2009 Summer Camps in Halifax

Do you have any plans for the kids this summer while you are at work? Are you a bit like me and panic at the thought of "what am I going to do?" Well, since I don't have the benefit of an 8 week vacation, here are ideas I've gathered and am sharing with you. BTW, this format is similar to one I put together for 2009 March Break Camps.

If I am missing any camps, please let me know and I'll add it to the list:


Halifax City Soccer Club
Mini Soccer Skills Camp (U6yrs, U8yrs & U10yrs)
Soccer Skills Camp(U10yrs & U12 yrs)
Full day and half day camps at Wickwire Field
Contact: Halifax City Soccer 453-0741

Canadian Parents for French - Nova Scotia
Camp du Soleil - CPF-Dartmouth
Registration info: campdusoleil@gmail.com
Camp Grenouille - CPF-Eastern Passage / Cole Harbour
Registration info: mattandtesa@eastlink.ca
Camp Lac Chocolat - CPF-Halifax Peninsula & Mainland South
Registration info: ardefen@hfx.eastlink.ca
Camp Joli - CPF-Bedford/Sackville
Registration info: cpf_bedford@yahoo.com
Residential camps are being held out of town.

Halifax Recreation
These camps fill up super fast.

Pier 21
Walking the Line
Choose from morning or afternoon (or both) half day camps. Multicultural crafts, games and activities from the hottest countries near the equator.

YMCA Day Camps
Sports, games, and outdoor activities to creative art and special events. Weekly themes add a special touch
Phone: 902-425-9622 ext. 235

Dalhousie Summer Camps
Their recreational camps have been expanded this year to include a variety of climbing camps in addition to the favourites: Aquatic Adventure, Mini University and Shakespeare by the Sea theatre camps. Spaces are limited.
Phone: 494-2002 or 494-2049

SuperNOVA at Dalhousie
I like how these popular science and engineering camps give you their registration status (i.e. 75% full)

Armdale Yacht Club
Youth Sailing Programs
Phone: 477-4617

Saint Mary's Camp of Champions
Summer Camps for boys and girls
Phone: 420-5429

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Summer Art Classes
Students can attend week-long sessions of full or half-day classes. Organized lunch time supervision at a nominal fee is provided for students attending full days.
Phone: 424-7542

Artech Camps at Dalhousie
State-of-the Art fun and high-tech creativity! For kids and youth from 5-16 years old. Choose from adventure camps, video game design, robot camps, animation/ claymation and Flash animation camps.
Phone:1-877-530-3177

MSVU Athletics and Recreation
From Holiday Hoopla to Ready, Set, Get Wet!
Phone: 457-6420

Unicorn Theatre
Summer Drama Camps
Campers will take part in numerous creative activities, and will perform in one of two musical plays for parents and friends each Friday afternoon.
Located at Head of St. Margaret's Bay
Phone: 857-2121

Discovery Centre
Hands-On Science Camps
Your kids will not only have fun but get a funky yellow bucket hat!
Phone: 492-4422

Mad Science Summer Camps
Calling all Junior Scientists
Phone: 454-0863

Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron Youth Sailing
Junior Sailing Programs
Phone: 477-5653

Bedford Basin Yacht Club
Youth Sailing Program
White, Bronze, Silver Sails
Phone: 832-2292 or 835-3729

Claytime
Summer Camps
Week-long camps include 3-themed ceramic, pottery projects that inspire fun & teach a variety of pottery painting techniques.
Phone: 443-6300

Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Summer Music Camp
Music Theatre, Young Ensemble, Chamber music, flute, musical mischief, voice, the joy of singing and much more.
Summer Dance Camp
Art and Creative Drama, Dance Intensive, Beatrix Potter Ballet and lots more.
Phone: 423-6995

Camp Fusion
Presented by Green Choi Kwang Do- a self-defense focused martial art. Camps also include swimming, yoga, crafts and games.
Phone: 441-3469

Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development (CEED)
Break Into Business Camps
Held in Hammonds Plains, Cole Harbour Place, Spryfield Library and CEED office, Halifax Shopping Centre
Phone: 209-4504

Alderney Landing
Children's Fine Art & Theatre Camp
Art Camps - The Creative Ocean and Pirate's Week
Theatre Camps-Stage presence, voice props, and all aspects of theatre.
Phone: 461-8401

Euro Futbol for Champions Soccer Camp
An elite soccer training camp in HRM this summer. They are affiliated with the world famous AC Milan soccer club of Italy and their coaches come directly from Milan to deliver their training technique and philosophy to the youth of Nova Scotia.
Phone: 832-1470



Let's keep this list growing, send your additions and I'll add them to the above list. Thanks!

Feeding Ducks at Sir Sandford Fleming Park

A day before a snow storm, my daughter and I went to Sir Sandford Fleming Park (the Dingle) to feed the ducks.

I found some seed when cleaning out a closet and thought that, at this times of year, the ducks would like a winter treat.

The ducks were timid at first but as the sea gulls and crows came on the scene, they decided to come closer. Then we ran out of seed and it was time for a quick walk around the park and then go home.

Just as we were leaving, an elderly couple arrived with a bag full of bread scraps for the ducks. Go figure.

Then at the round-about (formerly "rotary") on our way home, we noticed a duck sitting in grassy inner circle who likely stopped a few cars getting there.

March Break Camps in Halifax

March Break 2009 is March 16 - 20th.

By now every parent is thinking about what to do. Not everybody does or can take the entire week off so they start looking around for fun, safe and entertaining day camps during March Break.

Here are a few ideas I've put together. Please share your ideas!

Artech Studios
Build a robot, design a video game or produce an animated movie.
Mini-Camp (ages 5-7)- Full day and Half day camps are available
Production Studios (ages 8-14) - Full days
Game Designer & Robot Innovation Studios (ages 8-14)- Full days
Teen ONLY Studios (grades 7 and up)- Evening workshops
Located at Dartmouth Sportplex

ViewFinders March Break Camp: Animated Minds
For youth ages 12 to 18. Create a series of stop-motion animation Public Service Announcements or short films. Apply for free registration.

Rec Connect
Some programs still available for registration but it's slim pickings

YMCA Day Camps
Keep checking this website for detailed information.

Pier 21's Myths and Legends Camp
Explore various cultures from all over the world and here in Canada.

Creative Kids Education Centre
Choose from:
BBoying(break dancing)
Rock Band
Young Campers
Break Into Business Camp

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia March Break Art Classes
AGNS is offering a variety of creative and fun Art Camps to appeal to any child. Taught by well-qualified and experienced artists these classes are for kids ages 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and teens.

Ski Martock Day Camp
Ski School program
From 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. daily

Claytime's Rock Star Camp
Daily from 9:00am -noon
Pottery - drum box, guitar tray, microphone, star cup, wall plaque
Fused Glass - picture frame
Crafts - clay star- tambourine

St. Mary's University Camp of Champions
Basketball camps available but this year there is no hockey camp

Dalhousie University's March Break Camps
Basketball Camp (8-14 yrs)
Bouldering Camp (5-12 yrs)
Climbing Safety Camp (7-14 yrs)
Assistant Climbing Leader Camp (13-17 yrs)
Hockey Camp

Ice Men Hockey Kids Camp
Calling Atom & pee wee kids (ages 8 - 16) for their Ice Men tykes program, and also offering an Ice Men Juniors program for players up to 16 years of age.

The Utata Gallery and Art Centre in Windsor are having March Break Programs for children in grades K-6.
From drumming to painting, there is something different for every day.

Crank Your Core Lacrosse March Break Camp (16th-20th)
For girls and boys ages 8-12, this camp is for all skill levels and will be held in the new Caledonia Boys & Girls Club in Dartmouth from 9am-4pm.


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Special events/Day Activities:

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's TUGS!
This interactive exhibit opens March 14th

Mooseheads
Friday, March 13, 2009 at 7 p.m. (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Acadie-Bathurst

Halifax Rainmen
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Manchester Millrats)

AGNS Drop in Drawing
Daily from 2 - 4 p.m. No registration necessary, free with regular gallery admission

Museum of Natural History Exhibit: Ice Age Mammals

Let's keep this list growing, send me your ideas

10 Outdoor Winter Activities in NS

It's early January and already I'm shack wacky. Even though I am getting lots of fresh air as I train for The Hypothermic Half Marathon, I still want to "do" something. For the last couple days I've been suffering a mild case of writers block. A few months ago I was bursting with ideas on things to blog about. Now it's January and I'm not even inspired to clean the kitchen floor (okay, I'm never inspired to do that). I blame it on the January blahs. So, to help me shake out of it, I got a hair cut. Somewhere between the pungent smell of hair dye and purring like cat with someone playing with my hair, a thought popped into my head - write about how to get the "ick" out of January.

10 Activities to Get The "ick" Out of January- in no particular order:

1. Outdoor Photography
Yes, at this time of year we curse the ice and snow but before you reach for that shovel and ice pick, discover the beauty in the white stuff. Take a picture of it. Get close-up, and zoom in on an icicle.

The Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia motivates its members and guests with seminars, workshops and field trips for all levels of shutterbugs. Their next field trip is January 25th (Eagle Watching in Sheffield Mills).

2. Eagle Watching
January and February are the best months for viewing eagles and the Sheffield Mills Eagle Watch is where you'll be guaranteed some action. This annual event runs Jan. 24 - 25, 2009 and Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2009 and is in its 18th year. Near Kentville, this community comes alive with eagle watchers. There are lots of viewing areas so bring your camera a knock off items #1 and #2 from this list.

3. Snowshoeing
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Follow these handy tips and get ready to burn a lot of calories with this safe, low impact sport. Thanks to technological improvements from the cumbersome wooden variety, you can choose to do a leisurely stroll or a full out sprint.

Snowshoeing in Guysborough is easy. Just sign out a pair of snowshoes (they're free) from the Guysborough Fitness Centre and then explore around the grounds of the Osprey Shores Golf Resort. I'm also told that snowshoeing is fabulous on Five Islands Provincial Park's hiking trails. While the park is officially closed for the season, no one minds if you strap on your shoes. Be safe!
For more info:
Nova Scotia trails (maintained during winter)

4. Winter Surfing
Watch them, cheer them on while standing firmly with hot chocolate in hand from the beach. This is really something to see and at Lawrencetown beach is where you'll find these brave people. Hot tub dude?
Click on the image to watch a winter surfing video (January 4th, 2009)
For more info:
Scotia Surfer
Surf Nova Scotia

5. Geo caching
Geocaching is an outdoor high-tech treasure hunting game by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches (with "treasures" inside), and then share your experiences online. If you take a treasure, you must leave one for the next person. Did you know that Nova Scotia’s first cache was also the first in Canada? Placed: Jun 18th, 2000. Today, there are 709,820 active geocaches around the world. Wow.
For more info:
Maritime Geocaching Association
Stonehame Lodge and Chalets-Weekend Geocaching Packages

6. Winter Camping
Grab your wool, polypropylene, hydrophobic, Polarguard, Hollofil, Quallofil, Primaloft, Microloft, Thinsulate, pile and fleece and do good research before you set out.
Kejimkujik National Park offers wonderful sites in Jeremy's Bay and has four warm-up shelters. In the backcountry, 8 campsites and 2 backcountry cabins are available. Call the Visitor Centre (open on weekends) for more information and backcountry reservations (1-902-682-2772). Get inspired by watching an episode of Survivor Man.

7. Sliding
I'm usually corrected when I say "coasting" but I grew up saying it on the Eastern Shore. Must be a Maritime saying. Whatever you call it, it really gets the heart rate up. It's self-explanatory, find a hill, get on something that slides and go. While it's not wise to wear suede, it sure is fun.

There are too many hills to name but for a thrill, slide down the steep hills at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal. What a rush.

Chedabucto Bay also calls tobogganing "coasting" (so there!) and a hill curving down to a dock in Mussel Cove is a local popular spot. No need to bring your own, as a guest at the DesBarres Manor Inn you'll be provided with your own slider or coaster (whatever you call it). Nuff said.

8. Dog Sledding
Long before there were airplanes and snowmobiles, dog sled dogs were once one of the main methods of transportation in the Arctic regions. There is a lot of coordination in dog sledding. All dogs must run approximately the same velocity and be about the same size as the dog to their lateral position. Mushers have to be in good physical shape and carry tasty rewards for the dogs.

Simple sled dog commands:
"Mush!" -- Let's Go
"Gee!" -- Turn Right
"Haw!" -- Turn Left
"Whao!" -- Slow or Stop
"On by!" -- Straight Ahead
Click on the video to see one persons first dog sledding adventure in Cape Breton.
For more info:
Guided dog sledding tours in Cape Breton

9. Skiing
What's your style? Downhill or Cross Country or Snowboard? These activities will get your cheeks red and give you a good nights sleep.

For more info:
Ski Martock
Ski Wentworth
Cross Country Ski Areas in Nova Scotia

10. Ice Fishing
Handy check-list:
Power Auger- check
Fishing rod- check
Fishing hut- check
Fish finder- check (hey, isn't that cheating?)
No matter, there's smelt and trout to be found in the cold water.
For more info
Canada Adventures Guide (they do hut rentals)

More winter activity ideas:
Bay of Fundy Tourism
Winter in Nova Scotia
Authentic Seacoast
novascotia.com Winter Packages

It's your turn, what are YOUR 10 outdoor winter activities!

Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, NS

Caution: Dog lovers may experience some dog envy.

On a chilly afternoon, we decided to go for a walk around Point Pleasant Park in Halifax's south end. Following along the popular main trail off Tower Road, we turned left and headed down the hill that led us to the outer edge of the park. The outer perimeter of Point Pleasant Park measures 3.2 kilometers, making it a fantastic stroll for walkers or a route for runners. One of Halifax's great civic spaces, the park provides magnificent views of ships and yachts entering and leaving Halifax's busy harbour. Its roads and trails wind through the forest and among military ruins, rocky hills and ravines.

At many locations along the trails you'll come across feeders filled with seeds or oatmeal. Critters such as chickadees and squirrels find some sustenance in these feeders as well as from park visitors. Next time you go, fill your pockets with sunflower seeds. Look for a wooded area, stand really still, extend your hand with seeds and soon chickadees will appear and eat right out of your hand. This time of year is perfect for this because their food sources are low. Squirrels? I haven't tried hand feeding them, yet.

Because of its location, the park is exposed to the harsh elements. Just a week before we visited, there was a bad winter storm. These storms wash up sea urchins, mussels, sea weed etc. It's here where adults and children alike can crunch along as they stomp on shells. Seagulls and crows feast at low tide. It's amazing to watch them put a mussel in their beak, then fly into the air and let the mussel drop onto the ground. Natures fast food.

In September, 2003, Point Pleasant Park was devastated by Hurricane Juan. Nearly three quarters of the park's trees were knocked down and the park remained closed until June 2004. While there are still trees remaining, the park now has a very thin canopy. In some areas where you couldn't see the ocean, now you can. However, in June 2008 over 70,000 Acadian forest trees have been planted in the park, surpassing the number of trees lost to Hurricane Juan.

In the wake of Hurricane Juan, it was realized that a long term vision and strategy was needed to renew the park. A steering committee of volunteers and city staff oversaw an international design competition to set this vision and strategy in motion. In October 2008, the Point Pleasant Park Comprehensive Plan was presented to HRM Regional Council. This plan will assist in the direction, management, and operation of Point Pleasant Park now, and for many years to come.

Useful links:
History
Maps
Prince of Wales National Historic Site
Shakespeare by the Sea

Tidal Bore Rafting on the Shubenacadie River

A couple weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to go tidal bore rafting.

Tidal Bore Rafting in late October?

Yes! We wore survival suits :)

According to Wikipedia a Tidal Bore is "is a true tidal wave (not to be confused with a tsunami)." This wave comes from the Bay of Fundy (flowing in one direction) and meets the Shubenacadie River (flowing in in the opposite direction).

Picture this, you're in a power boat and you are heading full speed into a 10-20 foot wave STRAIGHT ON. While you're very instinct would be to flee, you are powerless as this giant wave splashes over you. No sooner can you say "let's do it again" the boat operator is turning around to go just ahead of the wave then turn around to ram into it again. Pow!

What is really eerie is just before the wave approaches, you can see and hear it coming like a locomotive up the river. First you see a ripple and then one minute later there is churning water all around you. All this while gigantic bald eagles are watching you from the trees along the bank. Silently laughing at the silly humans.

Before you knew it, it was time to go back to the dock, step out from the boat onto the muddy shore and then tear off the survival suits. The feeling was exhilarating and I can't wait to go back during the summer months on a 4 hour excursion that includes a bbq and mud sliding.

Here's where to get further info:
Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park

Bay of Fundy Tourism Information:

novascotia.com

Creepy Witch's Fingers

Last night I made Creepy Witch's Fingers.

These yummy sugar cookies, with a hint of almond extract, are a hit with any Halloween party.

While you are savouring these cookies, the garlic will help fend off vampires. It's a "win-win"!



Get the recipe from Canadian Living.

York ReDoubt...No Doubt #1

As often as we can, my husband and I organize "family days". We like to create adventures wherever we go. Since we haven't been to York ReDoubt, we knew this would be cool place to check out.

So we pried the kids off the computer and followed the well marked signs along Purcell's Cove road to York ReDoubt National Historic Site (which was about 15 minutes from the Armdale Rotary).

Once there, we quickly paired off to explore the rooms of the fort on our own. By the way, this is THE perfect place to play tag or hide and seek!

Built in 1793 by the Duke of Kent to defend Halifax from invasion from the French, the walls of the fort are rock solid. To get to the other side of the fort, you can walk through a long tunnel to get to the other side. York ReDoubt is part of the Halifax defense complex comprised of Citadel Hill, Prince of Wales Tower, Fort McNab and George's Island. I'm told that, back in the day, they all communicated to each other using an elaborate flag system.

After going through a tunnel that takes you to the ocean side of the fort, we discovered many hiking trails. As we walked along, we noticed a cruise ship leaving the harbour, a bunch of blackberry bushes that were bursting with berries too early to pick (darn!) Along the way by daughter collected burrs that, unbeknownst to me, were secretly placed all over my back.

One trail led us to York Shore Battery, an abandoned WWII Command Centre where you can still explore around the rooms and all but climb onto the grass roofs. There is also an informative display panel explaining the role the facility had during its operation. One of them was keeping a watchful eye on German U-Boats that floated just outside the Halifax harbour. A giant underwater gate ran from here to McNab’s Island that kept the U-Boats out and our ships (and city) safe from attack.


The walk back to the car was another adventure. A shortcut to connect onto the path to the tunnel, ended up being a steep crazy climb. We happened to arrive at the tunnel entrance just in time, because the park attendant was about to lock up for the night. I am glad we took the shortcut.

Teepee Town

Our house in Halifax backs onto a wooded area near Long Lake Provincial Park and it's where "Teepee Town" is located. Teepee Town was built 2 years ago by my kids and a few of their friends. It's a busy town. It's constantly is going through upgrades, demolitions and additions.

Fallen trees from Hurricane Juan are perfect for building teepees and shelters. The currency there is tree bark and moss. Two slices of bark and a handful of moss will get you a ground floor condominium and a skylight.

There is even a mayor (my son, who appointed himself). Council meets infrequently and a couple times they've come close to a mutiny.

Sand developments not castles

My kids are world class architects and developers. They create cities, residential areas, freeways and industrial parks. Just add sand and lots of imagination. No tools necessary - seaweed, driftwood and rocks will do perfectly. I am assured they're the greenest of cities, they rely on solar, tidal and wind power.

The beach at Taylor Head Provincial Park is a blank canvas that provides hours of fun. The rise of the tide creates opportunities for these urban planners to erect dikes, bridges or swimming pools. As the tide falls, new building materials expose themselves. Streams and sand bars appear that are in dire need of causeways.

Taylor Head Provincial Park

Taylor’s Head Provincial Park
If it wasn’t located along the Eastern Shore, its sandy white beaches could be classified as a tropical oasis. A kayakers dream, a sandcastle builders mecca and a hikers paradise.