for kids and teens to learn how to act, sing, dance and perform. Ends with their own show on July 19th at 7 pm. Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm, 9-18 yrs. Details/costs: www.marywinspear.ca or by calling 250-656-0275.
July 14-18: Ready, Set, Pedal! Little riders learn fundamental skills, bike and street safety. Bike rides, crafts, field sports. Kids should have a sturdy bike and bring a helmet. Mon-Fri, 9-11am. 5/$80. 4-7 yrs. Greenglade Community Centre. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 21-25: Outdoor Pursuits Camp Explore the seas with kayaking and paddle-boarding, hike up peaks on the Peninsula, swim at Panorama Rec, go on adventurous trips. Monday to Friday 9 am to 4pm. 9 to 13 years. 5/$180. Greenglade Community Centre, Room #9. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 28 – August 1: Art Stars – Sock Monkey Factory It’s sock monkey mania! Make as many sock monkeys as you can in a week. Laugh, sew and have fun. All materials are provided. 10-15 years. Monday to Friday 2 to 4pm. 5/$159. Gordon Head Middle School. www.saanich.ca. 250-477-1855.
August 2014
August 5-8: Young Chef – Having Fun With Food Customize your very own book of recipes, take a trip to a grocery store, prepare food and take home a chef’s apron. 9-12 years. Tues-Fri, 9am-noon or 1-4pm. 4/$20. North Saanich Middle School Foods Room. Register through Panorama Recreation: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 5-8: Archery Camp Young people will learn basic archery techniques and different styles of shooting, use balloons targets and play games to get prizes. 8-16yrs. Tues-Fri, 10:30 – noon. 4/$60. Saanich Commonwealth Place. www.saanich.ca. 250-475-7600.
August 9: Sketching for Novices Teens will learn sketching, shading and drawing of landscapes, seascapes and still life scenes. Take home two finished projects. All supplies are included. Saturday workshop. 10am-noon. $25. 13yrs+. Greenglade Community Centre, Room #8. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 9-10: ABC Family Camping Great venue for family bonding. Learn the basics of camping at Mount Douglas Park and enjoy sleeping under the stars. Food and camping equipment provided. $35. All ages. More info and register: 250-475-5462, Pearkes Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca.
August 11-15: Judo Camp This amazing camp introduces children to the Martial Arts through play and fun. Kids learn through Judo-type games and drills. 7-11 yrs. Mon-Fri, 9am-Noon. 5/$86. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca.
August 18-22: Crafty Camps Multi-Media Children will draw, carve, sew and learn techniques of printmaking, embroidery and decoupage. The little artists will take home a portfolio of drawings, prints and collages. Mon-Fri, 1-4pm. 5/$155. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. www.saanich.ca. 250-475-7121.
August 25-29: Power Unlimited Youth Power Skating with Denisse Bowles Initiation Camp, 5-6yrs. Little tykes will become familiar with the basics of balance, speed and agility on the ice. Full gear required. Mon-Fri, 8:30-9:20am. 5/$85. Panorama Recreation Centre Arena B Ice Rink. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
