by Doreen Marion Gee –
**The Saanich Legacy Foundation and the District of Saanich want ALL kids to benefit from recreational opportunities.
The “kidsFUNd” provides assistance if funds are a barrier to recreation. Call 250.475.5407.
June 1 to 15: Small Group Fitness 101. In a small group, teens will learn techniques for strength training, using their core, stretching, and how to optimize cardio training. Fridays, 5:30-7 p.m. 13-16 years. 3/$43. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7100.
June 2: McTavish Road School Reunion. Previous students, families, and staff of McTavish Road Elementary School, and community members, are invited to join the reunion party. Food, drinks, inflatable obstacle course, painting stations. Saturday, 2-6 p.m. All ages. Admission by donation. Please RSVP at https://mctavishacademy.ca/mctavish-road-school-reunion-party/. McTavish Academy of Art. 778.351.0088.
June 9: Pottery – Make a Mug. Create a handmade clay mug in one class. Feel the thrill of squishing wet clay with your hands! For teens or parents and tots together. Supplies included. Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. 2 years+ with parent or 16 years+. $25. Greenglade Community Centre Room 3. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
June 16: Low-Tide Storytime and Beach Exploration. Join us for storytime on the beach, then explore rocks and tide pools at the Sidney waterfront. Hosted by the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea & Vancouver Island Regional Library, Sidney/North Saanich Branch. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All ages. Free. Meet at the scuba diver statue above Glass Beach. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Info: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
June 17: Pop Up Mermaid Swim. Attention all mermaids: Join our royal “merperson” in a mermaid-safe swim. Bring your own tail or try one of ours. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 7-12 years. Free with regular admission to the swim. Saanich Commonwealth Place. Info: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
June 22: Preschoolers in the Park. Tots and kids will enjoy playing on an adventure playground, circle time, and a nature/urban walk. Bring stroller, child carrier. Drop-in. Friday, 10-11:30 a.m.1 month to 6 years. Free. Mount Douglas Park: meet at the end of Ash Road at Cordova Bay Road. Saanich Parks, Recreation, and Culture. Info: www.saanich.ca. 250-475-1775.
June 24: Skateboard Sessions. Avid skateboarders will enjoy a wild and exciting Sunday evening with lifelong skater Jimmy Miller as they learn tips, tricks, and etiquette and play games. Beginner to intermediate. Helmet required. Knee and elbow pads recommended. 9-10:30 p.m. 6-14 years. $20. Tulista Park Skatepark. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 2 – 6: Horse’n Around Horseback Riding Camp. Children will learn to ride on safe schooled horses. For beginners, the camp covers basic riding skills, horse care and safety. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 6-12 years. 5/$299. Full day option available $499. Westside Stables. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
July 3, 10, 17, 24: New Junior Naturalist program at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary instills a love of science in budding biologists and ecologists. Over four Tuesdays, kids will explore real research techniques such as collecting data and observing animals in their natural habitats. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 11-14 years. 4/$105 (members), 4/$125 (non-members), or $30 each. Meet at Nature House. Info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. Register: 250.479.0211 or in-person.
July 4 to 6: Witchcraft and Wizardry Arts Camp. Pretend that you have been accepted to Hogwarts’ Summer School of Arts and Crafts! Fans of Harry Potter will make their own wands, sculpt a mandrake, and paint a sorting hat portrait. Wed – Fri, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 10-14 years. 3/$198. Supplies included. McTavish Academy of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778-351-0088.
July 6 to August 31: Free Friday Fun Swims. All summer long, kids, friends, and family members can enjoy the pool at Gordon Head Recreation Centre for free! Fridays, 1-4 p.m. All ages. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Info: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7100.
July 16 to 19: Summer Biology Buddies – Searching the Sky. This session explores backyard birds, bats, owls, and dragon and damsel-flies. Little ones will enjoy the natural wonders around Swan Lake through games, stories, crafts and an outside walk. Mon-Thurs, 1-3 p.m. 4-6 years. $60/wk (members), $80/wk (non-members). Meet at Nature House. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. Register: 250.479.0211 or in-person.
July 23 to 25: Wild & Funky Animals Painting Camp. In this fun-filled summer camp, children will learn the basics of drawing animals, composing a picture, painting with acrylics, and adding finishing touches. Mon-Wed, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 7-10 years. 3/$180. Supplies included. McTavish Academy of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
July 30 to August 3: Film Making & 360 VR Video Camp. Future directors and film crews will use the latest digital equipment and hardware to film and edit the next Hollywood blockbuster! Supplies included. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10-15 years. 5/$280. Cedar Hill Recreation Centre – Activity Room. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7121.
August 5: Sea Shirt Sunday. Create your own ocean-themed fashion T-shirt, pillow or bag. Bring pillow case, cloth bag or tee (white shirts available for purchase). $2 for fabric paint. 1-3 p.m. All ages. Regular admission; passes and memberships accepted. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Info: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
August 7 to 16: Summer Favourites. For kids who prefer a less structured camp experience, there is a different theme in each class chosen from popular activities such as nature, dinosaurs and messy play. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. 3-5 years. 4/$56. Saanich Commonwealth Place – Douglas Fir Room. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
August 8 and 10: Barnacle Buddies Camp: Who Eats Who – Food Chain Fun. Little biologists will explore the diverse beauty of ocean animals with hands on learning inside and outside of the aquarium. Games, activities, crafts! Wed & Fri, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 4-6 years. 2/$58. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Register: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
August 13 to 17: Introduction to Rowing (beginner). Hey, teens! Imagine learning to row on beautiful Elk and Beaver Lakes. Experienced coaches will teach teens about safety, boat balance, and all things “rowing.” Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 12-17 years. 5/$250. Victoria City Rowing Club. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 20 to 24: Byte Camp – Introduction to Coding. Build your own computer games! Students will learn basic coding skills and use them to make games. The final project will be a game they take home on USB and/or share online. Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 9-12 years. 5/$260. Greenglade Community Centre Room 6. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
August 24: Creatures of the Summer Night.
Enjoy a fun-filled evening walk looking for fascinating wildlife such as bats and owls, and learning how they adapt to their nocturnal existence. Friday, 8-9:30 p.m. Families with kids 6+ years. $5/person (members), $6/person (non-members). Pre-registration required. Meet at Nature House. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. Register: 250.479.0211
or in-person.
August 27: BIG & little – Super Squirrels.
Accompanied by adults, little ones will enjoy this nature-themed activity with hands-on discovery, an outside ramble, a story and a craft. Monday, 10-11:30 a.m. 3-5 years plus adult. $15/adult-child pair (members), $5/extra child. $18/pair (non-members), $6 extra child. Meet at Nature House. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. Register: 250.479.0211 or in-person.
