In a few weeks, another school year will wrap up and thousands of kids will be spilling out of classrooms in the Sooke School District for summer break.
While some parents might be wondering what to do with their kids over the summer, there’s lots of camps, classes and sports from science camps to gymnastics on the West Shore to keep kids of all ages and abilities busy throughout the next few months.
West Shore Parks and Recreation offers dozens of camps for children between the ages of three and 14 from July to August.
Kids ages three to five can enjoy camps such as aspiring artists: art explorers, move and groove together, cooking chaos, nature camp, growing young farmers, silly science camp, sport camps and a preschool play yoga camp.
Kids ages six to 11 can enrol in cottage kids, which has a bit of everything from crafts and games, songs and sports to swimming. There are also funseeker and cool capers day camps for the wild child interested in meeting new friends and quenching their thirst for extreme fun.
There are a variety of science and technology, sports, arts and crafts, drama, martial arts, music and pottery camps available. For more information visit westshorerecreation.ca.
The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island also offers a variety of day and overnight camps at Camp Thunderbird (5040 Glinz Lake Rd., Sooke) As part of the five-day camps, kids travel by bus and sing songs and play games to build excitement on the way to camp.
Once at camp, day campers spend time in groups of nine to 12 learning outdoor skills such as canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing. Participants can choose to stay for an optional one-night sleepover if they choose. The overnight stay includes dinner in the dining hall, sleep accommodations and breakfast the next day.
Bus transportation to and from camp is included in the cost of day camp.
Pick up and drop offs are available from the Downtown Y or Westhills U. Campers may also be driven to and from camp by car. For more information visit vancouverislandy.com.
City Centre Park in Langford offers summer camps for kids ages five to 15, also from July to August. Activities include skating and rollerblading, field sports, lake fishing, kayaking, arts and crafts, mini golf, drama, bowling, science experiments and softball.
Hot lunches are also available.
For more information visit citycentrepark.ca.
For outdoor lovers, the Lion’s Pride Gymnastics Academy offers three-hour half day camps or six-hour full day camps with before and after care also available.
Half-day camps include gymnastics, crafts games and a snack, while full day camps include gymnastics, games, crafts and field trips to local parks, water parks and Langford Lake, as well as snacks and lunch.
For more information visit lionspridegymnastics.com.
Victoria Gymnastics offers kindergym camps for girls and boys aged three and a half to five and a half, in which instructors combine games and gymnastics to promote participation, fun and skill development.
Recreation camps for boys and girls ages five and a half to 12 are also available in which staff introduce new and exciting skills that encourage balance, co-ordination, flexibility and strength to both experienced and beginner gymnasts.
For more information visit victoriagymnastics.com.
For the sports enthusiast, Westshore Rugby’s spring academy is up and running for kids ages eight to 14, and takes place every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca fields and the West Shore Velodrome until June 28. For more information visit bit.ly/2KeRvws.
Find the entire summer edition of West Shore Family online.
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