(NOTE: This story was updated Feb. 3 to include the New Westminster parks and recreation offerings.)
Spring break.
Whether those two words fill your heart with glee or with dread probably depends very much on whether you’re a student, a teacher or a parent.
If you fall into the latter category and you’re already pulling your hair out at the thought of how to keep the small humans occupied for spring break, never fear: We’ve rounded up some ideas for camps and various special events that should keep everyone in your house happy.
MUSIC BOX NEW WESTMINSTER
The popular music school is once again offering spring break camps. Its Hello! Camp, from March 13 to 17, offers kids aged 4.5 to eight a chance to get to know a variety of musical instruments, plus enjoying various games, parks, local attractions and more. From March 20 to 24, kids aged six to 10 can take part in Rock Band Camp. There are full- and half-day options available. See www.musicboxnw.ca for all the details.
THE STAGE NEW WEST
Another popular hot spot for local families, The Stage New West is once again offering its spring break musical theatre camps. Kids participate in creating a musical theatre production – with singing, dancing and acting alongside design of costumes, set and props, plus production. The camps are for kids aged six to nine, with one camp each week (March 13 to 17, and March 20 to 24). See www.thestagenewwest.ca.
THE DANCE MATRIX
Here’s one for the young dancer in your house – or for a child who may just want to give something new a try. The Dance Matrix offers a two-week spring break camp for dancers ranging from beginners to advanced. Kids can try out jazz, ballet and acrobatics, and maybe even some tap and/or hip hop. Check out thedancematrix.webs.com/dancecamps.htm, or call 778-397-0934.
VANCOUVER CIRCUS SCHOOL
Your kids can run away and join the circus during camps at the circus school, conveniently located on the second floor at River Market. Kids aged six to 16, of all skill and ability levels, can try out aerial silks, trampolines, juggling props and more. You can try out half- or full-day options. Check out www.vancouvercircusschool.ca for the details.
ROYAL CITY HYACKS FOOTBALL CLUB
Kids aged eight to 13 can spend their week at a five-day flag football camp to kick off the season. “We are going to run the kids backwards, forwards, sideways. Get them to catch, throw and learn about the sport,” says a write-up about the camp. It’s at Mercer Stadium and runs 9 a.m. to noon from March 13 to 17. See rchfc.hyackfootball.com.
DOUGLAS COLLEGE
Once again, the New West campus of Douglas College has a variety of full- and half-day camp options for the two weeks of spring break. In the first week, there’s Sports and Computers, Multisport, Creative Writing, Young Art Studio and Young Drama. In the second week, there’s basketball, Multisport, Young Writers and Young Artists. Check out www.tinyurl.com/DCCamps2017, or call 604-527-5472.
ANVIL CENTRE
For the artistically inclined young person, there’s bound to be something of interest at Anvil Centre. The centre has a number of day camp offerings over spring break. A few highlights: From March 13 to 17, there’s Artist Focus and Imagination Vacation for ages five to eight, Imagination Vacation and KidPrint for ages nine to 12, and Drawing and Creative Movement for ages 13 to 18. For March 20 to 25, there’s Drawing and Cartooning for ages five to eight, Zine Making for ages nine to 12, Shakespeare Playground for ages eight to 13, and Drawing and Creative Movement for ages 13 to 18. See www.anvilcentre.com for the full list of options, or call 604-527-4640.
NEW WESTMINSTER PARKS AND RECREATION
As always, the city is back with a host of spring break opportunities for the whole family. There’s Babysitter Training and Adventure Week, Great Art Adventure, Museum Mashup Camp, Club Royale, Magic Camp, Pottery and Plaster for Spring and much, much more. There are also a number of one-day-only programs for those who don’t want to sign up for a whole week of camp – whether it’s gym games, cooking or dance, you’re sure to find something to appeal to your family. Pick up a spring break brochure at city facilities or find one online at www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation.
YOUTH DAY TRIPS
The New Westminster Youth Centre is offering a number of youth trips during the two weeks of spring break. There’s Science World on March 14, Playdome at B.C. Place on March 16, an intergenerational snowshoeing trip to Seymour on March 21, a laser tag and swim on March 21, and a go-kart and swim trip on March 23. Check out www.tinyurl.com/NWPRregister to sign up or for details.
NEW WESTMINSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
The library has a number of drop-in events throughout the two weeks of spring break. Among them are drop-in craft sessions for parents and kids aged three to eight – March 14, 16 and 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the main branch, and March 15 at 10:30 a.m. in Queensborough. There are also Teen Tuesdays: on March 14, teens can drop in at 1:30 p.m. for a mini-terrarium making workshop, and on March 21 they can take part in a competitive Jigsaw Madness session (registration starts March 1 for both programs). A movie matinee is also planned for March 15 at 1:30 p.m. Watch www.nwpl.ca for all the details.
Do you know of any other spring break camps, programs or activities around New Westminster? Send ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
