Ongoing events

| Vancouver Island | Calgary |

Greater Vancouver . . .

Discovery school

North Vancouver’s Seymour Watershed off Lillooet Road is hosting a series of day camps starting July 2. Kids from kindergarten to Grade 6 are invited to come learn about water preservation and the ecosystem through a series of interactive games and activities. Pre-registration is required. For details, call 604-451-6506.

Summer Sundays

Starting Sunday, July 5, the City of Burnaby will present free outdoor performances suitable for all ages from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays until Aug. 24. The concerts will take place, rain or shine, in Burnaby’s Civic Square at the corner of Willingdon Avenue and Central Boulevard.

Burns Bog day camp

Kids aged six to 12 years are invited to enjoy week-long summer day camp sessions at Delta’s Burns Bog starting Monday, July 6. Activities throughout the week include arts and crafts, games, and wildlife education. The camps run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until August 28. Drop offs and pick ups are at Planet Ice on 10388 Nordel Court. To register, or for more information, visit www.burnsbog.org.

Peace camps for kids

Northshore Elements YYOGA will be offering Yoga and Creative Arts Half Day Camps throughout the summer for children seven to 11 in North Vancouver. The unique program integrates yoga, storytelling, song, and art to nurture peace within the child, foster creativity and develop positive interactions with others. The Peace Camps run Monday through Friday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. throughout July and August. Priced at just $80 per week, the program is an accessible option. For more information visit online. First camp starts July 6.

Helping animals

The Wildlife Association of B.C. is hosting a series of summer day camps starting this Tuesday, July 7 for kids aged six to 12. Held at Burnaby Lake on 5216 Glencarin Rd., the camps will show kids what it’s like to be a wildlife rehabilitator and will teach them about animals and their habitats. The camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information or to register, call Krystal at 604-526-2747.

Yoga for kids

Kids aged five to 10 can now partake in the many benefits of yoga through outdoor classes starting this Wednesday, July 8 in Capilano Regional Park at 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver. The weekly classes run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. until July 29. The cost is $25 per child for the four week session. For more information, call 604-432-6200.

Mother Goose in North Van

There’s a great Mother Goose Program currently being offered at Hillside Baptist Church, 870 Lynn Valley Rd., North Vancouver, that runs every Wednesday until July 8. Program is free with a snack provided. Spaces are still available. Times are as follows: program for babies up to 12 months, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and toddlers 13 to 24 months, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more info, leave a message at 604-632-2667.

Reconnect with Mama Renew

Give yourself a new beginning with a Mama Renew group this fall. Join other seasoned mothers seeking to reconnect, reclaim, and find balance between giving to our families and caring for ourselves. New groups start soon throughout the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Visit www.mamarenew.ca to learn more, or call Sarah at 604-254-1100.

Birthing From Within

Join Dancing Star Birth for prenatal classes that meet the needs of your heart and mind in preparation for birth and parenthood. Sessions are available for both first-time parents and those having another baby. Visit www.dancingstarbirth.ca to learn more AND register, classes fill quickly!

Cloth Diaper 101

New & Green Baby Co. offers Cloth Diaper 101 Workshops to the parents of Metro Vancouver. You will learn about the environmental, health and financial benefits of cloth diapering, what you need to start up and at different stages. Workshops cover common concerns, including washing cloth diapers, going out and about with cloth diapers and nighttime solutions. You will also have the opportunity to see and feel the most popular cloth diapering systems available, including hemp and bamboo diapers. Workshops are offered in Vancouver West, Vancouver East, Downtown, North Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. Workshops are also offered throughout each month in different areas. Visit here to register. All workshops require pre-registration and sell out quickly.

Shop N' Stroll

Check out the Shop N’ Stroll fitness classes at Coquitlam Centre, Lougheed Town Centre, Haney Place Mall, Park Royal Shopping Centre, Willowbrook Shopping Centre. The Shop n' Stroll fitness routine consists of a 45-minute exercise class of power walking, strength, toning, and flexibility training lead by a certified fitness specialist from Runners & Booties Fitness. The last 15 minutes is devoted to socializing for moms, dads and babies.

Prenatal classes

Cherish Childbirth Care in Vancouver offers ongoing prenatal classes designed to help women (and partners) holistically prepare for the journey of pregnancy, labour, birth... and beyond! Check online for class start dates. Please note that class sizes are small, so register early by calling 604-626-1079.

“supersunday” at the Vancouver Art Gallery

On the third Sunday of each month from noon to 5 p.m., the Gallery (located at 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver) is transformed into a fun-filled space for families to learn about art together. Artists, staff and volunteers engage families in hands-on activity areas, where children and adults draw, paint, create, watch and participate in performances, and learn about art together. The supersunday program is free for Gallery members and all kids under 12!

Postpartum nutrition for moms

Fit 4 Two is launching a NEW program this spring: Postpartum Nutrition for Moms. Designed by a certified nutritionist, topics include: Nutrition to Support Breastfeeding; Finding Time & Energy to Eat; Meal Planning and Easy Menu Ideas; Losing Weight Safely After Baby; Infant Nutrition - getting started with solids and beyond. Visit www.fit4two.ca to find a class near you.

Salsa Tots

Get fit while having fun with your toddler as Salsa Tots is holding classes every Wednesday from 11 to 11:45 a.m., at Brentwood Town Centre in the centre court in Burnaby. Class is by donation to the Basics for Babies program.

Toddlers’ storytime

It’s drop-in toddlers’ storytime for children two and three years old, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., at the North Vancouver City Library, 121 West 14th St.

Storytime

Brentwood Mall in Burnaby is hosting Book Buddies Storytime every Friday at 1 p.m. for preschoolers. Following that, join in for creative time with parent and me crafts.

Stroller club

Join the stroller club in Maple Ridge. If you are a mom with young kids at home, you are invited to drop by for a 30 to 45-minute walk every Tuesday at 9 a.m., from the bandstand at Memorial Peace Park. For more information, contact Pauline at 467-7466.

Attention moms

All new, experienced and expectant moms are invited to get rolling with the Pitt Meadows Stroller Club. The club meets at the Starbucks in Pitt Meadows on Thursdays at 11 a.m. The walk is about one hour long and is a great opportunity to socialize and get to know other moms.

Vancouver island. . .

Great library programs in Victoria

Don’t forget to keep up to date on all the great programs for babies, kids, and families, including author readings, and special events the Victoria Public Library (various branches) has to offer! Visit online for the entire scoop.

Family swims at Gordon Head Rec Centre

New year, new swim schedule at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre in Victoria. Family swim for $2.50 per person, children under five free. The main pool, leisure pool with river, and tot pool are all open. The hot tub and sauna/steam rooms too. Schedule info: Saturdays, 11 a.m. to noon, and Sundays, 10 a.m. to noon. Phone 250-475-7100 for more details.

Toddler and Preschool Programs at the GVPL

These Greater Victoria Public Library programs are chock-full of enriching stories, songs and language play. Parents and caregivers are welcome to participate in these special storytimes that are intended to help children develop the six pre-literacy skills. For 3-5 year olds. Registration is required for some of the programs. Visit online for all the information!

Fit 4 Two on the Island

Fit 4 Two Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness classes are now in Victoria! Each Fit 4 Two franchise is locally owned and operated by a provincially certified Fitness Instructor with additional certifications in Pre and Postnatal Fitness. Visit online for class dates and times.

Calling all Saanich MOPs

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International exists to meet the needs of every mom who all share a similar desire to be the best they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs. MOPS offers local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. Local meetings are held at Saanich Baptist Church in Victoria. Visit online for more.

Children's Fun Hour

Ongoing Wednesdays at 10 a.m., it’s children’s fun hour at the Hillside Centre Food Court in Victoria. Free entertainment for kids with a different special guest each week.

Calgary . . .

Mamas get ripped

A new fitness program, the Yummy Mummies Workout, is tailored for new moms with babies under six months, and expecting moms. Taught by a mom of seven kids, the Yummies Mummies Workout is designed by Jari Love, creator of the Get Ripped workout. For all the details, visit www.rippedworkout.ca.

Babywearing workshops

Introduction to Babywearing is a one hour class which introduces participants to ring and pouch slings, woven and stretchy wraps, mei tais, and soft-structured carriers. Learn the basic positions for baby in each type and receive hands-on instruction so that each parent or parent-to-be can get a feel for what is right for them and their baby. Introduction to Babywearing runs on Saturdays at Babes in Arms. Classes will be announced as they're scheduled on the website.

Babywearing 101 is a slightly more advanced class, for parents who have been babywearing for a little while already, and may be looking for new ways to carry their child (a new carrier or different ways to wear the carriers they already own). This class is also a great option for parents of older babies or toddlers (or even pre-schoolers!). There will be a Babywearing 101 class coming up this summer, which will also be posted online when it is scheduled. Each class is $10 each and comes with a $10 coupon toward a related purchase in the store. For more information on any of these classes, you can visit Babes in Arms online.

Attachment parenting group

Check out a great attachment parenting organization that provides educational classes, support and information for parents who wish to raise their children based on an intuitive approach rather then an expert opinion approach. The group welcomes all parents interested in learning more about attachment parenting. Visit online.

Family fun at the Glenbow

Every Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m., enjoy Family Fun Weekends at Glenbow Museum. Suitable for children ages 4 and up. Included with Museum admission. For more information visit www.glenbow.org.

Toys and stories

Gracie & Gruff Fine Toys present a free interactive storytime for kids very Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and noon (in French) at their Macleod Trail location.

Children wanted

Researchers from the Ch.I.L.D Research Group at the University of Calgary are looking for children aged two-months to 10 years to participate in fun, game-like projects in order to learn about how children develop language, concepts, and social understanding. Participation typically involves a short one-time visit to the University of Calgary. For more information, please call 220-4955 or e-mail at child@ucalgary.ca.

While we do our best to inform you of great family happenings around town, event details are subject to change.

B.C. archives | Calgary archives

Social media . . .

facebook | twitter
Connect with other babyvibe readers on our facebook and twitter sites.

Cool features . . .

nest egg blog | ongoing events
Enter to win cool prizes weekly at the nest egg prize blog, and keep in the know with the ongoing local event listings!

Babyvibe is a free twice-weekly e-newsletter delivering pint-sized news and reviews on innovative products and services, expert tips and family friendly events for new and expecting parents.

~ involved parenting, happy kids, healthy community ~