March 2013 Island Parent

Island Parent Celebrating

25 Years

The Resource Publication for Vancouver Island Parents

March 2013

15 Spring Fling Things to Do Family Getaways Culture for Kids A Helicopter, a Rainbow & a Soccer Ball: a Study on Perspective in Sport The Child in the City Project Undriving: Cutting Down on Car use

Spring Break Programs

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March 2013  1

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Contents: March 2013 Articles Undriving........................................................................................................ 8 A Helicopter, a Rainbow & a Soccer Ball...................................................... 10 The Child in the City..................................................................................... 12 15 Spring Fling Things To Do This Month.................................................... 14 Culture for Kids............................................................................................ 18 Spring Break Programs.................................................................................. 20 Good Grief!................................................................................................... 23 Family Travel................................................................................................ 26

Columns

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Exhibition produced by

Spring Break Camp FOCUS ON NATURE A three day photographyinspired camp where kids will learn about photo composition and storytelling, venture to Beacon Hill Park, explore the Natural History collection, and have their work included in a miniWildlife Photographer of the Year inspired display.

March 19 – 21 and March 26 – 28 9 am – 4 pm Ages 8 – 12

$120 for the three days Camera, lunch and snacks not provided.

Special guest at Spring Break Camp: professional wildlife photographer John Marriot.

Editor’s Note................................................................................................... 3 Healthy Families; Happy Families................................................................. 36 Dadspeak...................................................................................................... 38 Just Eat It!..................................................................................................... 40 Book Nook................................................................................................... 42 Is There an App for This?.............................................................................. 44 New Parent Pages.......................................................................................... 48 Maternity & Beyond..................................................................................... 52 Nature Notes................................................................................................ 54 Cut It Out..................................................................................................... 56

Departments IPM Notes....................................................................................................... 4 Party Directory........................................................................................ 24, 25 Family Calendar............................................................................................ 28 Around the Island......................................................................................... 35 Family Services Directory........................................................................ 46, 47 Preschool & Child Care Directory........................................................... 50, 51 Business & Professional Directory................................................................. 53 Island Parent Magazine, produced by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a monthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on resources and businesses for families, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Letters (max 250 words) should be emailed to the Editor at editor@islandparent.ca. No material herein may be reproduced without the permission of the Editor. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome and should be emailed to editor@islandparent.ca.

Island Parent Magazine is distributed free in selected areas. Subscriptions can be obtained by sending $28.00 (HST included) with your name and address to the address below. Canada Post: Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement 40051398.

Island Parent Magazine

Suite A-10, 830 Pembroke St, Victoria, BC V8T 1H9 Tel: 250-388-6905 Toll Free: 1-888-372-0862 Websites: www.islandparent.ca, www.kidsinvictoria.com

On the Cover: Photo by Jennifer Jonker, www.jenniferjonkerphotography.com, 250-858-6280

2 Island Parent Magazine

President, Publisher: Paul Abra Vice-President: Anna Abra Director, Production Manager: Mada Moilliet Editor: Sue Fast Sales & Marketing: RaeLeigh Buchanan Publisher’s Assistant: Linda Frear Bookkeeping: Elaine Francis Distribution: Anna Abra, Ted Dawe (Mid-Island) Founders: Jim Holland & Selinde Krayenhoff Production: Eacrett Graphic Design Printed at Island Publishers Cover printed at Hillside Printing ISSN 0838-5505

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Coffee-Klatch Chit Chat And lifelong friends

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ne of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received about raising children came— indirectly from one friend through another—when my kids were young, maybe four, two, and close to a year old. At the time, my eldest was attending a co-operative preschool where parents took turns helping out at the school in a rotating shift of duty days, and attended a monthly meeting.

One of the many positive spin-offs of co-op preschool—aside from the teachers and their learn-through-play philosophy—was getting to know the other parents and their kids. Not only did we see each other on our duty days and while picking up and dropping off our kids, but—thanks to one mom, Linda, and her casual suggestion that we all get together at her place for coffee—many of us became, and still remain, friends.

One thing I remember from that coffee date, now nearly 20 years ago, was that even though Linda’s house wasn’t neat and tidy with everything in its place, including a sense of order and calm, it was perfect. Chaotic.

Messy. Noisy. And, most of all, welcoming.

When I arrived at Linda’s that day with my three kids in tow, the front stairs were strewn with toys, sports equipment, and garden tools, and the front door was wide open.

Two of my three kids, Kohl and Luc, peered inside while my youngest, Ali, slept soundly in her stroller. If we’d knocked on the open

door, no one would’ve heard us over the other children’s voices and their parents’ chit chat.

The boys ventured in and I followed, manoeuvring the stroller around more toys, various articles of clothing, and an assortment of boots and shoes. Linda was in the kitchen, tossing apple slices onto a plate and stirring a jug of juice. Before I could offer to help, she’d slid a cup of coffee towards me and steered me into the living room, following behind with the snacks.

My kids were already settled in, amidst a host of others, playing and feeling right at home. I found a spot to park the stroller and joined the other parents, some sitting on the floor with their kids, others pulled up to the table, chatting.

That day, no one worried about the mess, the noise, or that the snacks weren’t home baked. Instead, we revelled in each other’s company, in our conversations, and in the kids having fun with each other.

After that day, Linda wasn’t the only one to host an occasional coffee, but I credit her and her willingness to invite people over when her house and life were in their natural states, as the reason why many of us could then do the same. And, thankfully, still do.

So the advice? That came from Val, a mom of five, indirectly through Linda.

“Spend time with people who like to spend time with their kids.”

Simple advice. But, as it’s turned out, invaluable.

Over the years, we have shared meals, outings, babysitting, rides, resources, wisdom, laughter, tears, expertise, feelings, worries, ideas, and camping trips, among other things.

Editor’s Note Sue Fast We’ve cheered for each other’s children, commiserated with them, celebrated with them, housed them, employed them, written letters of reference for them, and sometimes been there for them as back-up for their parents.

The kids have grown up more like siblings than friends and to this day, still look forward to us all being together, should the occasion arise. The numbers are dwindling at our various annual events and at holiday celebrations, but I am often happily surprised by how often they go out of their way to show up.

“Spend time with people who like to spend time with their kids.”

Words of wisdom that are maybe more important now, in this age of social media, when virtual friendships can outnumber real ones and a good amount of chatting is done online. As parents, there’s no substitute for the sense of connection you get from, say, commiserating over sleepless nights—faceto-weary-face—or from sharing a laugh over your kids wearing the Jello jigglers on their foreheads.

What’s the Best/Worst Parenting Advice You’ve Received?

Advice, no matter how well intended or level-headed, can stoke a parent’s anxiety and create paroxysms of doubt. Or it can truly help. What’s the best and/or the worst parenting advice you’ve ever received? What’re your thoughts on unsolicited advice? Is it ever welcome and/or helpful? Please email your thoughts, 300 words or less, to editor@islandparent.ca (subject: “Advice”) by April 15 and you’ll be entered into a draw for four IMAX tickets. A selection of entries will be printed in an upcoming issue.

Building skills…

Read families tell us that “…reading skills have improved, as well as confidence and self-esteem. They’re excited to learn.”

Assessments Remedial classes in mathematics, writing and reading Spring Break Camp: Create a Language Arts Learning Toolkit (see Spring Break Programs)

Call 250-388-7225 for information about our services and schedules

www.readsociety.bc.ca www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013 3

IPM Notes Victoria’s 15th Annual French Fest The Victoria Francophone Society is proud to present its 16th annual Victoria French Fest from March 7-10. Discover multicultural flavours of local Francophones at free outdoor performances and activities for all the family on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 from noon-4pm at Centennial Square. Don’t forget your toque, scarf and mittens. Free fun guaranteed.

For more information about other activities including the Traditional Sugar Shack Brunch, a live musical performance and party with Andy St-Louis and Le Bal à l’huile at the Pacific Fleet Club, visit the blog at francocentre.wordpress.com or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ francophonie.victoria.

26th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival Join the fun on the shores of Vancouver Island’s wild West Coast at the 26th Annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival (PRWF) from March 16-24. Celebrate the arrival of upwards of 20,000 grey whales—often traveling within viewing distance of shore—on

their northbound migration from the Baja Peninsula to Alaska’s Bering Sea and beyond.

Throughout Tofino and Ucluelet and around Pacific Rim National Park you’ll find an array of events. Bring your pets, favourite dolls, or outrageous costumes, or float and join the Parade of Whales and Wonders (Mar 16), sign up for the 17th annual Chowder Chowdown (Mar 17), drop by Kid’s Day Ucluelet (Mar 21), among other family-friendly events. Many of the events are free, with the purchase of a PRWF Events Button.

It’s an all-out celebration of our coastal lives, featuring grey whale and marine life education, inspirational talks and interpretive walks, children’s activities, culinary events, First Nations cultural workshops, and more. For more information, visit www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com, email info@pacificrimwhalefestival.com or phone 1-250-726-7798.

Spring Break Family Drop-In Activities at the Nanaimo Museum The Nanaimo Museum offers a familyfriendly week of drop-in activities designed for children and their parents or caregiver from March 18-22, 1-4pm. Each day has its own theme and unique activity. Monday

Mar 18 Junior Archaeologist; Tuesday Mar 19 is Coal Miner; Wednesday Mar 20 is Shipwrecked!; Thursday Mar 21 is Summer Camp Art; and Friday Mar 22 focuses on Easter. The workshop activities are offered on a drop-in basis, so no pre-registration is required. Activities are designed for children ages 5-12 years visiting the museum with their families. Caregivers must be present at all times. Admission is by donation and includes a visit to the museum and all workshop activities. 100 Museum Way, Nanaimo (in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre; access from Commercial Street and Gordon Street).

For more information, email program@ nanaimomuseum.ca, or phone 250-7531821.

TC10K School Team Challenge The TC10K and Island Farms have teamed up to offer cash prizes to schools participating in the teams category at this year’s TC10K on Sunday, April 28.

Three cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to school teams in the following categories: Fastest Team Overall; Most Team Members; and Best Team Spirit and/ or Costumes. To be eligible, teams and team members (minimum of 10) must be regis-

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tered by March 23. All schools on Vancouver Island from kindergarten to Grade 12 are eligible to enter in either the Thrifty Foods 1.5K Family Run, or the TC10K run. Run or walk with more than 15,000 others through the streets of Victoria in the 23rd Annual TC10K. To register, visit www.tc10k.ca. For more information, phone 250-744-5538.

Fossil Fair The Victoria Palaeontology Society will hold its 17th annual Fossil Fair on March 23-24, 10am-4pm at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Road in Victoria.

The Fossil Fair will display a rich and diverse variety of ancient fossil animals and plants from the Cambrian (550 million years ago) to the end of the last Ice Age (10,000 years ago). The fossils include dinosaur bones, ammonites, trilobites, corals, mollusks, insects, giant palm leaves and microscopic fossils.

The Fossil Fair is an educational experience for all age groups. The public is invited to bring in fossils for identification. Specific activities for children include a sandbox fossil dig, fossil scavenger hunt, fossil colouring and rubbings, and looking through microscopes. Admission is by donation. For information, visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

Turn Off the Lights During Earth Hour On Saturday March 23, from 8:309:30pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change. But that’s just the beginning. Every hour, Canadians are taking small steps to lessen their impact on the environment.

From hanging your clothes to dry to taking transit to work, those small steps add up to huge changes for the better.

Earth Hour is about more than just turning off the lights. It’s also an opportunity to turn on young minds. Visit schools.wwf.ca/ to find out how to help students understand Earth Hour and the importance of taking action against climate change. There are many ways to mark and celebrate Earth Hour at your child’s school, from outdoor activities to lights-out events. Before you start planning for Earth Hour, remember to register your child’s school at www.

EarthHourCanada.org so the school’s participation can be counted towards the Canadian total.

Purple Day Plane Pull for Epilepsy One in 100 people live with epilepsy but www.IslandParent.ca

many, particularly children, feel they are alone. Purple Day for Epilepsy was started

by Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, who came up with the idea when she was nine years old. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy got her school and community involved, and called it Purple Day because lavender is the official colour for epilepsy. What started as a local event is now an international movement, marked in cities throughout the world. People wear purple, host events, and learn about epilepsy.

The celebration challenges what most people with epilepsy say is their biggest barrier—the stigma that is unfortunately still attached to the condition.

This year the celebration of Purple Day in Victoria will once again challenge that stigma. On March 23, the Second Annual Purple Day Plane Pull for Epilepsy will take place at the Viscount Aero Centre in Sidney.

Adult and child teams will take part in a friendly competition to raise funds and test their strength. For adults, the plane to be pulled is a 1943 bomber that was converted post WW2 into a Search and Rescue aircraft.

For children ages 6-15, a slightly smaller plane will be pulled.

The event features the Sportball Kids Zone, a flight simulator, clowns, seizure dog demonstration, Catalina Grillhouse BBQ and other entertainment. Register a team, come out and cheer a team on and enjoy the festival site from 10am-3pm. For more information, visit www.victoriaplanepull.ca.

Montessori Education & Development of the Self Beginning as a tiny spark in infancy, the light that shines within a child can, over time, grow to become a steady, strong flame if he or she experiences an environment that recognizes, respects, and fuels that inner light. What are the requisite features of such an environment? What makes Montessori education so effective in “fueling the flame” of each child’s developing identity? Dr. Montessori understood that human development requires different experiences at different stages. Using the set of cognitive capabilities described as “executive functions,” see how, across each of the first three planes of development, the Montessori method supports growth of foundational cognitive capabilities, provides essential practice opportunities, and allows children to identify the defining values that help to create moral, inspired, creative and successful adults.

Dr. Steven Hughes, a pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in assessment

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and treatment planning for those who have problems with attention, concentration, organization, planning, and related executive functions of the brain, is the keynote speaker at the Vancouver Island Montessori Association (VIMA) conference on April 26-27.

Co-sponsored by VIMA and the UVic School of Child and Youth Care, Dr. Hughes will also speak at a public lecture on Thursday, April 25 at 7pm at UVic entitled, “Educational Frameworks, Essential Cognitive Functions and the Future of Education.” Tickets are $15 and available online at www.vancouverislandmontessori. com or at Russell’s and Ivy’s bookstores.

Cancer Prevention Study The BC Cancer Agency is appealing to adults aged 35-69 to register for the BC Generations Project before recruitment wraps up on March 31. The massive long-term health study—which has already attracted close to 29,000 B.C. participants—has the potential to help researchers determine how genetics, environment, and lifestyle contribute to our risk of developing cancer, as well as related chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

With just a small commitment of time, participants can make a lasting contribution to the health of future generations.

To join, participants must complete three secure web forms: an informed consent form, a personal information form, and a health and lifestyle questionnaire at www. bcgenerationsproject.ca.

Over the next few years, the project will also ask participants to provide a blood and urine sample as well as complete additional questionnaires about their lifestyle and environmental exposures.

The BC Generations Project is part of the larger Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, which is collecting Canadians’ health information, physical measurements

and samples in five regions across the country. In addition to providing baseline information, participants’ health and lifestyle will be tracked for several decades.

After recruitment closes on March 31, the BC Generations Project will finish collecting participants’ data and samples and begin making this data resource available for approved research projects into cancer and other chronic diseases.

2013 Tillicum Centre $1000 Scholarship Award Are you graduating from a B.C. secondary school in School District #61?

Tillicum Centre is committed to serving the community by helping a deserving student achieve her or his educational goals. To qualify for this $1000 Tillicum Scholarship Award, you must be a B.C. resident who is graduating from a B.C. secondary school in School District #61. You must also be planning to register full-time in an accredited Canadian university, college or technical school in the fall of 2013. Applications are available online at www.tillicumcentre.ca until April 1.

Creatively United for the Planet Children’s activities, live music, costumes, dancing, displays, art making, films, poetry, food and fun will be among the activities at the second annual Creatively United for the Planet Earth Week Festival from April 19-21 at St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt Street.

This free, fun-filled, all-ages event will run from 7:30-9:30pm on Friday, April 19, from 11am-9:30pm on Saturday, April 20, and from noon-6pm Sunday, April 21.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change Guinness World Record Event will kick things off on Saturday at 11am, followed by opening ceremonies with the Gettin’ Higher Choir, Holly Arntzen, Kevin Wright and special guests; an Earth Walk celebration; day-long

entertainment; and will conclude with a live outdoor DJ dance party from 6:30-9:30pm.

Sunday will feature local bands and performers, plus special guests. CRD Parks and Environmental Sustainability Dept., PowerSmart’s Outreach Team, the Alternative Energy Association, the Compost Education Centre, local schools, community associations and many others will be on hand.

Ticketed events include presentations by Robert Bateman and grizzly bear superstar legend Charlie Russell; thought-provoking talks by Dr. Andrew Weaver, Guy Dauncey, Caitlyn Vernon, Ken Wu; live music; a Bring Your Own Teacup Fashion Show Garden Party; plus speakers including Zero-Mile Diet best-selling author Carolyn Herriot.

Wheelchair accessible and bike lock-up provided. For more information, visit www. creativelyunitedfortheplanet.com.

What Lies Beneath travels to Campbell River What Lies Beneath: the Past, Present and Future of Underwater Exploration opened recently at the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre. This exhibit examines new technology and the evolution of diving from prehistoric man to our modern times.

Thanks to advances in deep-sea diving and observatories on the ocean floor, we have an opportunity to look into this vastly unexplored environment. Ocean Networks Canada is a leader in their field with the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada underwater ocean observing systems located off Vancouver Island.

This exhibit is on loan from the Maritime Museum of BC. If you didn’t get a chance to see it in Victoria, don’t miss it again. Admission at the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre is $5 for adults and children under 6 are free.

Built in 1998, the Maritime Heritage Centre was a gift from the Daybreak Ro-

Also playing

Mysteries of the Great Lakes To The Arctic The Last Reef Everest

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tary Club to the City of Campbell River to showcase the history of the local coastal waters and their link to the community.

The Centre operates as an activity centre with facilities for education, research, exhibitions and social engagements—and most importantly, the reconstruction and housing of the BCP45 fishing seiner that once adorned the back of the Canadian five dollar bill. Learn more about the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre at www. maritimeheritagecentre.ca.

Bring Back Play According to Active Healthy Kids Canada, 63 per cent of Canadian kids’ free time after school and on weekends is spent being sedentary. As parents, we need to get our kids moving. To that end, ParticipACTION has plenty of ideas, tips and information on bringing more play into our children’s lives.

ParticipACTION has created the web-based Bring Back Play app to help parents recall the games that they loved to play and, in turn, to teach their own children how to play. The Bring Back Play app is full of classic, active games. These include running games like What Time is it Mr. Wolf?, ball games like SPUD and Foursquare, and team games that have stood the test of time, such as Capture the Flag.

The web-based app is optimized for mobile use so that parents can access the game ideas and information on how to play while outdoors with their children. The app can be accessed from any device that has an internet connection. For information, visit www.bringbackplay.mobi.

The HSBC School Visits Programs The Royal BC Museum is expanding its learning programs and giving more elementary students from across the province the opportunity to participate, thanks to a $120,000 donation to be made over three years from HSBC Bank Canada.

HSBC’s support will make trips to the museum more affordable for school groups by reducing the cost of each learning program visit to $10 per class. Funds will also go to improving the educational resources available to teachers organizing self-guided visits.

The HSBC School Visits Programs will welcome more than 15,000 students to the Royal BC Museum this year to enjoy unique, hands-on learning experiences.

The expanded HSBC School Visits Programs are part of a larger initiative now underway by the Royal BC Museum to

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revitalize its learning programs for youth, adults and families.

Teachers can select the topic for their class visit from eight specially-designed education programs created and led by Royal BC Museum educators.

For example, students in Grades K-2 can learn how wolves communicate and adapt to their environment, and their importance to the First Nations of B.C. Grade 4 students can explore the causes and consequences of climate change or follow the clues from archaeological digs in B.C. to discover how First Peoples made tools to produce everything they needed.

To book a visit and for more information on the HSBC School Visits Programs, check out www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre 1Up, the Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre (VSPRC), provides practical support, opportunities for growth, and a sense of hope for one-parent families across Greater Victoria. Guided by skilled and committed staff and trained volunteers, the centre offers services to create foundations for personal and community growth in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment. The centre aims to help parents create stronger families and healthier children.

The VSPRC offers comprehensive life skills programs, workshops and support groups that typically run from September through June. All fees are by donation: minimum $10 for 3-week course, $20 for 6- to 10-week course. For a schedule of upcoming workshops—including Lighthouse Parent: A Forever Journey (Teen Years), Anatomy of Anger, Dads With Dads, Building Better Boundaries, and Finding Balance, among others—please visit www.singleparentvictoria.ca, or phone 250-385-1114.

Red Cross Bullying Prevention Are you concerned about bullying in your community or school? Do you know youth in Grades 10 and 11 who have the potential to influence others to use their power for the positive to help prevent and stop bullying?

The Canadian Red Cross’s Beyond the Hurt Bullying and Harassment Prevention program has youth at its core delivering bullying prevention messages in schools, camps, sports groups and after school clubs.

Beyond the Hurt youth facilitated program(BTH YF) is facilitated by youth in Grades 10 and 11 with two adult advisors and is aimed at bullying and harassment

prevention among children and youth ages 10 and higher.

The two-day Beyond the Hurt Youth Facilitator Training teaches youth facilitators a variety of skills and strategies to help them understand the dynamics of bullying (including the roles of power, discrimination and stereotyping) and how to prevent and deal with bullying situations.

Successful youth facilitators then deliver a Beyond the Hurt workshop to their peers or younger youth to help them understand the benefits of respectful relationships, power and the role it plays in bullying dynamics, types of bullying (verbal, physical, social and cyber-bullying), negative effects of bullying harassment, stereotyping, discrimination and exclusion, and strategies for preventing and responding to bullying.

For more information on Beyond the Hurt or to bring it to your school, visit www.redcross.ca or email respected.bc@ redcross.ca.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown The loveable musical ode to Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts gang is enjoying a revival across the country. Charles Schulz’s Peanuts has been warming the hearts of millions since the 1950s. This spring break, share memories of classic Charlie Brown TV specials with your children, as UVic’s Phoenix Theatre brings the Broadway hit to the stage, March 14–23.

This simple and charming play follows our favorite underdog through a day pondering the meaning of life and pining over the Little Red-Haired Girl. In between kite-flying escapades and baseball games, he finds solace in friendships with Linus, little sister Sally, bossy nemesis Lucy, musical genius Schroeder and, of course, man’s best friend, Snoopy. The musical’s endearing score was nominated for a Grammy Award and is available on iTunes to preview (link at www.phoenixtheatres.ca). Offered as part of the UVic Department of Theatre’s educational program, the cast of seven students includes vocalist Kale Penny, winner of the Mount Doug Idol, and Christie Stewart, a Top 20 finalist for CBC’s national search for Dorothy last fall in Over the Rainbow.

Schultz’s characters come to life in UVic designer Allan Stichbury’s set.

With 8pm performances Monday through Saturday and two Saturday 2pm matinees, it makes an excellent spring break treat for the whole family. Tickets are available after March 5 from the Phoenix Box Office at 250-721-8000. • March 2013 7

SPRING BREAK! March 18-22

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Rachel Dunstan Muller

Undriving

Cutting down on car use

W

hat would it take to get you out of your car—at least some of the time? Would you do it for a wallet-size laminated card with your name on it? These were the questions a Seattle neighbourhood group asked back in 2007. In an attempt to encourage people in the community to drive less, they set up a photo booth at a local festival and issued passersby with “undriver’s licenses.”

The quirky idea was a success. Over 400 “undrivers” pledged to try new transpor-

strategy on the line beside “other.” It’s up to each individual to set reduction goals. Some undrivers attempt to go car-free for certain days of the week or month, while others set themselves an overall driving mileage limit.

The undriving concept is meant to encourage creativity, to inspire people to think outside the box when it comes to transportation strategies. As gimmicky as it may sound, the program seems to work. The organization has conducted a number of post-pledge

tation strategies that September weekend.

The unofficial licenses proved so popular, in fact, that the community group formed an organization specifically to promote and run the new program. To date, well over 9,000 undrivers have been licensed at events around the Pacific Northwest.

Now, I’m not what you’d call an enthusiastic driver. I was married and more than halfway through university before I bothered taking my driver’s test. Two decades later, I’d still rather walk, bike, bus, or catch a ride with someone else than get behind the wheel myself—so I was intrigued by this playful program.

Prospective undrivers aren’t asked to give up driving altogether; they simply make a pledge to reduce their personal car use (or car use in general) for a period of one month. Undrivers can tick one or more “undorsements” on their licenses, indicating that they will walk, bike, transit, sail, carpool, car-share, telecommute, or “skip the trip.” They can also write their own

surveys over the years. On average, 96 per cent of respondents say they’ve followed through with their month-long pledge, and an impressive 70 per cent report that they’ve established a “new lasting habit or pattern” to reduce car use as a result of participating in the program. There are spin-off effects as well, since the license makes a great discussion starter. Eighty-three per cent of respondents say they’ve proudly shown or told others about their undriver’s licenses.

The project’s primary intention is to promote car-free or car-reduced travel for environmental reasons, since transportation accounts for roughly a quarter of the world’s fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emissions. But undrivers have experienced other benefits as they’ve adopted new habits. Many have documented huge savings in gas, maintenance and parking expenses as they’ve cut back on vehicle use. Some families have even discovered that they’re able to get by with one car instead of two—or even none at all.

My husband and I have been unofficially

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Claymation Movie 9-12 YRS JDF SPINNAKER ROOM

9:00am-3:00pm

$240/5

80278

Acting Out 8-12 YRS

JOHN STUBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM

9:00am-4:00pm

$169/5

79069

Horseback Riding 6-16 YRS CEDAR VISTA RIDING STABLES

9:00am-12:00pm

$330/5

79075

Jr. Golf Camp 7-12 YRS

OLYMPIC VIEW GOLF COURSE

10:00am-Noon 1:00-3:00pm

$165/5 $165/5

78975 78976

Sportball Camp

JDF LOWER CLUBHOUSE

3-5 YR 9:00am-Noon 4-7 YR 1:00-4:00pm

$140/5 $140/5

250-478-8384

78971 78970

www.westshorerecreation.ca 8 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

employing undriving strategies for decades.

We’ve shared a single vehicle for most of our 22-year marriage, and saved thousands of dollars as a result. This savings has been instrumental in allowing me to be home with our children in their preschool years.

When undrivers substitute walking or cycling for driving, there are also huge health benefits. I never had to make time for exercise when I was commuting by bike to the office job I had a decade ago. The killer hill at the end of my daily commute kept my heart—and my thighs—in peak shape. I’ve never been quite as fit since leaving that job!

And then there are the social benefits of spending less time alone in a car. When you walk or cycle to do errands, you get to know your neighbourhood in a much more meaningful way. When you take the bus to work, you get to chat with the other regulars at your bus stop. When you take a neighbour shopping or an elderly friend to church, or coordinate shared rides to a birthday party or Brownies, you’re building human connections. And strong human connections are ultimately the foundation of healthy, resilient communities.

What appeals to me most about the undriving movement, however, is the opportunity to be part of a large, cross-border community devoted to exploring alternative transportation choices. Undrivers are positive, proactive, fun people, and their enthusiasm is both inspiring and contagious.

But don’t take my word for it—go to the organization’s website to read or watch the stories submitted by committed undrivers.

Or better yet, make a pledge and then send in an inspirational story of your own.

To make a pledge or to find out more about undriving, visit undriving.org. You can also apply online for your very own undriver’s license. A $20 donation is required to process the license, but buying one gets you a free second license to give as a gift. To personalize it, you choose your own undorsements and attach a digital photo. There’s no age limit, so you can also get licenses for the earth-conscious kids in your life.

“Undriving” is a trademarked program.

If you belong to an organization with a mandate to reduce car use, they’d love to hear from you. The process for licensing is available to enhance your community outreach efforts.

Rachel Dunstan Muller is the mother of five, and a children’s author. Her previous articles can be found at www.kidsinvictoria.com.

www.IslandParent.ca

COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY DENTISTRY family centered practice extended hours evenings and weekends the latest equipment and caring staff request an appointment online

saanichdentalgroup.com 119–1591 McKenzie Ave, Victoria

250 477 7321

info@saanichdentalgroup.com

PROGRAMS and CAMPS

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9

Therapeutic tutoring is highly specialized immersion training for children who struggle in math or language arts.

It takes time but they can catch up if they’re given the help and support they need.

In 25 years of educating children, Karen has discovered a few fundamentals that she’s found most effective.

• Find the smallest bit of information that your child is not successful with, and help them to master just that bit. We typically try to help with too much, too fast. Your child will learn faster if you go as slowly as they need you to go.

• Give your student an experience to help them remember. Let them come up with ideas to help themselves. Use physical activity, art, toys, games or anything you can think of. For each new thing they are learning, do something different.

• Find an adult who will be DETERMINED to make a difference. This is going to be a long distance run so make sure they have some time almost every day to devote to practicing with your child.

• Even after they have learned each little bit, have your child keep practicing it every day for at least a month, then every week for six months and then occasionally for awhile.

• Be calm and patient while helping your child. If you get frustrated, they can’t learn.

Call Karen so she can help your child master the school work they’re struggling with. Her ultimate goal is to help them learn how to teach themselves so they can become independent learners.

Karen also offers consulting support for parents.

Karen Murdoch Therapeutic Tutor Parenting Coach

Phone 778-430-3183 Email info@karenmurdoch.ca Web www.karenmurdoch.ca

10 Island Parent Magazine

Tim Collins

A Helicopter, a Rainbow & a Soccer Ball A study on perspective in sport

I

t’s been nearly 25 years since the Varmints took the field against my daughter’s minisoccer team in the championship game of the season. OK, I’ll be honest; I can’t really recall the name of the opposing team, but I’m fairly sure that we thought of the tousle-haired four-year-old opposition as varmints. Upon reflection, I guess they were more likely named Little Ponies, or Unicorns or something along that line. There were a lot of teams called Little Ponies back then.

The point is that we were the good guys, and they weren’t.

My daughter’s team, the Rockettes, was an amazing little squad. The girls wore neon pink jerseys that made them the envy of other teams and they had a win/loss record that put Manchester United to shame. Sure, they were four years old, but they were amazing.

We desperately wanted our team to win the championship that year, convinced that clutching the small plastic trophy attached to that win was critical to our little athletes’ selfesteem. (We were apparently unconcerned with the self-esteem of the Varmints, but it’s a tough world out there, right?)

A couple of decades later, with over 16 years of subsequent coaching experience under my belt, I feel a little silly about the whole thing. These days I’m helping to coach my granddaughter’s four-year-old team and I’m happy to report that I have a very different attitude.

I also have some advice for parents who are just now embarking on the long road of sports activities into which their children will be drawn (or pushed, depending upon the parents in question.)

For starters, let’s be honest. You may think that your little one is destined for athletic stardom, but the truth is that they’ll probably be pretty average. And it likely won’t be a lack of desire or hard work that prevents them from being the next David

Beckham or Mia Hamm. It’s genetics. If your own athletic prowess has never won you any accolades beyond that one time you were picked first for dodge ball, it’s sort of unfair to expect that your offspring will be an athletic wunderkind. Let’s face it. If you’re 5'2" and the tallest member of your spouse’s family is 5'6", your child has an uphill climb to that basketball scholarship, regardless of how many hours you force them to watch the Lakers or make them toss a ball at the Fisher Price hoop in your family room.

Here’s another thing; stop yelling at them.

I’m sure you think that you’re cheering them on by shouting phrases like, “COME OOOOOON CRIDENZA! YOU’RE NOT TRYING! YOU HAVE TO SCORE!” The truth is that you aren’t cheering, you’re harassing, and your child has grounds for a restraining order. If your little one turned up at a competitive event of yours—let’s say an office slow-pitch game—and spent the entire time haranguing you with the same instructions, it would: a) be enough to make you stop playing, and/or; b) make you reconsider your position on corporal punishment.

And it’s not just yelling. I’ve watched parents physically drag their little ones off the field for a stern talking-to because they thought that their little darlings weren’t performing well enough. Threats like “If you don’t start trying, we’re going home!” are common.

Again, imagine your child showing up at your place of employment, watching for a while and taking you aside for a chat. “Listen, Dad. You’re just not putting in the effort! A little less coffee break and a little more work and you might actually get that promotion! If you’re not going to try, we should go home and we can forget the whole thing!” www.kidsinvictoria.com

Seriously, folks—it’s estimated that over 70 per cent of children will drop out of sport by the time they are 13 years old.

The reasons cited include boredom, friends leaving, and too much pressure, but most often it’s that the game has stopped being fun. Given that sport has all kinds of benefits that include building confidence, fighting childhood obesity, and building friendships and social skills, it might be time to make certain that we keep the fun in the game.

Recognize that children, especially very young children, don’t perceive sports in the same way as adults. For little Cridenza, running around the field and keeping up with the swarm of other players may be all she wants to do. Let her do exactly that.

If you truly want to help, try providing plenty of sincere praise. Try the three-toone rule. Make three positive comments for every technical or corrective statement you make. And realize that your goals might not be shared by your child. Understand that kicking the ball once in a game in a way that made it “go way up in the sky” might be what your little athlete was going for on that day. Sure, that shot didn’t score, but it was sooo cool!

And most of all, keep your perspective.

They are children, after all.

I’ll take you back to that game against the Varmints to illustrate my point.

The score was tied and the Rockettes had the ball. It was a breakaway and the winning goal was almost a certainty when…a helicopter made a long slow pass over the field. Twelve little faces turned skyward and the game was forgotten. The ball rolled on, unattended. I’m ashamed to say that parents and coaches alike were apoplectic.

We yelled and pointed and sputtered out directions, but at that moment it was the kids who knew what was important.

I reminded my daughter about that helicopter a few weeks ago when a rainbow stopped the action at little Randi’s Saturday afternoon soccer game. My daughter laughed and said she remembered the day and how upset everyone got at the kids.

Curiously, neither of us could remember who won that game.

I hope, 25 years from now, that my granddaughter remembers that rainbow and the fact that her mom hugged her and shared a magical moment in the middle of a soccer game.

It was a really neat rainbow, after all.

Tim Collins is a writer and freelance journalist living and working in Victoria. www.IslandParent.ca

Your Local Consignment Stores Sailor Jack Family Consignment Store • Stylish infant, kids & teen clothing • Toys & equipment • Maternity & women’s wear • New baby shoes, carriers and accessories

Sailor Jack is celebrating our 10th anniversary year! To say thank-you and make it easier for busy families to use our services, we are staying open later on Fridays.

We provide stylish, quality, affordable consignment clothes for newborns to teens, maternity and women.

424 Craigflower Rd, Victoria 250-382-5225 www.sailorjack.ca

Sugar N Spice… and everything nice Children’s Consignment

• Ages 0–6 years • Clothing, Toys, Books, Furniture and Accessories • Open 10–5 Mon–Fri and 12–5 Sat • Wish List Available 2052 Otter Point Rd, Sooke 778-425-2052 sugarnspice@shaw.ca

Baja Rosi’s Consignment Cabana The place to spice up your wardrobe!

• Victoria’s Largest and Most Fun Consignment Experience!

• Hundreds of new arrivals…DAILY! • Clothing for women 13-93, including PLUS sizes • Casual styles for men • Open 7 days • No appt. necessary *see web for details • Track your sales online • Payouts on demand • Playroom for children 103 – 797 Goldstream Ave, Victoria 250-391-6033 www.bajarosis.com

We also carry strollers, toys, games, books, dvds, infant furniture, dance/gymnastics wear, cloth diapers, Jack & Lily shoes, Babylegs, Bo Peep accessories, carriers from Catbirdbaby, slings and more.

Your one-stop, family-friendly shop.

Now accepting spring consignment.

Drop off clean, as-new items anytime during open hours, with no appointment necessary. Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-5:00pm, Friday 9:30am-7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm.

Abra-Kid-Abra New & Used Toys, Clothing & Furniture • Baby equipment & furniture rentals • Spring consignments being accepted 2024 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, BC 250-595-1613 www.abra-kid-abra.com

March 2013 11

Gillian Petrini

The Child in the City W

here there are cities, there are children.

However, very little, if any, consideration is given to children in the planning of urban environments. Yet children are learning every day about life in the city, from the toy roadways in a daycare to their morning commute to a caregiver across town. Where is the child’s voice in all of this? The Child in the City Project was initiated to provide an opportunity to hear children’s unique perspectives and to listen to how they experience living in this city.

Child-friendly cities are places where the voices, needs and rights of children are considered an important part of public policies, programs and decision making.

The Child in the City Project aims to increase community awareness and appreciation of children’s capabilities and to create an understanding of the importance of both listening to and including children’s perspectives in planning their environment.

Children are capable, competent and have the right to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the places in which they live.

Children can add an invaluable view into planning processes and should be considered a part of municipal planning to help ensure the Capital Regional District is a welcoming place in which to grow up. Child-friendly cities are places where the voices, needs and rights of children are considered an important part of public policies, programs and decision making. This helps everyone to plan and design communities that are good for children and families. By involving children in planning processes now, we not only help to create people-friendly communities, but 12 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

we also empower a future generation of engaged, community-minded citizens.

The Child in the City Project has been the collaborative effort of a number of local childcare facilities, their educators and attending children four to five years of age. Participating children and educators explored their collective concepts of community within their respective neighbourhoods. The project evolved as each centre found its own way of engaging children in conversations about community and documenting their ideas. Documentation of children’s perspectives took many forms: from drawings of their favourite places to creating clay cities; digital images to puppet making; mapping projects to creating their own working blue bridge. Supported by their educators and engaged in various creative endeavours, children shared their view of what it was like to be a child in the city and revealed what was important to them. This included the importance of family which resonated throughout their images and narrations. Children clearly articulated they want to go places and do things with the people they love. They also demonstrated an appreciation of the natural world through numerous images and references to trees, grassy fields, flowers and

local beaches. Children conveyed their need and love of places where they could move.

Whether it was biking, swinging, sliding, swirling or whirling, it was evident they enjoyed places where they could be active.

Children’s creative perspectives of urban living have been culminated into a visual showcase of their collective works, exhibited as “Children’s Views of Urban Living.” The exhibit highlights the importance of including children’s unique voices in creating our communities, now and for the future. It also encourages us to ask, does our city nurture or hinder our children? How do we value children’s voice and include their perspectives in creating our communities? Answers may be found when we take the time to listen to what children have to say and value their perspectives. Are you listening?

Over the next three months, the “Children’s Views of Urban Living” exhibit will be showcased throughout the city at various community venues and presentations are available to be made to interested organizations.

For more information, visit www.playvictoria.org and www.facebook.com/PLAY. Victoria . To learn more about child-friendly cities, visit www.childfriendlycities.org.

Just Kidding! presents Erewhon Theatre of Participation

The Velveteen Rabbit

Sat. March 23, 2013 1pm

Malaspina Theatre at VIU Featuring TEN children from the audience who play the parts of toys!

Single Tickets: $14 (incl. HST)

Ph: 250-754-7587 or order online:

www.theatreone.org Just Kidding is generously sponsored by

Maxine Fisher M.Ed., RCC, MTA

Counselling & Music Therapy for Children, Families & Adults

Over 18 Years Experience Stress & Trauma (Acting Out) • Parenting • Family Transitions Physical & Learning Disabilities • Relationships • Individuals M.Ed. Developmental Psychology (UVic) | Registered Clinical Counsellor | Accredited Music Therapist

Call 250-686-7582 maxinefisher@shaw.ca victoriamusictherapy.com

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013 13

15

1

Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town

From February 28 to March 3, locals can make like tourists and visit the Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Craigdarroch Castle, Pacific Undersea Gardens, Mineral World, Miniature World, and Fort Rodd Hill/Fisgard Lighthouse, to name a few. Tickets cost $10 each, (or buy four and get the fifth ticket free) and entitle bearers to free, discounted and special offers on everything from ice cream cones and adventure tours to whale watching and ziplining. For more information, visit www.attractionsvictoria.com.

Visit the Library

2

Not only can you borrow books to read, but you can also check out audio books, Books to Go Bags (containing 10 kids’ books on topics including Comics, Dragons, and Grossology), DVDs and Blu-rays, eReaders, collections en francais, loaner laptops, music CDs, video games, and even museum passes to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV), and the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) that allow free general admission for 2 adults and up to 4 children at AGGV, and for 2 adults and up to 3 children (youth under 5 are free) at RBCM. Individual teen passes are also available. The loan period for museum passes is 7 days.

For more information, visit www.gvpl.ca.

Spring Fling 3 Things To Do This Month

Climb the Walls

At Crag X in Victoria and at Romper Room in Nanaimo. Crag X Indoor Climbing Centre offers 2-hour youth drop-in sessions (ages 8-16) where belay staff will manage kids’ safety systems, put on the harness, tie the knots and guide kids up various routes. As kids gain experience, they will be encouraged to try more challenging routes and will be taught some basic movement theory.

Bring runners and layered activewear. No experience necessary, a strict 5:1 climber to belayer ratio. $20/session or $85 for a fivevisit punch pass. Price includes harnesses, shoes are extra. Saturdays from 10:30am1pm. Space is limited, so arrive early or reserve your space online. Groups of four or more must pre-register. Visit www.urbancliffculture.com or phone 250-383-4628.

The Little Rockers Kids Club at Romper

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Island Parent Magazine

Room in Nanaimo is for 6- to 12-year olds and runs every Saturday from noon to 2pm. Sessions cost $15 each, or get a 10-day Kids Club punch pass for $100.

No drop-ins, must call ahead to register at 250-751-ROCK (7625). For information, visit www.climbromperroom.com.

Zip Along

4

See the forest from the trees. For the love of nature, the thrill of adventure, and unforgettable memories, check out Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours. You’ll experience an exhilarating ride up to 60km/hr as you soar up to 150 feet off the ground on eight scenic ziplines ranging from 150 feet to an unforgettable 1,000 feet. The two-hour guided tour—$80 adults (18+), $70 youth (5-17)—includes a 10-minute ATV ride up, eight ziplines over 100 acres, and two suspension bridges.

If you sign up for the $225 Family Package (family of four, ages 5+), tandem ziplining is available for children weighing less than 27 kgs, provided they are at least 5 years old. The Family Package is not available for night, Full Moon or Haunted Tours.

Opening day is February 28. For more information or to book, please visit www. adrenalinezip.com.

5

Make Rice Krispie Pops

Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 1 tsp orange extract 1 bag (250g) mini-marshmallows 6 cups rice crisp cereal 1 bag (270g) milk chocolate chips 1 cup candy sprinkles Directions: In a saucepan, melt butter with orange extract over medium heat. Add marshmallows; stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Cool until warm to the touch. Grease hands, then divide and shape mixture into 12 balls. Cool on baking sheet.

(Variation: Instead of rolling the rice crisp mixture into balls, flatten it to 1" thick and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.)

In heatproof bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, or in a microwave, melt chocolate chips. Dip half of each ball into chocolate, then roll in sprinkles. Place on waxed paper; let harden completely. Insert wooden stick. Wrap each in plastic wrap and tie with ribbon, yarn or raffia. Makes 12.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

6

Be Awed at IMAX

Follow title character Bilbo Baggins, who—along with the Wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves, led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield—is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Along the path, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of a “precious” ring tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways he cannot begin to know.

To glimpse a city beneath the sea, watch The Last Reef where you’ll fly across iridescent tropical reefs, brush through a cloud of a million jellyfish, and visit an alien world.

The Last Reef takes us on a global journey to explore our connection with the ocean’s complex, parallel worlds.

To The Arctic, the ultimate tale of survival, takes audiences on a never-before-experienced journey into the lives of a mother polar bear and her twin seven-month-old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. For information, visit www.imaxvictoria.com.

Play in the Snow

7

Mount Washington’s ski season is still in full swing, with runs open for snowboarding, skiing, and tubing, so why not head for the hills and spend a day—or an evening—playing in the snow.

Ozone Snow Tubing is open seven days a week, from 11am to 9pm on weekends and holidays, and from 1 to 9pm on Monday to Friday. $15/person for a two-hour pass; $24/person for a full-day pass. Family passes (2 adults, 2 children) are $46/family for a two-hour pass; or $72/family for a full-day pass. Each extra child costs $11.75. Riders under 42" tall ride free with adult in their snow tube.

If you are looking for some good oldfashioned tobogganing fun at Mount Washington, trek down to Raven Lodge and test ride the designated tobogganing area, monitored when open, and maintained at the Raven Lodge. Bring your own toboggan, no inflatables. Buy a pass at the Raven Lodge for $2/person or $5/family. The toboggan run is open from 11am to 6:30pm on Saturday, and from 11am to 4:30pm on Sunday.

Take Cover & Play Indoors

8

In Nanaimo, there’s Jumping Jiminy’s where you’ll find a 3,000-squarefoot play structure, ping pong, air hockey tables, a party room, and a toddler section. In Victoria, there’s PlayZone, where kids can run, crawl, and slide through the gold mine-themed play structure. There’s a toddler zone here, too, for the younger set (under three years old), and mini-golf.

Both Jumping Jiminy’s and PlayZone are open seven days a week. For hours and information, visit www.jumpingjiminys. com or www.eagleridgecentre.com/facilities/playzone.

9

Get Out Your Paints

Collect smooth-sided stones at the beach and take them home to paint.

Use bright acrylics to decorate your stones. Have fun as you experiment with shape and colour, but keep in mind that the textures and colours of the stones themselves are pretty to see, so leave some of the natural surface unpainted. Go wild with stripes, swirls, flowers, polka dots, happy faces, sad faces, animal faces, or

Cover Photo Contest For the 2013 Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide to Victoria & Vancouver Island Send us a colourful, clear photo of your kids or family enjoying a summer moment on Vancouver Island, and it may end up on the cover of this year’s Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide.

1st Prize: Main cover photo on the Family Summer Guide and $150 Gift Certificate to the business of your choice on Vancouver Island. Runners up: Five or more runners up will receive two IMAX tickets and their photos will be featured on the cover of either the Family Summer Guide or Kids’ Guide.

Only digital submissions will be accepted. Send a maximum of three photos of medium or higher resolution. Photos must be colour shots of children or families in Vancouver Island locations.

Contest is open to Vancouver Island residents only. Entry deadline is Tuesday, April 23, 2013; winners will be notified by email by May 17. Winning photos become the property of Island Parent Magazine.

Send entries to: mada@islandparent.ca

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013

15

NOTARY & INCOME TAX SERVICES Legal & Accounting Services Made Easy…

NOTARY

INCOME TAX

➢ Real Estate Transfers

➢ Personal Tax Returns

➢ Mortgages/Credit Lines

➢ Small Business Returns

➢ Signatures/Notarizations

➢ Estate & Trust Returns

➢ Wills/ Powers of Attorney

➢ Corporate Returns

➢ Child Travel Letters

➢ Bookkeeping Tim Shipley

250-592-4342

1551 Pandora Ave., Stadacona Centre

www.shipleygroup.net

MANIA

Meet LEGO Certified Professional, Robin Sather, and watch him build a giant LEGO sculpture!

MARCH 15–17, 2013 Register online at www.tillicumkids.com to be entered into the

SPONSORED BY

Tillicum LEGO Mania competition. As a contestant, you’ll have the opportunity to bring in your LEGO masterpiece featuring this year’s theme - Water. Visit us online for more details.

www.tillicumkids.com 16

Island Parent Magazine

JOB #T118-14071 CLIENT: TILLICUM CENTRE PUBLICATION: ISLAND PARENT INSERTION DATE: FEBRUARY ISSUE TRIM: 4.75" X 4.5"

whatever else grabs your fancy. What to do with the finished products? Make them into fridge magnets, scatter them artfully on a window sill, or slip them into a loved one’s coat pocket to be discovered later at an unexpected moment.

10

Spend the Day Exploring Sidney

Sidney offers all kinds of fun for families—so much that you probably won’t be able to fit it all into one day. Visit Mineral World and Scratch Patch to learn about earth science and collect your own semi-precious gemstones. Take a tour of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre and see all the amazing creatures living in the underwater habitats and touch pools. Check out the Children’s Bookshop with its wide selection of books for toddlers to young adults. Visit the Sidney Museum’s Lego!Lego!Lego! 2013 exhibit, featuring over 250 models including a 6,000-piece Taj Mahal. Or wander along the Seaside Sculpture Walk at the end of Beacon Avenue.

Take a Boo-tiful City Walking Tour

11

It’s said that Victoria is the most haunted place in B.C. Find out for yourself—if you dare. Ghostly Walks wind through the narrow streets and back alleys of Old Town, past the site of Fort Victoria. The tour includes the ghosts of Rogers Chocolates, the poet Robert Service, phantom footsteps in Helmcken Alley, and the many ghosts of the Maritime Museum and Bastion Square (where public hangings took place in the 1860s). This month, Ghostly Walks are scheduled Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm. Adults $14, seniors $12, students $13, children (6-11) $8. Family (for up to 2 adults and their children under 16) $35.

Meet at the Visitor Info Centre, 812 Wharf Street. For more information, contact John Adams at 250-384-6698, or visit www. discoverthepast.com.

12

Cheer on the Royals

Get your rah-rahs out at one of the last six games in the Royals’ regular season.

Choose from Vancouver, Spokane, Portland, and Everett teams. Don’t forget about Mad Mondays, sponsored by Money Mart, when fans can buy tickets for only $5 at Select Your Tickets Box Office only, every Monday of the regular season www.kidsinvictoria.com

for games occurring that week. The Box Office opens at 9:30am. Be there early.

Tickets are limited and sell out fast. Visit www.victoriaroyals.com.

See the Goats on the Roof

13

Set out early and head for Coombs to see something you won’t see anywhere else on the Island: goats grazing on the grassy roof at the Old Country Market. Along with being famous for its goats, the Old Country Market is a fun place to just browse around.

You’ll find international foods, imported and local gifts, in-store baked goods, and yummy ice cream. There’s a restaurant, a deli and fresh produce all under one grassand-goat-covered roof. Now open for 2013 from 9am-5pm. For information, visit www. oldcountrymarket.com.

14

Learn Something New

Sign up for Grow Your Own Food 101, Worm Composting, Mason Bees Part 1, or Spring Planting, just a few of the courses offered this month at the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre (www. compost.bc.ca). Or try your hand at creating Sweet Easter Treats or The Best Lunch Ever with your kids at the London chef (thelondonchef.com). For the budding baseball player, sign up for National Little League’s free baseball camp for boys and girls aged 9-13 years of age (www.nationallittleleague. org). It’s free, its fun and no experience is needed. Or sign up for CRD’s Beginning Birding Basics (guided walk, 9 years old and up, on March 3) where you’ll learn what to look for, and how to use binoculars and field guides when bird watching. Visit www.crd.bc.ca.

Commandeer a Kayak

15

The Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre features a fleet of ocean-touring kayaks; singles and doubles. Kayaks are available to rent on-site for one hour ($11 singles for kids 12 and under; $18 singles; $27 doubles for adults) up to three hours ($28 singles for kids; $46 singles; $65 doubles for adults). Off-site rentals are available. Rentals include lifejacket, paddle, spray skirt, throw rope and pump.

Paddle floats and wetsuits are also available. Introductory lessons available. For information visit www.gorowandpaddle. org/centres/gorge.php. www.IslandParent.ca

ALL FUN KARTS

CAGES

CLUBS

CAMPING

at Western Speedway

s a g n i h t h c u s There’s no ! ! n u f h c u m too

GO KARTS BATTING CAGES MINI GOLF RV PARK Open March 9-24 from 12-5pm Weekends from April-June & Sept. • 7 days a week July & August (weather permitting)

2207 Millstream Road, Victoria BC 250.474.1961 allfun.bc.ca March 2013

17

Chris O’Connor

Culture STAGES Performing Arts School for Kids since 1980

Come Dance With Us

• Offering classes in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop & Musical Theatre in a non-competitive atmosphere.

• Not sure which class to take?

Try a Drop-In: No hassle, No Obligation

I

remember way back, when I was teeny, my parents would take me to my hometown museum, the Philadelphia Art Museum. It was limitless. It was so big and I was so small, I felt like I never saw it all. I craved more. So years later, here I am as a museum educator, walking through the galleries at the Royal BC Museum, day after day, still feeling that I’m never able to see it all. And

ES? & G A o ST i s Add T Ne w io n Th ne nt eO Me Re c ie v o p -I n Dr e e r F

STAGES Performing Arts School

#301 1551 Cedar Hill X Rd (behind the Shelbourne MacDonalds)

Even the littlest angel can dance

1 in 4

For more information call 250-384-3267, Email us at stagesdance@shaw.ca Or visit our website: www.stagesdance.com

Help make the Little Spirits Garden a reality. Donate today at www.saanichlegacy.ca

Ends in miscarriage or stillbirth.

18 Island Parent Magazine

that’s a good thing. I see what I can and I’m constantly surprised, discovering, and in wonder about the sounds in the forest, the mysteries of the passing train, and the brilliance of the carvers that speak through masks and totem poles.

In Victoria, we are fortunate to have lots of cultural opportunities like these and more.

And kid culture, in particular, has a decidedly Sunday feel these days. At the Royal BC Museum, we have our Wonder Sunday program on the last Sunday of each month.

The simple premise for Wonder Sunday is this: what do museum staff, volunteers, and visitors wonder about, and how does play and creative expression further our understanding of that thing, that idea, that object?

In building our Sunday program, we were initially inspired by the Family Sunday at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (held on the third Sunday of each month). Tania Muir, the coordinator at the Art Gallery, builds smart and wonderfully imaginative activities www.kidsinvictoria.com

that help visitors of all ages understand art just a little bit better.

Our Wonder Sundays began at about the same time as the Maritime Museum of BC launched their Sunday family day. Shalini Kennedy, programs coordinator at the Maritime Museum, has made an important cultural institution even better with a dash of Salty Sundays (on the second Sunday of each month).

How do I know these programs are popular? They are kid tested and approved.

My daughter has gone to Wonder Sunday, to the Art Gallery’s Family Sunday and to Salty Sundays at the Maritime Museum, and, months later, she still talks about her experiences. The activities are the hook, but the experiential immersion in art and museum objects is the spin-off benefit.

This March, the Royal BC Museum, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and the Maritime Museum are forming a collective—teaming up to celebrate gallery and museum family days in Victoria with the common theme of movement. Here’s the challenge…can you and your family make it to all three? We hope so. Each institution will offer a button activity to show you took part. Even if you can only make it to one afternoon, wear your button with pride because culture for kids is alive in Victoria and it’s awesome to be a kid (or a kid at heart).

You don’t need to see it all, but we invite you to look, play and have fun!

The month-long Sunday celebrations begin on March 10 at the Maritime Museum of BC. “Moving Day” will encourage families to learn about what life was like for people immigrating to Canada by sea.

On March 17, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria presents “Koshashin.” Photographs in the Koshashin exhibition will inspire visitors to explore the great transition and movement as feudal Japan, during the Edo period, opened up to outside influences and modern ideas.

Rounding out the month on March 31, “Dancing the Wild Life” at the Royal BC Museum brings stunning photographs to life through dance, sound production and art animation in the exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

For times and more information, please visit Maritime Museum of BC at mmbc. bc.ca, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria at aggv.ca, and Royal BC Museum at www. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Chris O’Connor is the Family Programmer at the Royal BC Museum. www.IslandParent.ca

& The place online where parents and grandparents get information about their community for their family: Read current and past issues of Island Parent Magazine.

Visit our Marketplace to find businesses, programs and services that cater to the little person in your life.

Looking for that special something you had when you were a kid? Check out our classified ads.

Want to see what’s up today or this weekend?

View our calendar of events.

Whether it’s dance lessons, parenting workshops, fun days and festivals, what’s happening at your local rec centre or community events—Kids In Victoria has it all!

Maybe you are looking for something to engage your mind or perhaps need a little bit of advice. Well we have that too on our community forum.

Receive Island Parent & Kids In Victoria e-newsletter for updates and exclusive contests.

You can also enter our monthly and photo contests.

Come be part of our community at

www.kidsinvictoria.com

March 2013 19

Spring Break Programs A

h, spring—a time of blossoms, breezes and Spring Break. There’s lots to do during the break as you’ll see from the following listing. For more information on any of these programs, please refer to the ads in this issue. Have fun in the—dare we say it—sun!

Andrea’s Sew Easy. Do you have a child who keeps cutting up fabric to make doll clothes or clothes for their pets? Andrea Bailey has been teaching children to sew, from the age of seven up to teens, for over

22 years. Small classes, maximum of 4 students. Sign up for a camp during one of the Spring Break weeks, morning or afternoon sessions. There are also some openings during classes held after school and on Saturdays. For more information, call Andrea’s Sew Easy at 250-592-7879 or email aseweasy@shaw.ca.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Art classes in our Children’s Studio are the ideal place for kids to explore visual culture and express their own creative vision. Students

Emmanuel Baptist Church summer Programs 2013 Please register according to your child’s grade this Fall.

*Children must be 4 yrs old by Dec 31, 2013 to attend these camps.

CaMP

dates

tiMes

aGes

Fees

Friends & Leadership

July 2–5

9am–3pm

Gr. 6–12

$90

Wet & Wild

July 8–12

9am–3pm

Gr. 2–5

$90

Fun with Colours

July 15–19

9am–Noon

Age 4 – Gr. 1*

$50

VBS: “SKY” Everything is possible with God

July 22–26

9am–Noon

Age 4 – Gr. 5*

Science & Soccer

July 29 – Aug 2

9am–3pm

Gr. 2–5

VBS: “Power Lab” Discovering Jesus’ Power

Aug 12–16

9am–Noon

Age 4 – Gr. 5*

Camp out on Thurs Nt.

$25/$20/$15 1st/2nd/3rd in same family

$90 $25/$20/$15 1st/2nd/3rd in same family

Register: 2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road at the Cedar Hill Cross Road & Henderson entrance to UVic Ph 250-592-2418 Fax 250-592-4646 office @emmanuelvictoria.ca emmanuelvictoria.ca 20

Island Parent Magazine

experience complete “art immersion” by visiting our exhibitions to inspire their own creations. We offer a variety of morning and afternoon classes and a March Break camp. To register, call 250-384-4171 ext 0, or visit in person: 1040 Moss Street. Class schedule and newsletter are online at aggv. ca/education/studio-classes.

Boardworks Diving. Join one of Canada’s most successful springboard and platform diving clubs at Saanich Commonwealth Pool this Spring Break and learn how to dive in a fun and safe atmosphere. Boardworks OlympicGarten (5-9 yrs), FunDive (10-13 yrs), and Boardworks Jr (5-9 yrs). Diving Camps combine gymnastics and trampoline training with basic diving skills in the water for a fun introduction to diving. Visit www. boardworks.ca for more information or call us at 250-479-0330.

Day camps at the Burnside Gorge for children ages 5-12 and youth ages 11-15.

Children will enjoy sports, games, arts and crafts, field trips and a nutritious snack daily. Regular care: $145/week, 8:30am4:30pm. Extended care: $165/week, 7:30am-5:30pm. Daily and part-time rates also available. Youth Camp Survivor activities include laser tag, rock climbing gym, motocross, paintball, swimming, kayaking and more! $159/week. Daily rate available.

City of Victoria LIFE credits welcome. Call 250-388-5251 to register.

Spring Break sleepover camps are a great chance for young campers to experience the community and the great fun of being at camp for four days and three nights.

Camp Pringle’s Winter Breakout Camp will explore the change in season with the wonders of spring and the importance of winter. Campers will spend most of their time outside with all our great activities.

Darryl MacLeod, Executive Director, George Pringle Memorial Camp. www. camppringle.com.

Christ Church Cathedral School’s Spring Break Program, Lux Mundi, provides a safe and exciting experience for your child.

We have a high supervision ratio, energetic and experienced staff, excursions every day, opportunities for new friendships and lots of laughs, plus all the facilities of Christ Church Cathedral School, including a fullwww.kidsinvictoria.com

size gymnasium. Children learn and grow in a safe and enjoyable environment. The program runs from March 11–22. Spaces still available. Registration also open for summer 2013. Contact us at 250-383-5125 or email luxmundi@cathedralschool.ca. www.cathedralschool.ca.

This Spring the City of Victoria offers a range of programs for everyone. Looking for ways to keep the kids busy and active over Spring Break? Try Adventure Camp or Girls Only Camp. There will be Spring Break Fun Swims every day March 9-24.

Mom and Dad, why not hire a personal trainer or brush up on your kayaking skills?

You can find more information on all our programs and services, as well as drop-in schedules, at www.victoria.ca or by calling 250-361-0732.

Danielle Studios is pleased to offer a low-cost alternative to full-day or half-day camps. $10 drop-ins (with parent supervision)—includes all materials needed for the project of the day as well as instruction.

Alternating between ceramics, clay (build your own) and glass, we will be featuring a different project every day. No reservations required; special projects are available between 8:30am-4pm. Visit our website for a description of each featured project: www. daniellestudios.ca or www.facebook.com/ danielle.pyop.

Emmanuel Baptist Church continues its amazing history of wonderful summer day camps, for preschool and elementary children, as well as our Vacation Bible School. These are action oriented camps, with outings, crafts, sports, Bible stories, and most important of all, friendships to be developed. The ages of the camps range from preschool to Grade 5, with one camp for teens. Keep your children busy this summer with constructive, fun, safe, activities.

Registration forms available at emmanu-

elvictoria.ca, or contact 250-592-2418 or office@emmanuelvictoria.ca.

Falcon Gymnastics presents Beginner Recreation Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp, March 18-22. Gymnastics, foam pit, trampoline, tumble-track and air track. For ages 5 1/2-14 years. Monday through Friday.

Full-day: 9am-4pm; half-day: mornings, 9am-12pm; and afternoons, 1-4pm. Please bring snacks and drinks. Space is limited.

250-479-6424 or www.falcongymnastics. com.

Since 1993, Keating Out of School Care has provided a fun, creative and safe environment for students attending Keating Elementary before and after school. During school breaks we escort children from across the city off-site for a wide array of field trips and activities. Our new Youth Adventure Program is tailored towards children aged 11-12. It is designed to foster independence and social relationships with unique field trip experiences across the south Island and the kids help plan their own trips. Please call 250-652-5546, or email at kosckids@telus. net for more information.

Panorama Recreation Centre. Spring has sprung and we’re ready to have some fun.

With over 10 exciting activities, Panorama has something for everyone this Spring Break. Try Tae Kwon Do, horseback riding or gymnastics. Blast off in our Mad Science Camp or go for the gold with Sportball’s Soccer & Hockey Clinic. Love to swim?

We’ve got camps in the pool for kids aged 3-9 years. Try a bit of everything in our Sunsational Camp, where you’ll play games and sports, do arts & crafts and a daily swim or skate. Live well, have fun! 250-656-7272.

READ Society Spring Break Camps… work with one of READ’s innovative teachers to create your personal Language Arts Learning Toolkit. Fill it with strategies and tools that you can share and take home: games, hands-on activities and stories. Each group

SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS MARCH 15TH – APRIL 1ST

includes between four and six campers who are grouped by grades: Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6. 202-990 Hillside Avenue.

9-11am, Monday through Friday, March 11-15. Cost: $125. 250-388-7225. www. readsociety.bc.ca.

Recreation Oak Bay is your headquarters for Spring Break Camp fun. Join us at a variety of locations for themed activities, crafts, out-trips, swimming and more.

Camps include Sticks & Kicks, Mysteries, Maps & Riddles, and Get Up & Go! Have a blast at Oak Bay Recreation Centre with daily theme swims, fun on the ice or enjoy specialty, aquatic and sports camps. Check oakbay.ca/parks-recreation or call 250-5957946 to find the right camp for you!

Royal BC Museum Spring Break Camp: Focus on Nature. Aspiring shutterbugs can participate in a three-day photographyinspired camp. Each three-day session includes a special visit from a wildlife photographer of the year. Campers learn about photo composition and storytelling, venture out to Beacon Hill Park, explore the Natural History collection and have their work included in a display. Campers need to be familiar with how their own camera works. Ages 8-12. March 19-21 & March 26-28. $120 for the three days.

Looking for Spring Break fun? Then try one of our great programs at Saanich Parks and Recreation. We have a large selection to choose from, including computers, dance, arts & crafts, martial arts, sports and daycamps for kids 5-15 years of age. Also, don’t forget about our fantastic fun swims in the pool or Everyone Welcome skates. Whatever you are looking for, you will probably find it at one of our four recreation centres.

Check out recreation.saanich.ca for more information.

Sportball Multi-Sport skills development programs introduce children aged 3-9 to the concepts and skills involved in eight

Enchanted Puppets Animaniacs Spring Time Chefs Passion Sports And much more…

FOR ALL KIDS IN VICTORIA AGES 5–17, INCLUDING

www.IslandParent.ca

For more information or to register, visit our website at: www.smus.ca/spring, or call 250-370-6120.

smus.ca March 2013

21

Kate Rubin Theatre & Drama Studio specializes

in

dramatic

training

CHILDREN, YOUTH, and ADULTS. Within a professional, for

experienced, learning

and

supportive

environment,

students

flourish with improved acting skills,

confidence, CREATIVE THINKING, public speaking

stronger

skills, spontaneity, and versatility in physical & vocal expression.

Classes • Workshops • Private Coaching Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer Terms

Kate Rubin

Theatre & Drama Studio

250.386.8593 • KateRubin@telus.net www.KateRubinTheatre.com facebook.com/KateRubinTheatre

22 Island Parent Magazine

core sports. Classes are conducted using developmentally appropriate methods to introduce, practice and refine gross motor skills. The programs reinforce the benefits of teamwork and skills development which enables children to gain confidence and develop the social skills necessary to succeed in sport and life. Classes during March break. For more info at sportball.ca or call: 250-590-4625.

StageCoach Theatre Arts nurtures and embraces the unique creativity within each child, providing a safe setting and supportive programming. Structured within a performing arts framework, students gain confidence in themselves and trust amongst peers while exploring singing, dancing and acting exercises and performance opportunities. Our teachers and principals are trained professionals in their fields and share a kindred enthusiasm for facilitating their crafts with young people.

A popular Saturday morning program for homeschooled children providing arts credits and social bonding, we confidently provide an exciting, nurturing, creative program for young people of all abilities. www.stagecoachschools.ca/langford. email: langford@stagecoachschools.ca.

The Spring Break Holiday Programs at St. Michaels University School are open to all children in Victoria ages 5-17 and appeal to a wide range of interests. Expert instructors offer classes such as cooking, sports, computer animation, and much more. The Passion Sports team also returns with more sell-out elite basketball and volleyball camps. For information on any of these exciting programs, visit our website at www.smus.ca/spring or call 250-370-6120.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville offers the most extensive recreational programs on Vancouver Island. Enjoy a wide variety of programs including Kid’s Club and activities the whole family can enjoy together. Tigh-Na-Mara’s Spring Break Recreation Program includes Build Your Own Bear workshops, off-site excursions to area attractions, Dinner & Movie nights, Mother & Daughter Mini Manicures, a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and more. Our Spring Break Recreation Program offers something for everyone. www.tighna-mara.com. 1-800-663-7373.

Spring is all about new beginnings… so don’t wait a moment longer to learn to play music! Playing an instrument is a richly rewarding lifetime asset. Now is the time

to begin your musical journey at Tom Lee Music Learning Centre, where music is fun and learning is easy for all ages. Lessons and instruments are available through our Victoria and Nanaimo stores. www.tomleemusic.ca/learningcentre.

Let your kids ACT OUT this Spring Break!

Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts Kids Camp March 18-22 for ages 10-15 years.

The Actor’s Toolbox: 10am -3:30pm. Join us for an exciting five-day acting camp in our downtown studio. Students will learn the process of developing a character for performance with scripts from established playwrights. A variety of methods will be explored to bring a script to life—all within a fun and supportive environment. The final class will include a presentation of the week’s work. $195 plus HST. To register, call 250-580-2588, email: info@vadarts. com or visit www.vadarts.com.

Viva Youth Choirs—for all singers aged 7-17 years. Viva is accepting new singers for the September 2013 season. Placement interviews are scheduled for May 23 and 28, 2013. In our 25th year, the Viva Youth choirs are under the direction of Nicholas Fairbank and Sarah Quartel. Viva’s office and rehearsal space is at 1273 Fort Street (across from Central Middle School). Experience exciting and educational performance opportunities. Contact viva@vivachoirs.ca or visit www.vivachoirs.ca.

Spring Break fun with West Shore Parks & Recreation. Check out the variety of day camps at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood and Centennial Centre in Langford. Preschoolers will Squiggle & Giggle all week long while school age kids will aspire to be artists, cooks, fashion designers and more. Check out all our programs at www. westshorerecreation.ca or call 250-4788383 for more information. For up to date news, find us on Facebook: www.facebook. com/westshorerecreation and Twitter: @ wsrecreation.

Westside Stables is located 15 minutes from downtown Victoria. If you have a horse-crazy kid, we have a program for you.

We have many well-schooled, wonderful lesson horses and ponies. Our programs are all run with safety and fun in mind following the Horse Council of BC guidelines for advancement. We have a large indoor and outdoor riding ring offering year-round riding lessons and camps. Come join the fun. Call Tiffany at 250-652-1462 or visit www.westsidestables.ca.•

www.kidsinvictoria.com

John Threlfall

Good Grief!

Charlie Brown is back—but is he still relevant?

Y

ou just can’t keep a good man down, especially when he’s as enduring as good ol’ Charlie Brown. But while the majority of parents today grew up reading the late Charles Schultz’s iconic Peanuts comic strip and watching the animated TV specials, the same isn’t necessarily true for our kids. Sure, my own young children know the Peanuts gang, but that’s because I’ve made a point of borrowing the collected strips from the library and exposing them to the specials.

(It still doesn’t feel like the holidays until I’ve watched A Charlie Brown Christmas.)

Which begs the question, is Charlie Brown still relevant for kids today?

Fran Gebhard thinks so. A professor of acting in the University of Victoria’s Department of Theatre, Gebhard is directing the upcoming production of the musical comedy You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown—which she sees as more than just another nostalgic flashback parents want to foist on their kids (“but I loved Snoopy when I was your age”). For Gebhard, Charlie Brown is less of a blockhead and more of a potential role model.

“Schultz says he’s an everyman, but I think he’s an everyman we should all want to be,” she explains. “He’s the eternal optimist, relentlessly cheerful. He wakes up every day with a wonderful attitude until some challenge comes his way—then he does his very best to overcome it. He’s always looking on the bright side, always looking for the good that can happen. He loves that little redhead girl and believes that one day she will love him back; he keeps trying to kick that football and believes one day Lucy won’t pull it away. His tremendous sense of optimism is something we should all adopt.”

In some ways, Gebhard feels society has finally caught up with the strip’s famed psychiatric subtext. “Sure, he’s neurotic, but his neuroses come from external forces,” she says. “If I was to take it to the extreme, I’d say he was almost being bullied. He doesn’t do anything right, he can’t fly a kite, he can’t play a good baseball game… he wants to get past these obstacles, but it’s the outside people who keep telling him he’s worthless, he’s no good, he’s hopeless, he’s clumsy, he’s stupid. To me, that borders on

www.IslandParent.ca

abuse—but that’s just because it’s in our lexicon right now.”

Not that parents have to worry when they bring their kids to the Phoenix production. A two-time Tony Award winner that had a recent Broadway revival and was remounted to great acclaim at Ontario’s Stratford Festival in 2012, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown has charmed audiences for over 40 years now. Gebhard also feels it’s a great way to introduce children to live

Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a state of health.

Midwives recognize what an extraordinary time this is in your life and we are available to support you through your childbearing year.

Covered by Your BC Health Care BC’s Medical Services Plan pays for midwifery care, including in-home check-ups in labour and after you’ve had your baby.

You can self-refer to a midwife.

Quality Care Studies show that midwifery clients have lower rates of episiotomies, infection, Caesarean sections, forceps and vacuum deliveries and newborns that require resuscitation.

Choice of Hospital or Home Birth Continuity of Care Comprehensive Care theatre. “Everybody who knows and loves the comic strip will love this show, and the music is really good,” she says. “It’s not going to change the world, but it will be a fun evening in the theatre.”

Yet despite Charlie Brown’s unquestionable impact on popular culture—making Schultz the highest-paid and most widely read cartoonist of all time, and earning him a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records for being syndicated in 2,000 newspapers—the question remains: is the Peanuts gang still relevant today?

“The wisdom of children is something parents can always relate to,” concludes Gebhard. “The truths these kids speak are simple, universal and have heart. One of the things I like best about this show is how they all eventually band together and decide that Charlie Brown really is a good man, and not a blockhead. They sort of fall in love with him all over again.”

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown runs at 8 p.m. March 12-23 at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre, with 2 p.m. family matinees on March 16 & 23. Tickets range from $7 to $22. 250-721-8000. finearts.uvic.ca/ theatre/phoenix.

Breastfeeding Education & Support

Registered Midwives in Victoria: Colleen Rode 250-386-4116 Angela Schaerer 250-384-9062 Beth Smit 250-384-5940 Ilana Stanger-Ross 250-590-7605 Julia Stolk 250-590-7605 Misty Wasyluk 250-380-6329 Deanna Wildeman 250-592-5407 Heather Wood 250-380-6329 Amy Brownhill 250-386-4116 Michele Buchmann 250-590-7770 Chloe Dayman 250-380-6329 Uta Herold (Sooke) 778-425-0780 Deborah Little 250-592-0099 Luba Lyons Richardson 250-381-1977 Lorna J. McRae 250-380-6329 Jody Medernach 250-590-7605 Kim Millar Lewis 250-384-5940 Heather Nelson 250-380-6329 Jill Pearman 250-590-7605 We would be pleased to schedule an appointment to answer your questions about midwifery care.

March 2013 23

Party Directory Funtime Inflatables #1 choice for party inflatables

Hassle Free Parties for kids & families

250-474-0597

www.funtimeinflatables.ca

You provide the space and food…

We’ll provide an hour of fun with puppet shows and play

We will match any competitor’s price; we will beat any competitors service!

Trust your next party or special event to the experts, Funtime Inflatables—the original bouncy castle company.

Serving Vancouver Island since 1990.

New items arriving soon!!!

G

FALCON

Y M

GYMNASTICS Birthday Parties

G Y M

N Celebrate your birthday with us!

N

Our great instructors will treat you to an action packed two hours of fun and fitness in our great facility!

A

A S T I C S

th

40 sary r Annive 2013 1973–

• 2 large decorated birthday rooms • Free T-shirt for birthday child, invitations for up to 10 children • The ONLY Inflatable Climbing Mountain with trampoline in town • Party Time now offered for many different groups (schools, daycare centres)

Book Early: 250-479-6424

#208 – 721 Vanalman Ave

(Broadmead & Royal Oak Area)

www.falcongymnastics.com

S T I C S

250 472 3546 www.puppetbooth.homestead.com

You’ll Flip Over Our Birthday Parties * Greater Victoria’s newest, largest and cleanest facility with hassle free parking for you and your guests * * Large private party rooms * * Experienced Qualified Fun Coaches * * 3 Trampolines & 40ft Tumble Trac * * Awesome Foam Pit *

250-383-FLIP

www.lionspridegymnastics.com Located in Langford

Birthday Parties! :: Gym & Bouncy Castle, themed parties: creative kids, girl power and preschool parties from Princesses to Pirates! at Henderson Recreation Centre!

Call 250-370-7200

Pool, Skate, or Soccer parties at Oak Bay Recreation Centre!

Call 250-595-SWIM (7946)

www.recreation.oakbay.ca

Enter Our Online Contests Every month at Island Parent and Kids In Victoria you can enter to win some great prizes!

March Contest: 1st Prize is a $300 Credit at Tadpole’s Gallery for photo session and prints (some restrictions apply). 2nd Prize is 4 passes for National Geographic/IMAX Theatre. An additional three winners will receive their choice of of an item from our prize table or 2 Cinecenta Tickets. Deadline is March 29th at noon.

Check out the prizes and enter the contests by visiting

www.IslandParent.ca or www.kidsinvictoria.com 24 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Party Directory TM

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4Cats Duncan 4cats.com/duncan•250-709-2286 4Cats Langford 4cats.com/langford•778-430-5422 4Cats Oak Bay 4cats.com/oakbay•250-598-0300 4Cats Royal Oak 4cats.com/royaloak •250-590-7233

Indoor Party Themes!

Par-T-Carnival Medieval Par-T-Knights (& Princesses) Teddy Bear Stuffing Tale Time Fun Par-T-Spa Book one of these parties in February and receive 10% discount in celebration of our 10th Anniversary!

• We supply hats, napkins, table cover, streamers and balloons • Two Certified Instructors • Invitations • Trampoline • Foam Pit Fun • Gymnastics Games • Fun Music • NEW: 40 Foot Long Trampoline!

Saturday & Sunday Afternoons

380-2442

Corner of Store & Pembroke www.victoriagymnastics.com

birthday parties Book a 45 minute interactive party in your own home for up to ten young guests from ages 3-8. Choose from three different fun themes! Visit vcm.bc.ca/departments/childrens-music/ for more information, or call 250-386-5311.

Par-T-Perfect

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Your child and 9 of his or her friends will have an absolute blast at one of our action packed gymnastics parties.

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Mr. Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor & Family Fun Zone • 30 family oriented redemption games • huge prize counter • 2 fully decorated party rooms • foot-long hot dogs • 32 flavors of Island Farms Ice Cream

Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate inspired spa services for the pampered princess!

BFF Parties for 2–3 girls Party Princess Enchanted Fairies Darling Divas Rockin’ Popstars

Party Animals!

Create your own stuffed animal or bear, choose from 3 different themes; each theme includes a variety of animals!

Open Year Round

@ Western Speedway 2207 Millstream Road 250-590-4369 mrtubbs.com www.IslandParent.ca

New Party themes this fall!

Ice-cream Spa Parties

Action-Packed Birthday Parties Supervised • 2–8 Yrs

Beary Cute Pink-a-licious Quirky Pets

3655 Shelbourne St, Shelbourne Plaza 250-590-5568 www.lizzyleeandme.com

It’s about skills, not scores.

Go to www.sportball.ca for schedules & information Call us: 250 590 4625 Email: van.island@sportball.ca

March 2013 25

It’s Spring Break @ Panorama Recreation

Check Out Our Inflatable!

This giant crocodile is 16.2m long and 4m high.

Check it out during our Everyone Welcome swims.

250.656.7271

• Sun-sational Spring Break Camp • Mad Science Secret Agent Lab Camp • Fair Island Farm Horse Riding and Driving School Camp • Horse’n Around: Horseback Riding Camp • Growing Young Farmers Camp • Sportball Multi-Sport Camp • Soccer & Hockey Clinic with Sportball • Falcon Gymnastics Camp • Tae Kwon Do Camp • Storyoga Camp • Creative Craft & Splash Camp • Lifesaving Camp (Bronze Medallion & Cross) • H2O Adventure Camp • Junior Lifeguard Camp • Morning Learn to Row Camp • Water Polo Intro Camp

www.panoramarecreation.ca

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H 2nd Floor, Two Bedroom Poolside Condos H Call or see web page for details

*These specials cannot be combined or used with any other offers and/or discounts

www.oceansandsresort.ca 1-877-733-5969 reservations@oceansandsresort.ca

Family Travel Bring your family to Blue Vista Resort and start a new tradition. Located steps from Bennett Bay and the Gulf Island National Reserve with its beaches and shoreline walks on Mayne Island, this Tourism BC Approved Accommodation has been catering to families for over three decades. With nine individualized housekeeping cottages to choose from and a quiet lawn with barbecues, picnic tables and a children’s play area, this small family-run resort invites you to join a tradition many families have been enjoying for years. Cabins start at under $100/night. Visit www.bluevistaresort.com for rates and details.

Summer Holiday Bible Weeks. A wonderful family holiday option on Thetis Island you won’t soon forget!

Take in practical, challenging, Christfocused Bible teaching amidst an island vacation setting at Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre. Programming and activities for all ages. Join us for 5-days of focus, fellowship and fun. Seven Weeks in July and August to choose from. See www.capernwray.ca for all the details or call 1-888-224-5681 for more information.

Kye Bay Guest Lodge & Cottages, Comox, B.C. A popular family-oriented beach vacation spot since 1932. This location offers miles of sandy beaches with warm safe swimming. The tidal pools are filled with small fish and fascinating sea life. The lawn offers places to curl up to read, sunbathe or play lawn games. The accommodations provide a comfy “home base.” Join us on the seaside terrace for Sunday pancake breakfast and Friday High Tea. For a week you’ll never forget… toll free 1-866-658-6131. www.kyebay.com.

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www.kidsinvictoria.com

Ocean Sands Resort is situated on 4 acres of beautiful oceanfront property overlooking Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. The resort consists of one and two bedroom oceanfront or poolside condominium units. Each unit has a fully-equipped kitchen, gas fireplace and large balcony either overlooking the ocean or pool. The amenities include a heated outdoor pool, playground, indoor hot tub, sauna and laundry facilities. Come enjoy the miles of sandy beach right at your doorstep.For more info, visit www.oceansandsresort.ca or call 1-877-733-5969.

A celebration of the West Coast lifestyle, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival has been a huge success for 26 years.

The 27th year will embody the festival’s core mandates to inspire, educate and entertain through workshops and events that focus on coastal traditions, talented artists, the unique local environment and the Spring return of the Grey Whale. With activities for all ages and interests, the festival will run for 9 days and feature over 50 events. www. pacificrimwhalefestival.com.

Park Sands Beach Resort is a familyoriented RV park and campground located downtown on the sandy shores of Parksville Bay beside the Community Park with its fabulous playground, water-spray park and BMX/skateboard park. Families have been coming here for generations to enjoy the wide expanse of sandy beach, the surrounding natural beauty, numerous recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking and golf, and our central location which makes for easy day trips to other Island destinations. www.parksands.com.

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Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort sits above three kilometers of sandy beach and the warmest ocean swimming in Canada. Visitors to our beach can enjoy wildlife viewing, beachcombing, or just sitting back and taking in the beautiful view of the Strait of Georgia and the Coastal Mountains. With the most extensive children’s recreation program on Vancouver Island, Tigh-Na-Mara offers something for the entire family.

1-800-663-7373.•

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www.IslandParent.ca

This is where whale watching makes a splash!

Pacific Gray whales, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and seabirds, oh my!

sh* a C e m o S h, Save s a l p S a e k Ma Book 3 Nights, Stay The 4th Night FREE!

* tourismtofino.com/splash For participating accommodations

Parksville, Vancouver Island

Rediscover The Natural Choice…

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Starting From

Your package includes: • One or more night’s stay in a family friendly accomodation • Kids Stay for FREE • $5 breakfast credit per adult in the Cedar Room • Kids eat for FREE between 5 pm and 6 pm daily in the Cedar Room • FREE Kids Club Recreation Program drop in (ages 5+) • Spring Recreation Program with activities daily

$139 per night

Upgrade for only $30 per night!

Applicable Taxes and Gratuities are Additional

1155 Resort Drive Parksville BC V9P 2E3

1-866-679-7872 March 2013

27

March 2013

Generously Sponsored by and

Family Calendar For calendar updates throughout the month visit www.kidsinvictoria.com SUN 3 Beginners Birding Basics at Island View Beach Regional Park. Ever wanted to bird watch?

This is a great time of year for birding, with courtship and territory disputes filling the air with song. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to learn what to look for, and how to use binoculars and field guides. Bring binoculars if you have them. A spotting scope is provided.

Meet at the picnic shelter on Homathko Rd, off Island View Rd at 10am. 9+ years. 250478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

MON 4 Baby Signs with Layla: A Sign Language Program at Saanich Centennial Branch Library.

Program participants will learn the basics of using nonverbal signs with children aged 0-24 months old. Benefits of signing with your baby or toddler may include fewer tantrums, greater cognitive and language development, and improved communication with your baby.

For parents, educators and children ages 0-24 months. 10:30-11:30am. Register at www. gvpl.ca or call 250-477-9030 for information.

and nutritious teas. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist for an interpretive tea-tasting featuring some of our local plants. 1-3pm. $7/person + HST. Pre-registration required before March 8. Space is limited. 12+ years. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

SUN 10 Telling Tales, Walking Trails at Devonian Regional Park. Come along to hear some nature stories told by a CRD Regional Parks naturalist in this gem of a park in the heart of Metchosin. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot off William Head Rd at 1pm.

All ages. BC Transit #54 or #55. 478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

TUES 12 Fancy Nancy Party at Nellie McClung Branch Library. OOO-la-la! Come celebrate in style with stupendous stories and activities. Dress up in your fancy best—the more accessories the better. For ages 3-5. 10:30-11:30am. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-477-7111 for more information.

SAT 9

WED 13

Fantastical Fairytales at Emily Carr Branch Library. Be swept away by fantastic folk, and fairy and fractured stories from around the world. For ages 6-9. 10:30-11:30am. Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-475-6100.

Calling all Cottontails at Central Saanich Branch Library. Hop, hop, hop on over to the library for stories and songs about bunnies, chicks and everything that makes spring so egg-citing. Make an egg-stravagant craft to take home. 10:15-11:15am. For ages 3-5.

Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-652-2013.

Forest Tea Party at Francis/King Regional Park.

Forests are full of plants that make delicious

Paper Crafts for Kids and Tweens: Paper Twirling at Esquimalt Branch Library. Love crafts? Have fun while learning a new craft or building your skills. The library will provide the art supplies and instructions, and you provide the inspiration. For ages 8-12. 2:30-3:30pm.

Register at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-414-7198.

Paper Crafts for Tweens: Picture Tags at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. See above for more information. 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 10-12. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-477-9030 for more information.

THURS 14 Ugh! A Slug at Mill Hill Regional Park. Stroll along with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to peek under fallen logs and leaves in search of the giant gastropod that is one of nature’s best recyclers. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot off Atkins Ave at 10:30am. All ages. BC Transit #50 or #53. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Calling all Cottontails at Emily Carr Branch Library. See WED 13 for details. 10:30-11:30am.

For ages 3-5. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-475-6100 for more information.

Paper Crafts for Kids and Tweens: Origami at Central Branch Library. See WED 13 for details. For ages 8-12. 2-3pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-382-7241 ext. 601 for more information.

Let’s Build a Play at Nellie McClung Branch Library. This brainstorming workshop will

Spring break essentials.

When she’s looking for snacks, you’re looking for healthy choices.

28 Island Parent Magazine

Made right, right here.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

take your ideas from page to stage. We will get our creative juices flowing through writing, improvisation, skits, and visual art to create stories that will be told on stage at the Victoria Fringe Festival. For ages 6-12. 2:30-3:30pm.

Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250477-7111 for more information.

Teen DIY: String of Lights at Oak Bay Branch Library. Give your room a new glow with this workshop. Learn a variety of techniques for creating teeny tiny lamp shades. For ages 1215. 2:30-4pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-592-2489 for more information.

FRI 15 Geronimo Stilton Junior Reporters at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Calling all Geronimo Stilton fans. Become a junior reporter for the Rodent’s Gazette and help search for buried treasure. For ages 6-9. 10:30-11:30am.

Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250477-9030 for more information.

FRI 15 – SUN 17 LEGO Mania Challenge at Tillicum Centre.

Over 100 contestants, ages 5-14 years, will be showcasing their LEGO masterpieces for a chance to win LEGO prizes. Meet LEGO Certified Professional, Robin Sather, and watch him build a giant Lego sculpture. Children under 14 who are not contestants will have a chance to try out the mini build area. Prizes will be awarded for top entries on Sunday at 2pm. Lower level of Tillicum Centre during regular mall hours. www.tillicumkids.com.

SAT 16 Spring Fling at Francis/King Regional Park.

Come and explore the sights, sounds and smells of spring. Join in the celebration with CRD Regional Parks naturalists for exhibits, crafts and activities—fun for the entire family!

There will be guided walks at 11:15am and 1:15pm. Meet at the Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Rd. 11am-2pm drop-in. All ages. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

SUN 17 “Bear” Necessities at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. We can co-exist with these magnificent forest dwellers. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to learn about the natural history of the black bear. Meet at Witty’s Lagoon Nature Centre off Metchosin Rd at 1pm. All ages. BC Transit #54 or #55. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Family Sunday at Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Children and their families are invited to explore the art and lifestyle of 19th century Japan with hands-on art-making inspired by Koshashin, an exhibition of early Japanese photography. Included with Gallery admission or free with membership. 2-4pm. 250-3844171. www.aggv.ca.

MON 18 Birds of a Feather at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family. Noon-3pm. Admission by donation. Call 250-479-0211 or visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

Mystery Creature at Coles Bay Regional Park.

Solve the riddles with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to find the clues hidden along the trail. At the end, piece the puzzle together to discover who the mystery creature is. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot off Inverness Rd, off Ardmore Dr at 1pm. All ages. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Crafts for Kids: Imagination Station at Central Branch Library. Join us for stories and crafts.

Create your very own magical masterpiece to take home using a few simple art supplies.

For ages 5-12. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-382-7241, ext.

601 for more information.

Stories on Fern with the Victoria Storytellers Guild. Come hear and tell stores. For people who love to tell stories, people who love to listen and people of all ages. Doors open at 7:15pm, stories start at 7:30pm. 1831 Fern St (park on Begbie). $5; $3/students (includes tea and goodies). 250-477-7044. www.victoriastorytellers.org.

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TUES 19 Skullduggery at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Drop in and join in the sleuthing fun.

Through displays and activities, use your finest detective skills to help uncover the clues that animals leave behind. Meet at the information kiosk in the Beaver Lake parking lot.

11am-2pm. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #72.

250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Marsh Madness at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family.

Noon-3pm. Admission by donation. For more information, call 250-479-0211 or visit www. swanlake.bc.ca.

Crafts for Tweens with Heather: Embroidered Bookmarks at Oak Bay Branch Library. Learn basic embroidery techniques and create your own hand-embroidered bookmark with Victoria artist Heather Cosidetto. For ages 10-12.

2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-592-2489 for more information.

Puppets with Tim: I Wish I Could Fly at Emily Carr Branch Library. Be spellbound by a tale told with many of legendary puppeteer Tim Gosley’s own puppets. You’ll also decorate a butterfly puppet to take home. Tim Gosley is a Gemini Award winner who worked on The Muppet’s Fraggle Rock and played Basil Bear on Canadian Sesame Street for nine years.

For ages 6-9. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-475-6100 for more information.

Visit our

Ga rden Patch

Our diverse outdoor plant section offers you a variety of fresh and colourful flowers, plants, landscaping pottery and all the accessories!

Customer Service: 1.800.667.8280 • www.thriftyfoods.com www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013 29

Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Swimming • Canoeing • Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith Exploration • Archery • Summer Camps For: • Nature Study • Cycling • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire Swimming • Canoeing • Children Sailing • Ropes Course • Windsurfing • Hiking • Faith • Youth • Families • Leadership Exploration • Archery • Crafts • Out-trips • Games & Skits • Campfire • Nature Study • Cycling • Our 2013 lineup includes 10 new George Pringle Memorial Camp camps and Certification Programs!

Shawnigan Lake, BC United Church of Canada There’s a lot happening at Camp Pringle this summer BCCA & UCC Accredited with 20 exciting camps to choose from. We offer camps

for youth aged 6 to 15, including the new Little Wonders camp for kids 6 to 8. We also have new Certification Programs including Red Cross swim levels 1 through 8.

Don’t forget our popular family camps including the new Family Bike Camp! You can find out about these programs, our updated facilities and much more on our website, or contact us for more information.

www.camppringle.com

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250-743-2189 registrar@camppringle.com

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TUES 19 – SUN 24 Victoria Sketch Club Spring Show in the Glenlyon-Norfolk School Gym. Come enjoy these brilliant new paintings. Tuesday, 7-9pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm. 1701 Beach Drive. victoriasketchclub.ca.

WED 20 Blooming Cherry Blossoms at Central Saanich Branch Library. There’s nothing more beautiful than cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Visit the library to listen to stories about the Japanese Sakura festival and make your own Japanese craft to take home. For ages 6-9.

10:30-11:30am. Register online at www.gvpl. ca or call 250-652-2013 for more information.

Puppets with Tim: I Wish I Could Fly at Juan de Fuca Branch Library. See TUES 19 for details. For ages 6-9. 10:30-11:30am. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-391-0653 for more information.

Going Batty! at Francis/King Regional Park.

Join a batty world with CRD Regional Parks naturalists. Make a “bat button,” and enjoy a “bat walk” through the park at 11:15am or 1:15pm. Meet at the Francis/King Nature Centre off Munn Rd. 11am-2pm drop-in. All ages. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Ssss-Snakes at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Games, crafts, songs and hands-on activities. Fun for the whole family.

Noon-3pm. Admission by donation. For more information, call 250-479-0211 or visit www. swanlake.bc.ca.

Storyteller Shoshana Litman: Fortune and Fate at Esquimalt Branch Library. Celebrate World Storytelling Day with master storyteller Maggidah Shoshana Litman and be swept away with stories that save the world with music, bake heavenly bread, outwit ten terrible tigers, and fly higher than the greatest eagle. For ages 5-8.

2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-414-7198 for more information.

THURS 21 The Amazing Race at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Challenge yourself on the “skilltesting” and fun jaunt through the forest. Drop by and get the scoop from a CRD Regional Parks naturalist. Meet at the information kiosk in the Beaver Lake parking lot. 11am-2pm. All ages. BC Transit #70 or #72. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Parenting: Baby and Toddler Basics at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. Parents and babies are invited to a visit from a Peninsula Health Unit nurse. The nurse will answer all your questions, measure and weigh your baby and discuss topics such as immunization, growth and development, and successful nursing.

30 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Come a half hour before Baby and Toddler Basics for songs and rhymes at Drop-in Baby Time. No registration required. 11:30am12:30pm. 250-727-0104.

SPRING LOADED!

- 10 s5 Age

Plants and Pollinators at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. See TUES 18 for details. Noon-3pm. Admission by donation.

For more information, call 250-479-0211 or visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

Puppets with Tim: Quick Papier Maché at Central Branch Library. Design, construct and paint a puppet in 1.5 hours?! It’s true, and award-winning puppeteer Tim Gosley will show you how. Tim worked on the Muppet’s Fraggle Rock and played Basil Bear on Canadian Sesame Street for nine years. For ages 10-12. 2-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-382-7241, ext. 601 for more information.

Fancy Nancy Party at Juan de Fuca Branch Library. See TUES 12 for details. For ages 3-5.

2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-391-0653 for more information.

Registration open now for

SPRING BREAK Day Camps &

Summer Day Camps See website for details

Christ Church Cathedral School Email: luxmundi@cathedralschool.ca (250) 383-5125 | www.cathedralschool.ca

“How we do school must change radically for children to thrive in this century” Dr. Steven Hughes, PhD, LP, ABPdN

Let’s Build a Play at Nellie McClung Branch Library. See THURS 14 for details. For ages 6-12. 2:30-3:30pm. Register online at www. gvpl.ca or call 250-477-7111 for more information.

EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORKS, ESSENTIAL COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AND THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

FRI 22

Join Dr. Steven Hughes, Director of the Center for Research on Developmental Education and past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology, as he examines the standard model of education and presents an entirely different framework.

Calling all Cottontails at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library. See WED 13 for details.

10:30-11:30am. For ages 3-5. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-727-0104 for more information.

Thursday, April 25th, 2013 • 7:00pm Bob Wright Building • University of Victoria

Salmon Fry-day at Charters Interpretive Centre. There’s something fishy going on. Come check out the demonstration hatchery and the displays with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist. Meet at Charters Interpretive Centre off Sooke River Rd. 11am-2:30pm drop-in. All ages. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.vancouverislandmontessori.com or at Russell’s and Ivy’s bookstores.

Co-sponsored by the Vancouver Island Montessori Association (VIMA) and the University of Victoria School of Child and Youth Care.

Story Club at Bruce Hutchison Branch Library.

Listen to stories, talk about your favourite books and enjoy fun activities. Snacks included. This club is for kids who love stories regardless of reading ability. For ages 5-8.

3:30-4:30pm. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250-727-0104 for information.

FRI 22 – SUN 24 “It Started with a Stitch” Westshore Quilters Guild Quilt Show at Eagle Ridge Community Centre. Beautiful quilts, raffle quilts, door prizes, merchants and members stores, Name the Move Challenge game, Children’s Scavenger Hunt game, and hands-on activities, including sewing a block for charity. Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm. $6 for the weekend.

Pull together for a great cause!

For more info and to register your team visit:

victoriaplanepull.ca VICTORIA EPILEPSY & PARKINSON'S CENTRE

www.IslandParent.ca

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March 2013 31

SAT 23 Purple Day Plane Pull at Viscount Aero Centre.

This one-day event will see adult teams of five people gather together to raise pledges in support of the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre Society. All teams will be part of a fun and engaging day of competition and camaraderie. Come be a part of this exciting event and pull together for a great cause. 10am-3pm.

9800 McDonald Park, Sidney. 250-475-6677.

Signs of Spring at Mill Hill Regional Park.

Wander up Mill Hill with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist looking for signs of spring.

Wear sturdy shoes and bring a snack. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot

off Atkins Ave at 10:30am. 5+ years. BC Transit #50 or #53. 250-478-3344. www. crd.bc.ca/parks.

SAT 23 & SUN 24 Fossil Fair at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Who lived here millions of years ago? Dinosaurs, trilobites, ammonites, enormous clams and sharks lived in the ancient tropical coral seas and palm tree forests that covered Vancouver Island. Go on a scavenger hunt, make fossil and dinosaur rubbings, dig for fossils in a sandbox, and take a fossil home as a treasure. 10am-4pm. Admission by donation. For more information, call 250-479-0211 or visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

SUN 24 People, Plants and Places at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. Spring traditionally began a new round of collecting, processing and storing foods, textiles and medicines for coastal people. Learn more about common local plants and their uses with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist. Meet at the Witty’s Lagoon Nature Centre off Metchosin Rd at 1pm. 12+ years. BC Transit #54 or #55. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

TUES 26 Calling all Cottontails at Nellie McClung Branch Library. See WED 13 for details. 10:3011:30am. For ages 3-5. Register at www.gvpl. ca or call 250-477-7111 for more information.

WED 27

DIRECTOR FRAN GEBHARD MUSIC DIRECTOR JIM HILL MOVEMENT COACH JACQUES LEMAY SET DESIGNER ALLAN STICHBURY COSTUME DESIGNERS ALLYSON LEET & SHAYNA WARD LIGHTING DESIGNER SIMON FARROW STAGE MANAGER SANDRA DRAG

You’re a Good Man,

CHA RLIE B ROWN BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY CLARK GESNER REVISED WITH ADDITIONAL DIALOGUE BY MICHAEL MAYER & MUSIC & LYRICS BY ANDREW LIPPA

PREVIEWS @ 8PM - MAR. 12 & 13 | EVE @ 8PM - MON. TO SAT. | MATINEES @ 2PM - MAR. 16 & 23

32 Island Parent Magazine

250.721.8000 Piano Provided by

SAT 30 Marvelous Matheson at Matheson Lake Regional Park. Join us for a ramble around the lake, far from the sounds of urban traffic, with lunch at a scenic viewpoint. This beautiful park is rich in cultural and natural history. Bring a snack and water and wear sturdy hiking shoes.

Meet in the parking lot at the end of Matheson Lake Rd at 10:30am. 8+ years. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Beckwith Park.

Bouncy castle, face painting, crafts, games, clowns, police and fire vehicles, BBQ. Egg hunt starts at 11am for all children. Rain or shine. $5/child 13 and under; 14+ and adults free. 10am-1pm.

March 14 - 23, 2013

Presented by

Guys’ Night Out: A Bedtime Storytime at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Calling dads, stepdads, granddads, uncles… bring the kids you love to a special storytime before they go to bed. Join us for stories, puppets, fingerplays and songs. Pajamas and a favourite stuffy or blanket are welcome, but optional.

For children newborn to 5 years. 6:30-7pm.

Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250477-9030 for more information.

SUN 31

BASED ON THE COMIC STRIP BY CHARLES M. SCHULZ

PHOENIXTHEATRES.CA

Calling all Cottontails at Oak Bay and Juan de Fuca Branch Libraries. See WED 13 for details. 10:30-11:30am. For ages 3-5. Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call for more information. Oak Bay: 250-592-2489; Juan de Fuca: 250-391-0653.

Media Partner

Mount Wells Vista at Mount Wells Regional Park. If you’ve never hiked to the summit of Mount Wells, here is your opportunity.

Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and explore for early spring wildflowers. Meet at the information kiosk in the parking lot off Humpback Rd at 11am. 9+ years. BC Transit #58. 250-478-3344. www.crd.bc.ca/parks.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Hummingbird Day at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. It may seem early, but Anna’s Hummingbirds are nesting and it won’t be too long before the summer hummers, the Rufous, return for their annual visit. Join us for crafts, stories, hands-on exploration and song—don’t worry if you don’t know the words, you can just hum—as we discover how to get the most of hummingbirds in your neighbourhood. Noon-3pm. Admission by donation. For more information, call 250-4790211 or visit www.swanlake.bc.ca.

ONGOING BABIES, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOL Drop-in Storytimes for Babies, Toddlers and Families at Greater Victoria Public Library.

Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate. Storytimes are free and drop-in.

Please come early to find a space. For a complete schedule of our drop-in programs, visit www. gvpl.ca or call your local branch.

Greater Victoria Public Books for Babies Survey at the Greater Victoria Public Library.

Since January 2010, the GVPL has distributed Books for Babies kits to new parents in the Greater Victoria area. The kits are distributed by public health nurses at local health units, and by staff at the Greater Victoria Public Library. The kit is in a reusable cloth bag and contains a board book, a music CD, library information and information for parents about the importance of reading to their infants. Did you receive a GVPL Books for Babies kit? We’d like to hear from you! Your feedback will help us measure the impact of the program on parents and their babies. Please take a few minutes to fill out our online survey at www. gvpl.ca/booksforbabies until March 27, 2013.

Please call 250-382-7241, ext. 601 if you have any questions.

Parent/Tot Drop-in at Gordon Head United Church. A safe place where young children can play while parents in the community connect with each other. Lots of space and toys. Tea or coffee is available for caregivers, and a healthy snack for the children. Parents are responsible for the care of their own children. Mondays 10am-noon. More info, call the church office at 250-477-4142, or Maisie at 250-477-0388.

Kindergym at Burnside Campus Gymnasium.

Ride-on toys, climbers, slides, balls, hoops and various sports equipment. The program includes free play, organized games and circle time. Best suited for ages 2-4 years, but all children under 5 years are welcome. Parent participation required. Tuesdays 9:30-10:45am.

Free. 3130 Jutland Rd. 250-388-5251. www. burnsidegorge.ca.

Preschool Storytime at Saanich Centennial Branch Library. Preschoolers are invited to fun and interactive storytimes that will help

www.IslandParent.ca

SPRING BREAK CAMPS 2013 Monarch House is pleased to offer Spring Break Camps for children ages 7 to 11 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities.

Because social skills have been directly linked to academic and relationship success, fun and therapeutic elements focused on social skills development will be incorporated into each day.

program dates & times March 18 to 22, 2013 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 12:30pm Monday to Friday 1:00pm to 4:30pm space is limited! for more information or to register, please contact: Monarch House - Victoria 611 Discovery Street

250.220.8999 monarchhousevictoria@cbi.ca March 2013 33

foster early literacy development. We’ll share enriching stories, sing songs, learn rhymes and have fun playing with language. Parents and caregivers are welcome to participate. For ages 3-5. Tuesdays March 5-26, 10:30-11am.

Register online at www.gvpl.ca or call 250477-9030 for more information.

Toddler Art at Burnside Gorge Community Centre. Explore your creative side. Smocks and soap provided, but please dress children in clothing that they can get messy and be creative in. Parent participation required. $2/drop-in.

Wednesdays, 9:30am-10:30am. 471 Cecelia Rd. 250-388-5251. www.burnsidegorge.ca.

Mother Goose Drop-In at Burnside Gorge Community Centre. Enjoy music, stories and fun with your little one. Mother Goose encourages child development through music, stories, movement and attachment parenting.

For birth to 5 years. This program is offered in partnership with Success by 6 South Vancouver Island. Saturdays 10-11am. Free.

Parent Sports Drop-in at James Bay Community School Centre. Parents need time to have fun and get back in touch with their inner child.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7-9pm. $3.50/person. www.jamesbaycentre.ca.

Children

Metchosin School Museum is open Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm and Sundays 11am-4:30pm.

An original, one-room school house built in 1871, it is set up as a classroom with old wooden desks. Families can enjoy perusing the hundreds of artifacts on display. Free. 4475 Happy Valley Rd.

Weekly Bird Walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (meet in the parking lot). Every Wednesday and Sunday noon-3pm.

The Lego Exhibit at the Sidney Museum.

Featuring over 250 lego sets which range from castles to cars, technic to towers and planes to pirates. The Lego exhibit fills the museum to the brim until March 31. 250-655-6355. www.sidneymuseum.ca.

Drop-in Play at Lakehill Preschool. Come join our awesome ECE for a free drop-in play every Wednesday 3-4:30pm. All children 0-4 welcome. 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd. 250-4774141. www.lakehillpreschool.org.

The Gold Digger Days at Goldstream Nature House. Meet at the Nature House for your gold mining challenge, earn your miners’ license and pan for fools gold in the gold panning troughs. By donation. Saturdays and Sundays in March. 9am-4:30pm.

Sea-Shirt Sundays at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. On the first Sunday of each month, create your own fish fashion. Be sure to bring a pillow case, cloth bag or t-shirt (or purchase a t-shirt from the centre) and your creativity. $2 donation for fabric paint. 1-4pm.

250-665-7511.

Drop-in Playgroup at Lambrick Park Preschool. For parents/guardians with children 0-4 years. Come by and see what Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare has to offer. Free.

Thursdays from 3:15-4:30pm. 250-477-8131. www.lambrickpreschool.ca.

Wonder Sunday at the Royal BC Museum.

Bring your family on the last Sunday of each month for activities and explorations inspired by different parts of the museum. Make crafts, join special tours, and let your imagination wonder away with you. Suitable for children ages 3-12 years old and is included with admission or free with membership. www. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.•

FAMILIES Ready to Rent BC offers a free course to help find and keep a rental home. Six-week courses run at different times, days and locations. We help renters identify and deal with any barriers they may have to housing. Includes bus tickets, child minding and a healthy snack. To sign up, call 250-388-7171. readytorentbc.net.

Drop-in Toddler Time at Lansdowne Preschool. A great place to play and discover.

For children ages 0-5. Fridays 9:30-11am, in the Maple Room at Carnarvon Centre, 3802 Henderson Rd. 250-370-5392. www. lansdownepreschool.com.

3-5 yrs Pre-primary School

A gentle learning opportunity for young children: - learning naturally through play - nature awareness and respect

The joy of learning - naturally.

- compassionate communication - experience with math and science

http://oakandorca.ca 250 383 6609

- exposure to books and language arts

Looking to Buy or Sell a Home?

Visit my Parent to Parent webpage at www.BriarHillGroup.com Let me find you the home that best suits your family!

As a mother with two small children, I understand your family housing needs

Give me a call at 250-744-0775

Jane Johnston,* M.Ed. *Personal Real Estate Corporation

34 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Around the Island

Visit www.IslandParent.ca for these and other events and resources for families from Cowichan Valley north to Campbell River and west to Tofino FRI 1 Tots Movie Night Out at Bowen Complex, Nanaimo. Are you wanting to take your child out to a movie but worry about disrupting the audience? Bring your little one and get them used to sitting in a theatre-like environment.

Popcorn and drink included. $5/child; parents free. 6-7:45pm. 250-756-5200.

TUES 5 Tim’s Tuesday Free Swim at Ladysmith Parks Recreation and Culture, sponsored by Tim Hortons. Bring a non-perishable food or cash donation for the Ladysmith Food Bank. 6:307:55pm. 250-245-6424. www.ladysmith.ca.

WED 6 Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena.

Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Glow necklaces $2. Regular admission. 6:30-8pm. 250-756-5200.

FRI 8 Pro-D Day Everyone Welcome Skate at Oceanside Place Arena. School is out, but skating is in. 1:30-3pm. Regular admission and skate rentals. www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

SAT 16 – MON APRIL 1

Admission by donation, includes a visit to the museum. 1-4pm. www.nanaimomuseum.ca.

MON 18 – SAT 30 Spring Break Out Swim at Ravensong.

Come for action-packed adventures Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Themed games and activities with prizes awarded. Fun for all ages and abilities, from the young to the young at heart. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 250-752-5014. View schedule at rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

TUES 19 March Break-Out Fun at Beban Pool. Crazy, zany fun, lots of cool games and activities.

10:30am-noon. 250-756-5200.

WED 20 March Break-Out Fun at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Crazy, zany fun, lots of cool games and activities. 1-3pm. 250-756-5200.

Glow in the Dark Skate at Frank Crane Arena.

Skate in an atmosphere of dimmed lighting and special effects. Glow necklaces $2. Regular admission. 6:30-8pm. 250-756-5200.

THURS 21

Spring Break Public Skates at Oceanside Place Arena. Drop in for a skate during the break.

View schedules at www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

March Break-Out Fun at Beban Pool. Crazy, zany fun with the aquatic leaders; lots of cool games and activities. 10:30am-noon.

250-756-5200.

SAT 16

THURS 21 – SAT 23

Pirate Swim at Ladysmith Parks Recreation and Culture. Aye thar mates, ’tis treasure to find at the pool. Come about me buckos for a swashbucklin’ good time… thar be treasure to find, masts to climb, dive in to Davey Jones’ Locker, blast the water cannon and much more.

Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. $4/person. 6:30-8pm. 250-245-6424. www.ladysmith.ca.

Science World on the Road at Nanaimo North Town Centre. Visit the official Science World on the Road team. Free science shows, make and take activities and more. 10am-3:30pm.

Free. 4750 Rutherford Rd. 250-758-8111.

MON 18 March Break-Out Fun at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Come out for some crazy, zany fun with the aquatic leaders. There will be lots of cool games and activities. 1-3pm. 250-756-5200.

MON 18 – FRI 22 Spring Break Activity Days at the Nanaimo Museum. Workshop activities for children ages 5-12 years visiting the museum with their families. Caregivers must be present.

www.IslandParent.ca

FRI 22 March Break-Out Fun at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre. Crazy, zany fun, lots of cool games and activities. 1-3pm. 250-756-5200.

SAT 23 Brant in the Bay at Parksville Community Park. View Brant geese and other birds through spotting scopes set up by the Arrowsmith Naturalists. Free. 10am-2pm.

WED 27 Youth Career Night at Oceanside Place. Eat pizza and play “Employment Survivor” with

the staff from the Career Centre. Get ready to outwit, outplay and outlast the competition.

Prepare to find work with the help of this fast, fun and free workshop. 6-8pm. Pre-register 250-248-3252. www.rdn.bc.ca/recreation.

SAT 30 VIU Deep Bay Marine Field Station Open House at Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Parksville. Tour this amazing station featuring ocean creatures in touch tanks. Free. 10am-4pm.

ONGOING PRESCHOOL LaFF at the Aggie. Play-based learning environment for families with children newborn to age 6. Reading centre, craft area, Brio train station, and snack table. Indoor car and toy riding area. Monday-Friday, 9:30am-noon and Thursday 12:15-1:45pm. $2 suggested donation per family (punch cards available).

250-210-0870, www.familyandfriends.ca.

Children Parent & Child Hockey at Nanaimo Ice Centre. A fun, non-competitive hockey time for children where their parents can play, too.

Bring your own gloves, stick, and helmet with face cage. Pre-registration required. Sundays 5:15-6pm. $5. 250-756-5200.

YOUTH Spare Blox Youth Drop-in in Nanaimo, a supervised space to hang out and chill. For those 12-17, it offers regular gym activities, video games, movies, foosball, air hockey and much more. Free, but you must register.

7-9pm until May 1. Mon, NDSS; Tues, Oliver Woods Community Ctr; Wed, John Barsby Community School. 250-756-5200.

The Youth Zone in Ladysmith. A fun and safe place to hang out, Games tables, internet kiosk, TV, movies, board games, karaoke, sports in the gym. Tues, 3-6pm in the Rec Room; Wed, 3-5pm in the gym; Fri 6-10pm in the Rec Room or gym. 250-245-6424.

The Zone Youth Hang-Out at Beban Park Complex, Nanaimo. Hang out with friends and try a different activity each week. Movie nights, dodge ball, soccer, or electronic night. 11-13 years, $6/drop-in. Fri 7-9pm. 250-756-5200.

FAMILY Family Frolics at the Community Ctr, Ladysmith. Bring your caregiver for open gym fun.

Soft toys (balls and nerf-type games), minitrampoline, ride-on toys, hula hoops and more.

Tues, 5:45-6:45pm. $2 suggested donation/ family. 250-245-6424. www.ladysmith.ca.•

March 2013 35

Best Food Forward

M Child, Youth & Family Community Health South Island Health Units Esquimalt 250-519-5311 Gulf Islands 250-539-3099 (toll-free number for office in Saanichton)

Peninsula 250-544-2400 Saanich 250-519-5100 Saltspring Island 250-538-4880 Sooke 250-642-5464 Victoria 250-388-2200 West Shore 250-519-3490

Central Island Health Units Duncan 250-709-3050 Ladysmith 250-755-3342 Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878 Nanaimo 250-755-3342 Nanaimo Princess Royal 250-755-3342 Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242 Port Alberni 250-731-1315 Tofino 250-725-4020

North Island Health Units Campbell River 250-850-2110 Courtenay 250-331-8520 Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289 ‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522 Port Hardy 250-902-6071

www.viha.ca/prevention_services/

36 Island Parent Magazine

arch is Nutrition Month brought to you by Dietitians of Canada. For the love of food and health, take time to plan, shop, cook, and enjoy!

Even for the best of shoppers, going grocery shopping can be overwhelming. With so many options, how do you know what to choose? A survey conducted by Dietitians of Canada found that 63 per cent of Canadians struggle with making healthier food choices in the grocery store at least half of the time they shop. Fortunately, by following a “plan, shop, cook, enjoy” strategy, you can save time, money and frustration.

Plan. Enter the grocery store with a plan.

Did you know that when you walk through the supermarket doors, the lighting, colours, advertisements, and size and location of grocery carts can encourage you to buy more? Focus on what you need and want by shopping with a list. Set aside time each week to write out your week’s menu plan.

Here are some tips to help you: • Consider your family’s and your schedule for the week. Assign a quick meal to those nights when the kids have sports practice or music lessons. Save your complex recipes for days when you get off work early and can spend a little extra time in the kitchen.

• Plan for leftovers. It takes little effort to double a recipe. Leftovers make great lunches. They can also be a perfect side dish when running tight on time.

• Have quick meals on hand. Freeze leftovers or quick-to-prepare ingredients as a back-up meal.

• Involve your family in the planning. This will take the pressure off you and your family will be more likely to eat the meals. Keep a notebook where family members can write ideas when they come to mind—eventually you will collect a book of ideas!

• Save money by scanning grocery store flyers for specials that you can include in your plan.

Once you have your meals planned, write down your grocery list. Remember to add staples and snacks to your list.

If you asked, “Is there an app for this?”

YES, there is! The Menu Planner app, available from iTunes, allows you to import recipes, develop a menu and create an ingredient list from your menu.

Free menu planning templates are also available from www.organizedhome.com.

Shop. Consider where to shop. Often farmers’ markets or neighbourhood stores sell a variety of fresh, local, and affordable produce. Before shopping, have a snack.

Shopping on an empty stomach can be hazardous to your health and food budget!

Now it’s time to shop from your list.

Where do you begin? Start by shopping the outside perimeter of grocery stores.

Here you will find unprocessed staples

Healthy Families; Happy Families C hild Y outh & Family C ommunity Health

Eleah Stringer

such as dairy, meat, produce and bread.

Once you’ve gathered these staples, find the aisles with the remaining items on your list.

When shopping with a list, there’s no need to wander up every aisle; just go where you need to go. Follow these tips to help make the best choices: • On packaged items, read the nutrition label. Nutrition statements on the front of a package can be misleading; rely on the nutrition facts table and ingredient list instead. Learn more about nutrition labels at the Healthy Canadians website, www. healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/ index-eng.php.

• Save money by looking for sale items.

Remember to compare the sale price to other brands. Try comparing the “unit cost” listed on the price tag. The lowest unit cost is the best deal.

• Shop in the bulk section for items like spices when you only need a small amount.

Cook. It’s time to make a healthy and delicious meal. Because you’ve planned and shopped ahead, you should have all the ingredients you need. Save time in preparation and cooking with these tips: • Plan your time by reviewing each step of the recipe to see where you can multitask.

• Wash, chop, and set aside all vegetables first, then prep meat to avoid the need to switch cutting boards and knives while still being food safe.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

• Prepare ingredients ahead of time when you can.

• Involve all family members with ageappropriate tasks.

• Consider using a slow cooker for easy cooking.

Enjoy! Sit down as a family and enjoy the rewards of your well-planned meal. Eating together at the table is time to: • Build strong family ties by sharing, talking, and laughing.

• Role model healthy eating.

• Form family traditions and memories.

• Create a sense of security and belonging for your children.

Le français au CSF, c’est bien plus qu’une langue !

Eleah Stringer is a UBC dietetic intern, working in Victoria, who loves all things food related!

Chickpeas & Greens with Moroccan Spices From Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

by Deborah Madison Serves: 4 generously Time: 20 minutes 1 large bunch of chard or kale, stems removed (look for local) 3 cups cooked chickpeas or two 15-ounce cans, rinsed 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 3⁄4 tsp salt 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 tsp pepper 11⁄2 tsp ground cumin 1⁄2 tsp turmeric 3 Tbsp olive oil 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro 2 Tbsp chopped parsley 1 white onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, diced into 1⁄2" squares 1⁄4 tsp dried thyme 1 small dried red chile 1 can diced tomatoes with juice Chop kale coarsely and set aside. Blend garlic, 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon olive oil, all but 2 tablespoons cilantro and the parsley until a rough paste is formed. Heat remaining oil in large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add onion, pepper, spices and chiles. Cook until onion is transparent.

Stir in kale and cook 1 minute. Add paste, chickpeas, 1⁄2 cup water, tomatoes and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve. Serve over brown rice, quinoa or whole-wheat couscous. This is even better the next day, when the flavours have come together. www.IslandParent.ca

Depuis sa création en 1995, le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offre des programmes et des services éducatifs valorisant le plein épanouissement et l’identité culturelle des apprenantes et apprenants francophones de la province.

Le conseil compte aujourd’hui plus de 4 600 élèves, 36 écoles publiques et dessert plus d’une centaine de communautés réparties dans l’ensemble de la province.

Inscrivez votre enfant dans une école du CSF !

Nos écoles publiques daNs l’île de VaNcouVer Campbell River École Mer-et-montagne École secondaire Phoenix École secondaire Carihi

250-923-3359 1102 South Alder 250-923-3359 400, 7th Ave. 250-923-3359 350 Dogwood St.

M-6 7-9 10 - 12

Comox Valley

École au Cœur-de-l'île

250-339-1848 566 Linshart Rd.

M - 12

Nanaimo

École Océane 250-714-0761 1951 Estevan Rd. M - 7 École secondaire de Nanaimo 250-714-0761 355 Wakesiah Ave. 8 - 12

Port Alberni

École des Grands-cèdres

250-723-5614 4645 Helen St.

M-6

Victoria

École Victor-Brodeur

250-220-6010 637 Head St.

M - 12

csf.bc.ca

March 2013

37

Danielle’s Paint-your-own Pottery and Glass Fusing Studio * Pro-D Fun Days * March Break Specials * * Classes and Workshops * * Birthday Parties * Corporate Events * Diva Nights * * Summer Camps * Drop-ins always welcome… no experience necessary!

129-735 Goldstream Ave Langford, BC V9B 2X4 250-590-7949

www.daniellestudios.ca www.facebook.com/danielle.pyop info@daniellestudios.ca

CHILDREN/TEEN (from 7 years)

SEWING CAMPS! Spring Break 2013 Schedule

Your child/teen can SEW! It’s SEW Easy!

Emphasis is on sewing clothes they can wear!

Home School Classes also available Fernwood/Bay area

March 11–15: Morning & Afternoon March 18–22: Morning & Afternoon March 25–28: Morning, 4 Days

Andrea’s

Andrea Bailey

22 years teaching experience

Call www.andreasseweasy.com

250-592-7879

or email aseweasy@shaw.ca

Under an hour from Swartz Bay with direct daily ferries to Mayne Island

Open Year-Round 9 housekeeping cottages perfect for family getaways

250-539-2463 • 1-877-535-2424 bluevista@bluevistaresort.com • www.bluevistaresort.com

38

Island Parent Magazine

Family Clean-Up

W

hen our three daughters were very young, my wife and I used to organize timed tidy-ups. It was our way of putting a little fun into house cleaning.

I’d set the timer for five minutes and we’d all rush around putting things away. As we worked, Evelyn, our eldest, would call out how much time we had left. It was just enough time for a basic tidy.

More recently, my wife and I decided the kids were old enough to undertake a more serious set of chores, so we decided that every Saturday morning we’d spend a full hour cleaning the house. Not just tidying, but actual cleaning: sweep and mop the floors, vacuum, scrub the toilets. It took a lot of whip cracking to get started, and there was always a little negotiation and horse trading to try and get everyone’s workload balanced and fair, but we’re getting into a routine now. The kids are getting used to it.

When Evelyn broke her arm last month, along with asking the doctor if she could play soccer and go swimming, we asked if she’d be okay participating in the family chores.

The doctor considered it awhile, then said he thought vacuuming would be okay. He stood up and mimed it for us: one arm out as though fixed in a cast, he did a quick turn around the small consulting room.

Vivian’s our youngest daughter, and she’s always loved to clean. At five years old she used to volunteer to do the dishes. She’d stand on a chair, fill the sink with suds and entertain herself for an hour while working on just a few dishes. Last weekend, during our Saturday morning clean, Vivian was supposed to do the bathrooms which includes scrubbing the sinks, toilets and floors of each washroom. I gave her a pair of rubber gloves and showed her what to do. Half an hour later I returned to discover she’d spent the entire time scrubbing just the sink. She had a cloth out and there were suds everywhere as she made circle after circle around the sink while water dripped out across the counter.

I had to remind myself that for a while it’s more work to get your kids to do the chores than it is to do them yourself, but it should still pay off over time. Our hope is that one day my wife and I can sleep in www.kidsinvictoria.com

Saturday mornings while the kids vacuum and mop.

Unfortunately, we’re still a long way off. This week I asked Tessa, our middle daughter, to mop the stairs and told Vivian to sweep them. I ran through the list of what had to be done, raising my voice as

Dadspeak Daniel Griffin the grumbling and complaining started. It’s the kind of infighting that drives me nuts: who had the better chores, who worked harder than the others, who’d cleaned the washrooms last week. Vivian was soon in tears. “I never get to mop the stairs,” she said. I told them to settle it amongst themselves and tried to walk away, but Vivian just kept crying.

I asked Tess if she’d trade stair mopping for carpet vacuuming. The whole fight erupted again with Tessa saying Vivian always gets her way. She cries and then everyone does what she wants. Vivian threw a balled up piece of paper across the table and I started waving my hands in the air for a cease fire. In the end, I said, “Vivian if you want to mop the stairs you can, but you need to do it on top of the vacuuming.”

“Okay,” she said.

“Really? You’ll do all your chores and mop the stairs as well?”

She nodded. The fight was settled. Vivian just wanted to mop the stairs. Like I said, she loves to clean.

Now I just had to make sure she didn’t spend an entire hour on the top stair.

Daniel Griffin is the father of three children and the author of Stopping for Strangers (Vehicule Press, 2012), a collection of short stories about parents, children, brothers and sisters.

www.IslandParent.ca

Catch the Kye Bay Spirit • • • •

miles of safe sandy beaches warm and safe swimming may–oct. explore the reef and tidepools comfy seaside cottages

For an experience you’ll never forget!

KYE BAY GUEST LODGE & COTTAGES Comox, BC, Vancouver Island www.kyebay.com 1-866-658-6131

Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry “The path is made by walking”

learningstorm.org @psiivictoria psii@learningstorm.org

Looking for a Grade 9 to 12 school that fits your teenager and not one that expects your teenager to fit it? One designed on what we now know about adolescent learners and not what we thought we knew over a century ago?

Victoria’s new independent school still accepting applications for Sept 2013.

Email Jeff at psii@learningstorm.org to book an information meeting for your school’s parent group, your family, or a small group of interested families.

Check our website also for upcoming public information sessions in April.

March 2013 39

And Then There Were None

W

e are each born into our own reality, which for years is the one and only possible reality. We take what we have and what surrounds us for granted, because we can. This is, incidentally, what I have come to believe is one of the biggest gifts we parents can give our children: a loving and secure home, as an assumed natural right.

I am the oldest child, the oldest grandchild on both sides, Sunday’s child, born in what seemed a perpetual summer of love.

I had grandparents—two grandmas and two grandpas, and even a great granny and great grand-dad, all of whom loved me and wished the best for me. Now I have none.

Time marches on (get it? March).

I understand that it is the natural order for people to pass on. I know how lucky I was to have them for as long as I did. But the thing is, I was used to them. My grandpas passed first, one from drawn-out illness, and the other more suddenly. Then my Grandma

40 Island Parent Magazine

Clayton faded away, wearing her cheery grin right to the end. My Grandma Humphrey went just last week—died, really, not this innocuous “went,” but it’s hard to say died.

She was almost 93, and so I have nothing to complain about, except that now there are none, and I miss her. I miss all of them.

I will never hear Grandpa Clayton greet me with a cheery “Well, hello there, Number One!” Never pick up the phone to have Grandpa Humphrey’s booming voice say to me “Well, you’re sure looking good today!”

(Yes, over the phone—it was his thing). The grandmas—they’re mostly in my head. I find myself thinking, and occasionally blurting, some of the folk phrases and childhood sayings, songs or rhymes that Grandma Clayton would say to us, when we were together. Grandma Humphrey, well, I am still remembering her from the last time I saw her, which was a couple of months ago, and so it feels different.

Meals—plentiful, home-cooked, happy,

loud family meals—were a constant with both sides of the family. We all love to eat together, and we are all lucky to have been born to mothers who cook with love. Some of my family’s favourites were theirs, as well.

Here are a few. Enjoy! I notice that these recipes are all for desserts: they were sweet

Just Eat It! Kathy Humphrey people, my grandparents, and the memories that they left me with echo sweetly through my life, and my children’s lives. Sometimes, we need to focus on cake, first.

Graham Wafer Cake 1 cup sugar 1⁄2 cup butter 2 eggs, at room temperature 15 graham wafers, soaked in 1 cup milk 1 cup flour 2 tsp baking powder Preheat oven to 350˚F. Cream butter with sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, until

www.kidsinvictoria.com

mixture is fluffy. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl; fold in graham wafer mixture. Scoop into greased 8" x 8" square cake tin, and bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown, and solid in the centre.

(This cake doesn’t rise very much.) Frost with brown sugar icing.

Brown Sugar Icing 1⁄2 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1⁄4 cup milk 2–3 cups icing sugar Melt butter and sugar together. Bring to a boil, and boil for two minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk and bring to a rolling boil. Cool a little. Beat in icing sugar until the icing is of the correct consistency.

Butterscotch Pudding 1⁄3 cup butter 2 Tbsp cornstarch 11⁄2 cups brown sugar 2 cups milk pinch of salt 1⁄2 tsp vanilla Blend butter and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar: cook until well combined and browning a bit.

Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly, until well blended, thickened and smooth.

Stir in vanilla.

(For larger pudding, substitute 3 Tbsp cornstarch and 3 cups milk.)

Crumb Cake 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 3⁄4 cup butter 1 cup soured milk (1 cup milk with 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice added: let sit for 5–10 minutes) 1 egg 2 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp cloves 1 cup raisins 1 cup currants Preheat oven to 375˚F. Rub flour, butter and sugar together into crumbs. Reserve 1 cup for top of cake. Combine remainder of crumb mix with rest of ingredients. Scrape batter into greased 8" x 8" pan. Scatter topping over. Bake for 40 minutes, or until firm in middle and slightly pulled away at edges.

Kathy Humphrey lives in Victoria with her husband and two children. She tries to see cooking for a family not as a chore but as a creative outlet. www.IslandParent.ca

COME SEE WHY LEARNING IN NATURE ROCKS!

Opening Spring 2013 for Ages 3–5 "Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand" Chinese Proverb Reggio Influenced Philosophy Child Led Learning Registrations Now Being Taken for Limited Spaces mosnjk@hotmail.com

www.naturejuniorkindergarten.com

Let your kids ACT OUT this Spring Break!

Kids Camp March 18-22 for ages 10-15 years The Actor’s Toolbox - 10:00am - 3:30pm Join us for an exciting five-day acting camp in our downtown studio. Students will learn the process of developing a character for performance with scripts from established playwrights.

A variety of methods will be explored to bring a script to life – all within a fun and supportive environment. The final class will include a presentation of the week’s work. $195 plus hst.

To register call 250-580-2588, email info@vadarts.com or visit www.vadarts.com

March 2013

41

Leaping Across the Gender Divide

G

loria Steinem famously said that although “we’ve begun to raise daughters more like sons…few [of us] have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters.” It’s certainly the case in children’s literature, where a wealth of wonderful books is largely left unexplored by half the reading population, simply because of the matter of gender. It is felt, somehow, that while girls can revel in the adventures of Harry Potter or Sherlock Holmes, boys will be unable to appreciate a phenomenal female such as the fearless Pippi Longstocking, or the indomitable Jane Eyre. This theory is far from accurate, as can easily be demonstrated by the throngs of young men and boys devouring such series as Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games and James Patterson’s Ride, and even Disney’s latest Maximum Ride princess film Brave. Each of these books (or movies) features a strong, smart, capable, and independent protagonist that all genders can find admirable. And considering that children routinely read books starring cats, bats, aliens, and talking dogs, it would almost be more surprising that we consider it difficult for them to relate to a hero that simply happens to be a different gender.

There is, then, no reason why a boy of five should not enjoy fantastic fiction such as Eleanor Farjeon’s classic picture book, Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep (Candlewick, 2008). Filled with magic, moonlight, and a showdown against the forces of corporate evil, this lively fairy tale tells of little Elsie Piddock, the girl who is so fine a skipper that she rivals fairy Andy Spandy and his elven troupe, who take her under their wings and teach her a trick or two: tricks which, when her village, and the fairies’ home, comes under threat, may be the key to outwitting an unscrupulous businessman.

Originally published in 1937 and reissued with marvellous illustrations by Charlotte Voake, this classic tale should be a mainstay of every child’s bookshelf.

For slightly older readers, I offer Patricia C. Wrede’s exceptional Enchanted Forest Chronicles, brimming with magic and mayhem. Dealing with Dragons (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002) is the first in the series, and stars princess Cimorene, a young

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Island Parent Magazine

women who will insist on doing things that are “simply not done” by female royalty: such as running away from home, becoming princess to a dragon, and using wit, magic, and several buckets of soapy water

Book Nook MADDY SMITH (with a touch of lemon juice) to foil an evil plot to overthrow the dragon ruler. With a supporting cast of dragons, wizards, a very practical witch, a magician-theorist, and an enchanter-king this spectacular series should be read and enjoyed by all ages from 9-90.

Another superb novel starring a less-thanproper protagonist is Jacqueline Kelly’s award-winning novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Square Fish, 2011). Set in a blistering Texas summer in 1899, Evolution tells the story of Callie, a young woman with an inquiring mind and a great imagination— neither of which is particularly appreciated by her family, who’d much rather she got on with the business of learning to be a lady than that of working out why two kinds of grasshoppers look the way they do, and what www.kidsinvictoria.com

it might have to do with Charles Darwin’s revolutionary tome, The Evolution of the Species. On the brink of a new century, the whole world is changing, and Calpurnia isn’t going to just stand by and watch. Evocative and engaging, this novel is a coming-of-age not only of a person, but of a culture, and will excite and delight readers from 11+.

Of course, these three exceptional titles are still just the tip of the iceberg: if you’re looking for more marvellous reads with brilliant heroines, I suggest you take a look at these: Fly By Night, by Frances Hardinge (12+); Katie Morag’s Island Stories, by Mairi Hedderwick (4+); The Sceptre of the Ancients, by Derek Landy (11+): The Agency: A Spy in the House, by Y.S. Lee (12+); Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter, by Astrid Lindgren (10+); Bubble Trouble, by Margaret Mahy (2+); The Wee Free Men,

by Terry Pratchett; Fever Crumb, by Philip Reeve Ottoline and the Yellow Cat, by Chris Riddell (8+).

Literature gives us a unique opportunity to experience the life of someone seemingly unlike us, someone who lives in another time, another world, another body. Reading allows us to do what E.M Forster considered so vital: that is, “only connect.”

March—with the 20th day being the first day of spring, and the 8th being International Women’s Day—seems like a perfect month to seek such connection with the world around us, and with each other.

“My kid could paint that.”

is moving to

Moving Sale is on for the month of March!

Join us for our Grand Opening on April 6, 2013.

Maddy Smith is a children’s bookseller and an Islander born and bred; she reads, writes, and believes in the magic of a great book. www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013

43

Accepting Enrollment for Sept. 2013 Book now for a tour!

5575 West Saanich Rd (across from Red Barn Market) 250 592 4411 imhs@telus.net www.islandmontessori.com

Emmanuel Preschool

2121 Cedar Hill Cross Road (by entrance to UVic)

Openings available for 2012–2013 Classes!

Children learn through play in our nondenominational Christian preschool. Bright attractive setting with competent and caring staff.

Two teachers with ECE certification plus assistant teachers with each teacher bringing their own strengths to the team.

Opportunities available: Mon/Wed/Fri morning class Tues/Thurs morning class Phone 250-598-0573 preschool@emmanuelvictoria.ca

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44 Island Parent Magazine

•

preschool to grade 2

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before and after school care

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small class sizes

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supportive and caring staff

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excellent academic foundation

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Kodaly music program

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lovely rural location connecting children to nature

Party of Five

W

e don’t have dinner guests anymore.

I’m not sure why. It wasn’t so long ago that we would invite friends to savour a special wine over risotto, and conversation, and Scrabble. I’ll admit, after a child or two came along, our dinner parties changed gears—they became gatherings with other parents, attempting to eat hamburgers at 5 p.m. while the kids ran wild. But still, it made us feel normal.

We’re up to three children now, and our social calendar is decidedly blank—unless one counts the occasional caterpillar that is smuggled to the table. One might think we’d be depressed over this situation. But really, who needs adult company? Why mourn the loss of a social life when one can instead dine in chaos, cacophony, and squalor? We’re not missing a thing.

We still have good conversation, though the topics have changed. Now, instead of discussing the ideal sights to catch while backpacking the south of Spain, we talk about the plot of Cars II, the thrill of making it to Salamander level in swim lessons, and the intricacies of Lego® tower construction.

Rarely,will my husband and I get a word in, and even more rarely, to each other.

And we don’t miss out on politics, either.

Our dinner hour is rife with debate. Who has more peas? Whose turn is it to have the “rainbow fork”—taking into consideration that it is one child’s half-birthday but the other child helped with the dishwasher? And is it, or is it not, fair that we do not own a puppy, despite repeated requests? These are the issues that make our world go round. As one would expect of any good dinner party, there is culinary critique. We are treated to nightly reviews on the texture, flavour, and presentation of our menu. Onions, spicy things, and anything resembling a beet receive very poor ratings, but rave reviews are given to chicken drumsticks, macaroni, potatoes in any form, and raw carrots. There hasn’t actually been a risotto on the menu for several years. So okay, my cooking may not be as diverse as it once was, but it’s the simple food that really nourishes us, right?

Of course, it may have been a tad more relaxing serving adults. Now I rarely sit longer than one minute the entire meal, www.kidsinvictoria.com

tending to the endless needs of my diners: “Mom, I dwopped my fowk!”; “More potatoes?”; “Wis is too hot!”; “I won’t eat this unless it has ketchup on it.” By the time I do shovel my own dinner into my mouth, it is invariably cold. But getting up and down 27 times per meal does provide excellent cardio—something I have yet to manage at an adult dinner party.

Is There an App for This?

SARAH MILLIGAN Our mealtimes are rounded out by a few uniquely charming experiences. Someone will spill their drink. Utensils will be used as fencing swords. Our daughter will spout wildlife facts without pause. Our son will break into song loud enough to shatter glass, and pound his fists on the table for the sheer joy of seeing the water glasses tremble. The littlest will keep us lively by pretending to eat nicely, then violently swiping all of her food from her high chair tray the moment we let down our guard. And over it all, I will repeat an endless litany of: “Sit down in your seat,” “Sit back down while you’re eating,” “Get back into your chair please,” “Please sit down or I will have to take away your food” and “BUM IN YOUR SEAT IF YOU WANT TO EAT!” Okay, so maybe it is a tad overwhelming to eat dinner with us. One might call the experience “stressful,” or possibly even “hair-raising.” Perhaps it’s not surprising no one comes over anymore. Perhaps I’ve even been tempted to feed the kids and then plunk them in front of the telly while we enjoy a meal in peace. But we’d be missing out on something special if I did that.

For somewhere between the cardio, the mess, the noise, and the bickering, our family is taking shape. Our shared meal is the constant—the heart of our home where we gather each day. Here, our family knows each other. And here, rare and golden moments arise, such as last night, when my son announced: “Today, I’m bigger than I was yesterday!”, or when the baby, without fail, claps her hands in delight as we say grace.

It certainly isn’t glamorous…but it’s a party I wouldn’t miss for the world.

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March 2013 45

Family Services Directory This directory, sponsored by Thrifty Foods, features not for profit agencies and organizations serving children, youth and families.

BC Families in Transition (formerly the Separation and Divorce Resource Centre) is one of three non-profit agencies in North America that offers professional counselling, legal support and education for people who are having problems in their relationships. Each year we help 10,000 adults, children and youth through family changes, separations and divorces, remarriages, and complex family situations.

Whether you wish to separate or remain together, call us at 250-386-4331 or visit www.bcfit.org to see how we can help. Some evening and weekend appointments available.

Beacon Community Services, a community-based, non-profit social, employment and health services agency, serving Greater Victoria, Saanich Peninsula and the Southern Gulf Islands. Providing these services: child, youth and family services; a drop-in family resource centre; counselling; employment services for adults, youth and people with disabilities; home support; volunteer services and opportunities; community events; affordable, assisted living for seniors; referrals, information and resources; thrift shops. For Home Support information call 250-658-6407, for all other inquiries call 250-656-0134 or visit www. beaconcs.ca.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria provides mentoring programs to children in schools and communities. Adult ‘Bigs’, and child ‘Littles’, build a friendship based on shared interests, respect, trust, and the magic of everyday moments shared with a friend.

Everyone needs someone to laugh with, to share a dream with, and just to hang out. No special skills, money, or experience are needed to be a mentor to a child, just a willingness to spend time together, to

TM

listen, and to be a friend and advocate—in as little as one hour a week! The positive impact of mentorship lasts for a lifetime. Contact us at 250-475-1117, email main@bbbsvictoria.com, or at our website www.bbbsvictoria.com Boys & Girls Club Services offer after-school and evening social, educational and recreational programming for youth at four locations. We also offer support to parents of teens (Parents Together) and run Adventure Based Learning programs at our Camp in Metchosin. For more information on all our programs visit our website at www.bgcvic.org. For general information on after-school and evening programs at our 4 Community Clubs please call 250-384-9133.

The Child Abuse Prevention & Counselling Society/Mary Manning Centre is the primary provider of therapy and victim support services for children and youth in Greater Victoria who experience sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other serious trauma, or who may be at risk for sexual abuse. Therapy services include individual and group sessions for children and youth and group sessions for parents. Victim services include intake and referral, accompaniment and support for children and youth being interviewed by police, and court preparation and support for those testifying as victims or witnesses in criminal cases. No charge for clients. Contact: 250-385-6111 or admin@ marymanning.com.

Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing residential services, day and community supports (supported employment, parent support and

Science Works

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society. Our Family Services offer family resource programs with a focus on early childhood development and learning, parenting education and pre and post-natal services.

Our Counselling Services are free to adults and youth (12-18 years); adult and short term clinical counselling is offered for acute mental health problems. For more information call 250-385-2635 or visit 511 Constance Ave. in Esquimalt.

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is a service agency for immigrants and refugees.

Programs offered include cross-cultural counseling, parenting programs (child care available), family violence programs, employment services, interpretation and translation, diversity workshops and training, ESL instruction, volunteering, youth programs and tutoring, as well as intercultural arts programming and the Diversity Health Fair. 930 Balmoral Rd, 250388-4728, info@icavictoria.org, www.icavictoria.org.

Learning Disabilities Association of BC, SVI Chapter, educates, supports and advocates for children and youth with learning disabilities and related conditions.

Services include a public lending library, individual/ group support for parents and children, professional/ educational workshops for parents and professionals.

Child and youth programs include: reading/writing, academic skills, social/emotional skill development and Fast ForWord. 1524 Fort St. 250-370-9513. www.ldasvi.bc.ca.

Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides programs and services to the military family community. Services include: 24 Hour Information Line, Deployment Information and Workshops, Short Term

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46 Island Parent Magazine

independent living). Our Host agency provides direct supports for those with Individualized Funding and Home Share service. We also provide Autism Services for youth between 13 and 19. Our family support program offers advocacy, conflict resolution, education, newsletters, workshops, support groups and a resource library. Please call 250-477-7231 ext 233.

Hundreds of Gift Items for Science & Nature Lovers of All Ages

1889 Oak Bay Ave Ph: 595-6033 Open 10am–5:30pm Monday–Saturday

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Intervention/Crisis Support, Welcome/Relocation Services, services for families with special needs and responsabilities and childcare services and support to parents. Exciting Volunteer opportunities available!

Call the MFRC: 250-363-2640 (1-800-353-3329) for information. www.esquimaltmfrc.com.

Parent Support Services Society (www. parentsupportbc.ca) provides support circles, parenting resources and referrals to all in a parenting role including grandparents raising grandchildren.

Our training in peer group facilitation is open to the community. Support circles are free with child minding and transportation assistance available.

Volunteers are always needed. Call 250-384-8042; email parent-support@shaw.ca.

1Up: Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre (www.1-up.ca) provides support, education and resources for parents in the Greater Victoria area through free counselling, volunteer training for reception and peer helper positions, a mentoring program for single moms, and a support group for dads. The Centre also offers over 20 integrated life skills and parenting courses which are open to the whole community (fees are by donation). Child care assistance is available based on financial need. The Centre provides a bread pantry and free clothing for single parents. Donations of gently-used clothing, small household items, books, and toys are very welcome every Monday and Wednesday. Centre hours are 9–4 weekdays. 602 Gorge Rd. East; call 250-3851114 or info@1-up.ca.

South Island Centre for Counselling & Training is an affordable, non-profit, counselling agency serving individuals and families from all social, ethnic, and financial backgrounds. We help people with a wide range of issues including low self-esteem, depression, grief, marital and family conflict, abuse and spiritual direction. We also offer helpful “life” courses.

For more information contact us at 250-472-2851; info@southislandcentre.ca.

Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre supports families living with epilepsy by providing tutoring and one on one professional consultations to help your child to live up to their full potential.

We offer epilepsy education workshops in private and public schools, and keep you up to date on the latest research about medications, lifestyle and safety for your child. Visit us at www.vepc.bc.ca to find out more, and to explore our bursaries for Camosun College. Calls are also welcome at 250475-6677.

Falcon

Gymnastics Centre

Mornings/Afternoons Full Days/Half Days

March 18–22

For more information call 250-479-6424

Falcon Gymnastics presents:

Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp 2013 Ages 51⁄2–14 years ~ 9am–4pm, 9am–12pm or 1–4pm We also have: Best Birthday Parties in town!

Best gymnastics and most affordable classes!

208 – 721 Vanalman Ave, Victoria, BC V8Z 3B6 250-479-6424 www.falcongymnastics.com info@falcongymnastics.com

Matinees for KIDS! MAR 2 & 3 WRECK-IT-RALPH MAR 9 & 10 SCHOOL OF ROCK

Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm All Seats

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MAR 16 & 17 BILLY ELLIOT MAR 23 & 24

A TOWN CALLED PANIC MAR 30 & 31 RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

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Swing Into Spring Gymnastics Camp

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Student Union Building, UVIC | 721-8365 March 2013 47

You Know More Than You Think You Do

P

arenting, while extremely rewarding, is one of the most challenging, demanding, and stressful jobs on the planet. I know I am not alone in finding parenting sometimes incredibly exhausting and often downright frustrating. Part of what adds to the stress of being a parent is all the conflicting advice and information we receive.

We get it from all angles—our friends, our health care providers, the Internet, parents, baby books and even perfect strangers on the street. We all want the very best for our children, so we tune into all bits of information in hopes of bettering ourselves as parents and helping our little ones become the best that they can be. It’s very easy to get confused and overwhelmed by a dozen answers to seemingly simple questions. We are told to hold and comfort our babies—but do not hold them too much because they need to learn how to soothe themselves. We are told to sleep close to our babies but not too close. And on and on. Those of us who

become parents do so with little training or preparation so when the answers sound reasonable and the sources credible, it can be very difficult to find our own path. Our intuition as parents becomes drowned out by the deafening self-doubt that can arise from a case of “too much information.”

There are a plethora of resources aimed at parents that promise ways to raise the “best” child in the quickest amount of time. How to teach your toddler mathematics (I think I still have those flashcards somewhere).

Books and websites offer “once and for all” solutions for the ever persistent parenting concerns of sleep, potty training and nutrition. Western culture fosters a perception of a need for assistance to “teach” our baby to become as independent as soon as humanly possible. I have read dozens of parenting books on my journey as a parent, some of which I have found to be incredibly helpful and encouraging. The best books on parenting can sometimes serve as useful

references, giving us new ways of seeing situations and reassuring us, especially in those early years of parenting. Sometimes these books help us to see that there are various ways to handle things or that we are not alone when we are dealing with special problems. But a lot of what I have

New Parent Pages Diana Hurschler, BScN read can make a parent feel overwhelmed and incompetent. And all of a sudden, the parent is relying on the books as definitive guide rather than as just a resource, shying away from tuning into their own baby’s cues, environment and their own instincts.

How do we get to a place of trusting our own intuition and avoid getting swallowed up and overwhelmed by our doubts, our insecurities?

People often make comments to me that I must be an “expert” since I have four children. It brings to mind the quote from John Wilmot: “Before I got married I had

Send Us Your Stories!

Victoria & Vancouver Island 1-866-518-7287 Nanaimo 250-756-9794 Or online at: www.welcomewagon.ca

48 Island Parent Magazine

Island Parent is looking for articles for upcoming issues. Some of our best content comes from people just like you—Vancouver Island parents who are passionate about their families and are dealing with the day to day issues of raising children in our community. Share your experiences, your thoughts on a particular issue, your ideas on places to see or projects to do—anything related to parenting.

Check our Writer’s Guidelines at www.islandparent.ca for specific information on submissions. We’d love to hear from you. Please email submissions to editor@islandparent.ca.

www.kidsinvictoria.com

six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.” One thing that I know to be true about raising children is that there are no theories that are right for every baby and every family.

Parenting is above all uniquely personal.

Ultimately, it has to come from deep inside ourselves. Someone else’s way will never do, and even how you parent one child will differ from the next in the same family. Although I am a seasoned parent and I’ve learned a lot from books and “on the job” training, the biggest learning I have to share with you is this: you already know the majority of what you need to know to be an incredible parent. As I started to believe this and started to parent from my heart and not my head, I found that my worry and exhaustion began to lift. It was then that I truly began to enjoy being a parent. We each have to find a way that is our own, learning from all useful sources along the way. We have to trust our own instincts and nourish and refine them. We learn on the job, as we go.

There is, in fact, no other way. We have to rely on our own hearts, our deepest human instincts, and the things we carry from our own childhood, both positive and negative, to navigate the unknown territory of having and raising children. Over time, you will find that if you focus on your children instead of outside information, you can see more deeply who your children are and what they need, and find ways to nourish their individuality and further their growth and development. You can learn how to interpret their many different, albeit sometimes confusing signals and trust your ability to find a way to parent your little soul. A baby tells us what he needs in his own language.

Our job is to learn that language. It is hard to learn a language if you are too busy looking for answers externally instead of listening and trying to understand what is being communicated right in front of you.

You are your biggest resource of knowledge and intuition when it comes to parenting your child. Put away those books.

Close the laptop. Smile and nod politely to well-meaning advisors, but if what they are saying doesn’t fit for your family, turn within to find your own way. Trust yourself.

You will soon find you have the answers.

Diana Hurschler, RN BscN, childbirth educator, certified breastfeeding counselor has been helping families in their childbearing years and beyond since 1998. Diana is the proud mama of four little ones. She can be reached at diana@hurschler.com. www.IslandParent.ca

Pick up your copy of Island Parent at any of one our 25 Serious Coffee locations.

March 2013 49

Preschool & Child Care Directory CENTRAL SAANICH Chrysalis Child Care..........................250-652-0815 A nurturing and stimulating environment for a small group of 3–5 year olds. Qualified ECE promotes learning through play. www.chrysalischildcare.ca.

Colwood/LANGFORD Almosthome Childcare/Preschool...250-590-7666 Quality childcare with a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Experienced Early Childhood Educators. Nurturing environment for ages 10 months to 5 years old. www.almosthomecare.com.

Caring Touch Daycare.......................250-478-4886 A warm, loving, fun family daycare in a safe, nurturing environment. Infant/toddler care for ages 1–5 years.

Jenn’s Little Bears.............................250-478-8999 A safe nurturing environment for children from infancy to kindergarten. Our Infant and Toddler Program enriches each child’s development while our 3-5 Program prepares children for kindergarten. Two separate buildings allow each age group space to grow!

La Pre-Maternelle Appletree Preschool..........................250-479-0292 French immersion program. 30 months to school age.

Licensed Christian centre. www.prematernelleappletree.com.

Simply Fun Childcare Centre............250-881-3958 A warm, loving, fun and nurturing place for children to grow and learn. We have spaces available for registration ages 2.5 to 12 in our Licensed Group Facility. We offer extraordinary childcare, before and after school programs and a preschool. Our teachers are extremely qualified with ECE training and have lots of experience.

Call Brenda to set up a tour. Let your child’s light shine bright with us!

Highlands Lexie’s Little Bears’ Child Care Inc....................................250-590-3603 A 2 acre outdoor playground! A “Learning Naturally” interpretation. Our children explore, grow and learn from nature. Beside Bear Mountain. 12 months to 5 years. www.lexieslittlebears.com.

METCHOSIN

Miles of Smiles Licensed Child Care..........................250-298-7374 Dedicated to offering quality care where caring, learning, diversity, guidance and fun are the priority. www. milesofsmileschildcare.com

A Growing Place................................250-391-1133 Half day program (AM or PM) for 2.5-5 yrs. ECE educator, small class size. Our own petting farm. Summer program for July.

Music Makers Child Care Centre.....250-294-3916 Offering an innovative environment that develops musical abilities and encourages a love of music while following a preschool curriculum/kindergarten readiness program. Group care for children 2 to 6 and infant/toddler care for ages 12 to 36 months. www.musicmakerschildcare.com

Metchosin Co-op Preschool.............250-478-9241 Come and visit our stunning natural outdoor playspace, warm, nurturing, play-based,inclusive program allowing parents to grow and learn alongside their child.

Exceptional ECE Staff provide an enriching experience for 2.5 - 5 year olds. Come grow with us! Est.1960.

Reg. begins Mar.1 @ 9am.

CORDOVA BAY

North SAANICH

Carrot Seed Preschool......................250-652-2311 Where children can discover, imagine, construct and learn through play. Wondrous natural playground. www.carrotseedpreschool.com.

In The Garden Childcare Centre.......250-654-0306 A GREAT PLACE TO GROW. Offering preschool, full day care, before and after school care for children aged 2.5 to 12 years old. Open all year.

Cordova Bay Preschool....................250-658-3441 A bright and cheerful parent-participation preschool with a philosophy of “learning through play.” www. cordovabaypreschool.org.

ESQUIMALT CIARA Early Childhood Centre.........250-386-7369 Education and fun hand in hand. Exceptional care for little ones ages 12 month-5yrs in an inclusive centre with Christian values.

Island Kids Academy Esquimalt.......250-381-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring all-day program. Character development using the Virtues Project. Access to community programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca.

OAK BAY Emmanuel Preschool........................250-598-0573 Children learn through play in our non-denominational Christian preschool near UVic. Bright attractive setting. www.emmanuelpreschool.ca.

Gonzales Co-op Preschool...............250-727-1003 Children explore their imaginations in our learning-throughplay environments and large natural playground. Our Reggio-Emilia inspired program focuses on art, nature and music. Over 50 years serving Victoria’s families. Nuturing and highly qualified ECE and ECE Assistant. Parent participation level options available and allergy-aware. Join us! www.gonzalespreschool.com.

Kindred Spirits Children’s House........250-590-6966 Now accepting registration for a small group of 2.5–5 year olds in a purpose built Montessori classroom.

The prepared environment stimulates and engages the children at their own pace with hands on, size, age and developmentally appropriate materials. www.kindredspiritschildrenshouse.com

Oak Bay Co-op Preschool..................250-592-1922 Children Learn Through Play in this parent participation school. Our bright facility is allergy-free with a large outdoor playground. www.oakbaypreschool.com.

Recreation Oak Bay..........................250-370-7200 Fully licensed, qualified ECE Daycare and Preschool with play based learning. After school care also available.

SAANICH Arbutus Grove Children’s Centre.....250-477-3731 Innovative and dynamic preschool programming.

Children’s learning is nurtured and guided through exploration, discovery, play and creative expression. www.arbutusgrove.ca.

Cloverdale Child Care.......................... 250-995-1766 Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds, Come grow with us and learn through play. www.cloverdalechkildcare.com.

Full o’ Beans Preschool........................ 250.360.1148 Opening September 2013. We offer ‘learn through play’ programming designed to foster your child’s natural curiosity and imagination. Flexible scheduling, 2.5 and 4 hour programs, qualified staff. Registration is ongoing!www.saanichneighbourhoodplace.com.

Island Montessori House..................250-592-4411 Inclusive, integrated and nurturing preschool, kindergarten, Grade 1/2 program. Located in a lovely rural setting. Extended day available. www.islandmontessori.com.

Lakehill Preschool.............................250-477-4141 Nurturing, warm environment for children to learn through play, with qualified, experienced ECEs. Different levels of participation available. www.lakehillpreschool.org.

Lambrick Park Preschool & Childcare............................................250-477-8131 Gordon Head’s only parent-participation preschool and childcare centre. Flexible options, play-based learning and outdoor play. Allergy friendly. Celebrating 40+ years. www.lambrickparkpreschool.ca.

Little Readers Academy....................250-477-5550 An enriched learn-to-read program for your 3-6 yearold! Reading, Writing and Math. Half-day, weekend and evening sessions available. www.oxfordlearning.com.

Montessori Educare..........................250-881-8666 Beautiful learning environments in Broadmead and Saanichton. 30 months – 5 years. Summer program available. Special needs are welcome. www.montessorieducare.com.

My Little Folk......................................250-380-7197 Licensed In Home Multi Age Daycare in a very central location! Caregiver is Montessori and ECE Certified and has a fun and nurturing approach. Part time or full time. 7:30am-5:00pm. mylittlefolk@shaw.ca.

Neighbourhood Junior Kindergarten..250-479-4410 Offering an early literacy program 4 mornings/wk. (TF) for 4 year olds in an attractive, culturally-sensitive learning environment in Lake Hill School.

Looking for child care? Taking care of children?

Call your local Child Care Resource & Referral for free referrals and resources.

Child Care

Resource & Referral Your community’s best source of child care information and resources.

50 Island Parent Magazine

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 or 1-800-750-1868 Sooke: 250-642-5152 Westshore: 250-391-4324 Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 PacificCare (Ladysmith north): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 Funded by the Province of BC

www.islandfamilyinfo.ca www.ccrr.bc.ca www.kidsinvictoria.com

Preschool & Child Care Directory Oakcrest Preschool...........................250-472-0668 • Two fully qualified teachers, AM classes • No duty days, wide variety of parent jobs • www.oakcrestpreschool.org Playtime Preschool...........................250-383-3101 AM or PM preschool classes up to 20 hrs/wk. Tillicum.

Spacious facility, qualified ECEs. Let’s Talk About Touching Program. www.playtimepreschool.com.

Puddles & Paints Playschool............250-658-6573 Introduce your children to Nature with our outdoor nature-lovers program. Our centre backs up to 15 acres of our “secret-garden” parkland where we can learn and explore! Strong environmental awareness with a “Naturalplay-based” philosophy. ECE staff, and a strong Reggio Emilia Influence! Celebrating and supporting your child’s world and successes! Like us on Facebook!

Ready Set Grow Preschool...............250-472-1530 A warm, caring, quality Learning Through Play environment. Gordon Head area with a highly qualified ECE. heosc@pacificcoast.net.

Rogers Child Care Centre.................250-744-2343 Trusted High Quality Programs since 1991. Early Learning and Out of School Care. www.rogerschildcare.com.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Preschool..............................250-479-1232 ext 120 • A Christian child centre for 3–5 year olds.

• A warm nurturing and challenging program • Offered by St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

St. Margaret’s Preschool & Junior Kindergarten..........................250-479-7171 Our programme for 3 and 4 year old girls offers a nurturing and educationally stimulating curriculum provided by experienced ECE staff and specialist teachers. Our state of the art facility is located in beautiful environmental surroundings. www.stmarg.ca.

Strawberry Vale Preschool...............250-479-4213 Children learn through play at our parent participation preschool. Programs for 3 and 4 year olds at “The Little Red Schoolhouse.”

www.strawberryvalepreschool.org.

SIDNEY Positive Path Early Learning............250-655-7244

Year-round quality child care where preschoolers explore and learn in a culture of Christian values and virtues. positivepath@shaw.ca.

VICTORIA ArtsCalibre Academy........................250-382-3533 Comprehensive programs for Preschool through Grade 5, delivering academic excellence through music, dance, drama and visual arts. Outstanding educators, locations and facilities. www.ArtsCalibre.ca Babies to Big Kids Childcare............... 250-590-5540 949 Fullerton Ave. Daycare owner, 250-818-9225 Licenced group childcare for children 6 months to 12 years old. Three programs offered: Infant toddler program, Three to Five Program and Before and After School Care Program. Open 6:30am-5:30pm. Weekly music and movement classes. www.babiestobigkids. com, info@babiestobigkids.com.

Butterfly Corner.................................... 250-381-4845 Licensed family day care in James Bay. Since 1998.

ECE. Ages 1–5. Full time. Fun & Educational. http:// ButterflyCornerCreativeLearningCentre.com Castleview Child Care.......................250-595-5355 Learning Through Play & Experience. Licensed nonprofit, qual. ECE staff. Since 1958. Preschool and full-time care. www.castleviewchildcarecentre.com.

www.IslandParent.ca

Cedar Daycare...................................250-479-2032 Community oriented, NFP Child Care facility. Wide variety of activities offered including the use of a private outdoor pool during the summer months. Licensed ECE educators devoted to nurturing children aged 30 months – 5 years. www.cedardaycare.com.

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare.. 250-383-5132 ECE and specialist teachers provide an outstanding all day licensed program for 3 and 4 year olds in our spacious and welcoming facility in James Bay. www. cathedralschool.ca.

Downtown Y Child Care Centre.......250-413-8869 Enriched program, for children ages 3-5 years, supporting healthy child development and future school success. www.victoriay.com.

Lansdowne Co-op Preschool...........250-595-5223 An extraordinary learning environment for families with young children. Parent participation. wwwlansdownepreschool.com.

Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten...................250-595-7544 – Taking children’s learning forward – One of Victoria’s leading preschools and Junior Kindergartens. Balanced approach to play and education.

Programme supports literacy, numeracy. Visit www. nightingalepreschool.com. Fernwood.

Parkdale Early Childhood Centre.....250-382-0512 We offer quality care and positive experiences for children in our diverse daycare and preschool programs. Our rich curriculum includes music classes from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. parkdalechildcare@shaw.ca.

Rainbow Express Daycare................250-382-2314 Enriched preschool style program in a daycare setting.

Visit our website at www.rainbowexpressdaycare.com.

Ross Bay Preschool..........................250-383-7445 Positive/supportive program motivating children to learn and discover. Curriculum builds on interests of the children. www.rossbaypreschool.com The Sir James Douglas Playschool.250-389-0500 Fun, creative and educational ECE program for 3-5 year olds to grow and develop life long skills. Come play and learn in our bright and modern centre in Fairfield.

Victoria Montessori...........................250-380-0534 Unique, innovative learning environment combining the best of Montessori and Learning Through Play. Open yr. round. 30mths–grade 1. www.victoriamontessori.com.

VIEW ROYAL A Secret Garden Preschool..............250-380-8293 Program built on Christian values. Monthly themes, weekly topics and daily activities. asecretgardenpreschool@shaw.ca.

Island Kids Academy View Royal.....250-727-2929 High quality child care (ages 1-5). Preschool curriculum offered within a warm, caring child care environment.

Character development using the Virtues Project.

Access to community programs including swimming, skating, Victoria Conservatory of Music. Part-time spaces available. www.islandkids.ca.

Little Friends Childcare Center........250-479-8423 For a creative learning environment. Licensed group facility. Infants/Toddlers/Preschool.

Little Wonders Preschool (VROSCS)...........................................250-744-2718 A creative and suuportive program that will prepare your child for a lifetime of learning! OSC also available. www.viewroyalosc.com.

View Royal Preschool........................250-479-8067 An exciting inclusive program in an exceptional care environment. Licensed 3–5 year olds. Outside play and themes enrich this program. viewroyalps@ uniserve.com.

Mill Bay / Cobble Hill Starchild Centre..................................250-929-3240 Unique infant/toddler daycare, combines the best of Montessori and Waldorf. Our 9 acre hobby farm enables each child to have a garden plot, participate in planting trees, picking fruit, feeding animals, and other outside adventures. www.starchildcentre.ca.

DUNCAN Angel Care Christian Preschool.........250-746-5919 A quality, enriched program for preschool children.

Located in Queen of Angels Catholic School.

Maple Tree Play House Licensed Family Childcare...............250-746-5060 A daycare program that provides enriched outdoor play time and activities that build on a child’s intrinsic love of nature. Healthy meals and snacks are provided. mapletreekids@telus.net..

Parkside Academy Early Learning Centre.........................250-746-1711 Offering quality, literacy focused childcare for children aged 6 mos – 12 yrs; infant/toddler; 3–5, preschool, and after school programs at Alexander, Khowhemun and Tansor Elementary schools.

Queen Margaret’s Preschool/ Junior Kindergarten..........................250-746-4185 Offering a co-ed enriched curriculum in a friendly atmosphere. Morning ECE/afternoon daycare. www.qms.bc.ca.

Sunrise Waldorf School, Kindercottage Preschool Nursery......250-743-7253 A morning program for 3 and 4 yr olds in a warm natural atmosphere where wonder is nurtured and outdoor play is abundant. Details at www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org.

Parent & Child programs also available!

Chemainus Cherry Tree Child Care Centre.........250-246-9195 Preschool program nurturing creative play and engaging learning activity. 30 months to age five. Qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educator.

St. Joseph’s Preschool.....................250-246-3191 A Christian learning environment for 3–5 year olds.

Active participation in the life of the school. Parental involvement.

Nanaimo Nanaimo Parent Participation Preschool...........................................250-753-1939 Experienced, caring and energetic ECE using learning through play in an enriched environment. www.nanaimopreschool.com.

Qualicum Beach Children’s Discovery Centre.............250-752-4343 Our program recognizes the uniqueness of each child and provides a nurturing, safe and creative learning environment. Preschool, Groupcare, Out of School care. ECE qualified staff. childrensdiscoverycentre@ hotmail.com.

Little Star Children’s Centre.............250-752-4554 Earth friendly preschool education inspired by nature.

Kinder-Prep classes. Licensed group care. ECE instructors. www.littlestardaycare.ca. littlestar@shaw.ca.

Port Alberni John Paul II Catholic School............250-723-0637 “Where children grow and learn through play.” We provide a program that will inspire development physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively and spiritually.

March 2013 51

Ad Directory All Fun Karts, Cages, Clubs & Camping.... 17

Pacific School of Innovation............... 39

Andrea’s Sew Easy...... 38 Panorama Leisure....... 26 Art Gallery of

Park Sands................ IBC

Greater Victoria....... 43 Pemberton Holmes..... 34 Artistic Statement......... 5 Phoenix Theatre.......... 32 Blue Vista Resort......... 18 Pizzeria Prima Boardworks................ 20

Strada.................... 30

Burnside Gorge........... 48 Rainbow Express......... 39 Camp Pringle.............. 30 READ Society................ 3 Camp Qwanoes..........BC Recreation Oak Bay....... 9 Capernwray................ 56 Restart Computers...... 55 Cathedral School......... 31 Royal BC Museum........ 2 Cinecenta................... 47 Saanich Dental............. 9 Color Me Mine........... IBC Saanich Recreation.... IFC Conseil Scolaire.......... 37 Scallywags................ IFC Creatively United for

Science Works............ 46

the Planet Festival... 40 Serious Coffee............ 49 Danielle’s Pottery

The Shipley Group....... 16

Studio..................... 38 Sportball.................... IFC Emmanuel Baptist Church................... 20 Emmanuel

St. Michaels University School..... 21 St. Margaret’s School.... 4

Preschool................ 44 Stages....................... 18 Falcon Gymnastics...... 47 Stagecoach................ 22 Maxine Fisher............. 13 Theatre One............... 13 Hampton Little

Thrifty Foods............... 29

League................... 55 Tigh Na Mara.............. 27 IMAX Theatre................ 6 Tillicum Centre............ 16 Island Farms............... 28 TJs The Kiddies Island Montessori........ 44

Store...................... 45

JamTots..................... 43 Tom Lee Music........... 26 Jennifer Jonker

Tourism Tofino............ 27

Photography............ 47 Victoria Academy of Kate Rubin Theatre

Dramatic Arts.......... 41

& Drama................. 22 Victoria Children’s KIV............................. 19

Choir...................... 44

Kye Bay Resort........... 39 Victoria Children’s Lifestyle Markets......... 54

Consignment........... 45

Little Spirits Garden..... 18 Victoria Epilepsy & Making Tomorrow....... 33

Parkinson’s Centre.. 31

Miles of Smiles........... 41 Victoria Midwives........ 23 Monarch House.......... 33 Victoria Recreation..... IBC Montessori

VIHA........................... 36

Conference............. 31 Vitamin Shop.............. 13 Mothering Touch......... 49 Viva Choirs................. 18 Karen Murdoch........... 10 Welcome Wagon......... 48 Oak & Orca........... 34, 54 Westshore Parks........... 8 The OCEAN 98.5.......... 1 Westside Stables.......... 5 Ocean Sands.............. 26

52 Island Parent Magazine

Round-the-Clock Job with No Chance of Sick-Leave

B

efore I had a little person and I just had a day job instead of a round-the-clock job, there was a thing in my life called sick leave. If I was unwell, some wonderful person would step in and do my job while I got paid to stay in bed. This was true whether I was really sick or just a little sick, whether the problem was medical or simply induced by the thought of going to work. It was a benefit of working life that I took for granted.

When Angus was a newborn, I never wished for sick leave. Yes, I was exhausted, but I didn’t want to miss a moment. And in the first 18 months of Angus’s life, I dodged every bug that made the rounds of our house.

And then one night I got caught.

When I crawled out of bed the next morning, coughing and whining, I wished desperately for Independent Angus. That kid would play beside me while I lay down on the couch. He might even permit me to close my eyes. But Sick Angus woke up in his place.

Sick Angus has a few things in common with Angus. They both like cuddles, but Sick Angus likes them sloppier. He smashes his runny nose into your cheek to smear slime the length of your face. He kisses with his tongue out and dripping with drool. Angus and Sick Angus both constantly employ the phrase, “I want, I want,” but whereas Angus will point to the object he’s referring to, Sick Angus just stares at you beseechingly.

When your guesses are incorrect, he throws himself on the floor and cries.

Sick Angus is draining, and when he’s around I can’t help staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until naptime.

But why do I kid myself? I always hope it will be different, but the truth inevitably reveals itself: Sick Angus is not a sleeper.

A friend told me she knew her son was sick because instead of his usual hour-long nap, he slept for three hours. And despite her worries that this would ruin his night sleep, he still slept right through. Sick Angus barely sleeps at all. He stands in his crib and

screams. He thrashes and whines and then starts coughing. He is fully aware that a loud enough hack and some gagging sounds always result in a parent in his bedroom.

And then the whole charade will be over.

Maternity & Beyond Laura TRUNKEY That first night Angus fell right to sleep.

It was a miracle, and I should have realized it wouldn’t last. I should have put myself to bed at 7 p.m. also, but I didn’t. I went to sleep at 11 p.m., about 10 minutes before Angus woke up. He didn’t wake to cuddle or nurse, he just wanted to express his displeasure. To an audience. Until 4 a.m.

When I’m sick, I need my Kleenex on the bedside table. I need my glass of water and my Vicks. Sick Angus has just one requirement: he needs to hold on to his milk supplier. My hand has to be in his crib, but he never knows quite what to do with it. That night, for an hour Angus held my hand, then stood on it, then scooted his bum against my palm, then turned so I was cupping his knees. He finally fell asleep the way Sick Angus always does, with his head on my wrist, and his hands clasping my fingers.

Lying on the floor beside Sick Angus, my back aching, my hand numb, sucking on zinc lozenges to prevent myself from coughing, I thought about sleep. I thought about the only thing that would facilitate that: sick leave. Because although the parenthood benefit package is comprehensive, that’s the one thing that it’s lacking.

Laura Trunkey, mother of the amazing Angus, is a writer, and a children’s writing instructor at Story Studio. She can be reached at laurajtrunkey@gmail.com. www.kidsinvictoria.com

Business & Professional Directory Supervised Access Visits

Move to the head of the class.

One Tutor

Looking for a way to ease the stress of being Separated or Divorced with Children?

One Student Your Home

Professional Services

Art Classes • Drawing • Painting • Sculpture • Cartooning • Portfolio Preparation

Children & Adults • Day & Evening Classes Fabulous Results • Original Art for Sale

Flexible hours (including weekends)

Artistic Statement Gallery & School of Fine Art Transition Services for Families Phone 250-590-4114 Email info@tsconsultingvictoria.ca or find us online at

Smart Tutor Referrals.com Professional In-Home Tutorial Support

www.tsconsultingvictoria.ca

Call 250-544-1588 to learn more.

Massage Therapy

Natural Health Care for Children

Kirsten Hammond

Registered Massage Therapist 957 Verdier Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC • therapeutic, relaxation, deep tissue, sports massage, pre and post natal massage • family practice with over 10 years experience • childcare available • online booking

evolutionsmassagetherapy.ca kirsten@evolutionsmassagetherapy.ca

250-213-1357

DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTION & GROUP PROGRAMS Monarch House offers an interdisciplinary approach to treating individuals from infancy to adulthood with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.

Monarch House - Victoria Unit 211 - 611 Discovery Street 250.220.8999 monarchhousevictoria@cbi.ca www.monarchhouse.ca www.IslandParent.ca

Homeopathy & Nutrition for: • Autism & ASD • Developmental Disorders • Behavioural Disorders • Ear Infections • Asthma • Eczema

www.drzimmermann.org 250-590-5828

Call Joan in the Oak Bay Monterey Mews, #107–2250 Oak Bay Ave, 250-383-0566 www.artisticstatementgalleryandschool.com Now offering Art lessons on SKYPE for those unable to make it to the studio

Celebrating our “Original” Outdoor Learning Program!

We bring your child’s classroom…OUTSIDE!” • “Life is playfulness. We need to play so that we can rediscover the magic all around us.” – Flora Colao • Our property boasts 2 acres of forest with 2 huge natural play spaces for the children to discover!

• Providing a quality Natural program through outdoor play, starting your child on the right path towards a healthy, active forever lifestyle.

Learn and grow with us!

250-590-3603

New Pics at

www.lexieslittlebears.com

presents

in Nanaimo With Licensed Educator Jenna Pye Trusted. Proven. Educational. And, fun! Kindermusik is the world’s leading provider of music and movement programs for young children, enjoyed by over 1.5 million families in 70+ countries.

Classes for 0 mos and up. For class times, locations and to enroll visit www.kindermusik.com In Your Home Music Studio also offers private lessons in Voice, Piano and Guitar. Visit www.inyourhomemusicstudio.com for more information.

Now Serving Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay!

Vancouver Island Parenting Consultations In-Home Private Consultations, Customized Parenting Plans • Infant Sleep Problems • Toddler Temper Tantrums • Sibling rivalry • School aged children just not listening Hayley Sinai can help you. 20 years experience working with children and families…

250.510.5611

www.viparentingconsultations.com

March 2013 53

Both Brawn & Beauty

I

see movement in my peripheral vision and look up into the big Douglas fir just off the path on my way to the Swan Lake Nature House. Smushed into the tree branch is the wriggling backside of a rat, its tail wagging fiercely at me. Locking the rat to the branch is the powerful talon of a Barred Owl, which is hungrily ravishing the rat’s head—the breakfast of champions! I know we all have to eat but I sure am glad that my food is not squirming when I consume it and I have the luxury of a knife and fork.

Generally, owls are known for eating their prey whole, much as a snake does. However, unlike a snake, their stomach acid cannot digest all of the fur, feathers and bones, so owls must cough up a pellet (similar to a cat’s fur ball) after approximately three meals.

Dissecting an owl pellet is like opening a birthday gift—you never know what will be inside and no amount of shaking will give away the surprise!

Owls are not the only birds of prey in Victoria; we also have an assortment of hawks

K-11 Alternative School

and falcons as well as Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Northern Harriers and Bald Eagles.

All have hooked beaks and claws for catching and tearing flesh, but what sets owls apart from the other raptors is their large heads with facial disks, large eyes, and feathered feet which have a reversible outer toe (allowing for the aforementioned death grip).

An owl’s facial disk collects surrounding sounds and funnels them to their asymmetrically placed ears, allowing for supernatural

hearing abilities, which is helpful because their favourite foods are quiet and quick.

Along with being able to determine exactly the distance and direction of a sound, owls can also pinpoint how far off the ground their prey is, equating to three-dimensional hearing!

Large eyes are needed in order for owls to hunt in low light conditions.

Owls are known to be nocturnal, although many are actually most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular) and a few hunt during the day. Owl eyes need to capture as much light as possible and so have many more rods than cones in their retinas and very large corneas and pupils. To prevent their enormous eyes from falling out of their head, owls have a bony (sclerotic)

An empowering multi-age learning community: - child-directed learning & choices

The joy of learning - naturally.

http://oakandorca.ca 250 383 6609

54 Island Parent Magazine

- compassionate communication - hands-on/minds-on math & science - prioritized environmental education - regular field trips & nature awareness

www.kidsinvictoria.com

ring which holds them firmly in place and looking forward. Therefore, they are unable to roll their eyes (decreasing their level of condescending behaviour towards their parents) and do not have peripheral vision,

Nature Notes COrAL FOrBES but definitely make up for this impediment by being able to turn their heads 270˚ in either direction. To protect their precious eyes, owls are equipped with three eyelids: an upper for blinking, lower for sleeping and a third eyelid (called a nictitating membrane) that closes diagonally, thereby cleaning and protecting the surface of the eye.

Feathered feet protect owls from cold weather, the chill of the night and biting prey. Their talons consist of four toes; three of which face forward, and one backwards during flight. However, when the owl is perched or clutching prey, the opposable outer front toe on each foot swivels to face the rear thanks to a unique flexible joint. As with other birds of prey, owls have a locking mechanism in their feet which keeps their toes around a perch or prey without the need for the muscles to remain contracted.

By far, the most common owl species in Victoria are the Barred and Great Horned with rare sightings of the Snowy, Northern Pygmy, Northern Saw-Whet, Long-eared and Short-eared Owl. At the nature sanctuary we most often see Barred Owls during the winter and usually in the same location on the path near the parking lot. So as I headed back to my car at the end of the day, I glanced up at the location of the rat feast and witnessed a much more glorious sight. The golden late September sun was filtering through the trees and caught the waking Barred Owl in its spotlight. As it stared down at me with its big brown eyes I realized that no matter how many amazing owl facts I learn, it’s simple moments like these that reaffirm my respect and love for these beautiful and powerful birds.

*Not a sanctioned Little League Program

Baseball for the underage Little Leaguer ALL BOYS AND GIRLS - - - AGES 2 THRU 4 Bring your own team! $50 per PLAYER and NO EQUIPMENT REQUIRED INCLUDES Baseball Cap, Blastball T-Shirt, Team Picture REGISTER: • •

On - Line (choose to pay at the park) Or walk in March 31st Sunday 1 to 4 PM At the Clubhouse (Across from Burnside Plaza on Tillicum Road)

All Games played on Saturday Mornings April thru June Play where your brothers and sisters do! www.hamptonlittleleague.org

For More Info: call 250 385-0022 or email: kimdirk@shaw.ca

Coral Forbes is a Program Naturalist at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary and the proud mother of a six-year-old who shares her fascination of the natural world.

www.IslandParent.ca

March 2013

55

Cut It Out!

Not Fair!

C

hildren need support as they learn to deal with the fact that life is not always fair. Other children can be mean. Some friends will have more things.

A sibling can get more attention at times when they really need it. Sometimes plans change when we don’t want them to. If you are trying to protect your children from life’s givens, Cut it Out! Protecting your children from the bumps and bruises of reality isn’t actually helping them at all. Instead, it sets them up to have an expectation that life should never let them down. When parents rescue their children or feel sorry for them, they end up bending over backwards.

This doesn’t look very pretty. The child complains and whines and the parent frets and worries. This parent often ends up exploding because they are working too hard at trying to control what they simply can’t.

Tips from Parent Educator Allison Rees of LIFE Seminars

To become mature means: • learning to go through experiences, recognizing what we can and can’t change • learning to understand our feelings and work through them • learning to align our thoughts with reality and find a comfortable perspective • learning to develop the faith to know that we can deal with the ups and downs

Parents can help by: • being good listeners • helping our kids see various points of view • coaching our children to come up with strategies • showing faith that our child can handle life’s givens LIFE Seminars has two books available, Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. See www.lifeseminars.com.

www . capernwray . ca

Training for Full Time Christian Service Regardless of Occupation!

Leadership Through Servanthood by Christ’s Indwelling, Resurrection Life.

www.capernwray.ca

Practical Bible Teaching Genesis to Revelation: Christ Revealed in the Written Word.

• Bible School • Conferences • Outdoor Education • Private Retreats • Personal Getaways

56 Island Parent Magazine

www.kidsinvictoria.com

Capernwray URL

If you have kids… and you like camping… try Park Sands Beach Resort this summer!

RV Park & Campground

A quiet, family place – on the beach – in Parksville.

www.parksands.com 1.877.873.1600

Arriving this SPRING 2013!

Watch for us OPENING SOON in Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, your favorite central Victoria location

With over 400 Paint Your Own Ceramics items and concepts to choose from, more than 70 assorted colors to paint and play with, and all kinds of events, parties and daily deals happening, Color Me Mine always gives you a reason to stop by.

Visit us online today and book your Birthday Party or event today as we get ready to open this Spring!

The Paint -It -Yourself Pottery Studio Like us on Facebook or join our Mail List to get all the news and deals offered weekly!

www.v ictoria.colormemine.com

Spring Break is fun! @Crystal Pool

and Fitness Centre!

• Adventure Camp • Girls Only Camp • Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross • Horseback Riding • Spring Break Skates • World Cup Soccer • Jr. Lifeguard Camp • Spring Break Fun Swims Call Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre at 250.361.0732 for program & registration information.

Visit www.victoria.ca/recservices for a complete listing of all programs and services.

Give them a summer that lasts

forever!

summer camps JUNIORS, JUNIOR HIGH, YOUTH, LEADERSHIP

Jump into the adventure and let friendship fill each day. Experience a world of discovery with an amazing staff.

family retreats open house ENJOY THE BEST OF A CANADIAN JUNE 8, 2013

WEST-COAST SUMMER!

For a summer brochure:

www.qwanoes.ca 1-888-997-9266 • life@qwanoes.ca

LIFE LIKE NO OTHER!

Located on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada