– By Doreen Marion Gee –
Please visit respective venue websites for further programming and registration information
JUNE
June 4 or 11: Learn to Fish
Hands-on program teaches children and youth rod rigging, casting & conservation. They will enjoy an hour of fishing at Elk Lake. Equipment provided. Age 5 – 15 yrs. Thursdays 6 – 8 p.m., June 4 or 11. Info: Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. 250 886 1488. Elk/Beaver Lake. Free but register: www.saanich.ca/parkrec/recreation/alg.html
June 7: Celebrate World Oceans Day
Great way for all ages to show their love for our oceans. Loads of free fun for the whole family. Yummy food, entertainment, and educational displays. Sun 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free. Sidney’s Beacon Park. 250 665 7511. www.oceandiscovery.ca
June 13: Snorkeling for Kids
Kids will have a blast underwater learning the basics of snorkeling. Exciting games for children to try out their new skills. Age 7 – 12 yrs. Sat 5.30 – 6.30 p.m. $15. Saanich Commonwealth Place. 250 475 7600. Register: www.saanich.ca/parkrec/recreation/alg.html
June 15 – August 31: Teen Summer Challenge
Hey teens, want to win an ipad Mini? Explore your own creative juices by taking on a Teen Summer Challenge. $50 Chapters gift cards to win plus the grand prize. Complete tasks and earn points. Ages 13-18 yrs. Free. Sidney/North Saanich Library. 250 656 0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich
June 16: Cooking for FUN Summer Strawberries
Panorama staff will help kids learn to cook & bake. Children will create their own recipes. This evening’s menu is Strawberry & Cream Pinwheels & Mini Strawberry Shortcakes. Supplies provided. 7 – 12 yrs. Tues 5.30 – 7.30 p.m. $14. North Saanich Middle School Food/Textiles Room. 250 656 7271. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
June 21: Mystery Creature CRD Guided Nature Walk
Hey kids, be a nature detective. Solve the riddles to find clues hiding along the trail. Put all the puzzle pieces together to identify the Mystery Creature. 5+ yrs. Sun 1 – 2.30 p.m. Free. Horth Hill Regional Park (North Saanich). 250 478 3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/crd-regional-parks/events
June 24: Free Swim
Sponsored by Coast Capital Savings All ages will have a blast in this free “everyone welcome” evening swim. The free waterslide and climbing wall will be open. Wed 6 – 7.30 p.m. Panorama Recreation Pool. 250 656 7271. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
JULY
July 6 to 10: Eco Camp
(educating children outside) Lucky E.C.O. nature explorers will enjoy the wonders of the natural world, discovering the delights of a lakeside ecosystem. It’s adventure with exploration and imagination. 3 – 5 yrs. Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – noon. 5/$99. Beaver Lake. 250 475 5421. Register: www.saanich.ca/parkrec/recreation/alg.html
July 8: Insectmania
This interesting class for kids of all ages focuses on the exciting world of insects such as butterflies, moths, bees, dragonflies and wasps. Games, crafts, songs and nature displays. Wed noon – 3 p.m. Drop-in by donation. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. 250 479 0211. www.swanlake.bc.ca
July 10: Amazing Origami
Children will enjoy Origami with local enthusiast Stephen Tran. Paper folding fun and creating ornaments & action models. All materials provided. Register, space is limited. Ages 7+ Fri 1.30 – 2.30 p.m. Free. Sidney/North Saanich Library. 250.656.0944. www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich
July 13 to 17: Mad Science Red Hot Robots
Wow, spend time with cool robots – like sound-sensing robots and robots that play soccer. Learn how robots work and build your own robot to take home. 8 – 12 yrs. Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 5/$225. North Saanich Middle School Science Classroom. 250 656 7271. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
July 22, 23 & 29: Youth Clay Camp
Learn the techniques of the potter’s wheel and build your own project. Create an object with clay and glaze it. Bring a nut-free snack and an old T-shirt. 10 – 14 yrs. Wed, Thurs, Wed, 9 a.m.– noon. 3/$80. Greenglade Community Centre Room #3. 250 656 7271. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
July 27 & 29: Falcon Gymnastics
Parent & Tot Summer Classes Parents and tots will explore ways of safely learning gymnastics. The child will be introduced to jumping, climbing, rolling and coordination. 18 mths – 3 yrs. Mon & Wed, 9.30 – 10.30 a.m. 2/$30. Falcon Gymnastics Facility. 250 479 6424. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
July 27 – 31: Harry Potter Camp
This is your lucky summer: You have been accepted to Saanich’s Summer School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enjoy a potions class, wand-making & games of Quidditch. 7 – 10 yrs. Mon – Fri, 1 – 4 p.m. 5/$99. Royal Oak Middle School. 250 479 7128. Register: www.saanich.ca/parkrec/recreation/alg.html
AUGUST
August 4 & 6: Barnacle Buddies Camp – Spineless Wonders
Little biologists will explore the world of ocean animals through hands-on activities and learn about sea life through games and art. This camp focuses on sea creatures without a spine. Ages 4 – 6 yrs. Tues & Thurs, 1.30 – 4.30 p.m. Fills fast. $55. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. 250 665 7511. Register: www.oceandiscovery.ca
August 5: LEGO Balloon Car Racers
Get some LEGO blocks at the library and build experimental balloon-powered vehicles. Everyone welcome to come out and cheer at the final races. Age 5+. Wed 1.30 – 2.45 p.m. Race starts 2.15 p.m. Free. Register, space is limited. Sidney/North Saanich Library. 250 656 0944.
www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich
August 5: Grossology
Kids will love all these icky gross things like slime, mud, and poo! Squeals, laughs and fun with games, crafts, songs and nature displays. Children & families. Wed noon – 3 p.m. Drop-in by donation. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. 250 479 0211. www.swanlake.bc.ca
August 7 – 28: Campfire Magic with Parks Canada
Enjoy a campfire with your family. Listen to songs and stories by guest presenters and enjoy s’mores. Bring a flashlight & mug for hot chocolate. Families with kids 12 and under. Fridays 7 – 8 p.m. Free. McDonald Campground, Sidney. 250 654 4041. www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/activ/edu2/edu2a.aspx
August 10 – 14: Badminton Camp
Kids will build their skills in badminton – forehands, backhands, smashes and serves – through drill exercises. Plus they will learn how to play well. 7 – 13 yrs. Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – noon. 5/$80. Panorama Recreation Indoor Court 4. 250 656 7271. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
August 10 – 14: Youth Movie Magic Workshops
Movie Magic Film Workshops open up new worlds for youth, where they learn to make their own Hollywood-style movies. They will shoot an animated movie, music video and short film. 10 – 14 yrs. Mon – Fri, 12 – 4 p.m. 5/$175. Saanich Commonwealth Place. 250 475 7600. Register:
www.saanich.ca/parkrec/recreation/alg.html
August 17 – 21: Creative Craft & Splash Camp
Kids will play games outside and do crafts followed by a Red Cross swimming lesson. Children should wear a dry bathing suit and an old T-Shirt. 3 – 5 yrs. Mon – Fri, 9.30 – 11.30 a.m. 5/$60. Panorama Recreation Poolside Room. 250 656 7271. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
