information gathered by Doreen Marion Gee –
December 1 to 31: Gingerbread House Challenge. A wonderful opportunity for kids, teens and adults to work together for a humanitarian cause. Have loads of fun building a Gingerbread House throughout the month to benefit CFAX Santas Anonymous. Purchase a family/ friends gingerbread entry for $15 (including kit) or business/organization for $50. Completed houses will be on display at Panorama Recreation Centre starting December 1. Information: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
December 2: Sea Shirt Sunday. Create your own ocean-themed fashion Tee, pillow or bag. Bring pillow case, cloth bag or T-shirt (white shirts available for purchase). $2 for fabric paint. 1-3pm. All ages. Regular admission; passes & memberships accepted. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Info: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
December 4, 11, & 18: Multisport Foundations. In these active classes, children will build a foundation in athletics. Trained athletes and personal trainers teach them how to throw, kick, dodge, and sprint. Tuesdays, 5-8yrs: 4:45-5:45pm; 8-12yrs: 5:30-6:30pm. $48.75. McTavish Academy Of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
December 8: Fight Back for Kids Program. Children learn how to physically protect themselves, giving them skills for real life situations that are designed to be simple, realistic, and usable. Parent participation required. 1-2pm. $25. Saanich Commonwealth Place. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
December 20: Youth Life Skills Cooking – Holiday Baking. Valuable hands-on experience for children and teens in learning the basics of preparing food: planning and creating meals; cooking with fresh, local ingredients; and safe knife skills. 6-8:30pm. $10. 11-15yrs. Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7100.
December 22: Winter Holiday Storytime. Join friendly Virginia, Customer Services Librarian, Vancouver Island Regional Library, for stories, rhymes and songs that celebrate the Christmas season. Stay afterward to make a colourful winter-themed craft. 10:30-11:15am. All ages. Free drop-in. Location: Mary Winspear Centre. More info: www.virl.bc.ca/branches/sidney-north-saanich. 250.656.0944 (ext 4).
December 27 & 28: Winter Holiday Camp. Children celebrate the festive season with swimming, indoor and outdoor games, and arts and crafts. Thursday or Friday, 9am-4pm. 5.5-11yrs. $38 per camp. Saanich Commonwealth Place. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.7600.
January 2 to 4: Ice Camp. Children enjoy a 45-minute skate lesson each day followed by a fun skate; ice-themed activities; sports; crafts; and games. Skate rentals included. Helmet required. 9am-4pm. 5-12yrs. $99/3. G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre. Register: www.saanich.ca. 250.475.5400.
January 8 to February 26: Aikido for Youth. In today’s world, teens will definitely benefit from this defensive, non-aggressive art that emphasizes cooperation rather than competition. Youth learn circular movements and techniques to redirect the energy and body of an attacker. Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm. 12-17yrs. $50/8. Prospect Lake Community Hall. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
January 9 to 30: Kids Yoga. A wonderful opportunity for children to experience the calming and healthful benefits of yoga – through games, meditation and movement. Kids will love the beautiful space with natural lighting. Wednesdays, 4:45-5:45pm. 5-12yrs. $65. McTavish Academy Of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
January 9 to March 13: Dancing With My Mommy. Mommies and daddies can join the fun as their little tots clap and sing, move their feet to the rhythm and the beat, wiggle, play and boogie! Wednesdays, 10-10:30am. 9mos-2yrs. $75/10. Allegro Performing Arts Centre. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
January 10 to February 28: Starbright Primary Ballet. In this beginner ballet session, kids learn the basics of classical ballet – warming up, developing musicality, moving at different speeds, spacial awareness and expressing ideas and stories through movement. Thursdays, 4:45-5:45pm. 6-9yrs. $120. McTavish Academy Of Art. Register / Supply List: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
January 27: A-gnawing Mammals. Kids of all ages will love this fascinating exploration of the gnawing habits of mice, squirrels, voles and other rodents. With bones, pelts and games, children will learn about the interesting adaptations and habitats of these diverse and pesky mammals. 12-3 pm. Drop in. Admission by donation/$5 per person recommended. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. More info: www.swanlake.bc.ca. 250.479.0211
January 28: Muddy Fun in Clay Camp. In this fun-filled class on Pro-D Day, children experience the magic of handling and working with cool squishy clay. Using new skills and knowledge, they will shape, mold, build and decorate projects to take home. 9am-12pm. 6-12yrs. $35. Greenglade Community Centre Pottery Studio. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
February 2 to 23: Creative Acting. This introduction to acting is an excellent way for children to build self-confidence. The classes cover voice, movement, storytelling and improvisation. Saturdays, 10:10-11:20am. 7-12 yrs. $48/4. Greenglade Community Centre Room 5. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
February 3: Sea Shirt Sunday. Create your own ocean-themed fashion Tee, pillow or bag. Bring pillow case, cloth bag or T-shirt (white shirts available for purchase). $2 for fabric paint. 1-3pm. All ages. Regular admission; passes & memberships accepted. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Info: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
February 7 to 28: Art Adventures. In this valuable class, children discover the magical world of artistic creation. They will produce their own masterpieces with different mediums in an amazing art room, then take them home to enjoy. Thursdays, 4:45-5:45pm. 5-12yrs. $65. McTavish Academy Of Art. Register: www.mctavishacademy.ca. 778.351.0088.
February 7 to March 14: Science & Technology – Jr. Industrial Engineering. In these fascinating classes, fledgling engineers explore the fundamentals of simple machinery, cooperative building and the assembly line process. Then they construct simple machines and use an assembly line process to produce a scrumptious treat! Thursdays, 4-5pm. 4-7yrs. $120/6. Greenglade Community Centre Room 6. Register: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
February 15: Watershed Wonders. On Pro-D day, join our popular aquarium and special guests to celebrate our local watershe, with exciting hands-on games, activities, and presentations. 10am-4pm. All ages. Free with admission, annual pass or memberships. No registration required. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. More Info: www.salishseacentre.org. 250.665.7511.
February 18: Free Admission for Family Day. Fun is FREE on Family Day at Panorama Recreation Centre. Celebrate Family Day with complimentary admission to swimming, skating, and weightroom and fitness classes. Skate: 1-2:20pm; Swim: 1:30-3pm. All ages. Panorama Recreation & Greenglade Community Centre. Information: www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
February 18 to March 4: Mini Master Chefs – Dips Three ways, Moroccan Chicken, Banana Plum Crisp. Kids will love these evenings of hands-on culinary creation. In each session, children learn basic cooking skills & nutrition tips while they prepare a three course meal. Mondays, 5:30-7:30pm. 7-11yrs. $45/3. North Saanich Middle School Food/Textiles Room. Register:
www.crd.bc.ca/panorama. 250.656.7271.
