Keeping kids busy with spring break camps and events in Chilliwack

As kids get ready for two weeks of no school (and parents brace themselves) The Progress has compiled a list of classes and events taking place over spring break.

From drawing and crafting, to nature programs and live entertainment, there’s a great mix of free events as well as paid classes running March 16 to 27.

At the Chilliwack Cultural Centre:

Camps are for kids aged five to 13, and will run from March 16 to 20 and March 23 to 27. Sessions are broken into age categories: five to seven, eight to 11, and 11 to 13. There are 51 classes to choose from.

Classes go from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with supervised breaks, Monday to Friday. Each day is split into six blocks of 65-minute sessions, with four different classes running in each time slot. Choose one class per time slot, and your child will take part in that activity, at that time, for the full week. Sign up for a single class, two per day, or for a full week of fun and creativity.

Each class costs $37.50, and registering for a class means your child will participate in that activity at that time from Monday to Friday, meaning you get five sessions for $37.50.

Some class examples include: Anime Illustration (kids learn how to draw their own characters), A-Pickin’ & A-Grinnin’ and iUke (instrument basics), Cosmic Kids (crafts), Disney Crafts, Weaving and Macramé, Cross Stitch, Art Journaling (mixed media techniques to fill journals), Start Drawing, Create Your Own Graphic Novel (kids learn dynamic figure drawing, colour theory and the art of inking),

Note: Create Your Own Graphic Novel (March 16 to 20) and Art Journaling (March 23 to 27) are both for 11- to 13-year-olds and run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day of that week. These two classes are $112.50 each. Start Drawing (March 23 to 27) is for 11- to 13-year-olds and runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is $75 for the week.

For more info including registration and class descriptions, go to chilliwackculturalcentre.ca/class/spring-break-art-camps. Or drop by the Cultural Centre and pick up a Spring Break Art Camps brochure, or call 604-391-SHOW(7469).

At the Chilliwack, Sardis and Yarrow libraries:

Monday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Sardis • Bite Free (registration required starting March 2 - 604-858-5503): Understanding animal behaviour helps children overcome fears and reduce anxiety. Why do animals bite? Learn about animal body language plus how to interact safely and responsibly with pets. Presented by SPCA staff. For ages six years and up.

Tuesday, March 17, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. • Sardis • Bollywood Dancer Karima Essa (registration required starting March 10 - 604-858-5503): Experience the magic and joy of dance and storytelling as Karima Essa performs Bollywood dance. Learn traditional dance moves with Karima.

Tuesday, March 17, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. • Chilliwack • Perler Bead Extravaganza For Tweens & Teens: Students aged 9 to 18 are invited to come and create designs out of Perler beads. Participants will design their creations and then melt them together to make magnets or key chains. Even if you don’t think you’re artistic, Perler bead crafts are foolproof and fun.

Tuesday, March 17, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Yarrow • Make Some Slime (registration required - 604-823-4664): Kids will get the opportunity to use common household ingredients to create their own slime. Skills used will include reading recipes, measuring, mixing colours and using trial and error to make a colourful slimy substance that they can bring home. For children in Grades K to 6. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult to assist. Registration is required, please call or drop by to sign up.

Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. • Chilliwack • ‘Tech-Up’ with Sphero: Introducing Sphero SPRK+, the cutest little robot in town. Come to the Library and test out one of FVRL’s Playground collection. This program is suitable for children 8 years and up. Parents are welcome to attend and help with coding and programming.

Wednesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 25, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Chilliwack • LEGO Club: We have the LEGO, you bring your imagination. LEGO club is a fun time for kids so come on in and join us.

Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. • Sardis • Ventriloquist Kellie Haines (registration required starting March 12 - 604-858-5503): Ventriloquist Kellie Haines started talking to her stuffed animals at an early age, and when she was eight years old, they started talking back. A multi-talented entertainer with a background in theatre, clowning, singing and dance, Kellie wows audiences of all ages! Build your imagination with talking birds and singing frogs as Kellie and her friends guide you on a hilarious adventure.

Thursday, March 19, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. • Yarrow • Virtual Reality (registration required - 604-823-4664): Experience the thrill of virtual reality (VR) at the library. Put on the HTC VIVE goggles and let the real word wash away. VR is an immersive computer-generated, three-dimensional interactive environment. Wearing the HTC VIVE goggles, headphones and holding motion controllers, participants will be able to move freely around a 10x10 space and try out a mix of virtual games as well as educational experiences. Note: This program is intended for those ages 10+ or 48” + tall.

Friday, March 20, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. • Sardis • Science World On the Road – How2Science (registration required starting March 13 - 604-858-5503): A spectacular science showcase! Learn how scientists make new discoveries. Explore powerful topics like air pressure, electricity and movement. Join Science World On The Road for lots of hands-on fun to help you ignite the wonder of science.

Monday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. • Sardis • Why Live Here (registration required, starting March 9 - 604-858-5503): Explore habitats and find out why certain animals live in certain places, with a focus on squirrels and birds. Kids get to build a nest and learn a bit about the difference between living and non-living things. For primary grades only.

Monday, March 23, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Sardis • Intro to Bullet Journaling (registration required starting March 9 - 604-858-5503): Do you like to doodle? Sketch? Dream? Write? Learn to bullet journal in this hands on workshop. Bullet journaling saves time and energy. Organize your busy schedule and keep track of creative ideas using this helpful method. Supplies included. Leave this workshop with your own mini journal. For ages 13 and up.

Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. • Yarrow • Science World On the Road – How2Science: A spectacular science showcase! Learn how scientists make new discoveries. Explore powerful topics like air pressure, electricity and movement. Join Science World On The Road for lots of hands-on fun to help you ignite the wonder of science.

Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. • Sardis • Recycling Pays Off: Remember to think first before throwing something in the garbage. Ask yourself: Can this be reused? Can it be recycled? Can someone else use this item? Can I take it to the recycle depot and exchange it for cold hard cash? These four questions can help you save the planet. Suitable for all ages.

Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Yarrow • Games Day: Drop in and try our collection of classic board games or tech it up with Nintendo Switch. Try an augmented reality option with our newest Playground item, the MERGE Cube. Game on!

The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve (5200 Sumas Prairie Rd.) is offering an art and nature camp from March 23 to 27.

Children get a full day camp with a mix of art and environmental education. The art teacher will explore different artistic techniques, working with multiple mediums to showcase the importance of art in different fields of work. For the nature portion, kids will be outside connecting to the unique wildlife habitats of the reserve, including pond life, and wetland and forest ecosystems.

Children will stay in one group that spans ages five to 13 and will enjoy artistic mentoring and the joys of playing and learning outside with knowledgeable environmental educators. There will be two short snack breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and a lunch break mid-day. This is a nut-free zone.

Camp runs 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Cost $225 per child. More info: chilliwackblueheron.com/events/spring-break-camp-2020, 604-823-6603.

Crossroads Community Church has its annual Fun In The Son Spring Break Camp from March 16 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

This is a Jesus-centred camp which includes stories (by Reece Friesen), gym time, craft time, field trips (Get Air, gymnastics, and bowling), and an on-campus day filled with fun activities (huge bouncy castle, mini-olympics, etc.). Please send a snack and bagged lunch with your child (food will not be provided).

This camp is for kids in Kindergarten to Grade 5. Cost: $85 (from now until Feb. 29), $100 after Feb. 29. More info, or to register, click here. Contact Lynn Loewen at lynn@crossroadscommunity.ca or 778-552-5264.

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