Piff Poff

I thought a thread on summer activities would be helpful for those still waiting to join us here in Canada.

This year my 15 year old is volunteering as Camp Counselor at Camp Maskepetoon http://www.maskepetoon.ab.ca/ for 4 weeks. She is also going to Band Camp with the Air Cadets for 3 weeks. (Camp counselors are the ones that make sure the campers get to their activities and sleep in the cabins with the kids).

Initially she had turned down a 6 week Air Cadet course and was only going to to do 3 weeks at Maskepetoon - but all change, she is super excited about this summer, I am super excited for her, she's pretty pleased she's not going to be flipping burgers for her holidays I'm gonna miss her like crazy though.

mandymoochops

Are you mad? Have you not seen American Pie



Just kidding she'll have an amazing time and whilst these things i'm sure are available to do in the UK, they don't seem as common / widespread as they are here. Hubby did these as a kid and just loved them

ann m

Daughter Number One is doing a 2-week drama camp, one week dance camp, and one week Digital Photography camp.

Daughter Number Two is doing a one week drama camp, and a one week CSI-type camp (hopefully not too many dead bodies involved).

Then we have one week away in the Shushwaps, and then one week with our first rellies visitors from the UK.

So that a few weeks sorted and a few weeks of head-achey childcare!

My two have done a couple of camps previously - usually the cheaper ones I can find - and there are some bargains out there to be had, if you book early.

This year, working has necessitated some kind of extra-curricular organization, and while it's costing a small fortune, it's kinda necessary, plus now I'm earning, I can afford it - sort of, I think!!

R I C H

I don't have kids, therefore find this thread cliquey.

R I C H

We boat there regularly Ann, it's a lovely spot - I'm sure you'll have a great time.

mandymoochops

We don't have a big boat therefore find your reply elitist

R I C H

I didn't solicit your reply, therefore find you intrusive

mandymoochops

Thats posh speak for a nosey bugger isn't it

Sorry PP have your thread back

ann m

Thank you - really looking forward to it now. One week to go and counting!

Piff Poff

No not seen American Pie - I know I'm the only person in the world that's not seen it. Never seen Dirty Dancing either I remember a friends son going off on a week long adventure camp in the UK at a cost of about 600 pounds. You get the expensive ones here too but you also get the more affordable ones - the costs go up if horses are involved.


Ann your kids sound like they will have fun too - not sure about dead body investigations though

My one has always gone to camp - started here because we arrived just as school holidays started and she didn't know anyone, so I popped her into some day camps, then she wanted a week long one. This year is the cheapest year ever for us, apart from petrol money it's all free as she is volunteering and then the Cadet one she gets paid for.

I just find the choice of camps here astounding, when I think back to the UK and the day camp she went to while I was working - the only option was one affiliated with the school and only went to age 11, the equipment was from the primary school so the bigger kids weren't allowed to use it, she used to get so bored.

Piff Poff

At least you now know of some of the options available if you should find yourself with sprog

The4BellsLondon

Well dear daughter is back in the uk with her besty from here -staying with my parents and spending 3 weeks in Spain!

Son is doing 2 x weeks of day camp at his school which does loads of activities, a zip line ropes thing at UBC and a mountain bike course oh and a film camp for a week!

ExKiwilass

Kid is in 2 weeks of day camp at the local community centre (willingdon heights community centre). Camps through community centres tend to be cheaper too I've found. It's a small 'hood so I'm assuming she's going to recognize some kids from the preschool class days.


Then shipped off to Salt Spring Island to see the rellies for a few weeks

Lots of parents work fulltime so camps tend to book up v. v far in advance I've found

Lisa_W

The boys are doing two weeks on a kayaking course and one week at a soccer camp where they do soccer every morning and swim every afternoon. This will be the third summer they have done that one and it is really good value for money.

Merry

Eleven year old daughter is doing one week musical theatre, one week Shakespeare (?!) and one week French camp. She also wants to do one week flute band camp - and yes I have seen American Pie many times, so I find that a scarey prospect
Nine year old son is doing one week science camp and one week climbing camp.
Four year old son is desperate to go to camp too but he'll have to wait for next year.
This is our first summer here, but when I was younger I spent a few summers working on summer camps in the US and they were just brilliant - so many happy memories