I don't know about you, but to me it feels much too early to be thinking about summer plans.
However, as I look at the calendar and see May quickly disappearing before my eyes, I'm forced to concede that it's not really all that early, especially if you're a parent looking for somewhere for your kids to spend their summer days.
I've started compiling some ideas for summer camps and programs for New West kids, and I thought I'd start by sharing what I've found so far - seeing that families will have to make their plans pretty soon.
So here, in no particular order, are some of the ideas I've discovered:
* New Westminster parks and recreation: As always, the City of New Westminster has an incredible array of camps and programs for all ages.
I couldn't possibly give you all the details, but just perusing the list, you've got music and video production, dance, cooking, Ninjago Lego, Girls on the Go, farm animals, Fun en français, drama, Outdoor Explorers, Mad Science, heritage-themed camps and a whole host of trampoline and gymnastics options - to name just a few.
Pick up the city's most recent Active Living Guide at any city facility, or check online at newwestpcr.ca for a full listing.
* Vancouver Circus School: Who wouldn't want to run away to join the circus? The school is offering its popular summer camps once again, with day camps geared for kids aged six to 16 - of all fitness levels and abilities. Kids will try out aerial silks, trampolines, juggling and much more, and their week-long camp will end in a student-led show for friends and family.
The camps run at the New West location (on the second floor of River Market) July 14 to 18, July 21 to 25, Aug. 5 to 8, Aug. 11 to 15 and Aug. 18 to 22. Morning camps run 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. - you can sign up for the half-day option for $185, or the full day for $335. Check out www.vancouvercircusschool.ca/blog/2014summercamps/ for more details. You can email [email protected] or call 604-544-5024 for more.
* Under the Sea Summer Camp: This camp is a joint project of Music Box New Westminster and Kids in Motion dance school, and it's being held at the Music Box (on the second floor of River Market). It runs July 14 to 18 and offers up dance, music and singing on an ocean theme. Kids aged three to five can take part in a half-day camp from 1 to 4 p.m., and kids aged five-and-a-half to 10 can take part in a full-day camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The half-day camp is $175, and the full-day camp is $350. Check out more at www.musicboxnw.ca/summer-camps/.
* The Stage New Westminster: This performance school offers a variety of summer camps for kids of all ages.
For the four- to six-year-old set, you can try out Stage Explorers, a four-day camp that will get kids singing, moving, storytelling, playing instruments and crafting, with a short presentation for family on the final day. It runs Aug. 5 to 8, and families can choose from half-day classes for $140 or full-day classes for $260.
For the six- to nine-year-old crowd, there are Musical Theatre Day Camps running July 21 to 25 or Aug. 11 to 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be games, field trips, prop making, set painting, singing, dancing and acting. No experience is needed.
For the eight- to 10-year-old crowd and the 11- to 14-year-old, there's Class Act, which is aimed at beginners who want to take to the stage. The junior program runs July 28 to Aug. 1, and the 11- to 14-year-old program runs Aug. 18 to 22.
Check out www.thestagenewwest.ca/classes/summer-classes-2014/ for more details.
* Urban Academy: This New Westminster independent school offers a host of summer camps for kids aged five to 17, with a program list that runs the gamut of possibilities - Art Explorers, Mad Science, film stars, yoga and capoeira, photography, Lego, junior chefs, robotics, sock puppet theatre and more. Some programs are already filling up, so be sure to check this out earlier rather than later - get all the details, including times, dates and costs, at the school's website, www.urbanacademy.ca.
* Douglas College: It's another perennial favourite for local families, and with good reason - Douglas College offers an array of programs to suit all ages and interests. Week-long camps run through the summer, from the week of June 30 to July 4 right up until the week of Aug. 25 to 29. Among the camps are digi-art, creative writing, video games, stop motion animation, acting for the camera, film production, student leadership, web design and, of course, a whole host of sports - table tennis, multi-sports, soccer, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey and track and field among them. Get all the details at www.douglascollege.ca/campus-life/youth-programs/summer-camps.
Do you have ideas for summer programs and camps in New Westminster? Is your school, club or organization offering summer programs? Send details to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
