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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER!
Summer camps eager to resume activities by Ray Penner
If you’re a parent still wondering what to do for your children this summer, it’s still not too late to consider a summer camp. An ideal starting point is the website for Saskatchewan Camps Association, an accrediting body with 45 camp members across the province. “They are going to be operating in some form or another,” emphasizes Holly Epp,
executive director. “There’s a lot of effort to run at least some overnight programming, even if it’s just for some of the older kids and teenagers, so both day camping and overnight camping opportunities will be available.” That’s a dramatic change from last year, when only 25 per cent of Saskatchewan Camps members offered a day camping
As pandemic health regulations are lifted, summer camps will be resuming day and overnight experiences in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Camps Association (SCA) website will help parents find camping opportunities that suit their children’s interests. (Photo: SCA)
experience. This year, the camps will continue to expand capacity as government guidelines, staffing, and other conditions allow, although some camps, such as camps operated by Diabetes Canada, will continue to operate only online, due to the increased COVID risk for their campers. By choosing an accredited camp, parents can be assured their children will be in good hands. “As an accrediting body, we have a lot of safety and best practice protocols. We will follow the government standards, but we also have our own high standards,” says Epp. “There’s something for everyone,” adds Epp. Camps often appeal to particular interests, such as sports, the arts, religious affiliation, and special needs. They also vary in size, so parents might choose a smaller camp if they feel their child would be more comfortable in that setting. Another factor is distance from home to the camp. The Saskatchewan Camps’ website provides filters to narrow your search according to interests and proximity. In addition to the camps under the auspices of Saskatchewan Camps, a number of other camps are also available within city limits, such as the theatre camps run by Persephone Theatre,
programs offered through the University of Saskatchewan, and numerous activities and programs offered through the City of Saskatoon and posted on their website. Some Saskatchewan Camps’ members accept overnight campers as young as six, as long as they’re close to home. Generally, for first-time campers, especially those of any age who are hesitant about going to camp, Epp recommends initially trying a day camp experience. A number of the camps offer both day camp and overnight camping programs, so the child can first become familiar with the camp on a day basis, then be motivated and more confident to progress into a more involved, overnight camping experience. It often helps for a first-time camper to be going with someone they know, such as a friend or older sibling. Parents who are wondering which camp to choose should consider talking to the parents of their child’s friends, to see what camps they, too, are considering. Ideally, parents should start thinking about summer camps and discussing the possibilities with their child in the winter months. Most camps begin opening for registration from December through February. Epp strongly recommends that parents
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contact the camp directors to discuss any concerns or special requirements. After over a year of electronic devices and home-learning, a summer camp experience can be a potent elixir for the COVID doldrums. The camping experience with a young person’s peers promotes social, mental and physical health. “They acquire new friends, new skills,” says Epp. “It’s a safe place to build your confidence to try new things, to give it your best.” For teenagers and those about to enter adulthood, summer camps also offer a significant opportunity to learn lifelong leadership and interpersonal skills as a volunteer. Following that, Epp notes that, “quite a few jobs are available. It’s absolutely a valuable place to work, because you learn so many transferable skills.” So if you’re looking for a reply to “Mom! I’m bored!”, the place to look could very well be a summer camp. It could be good for everyone in the family. “Parents should know that our camps are being run by trained professionals. They have been really thinking through for the past year how they’re going to be running their camps safely for their campers and staff—and they’re ready to do it!”
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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER!
Remai Modern makes summer fun again by Elizabeth Ireland
Since its opening at Saskatoon’s River Landing in 2017, Remai Modern has firmly established itself as the region’s top modern and contemporary art museum. Stephanie McKay is Remai Modern’s communications manager. With the province’s gradual re-opening from COVID-19 restrictions, McKay is enthusiastic about the summer programs being offered at Remai Modern this year—from summer camps and weekend activities to “diverse art exhibitions on view.” Families can enhance their summer vacations at Remai Modern with a range of activities. While in-person summer camps are already sold out this year, online summer art camps offer fun and innovative artmaking activities designed to engage children during their holidays. Each day for five days, a two-hour Zoom
session will guide campers through creating their own art. Art materials are included in the camp fee and will be available for curbside pickup at the museum. Online summer art camps run from July 5 to August 16 and campers are grouped by age. Each Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the RBC Creative Space program features artmaking inspired by current Remai Modern exhibitions. RBC Creative Spaces is free with membership or museum admission, and no registration required. McKay says, “There is no cap on time and families can spend 20 minutes or a few hours with us.” Completely free to attend, the Scotiabank Something on Sundays program takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. every Sunday and features a new artmaking activity each week. “We have lots of ways to get young minds
engaged,” says McKay. In addition, Saskatchewan Blue Cross Family Public Tours introduce families to current exhibition highlights and content is tailored to appeal to young people. Families can drop-in on Sunday at 2 p.m. for a tour led by a Remai Modern program guide that is free with membership or museum admission. McKay describes the program guides as “artists themselves. They share their passion and knowledge and provide cool insights.” Currently on display, the compelling exhibition An apology, a pill, a ritual, a resistance explores healing methods today and in the past. Specific subjects addressed in the artwork include Indigenous responses to smallpox, the 1918 influenza pandemic and artists experiencing the HIV/AIDS crisis. A
Visitors make art in the Cameco Learning Studio. (Photo: Remai Modern/ Carey Shaw)
highlight is Canadian Prairie artist Ruth Cuthand’s beaded versions of viruses like COVID-19 and HIV. Amazingly, the entire exhibition was conceived as a response to our current COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the exhibition, Adrian Stimson’s work Iini Sookumapii: Guess who’s coming to dinner? deals directly with the residential school in Stimson’s home community. The art installation
is emotional to view and was originally commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art. An exhibition entitled Sara Cwynar – Source features two new installations that combine still and moving images, alongside an immersive viewing environment for Red Film (the entire room is red, including the carpet and walls). The 20-minute film C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 5
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Ready for a new view? Make art part of your Saskatoon summer.
Photo: Carey Shaw
Saskatoon
remaimodern.org
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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER!
Discover underwater adventures on the prairies by Gerald Vander Pyl
When George Mueller first took a scuba diving course he knew he was hooked on the sport despite living in landlocked Saskatchewan. Since then Mueller has gone on dives around the world, became one of the province’s most experienced divers and dive instructors, and has owned and operated The Diving Center in Saskatoon for 30 years.
“Ever since I can remember I’ve been into fish and things underwater,” says Mueller, who as a kid was fascinated by finding crayfish in local area rivers. As an adult, he took a course and started traveling around Saskatchewan exploring lakes and reservoirs with some diving friends. He also spent time hanging out at Prairie Diving Services, a dive
Owner of The Diving Center in Saskatoon, George Mueller is one of the province’s most experienced dive instructors. While he’s gone on numerous dives around the world, he also enjoys exploring Saskatchewan destinations including Lake Diefenbaker. SUPPLIED.
shop that opened back in 1971. “I kept going back to the store and taking more classes, and became a little bit more experienced at it.” Eventually Mueller got a part-time job at the store, then partnered up with a diving buddy to buy the business and renamed it The Diving Center. Later he bought out his partner. One of his first international diving trips was to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico where he was introduced to cave diving in underwater caves with crystalclear water and weird blind fish and shrimp. “It’s amazing, so beautiful and tranquil. You follow the cave and every time you turned a corner you say ‘Wow,’” says Mueller, who later got his cave diving certificate in what he says was a grueling sunrise-to-sunset series of training and dives. “It totally beat me up,” he recalls. Mueller has also seen some amazing things underwater closer to home. He says at Diefenbaker Lake the water spills from the reservoir back into the South Saskatch-
Birthday Parties
The Diving Center carries a wide range of products for traditional underwater activities along with above-water sports like stand-up paddle boarding. SUPPLIED.
ewan River near a power generating station, and the powerful flow has carved out an underground badlands landscape, exposing fossils and petrified wood. Fish killed by the turbulent waters attract huge Burbot fish,
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which normally stay clear of divers. But Mueller says with the roar and concussion of the water, the fish are oblivious to divers and C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 5
Membership
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With your Wonderhub family membership you can come discover, learn and play all year long!
wonderhub.ca/membership 950 Spadina Crescent East Tues to Sun | 9am to 6pm
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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER! will swim right past them in their feeding frenzy. Saskatchewan lakes also have many interesting underwater boat wrecks that “mysteriously” sank and are now explored by divers. Mueller was actually involved in a wreck that had him threatened with a million-dollar fine by government agencies. When he came across a large metal boat that was stored in an area yard, Mueller convinced the owner to sell it. After stripping it of fuel tanks and cleaning it of anything that could cause pollution, the Savanna—as it was quickly dubbed— was towed out into Whiteswan Lake and lo and behold, it never made it back to shore. Various government officials traced the boat to Mueller and threatened fines, but eventually
it was decided the wreck could stay. Mueller pleaded guilty and pay a $500 fine, which he recalls was “a fair amount of money at the time, but a lot less than a million dollars. “So the Savanna is down there and is an official wreck of Whiteswan Lake,” he says. The Diving Center is also known for its training and lessons, including a Discover Scuba course, which Mueller says is a great introduction to the sport. The course involves a classroom session followed by an hour in the pool, “to just give you an idea of what it’s like.” Of course diving instruction is only a part of Mueller’s daily routine running The Diving Center. His store carries a wide range of products for traditional
underwater activities along with above-water sports like stand-up paddle boarding. Mueller says they probably have the largest selection of wet suits in the province, along with a complete range of water sport accessories and equipment maintenance service. Despite the business challenges over the past 30 years, Mueller says he’s never thought about giving up The Diving Center. “There have been lots of ups and downs, so I’ve always tried to diversify. And every time you think things are bad, something seems to come through the door that makes it better,” says Mueller. “But I still love it—I still love helping people with this. It’s definitely my life.”
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Remai Modern makes summer fun again addresses the beauty industry and feelings of pain with a feminist bent. Reflecting subject matter closer to home, there is also the retrospective Thelma Pepper – Ordinary Women on display. Pepper is an acclaimed Saskatchewan-based photographer who recently passed away at the age of 100. Pepper’s black and white portrait and landscape photos tell the stories of people in their own environments, such as a kitchen or prairie homestead. A Formative Encounter: African and Oceanic Artists and Picasso opened on June 19. This
exhibition looks at renowned artist Pablo Picasso through the lens of the non-European art that influenced his own work. McKay notes that the artwork featured is entirely from Remai Modern’s own collection. The museum’s next Rawlco Radio free admission day is Canada Day on July 1 and tickets will be timed due to COVID-19 protocols. The museum’s gift shop and Shift Restaurant (including a patio with a fantastic river view) are open. Find out more at on the website remaimodern.org or email info@remaimodern.org.
KEEP THEM BUSY THIS SUMMER Summer Workshops Series (In-person through August 28): • Gardening in Saskatchewan • Wheat Weaving (Adults only) • History of Gender Roles in Rock N Roll • Camping and Exploring Saskatchewan • Communication is Key wdm.ca/workshops Virtual Summer Camp (July 27 - September 6) Discover Saskatchewan with activities designed for explorers aged 6-12, but since curiosity has no age limit, our virtual camp is open to all ages. Includes hours of fun activities like crafts, indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, puzzles, recipes and more. wdm.ca/virtualcamps Seek and Finds (In-person through September 6) Explore the Museum and search for themed images throughout the galleries. Learn interesting facts as you find each one. This activity is free with Museum admission. wdm.ca/saskatoon/events
306-931-1910
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2610 LORNE AVENUE
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WDM.CA
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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER!
Tenting for the first time? Keep these tips in mind By Andrew Livingstone
Sheltering in a tent is the central feature of camping, but first-time tenters should consider some variables before buying their equipment and hitting the campsite. As your home away from home, your tent is your primary concern, and you’ll want the right one for your situation. "Where are you going, and what are you doing?” said Trevor Norgan, manager of
Fresh Air Experience in Regina. “There're going to be different tents for different circumstances.” How many people will be sleeping inside? “If you want to keep the weight down and keep your footprint small, a 'two-person tent' is a good two-person tent,” said Norgan. “But, if you actually want a bit of space inside, if you're in campgrounds and you're
As Saskatchewan families stay close to home for a second summer, tenting has become a very popular pastime. SUPPLIED
just coming at the end of the day and hanging out that way, then 100 per cent, go for one size up.” Norgan finds that fibreglass tent poles lack flexibility and recommends aluminum ones instead. Most of the tents he sells have convenient vestibules where small objects like footwear and backpacks can be stored without bringing them into the main chamber. Moisture can enter from above the tent or below, so both angles must be protected. “You want a tent that has a full rain fly,” Norgan said. "A rain fly is the part that covers the entire top of the tent and covers over top of it. Some companies don't have those.” A waterproofed bottom section that curves about six inches up from the ground—a “bathtub floor”—will reduce rain splashing or seeping in from the below, and you can set the tent on top of a tarp for extra protection. “If your tent does get wet ... bring it home and dry the heck out of the thing." Tent placement will increase comfort and also reduce the risk of damaging your tent. "When
you're setting up the tent, clean the tent area really well so you're sure there're no sharp rocks, or sticks or anything like that,” said Norgan. “Set your tent down and try to get a feel for where the lie of the land is—if there's a bit of a slope, have it so your head is higher than your feet, because, if your head's too low, you won't be able to sleep and everything just rolls towards you all the time." Norgan suggests using a specialized mattress for added comfort. “You want to have a mattress that's insulated, so, if you have just a regular, blow-up air mat-
tress … what'll happen is you're going to get too cold, because the ground's going to suck all the heat from you,” he said. “You want to have something that has either foam insulation or a Mylar blanket insulation." Some expert tenters like to use mummy-style sleeping bags to seal in the heat, but Norgan says that rectangular bags are sufficient. "For sleeping bags, I'd recommend a three-season, minus-seven sleeping bag, because you can get away with it for anything,” he said. “I'd say C O N T I N U E D O N PAG E 8
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What: Free Summer Drop-In Soccer for All Ages When: Mon to Fri - July 5 - August 19 Register online and visit our website for locations and times Where: City of Saskatoon Playground Sites For more info: www.SaskatoonYouthSoccer.ca
150 Nelson Road Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7S 1P5
or call: 306-975-3413
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FUN GUIDE YOUR FAMILY’S SOURCE FOR ACTIVITIES, CAMPS, LESSONS AND MORE THIS SUMMER!
Nutrien Wonderhub open for new discoveries by Jesse Green
Saskatchewan’s only children’s museum just turned two! That’s 730 days of awesome #wonderfied programs and activities—and many more to come. While the Saskatchewan government poises to remove restrictions, Nutrien Wonderhub won’t be making any major changes to the precautionary measures in place just yet. “While it’s exciting that the guidelines are changing, a lot of the recommendations are for those ages 12 and older who can be vaccinated. We serve many younger kids who can’t get vaccinated and we have a responsibility to keep everyone safe,” said executive director Amanda
McReynolds-Doran. Much has changed in light of COVID-19, but the main focus of fun and exploration are still in effect. This museum encourages speaking out loud, taking photographs of your group feeling #wonderfied and having a blast. Drop-in visitors of Nutrien Wonderhub are encouraged to explore, create and imagine. Wonderhub staff and volunteers lead themed workshops that incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). While their week-long camps sold out quickly, Wonderhub still has a variety of activities available to keep the little ones occupied and
Nutrien Wonderhub is a safe space for children of all backgrounds and abilities to explore, experiment, and interact with the natural and built world. (Photo: Jesse Green)
interested over summer. The free Wonder in the Park program runs each Saturday and Sunday during summer and hits almost every park in Saskatoon! Wander over to your local park or follow the tour around the city; programs are centered around art, science and nature and there is plenty of fun to go around. Watch for upcoming Spirit Days where visitors dress to a theme and are entered into a draw for a Wonderhub Prize Pack as well as activities like Chalk the Walk, author readings and so much more. Keep an eye out on social media and your email list for the
Visitors to Nutrien Wonderhub are encouraged to explore, create and imagine. (Photo: Jesse Green)
next free day. Visits to Wonderhub are free of charge on these days; available for advance booking and as walk-in. Presented by Nutrien Wonderhub and its partners, these free days are part of the museum’s inclusion initiatives. Other inclusion events are low sensory visits, aimed at visitors who find the environment
over-stimulating. The low sensory visits have limited capacity, dimmed lighting and reduced ambient noise in the museum. These visits are held throughout the year and may be booked in advance. Likewise, Immuno-compromised visits are special events for families where extra cleaning protocols and reduced capacity means vulnerable families can C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 8
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Nutrien Wonderhub open for new discoveries
Tenting for the first time? Keep these tips in mind
fully enjoy the museum. The Nutrien Wonderhub Bursary Program awards annual, six-month and individual passes to families with limited incomes. Interested parties can apply year-round, with applications reviewed four times a year. The next review date will be July 28, 2021. Safety protocols include capacity restrictions, recommendations that households travel together through the museum, increased cleaning, gathering of contact tracing information and more. For a full review of protocols please visit wonderhub.ca/ preventative-measures-update/. While the Café is currently
closed, there is a Grab & Go Section with quick snacks available at the Wonderhub gift shop. Outside food and drink is not permitted, with the exception of water bottles and baby bottles. One final note—wear socks! All shoes must be removed before entering to help keep the facility clean. Those requiring shoes for mobility issues may ask about shoe covers when they arrive. Nutrien Wonderhub is committed to the inclusion and recognition of all children regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity and expression,
sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or socioeconomic status. They proudly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals and families through the doors. To keep up to date on camps, activities and any new announcements, sign up for Nutrien Wonderhub’s newsletter and follow on Facebook and Instagram. Nutrien Wonderhub is located on Saskatoon’s beautiful riverbank at 950 Spadina Cres. E. online at nutrienwonderhub.ca and on social media @Wonderhubsk.
a semi-rectangular if you're just going recreational camping." That tent-mattress-sleeping bag combination should protect you overnight, but you should prepare for unexpectedly cold or wet days too. "Pack a toque and long underwear, and try to avoid cotton, because that'll keep you warmer,” said Norgan. You can save space by planning meals that are ready-to-eat: aka MREs. "I'm a big fan of jet-boiled stoves, where you just boil water and pour the water into one of the ready-to-eat meals,” said Norgan. He favours the Backpacker’s Pantry, Good To-Go, and Happy Yak brands. Saskatchewan is full of excellent campsites, and a beginner may appreciate the accessibility
of Buffalo Pound or Echo Valley. “They're super close, and the provincial parks are doing a great job of creating new activities out there or just making areas a lot more comfortable for families,” said Norgan. “Duck Mountain's nice because it has tons of trees and things like that, and there's everything around that's super fun." For a more remote setting, Norgan points to the East Block of Grasslands National Park. “That's your wild and crazy, no water-type idea, so it's very entertaining that way,” he said. "It's super fun to hike and walk around, there's fossils and stuff like that, and it's definitely a badlands.”
ON YOUR MARKS & GET SET FOR SUMMER CAMPS It’s where we learn
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Camps are built for your child to improve their skill set and refine their technique.
Motivating your child through play-based instruction to keep building their love for sport.
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It’s where we play, together. Visit canlansports.com