by Doreen Marion Gee –
June 4: World Oceans Day, Beacon Park. The whole family can celebrate the rich abundance of our beautiful oceans. Join the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea and their special guests outside on the Sidney waterfront. Enjoy displays, exhibitors, entertainment and refreshments. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All ages. Free event. www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
June 11: Stand-up Paddleboard for Kids. Watery fun for children as they learn how to stand up paddle in the pool on specialized paddleboards designed with kids in mind. Requires ability to swim in deep water. Sunday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 8 to 14 years. $20. Saanich Commonwealth Place. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
June 13: Doodlebugs Parent & Tot Art Class: “Flower Pot Wind Chimes.” Creative crafting fun for mom/dad and tot. Make your own little masterpiece to take home. Supplies provided. Complimentary swim for parent and little one afterwards. Tuesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m. 3 to 5 years. $15. Panorama Recreation Poolside Room. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
June 17: Family Kayaking. Have a blast kayaking with your siblings and parents. Every registered user will enjoy 45 minutes of kayaking. Saturday, 5:15 to 6 p.m. (8 years +) or 6 to 6:45 p.m. (5 to 7 years); must be accompanied by an adult in the kayak. Program included with swim admission to the Family Swim. Saanich Commonwealth Place. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
June 21: Coast Capital Free Swim. Kids of all ages can enjoy the pool, water slide and climbing wall. Free fun with the whole family. Wednesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Panorama Pool. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
June 22: Learn to Fish. Learn the basics of fresh-water fishing with the Fresh Water Fisheries Society of B.C., then enjoy an hour of fishing. Must register and be accompanied by an adult. Fishing rods provided. 6 to 8 p.m. 5 to 15 years. Free. www.gofishbc.com or email viprograms@gofishbc.com. Elk Lake. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.5422.
June 25: Children’s Carnival. Celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday at a big party for all ages. Entertainment, costume contest and kids activities provided by Panorama Recreation. Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. Free event. Beacon Park, Sidney. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 3 to 7: Fashion Week – Summer Camp. Do you dream of being a fashion designer? In this exciting camp, you will learn about Fashion Illustration, Upcycling a T-Shirt, Mixed Media Fashion Illustration and Designing Accessories. Show your creative talents in a final Gallery Show. Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 9 to 13 years. $195. McTavish Academy of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
July 5: Summer Reading Club – “Walk on the Wild Side 2017 – Wild Hair Party.” Enjoy a story, then staff and students from VIU/SD 63 Hairstylist program will create a wild and crazy temporary hair-do just for you. Adult consent required. Wednesday,10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages. Free. Sidney/North Saanch Library. Registration starts last week of June: 250.656.0944 or sidney@virl.bc.ca. Info: www.virl.bc.ca.
July 7 to 28: Little Dancers. Little ones will learn about the world of movement and music. Parents remain in studio during class. Fridays, 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. or 9:50 to 10:20 a.m. 4/$20. 2 to 3 years. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7121.
July 10 to 14, August 14 to 18: Creative Kids Summer Camp. An adventure for the imagination with yoga, art, creative writing, dance, nature walks and games. Week 1: July 10 to 14; Week 2: August 14 to 18. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5 to 8 years. One week: $299 / two weeks: $499. McTavish Academy of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
July 17 to 21: Horse’n Around Horseback Riding Camp. This camp for beginners teaches basic riding skills, horse care and safety on safe, experienced schooled horses. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (5/$299) or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5/$499). 6 to 12 years. Westside Stables. Info and registration: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 19: Summer Reading Club – “Walk on the Wild Side 2017 – Wild Metamorphosis.” Experience the magic of metamorphosis, camouflage and communication through activities, displays and surprise guests. Presented by Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Wednesday,1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 6 to 12 years. Free. Sidney/North Saanch Library. Registration starts last week of June: 250.656.0944 or sidney@virl.bc.ca. Info: www.virl.bc.ca.
July 26: Extreme Teen Outing – “Tube-tastic! Cowichan River Tubing.” Teens will have an “extremely” enjoyable and exhilarating ride down a wild river. Pick-up and drop-off from Panorama Rec on bus to and from Cowichan River. Teens escorted downriver by staff and lifeguard. Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $70. More info and registration: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 2: Summer Reading Club – “Walk on the Wild Side 2017 – Microscopy in the Library.” A microscope spotlights this “walk on the wild side.” Dr. Elaine Humphrey, UVic Advanced Microscopy Facility, presents “Microscopy in the Library” with 10 microscopy activities. Wednesday, 1:30 to 3 p.m. 6 to 96 years. Free. Sidney/North Saanich Library. Registration starts last week of June: 250.656.0944 or sidney@virl.bc.ca. Info: www.virl.bc.ca.
August 3: Sidney Spit Adventure. This adventure combines educational experiences inside and outside the Centre with games and activities. Explore Sidney Spit’s ecology, habitats, and history. Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grades 1 to 5. $75 (+tax). The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Registration forms: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
August 8 to 11: All Sorts of Sports Camp. Little ones learn the basic skills of movement through fun games involving playful running, jumping, throwing and using balance and coordination. Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 3 to 5 years. 4/$56. Gordon Head Middle School. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.5422.
August 9: Predators of the Sky. Spend a fascinating afternoon learning about birds of prey and how they are perfectly adapted to their environment. Play games, make crafts and examine an owl pellet. Wednesday, 12 to 3 p.m. Drop in. All ages. Admission by donation. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. 250.479.0211.
August 14 to 18: Movie Magic Film Camp.
Attention all aspiring movie directors: create your own Hollywood Blockbuster film. In this camp, kids learn to shoot and edit an animated claymation movie, music video and a short film. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 8 to 13 years. 5/$190. Greenglade Community Centre Room #6. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 16: Summer Reading Club – “Walk on the Wild Side 2017 – Meet the Mammoths.” Learn everything about these huge, wild, woolly creatures. Take an adventure with objects, stories and hands-on activity. Presented by the Royal B.C. Museum. Wednesday, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 7 to 10 years. Free. Sidney/North Saanch Library. Registration starts last week of June: 250.656.0944 or sidney@virl.bc.ca. Info: www.virl.bc.ca.
August 21 to 25:
Run, Skip & Splash. Summer fun at Island View Beach Regional Park – running on the beach and building sand castles, skipping through the trails and splashing in the ocean. Mon to Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 3 to 6 years. 5/$75. Island View Beach Regional Park.
