Gearing up for school means finding activities for children to be able to connect with their peers and learn something new.
The West Shore Parks and Recreation Society offers after-school programs that appeal to many children with different interests. Some of the programs include dance, yoga, music and art, with most of the programs running Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after school and Saturday mornings.
Creative kids yoga is for children six to nine years old and takes place on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.
For children six to nine years old, groove dance classes take place on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., with hip hop on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., and ballet and contemporary on Saturday at 12:45 p.m.
For ages 10 to 14, hip hop runs on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. and ballet and contemporary for children aged 10 to 15 runs Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Ballet and jazz for five to seven year olds takes place on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. and accro dance for ages six to eight takes place on Saturday at 2:15 p.m.
For music lovers, there is Kidz Rock, which takes place Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and guitar runs Thursday at 6:45 p.m., piano runs on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.
West Shore Parks and Recreation also offers different art programs. Fun with Fabric runs Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., Mixed Media runs Friday at 4:45 p.m. and drawing and watercolour takes place on Saturday at 11 a.m. Family pottery classes are offered Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and pottery for children ages nine to 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
A program run by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria and Area called Go Girls! is a group mentoring program for girls ages 11 to 14, that promotes physical activity, balanced eating and self-esteem.
Each session includes games, activities and discussions.
Music and art and Go Girls! runs out of Centennial Centre, for more information on the Aspiring Artist programs, people can visit bit.ly/2OUaCze.
West Shore Parks and Recreation is also offering a special back to school rate. For families that purchase or renew an annual family pass, they will receive 50 per cent off any child’s program, the discount on the child’s program is valid until Dec. 31.
Registration for programs from September to December is now open.
Find the entire fall edition of West Shore Family online.