every cloud has a silver lining – spring break musings
Filed Under Favourites, Places | January 24, 2012
We’re all about the silver linings here. And one of the unintended consequences of the move to a two-week spring break in Vancouver due to District Closure days is there is far more choice for Spring Break camps than there used to be.
For working parents, the 10 weeks of school vacation a year can present a bit of a childcare conundrum, so we’re glad to see more spring break choices. Not that choice equals easy, but since most registrations have now opened here’s our thoughts on choosing camps.
Opportunity seldom knocks twice (well, not until summer camp season starts at least!) – Camps are a great opportunity to try out something different, like CirKids “Circus in a Week” camp, or dedicate the time to really reinforce a new skill, like with ski lessons at Grouse Mountain (pictured).
A change is as good as a rest – While it might not be the bike riding/tree climbing/free play of our childhood, we try to find activities that are as far as possible from the regular school routine so our kids go back rejuvenated from their break and ready to learn. Programs like Pedalheads with lots of physical activity, or Arts Umbrella where creative opportunities abound, make for a good break from desk learning.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink – While camps can be a great way for your child to try out something new or build on skills, make sure it’s something they are open to. This is their break so don’t set yourself up for a daily battle over attendance by choosing something you think they *should* like, but turns out they think otherwise.
Variety is the spice of life – While the easiest solution for you might be to stick with the same camp for both weeks, your kids might need a break from their break. We’re doing a one week camp, a few days off work for lazy days at home, and then a few days at the grandparents. Camps that have half day options, like Carousel Theatre, or that allow you to sign up for partial weeks, like Jump Gymnastics, give you the flexibility to mix and match.
Familiarity (shouldn’t) breed contempt – Don’t forget the Community Centres – they have good, relatively inexpensive, and active spring break programming for kids aged 6-12.
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