Spring is just around the corner and with it comes a plethora of spring break camps, classes and events for kids.
Both the Chilliwack Culture Centre and Chilliwack’s libraries are offering everything from arts camps to writing workshops, and robot programming to virtual reality experiences.
At the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, spring break art camps run March 18 to 22 and 25 to 29.
With 50 classes to choose from, these art classes are the perfect way to entertain your children over the break and let them explore their creative side. The Centre’s Spring Break Art Camps for Kids are available for kids aged 5 to 13, and with sessions broken into categories for 5-7, 8–11, and 11-13 year olds, your children will get the perfect art experience catered to their age.
Anime Illustration explores the incredibly popular style of art and teaches kids how to draw their own characters. A-Pickin’ & A-Grinnin’ and iUke offer an opportunity to pick up an instrument and learn the basics, while Cosmic Kids and Disney Crafts are the perfect creative opportunity for those crafty kids in your life. Your kids can also learn how to use fibre materials to make fun items or even discover the basics of Cross Stitch.
New this year are two classes being offered for older kids aged 11 to 13; Art Journaling, where students will learn many mixed media techniques to fill their journal; and Create Your Own Graphic Novel, where they will learn dynamic figure drawing, colour theory and the art of inking.
Week One camps (March 18 to 22) will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. with supervised breaks. 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 that price.
Art Journaling for 11- to 13-year-olds runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the first week (March 18 to 22), while Create Your Own Graphic Novel for 11- to 13-year-olds the same hours during the second week (March 25 to 29). These classes are $112.50 for each week.
To learn more about class schedules, descriptions, registration and more, make sure to either drop by The Centre and pick up a Spring Break Art Camps brochure, visit chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or contact The Centre Box Office at 604-391-SHOW(7469).
Chilliwack libraries will be offering a bunch of free programs during spring break at all three of its branches.
Tech up with Ozobots: Meet the Ozobots — the pocket-sized coding robots that come with infinite ways to play, create and share. Learn to program by drawing coloured lines on paper. These cute little robots will follow the lines and respond to colour codes by changing their speed, direction or LED light colour. Once you learn the basics, you can program these robots through a series of challenges using drag-and-drop coding. This interactive program is a great introduction to coding, computational thinking and digital exploration for kids in Grades 4 to 6. Presented in partnership with Science World British Columbia. This program takes place at the Yarrow Library on Thursday, March 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (drop in, no registration required); and at the Chilliwack Library, Thursday, March 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. (registration required). Parents are welcome to attend and help with coding and programming.
Program a Sphero SPRK+ Robot : Learn how to program your very own robot. This is a drop-in workshop for those who would like to experiment with simple (and not so simple) programming. The sky’s the limit! Spheros support STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). It’s at the Sardis Library on Thursday, March 21, from 1 to 4 p.m..
Keva Planks: Build structures by stacking KEVA planks — no glue or connectors needed. From preschoolers up, everyone can explore engineering techniques and build at their own skill level. This program is drop-in, no registration necessary. It’s at the Chilliwack Library, March 20 and 27 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (LEGO available as well); and at the Sardis Library on Thursday, March 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Virtual Reality: 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. Virtual reality takes place at the Yarrow Library on Thursday, March 21 from 2 to 7 p.m. (online registration required); and at the Sardis Library on Thursday, March 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (in-branch registration required). Please note: participants must arrive 15 minutes prior to their registered timeslot to get set up for play. Timeslots may not be guaranteed for those who arrive late; this program is intended for those ages 10+ or 48” + tall; participants must read and sign a waiver; parents/guardians must sign the waiver for minors; participants play at their own risk; registration for this listing is for one player only.
Science World and their Science on the Spot: Come experience spectacular science demonstrations – from flying chickens to hair-raising electrical displays that showcase the power and spectacle of chemistry, physics, and more. Imagine that! Join Science World on the Road for lots of hands-on fun to help you ignite the wonder of science. Takes place at the Sardis Library on Monday, March 18 at 2 p.m. (this is a ticketed event; pick up your tickets at the Sardis Library one week before the event); Chilliwack Library, Friday March 22 at 2 p.m. (drop-in, no tickets required); Yarrow Library, Tuesday March 26 at 11 a.m. (drop-in, no tickets required).
Rock Painting: Turn an ordinary stone into a unique piece of art. Bring two rocks with the shape and potential to become a 3D conversation piece for your home or garden. All other supplies provided. For ages 10 yrs and up. Registration required. It’s at the Sardis Library on Tuesday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cartoon Drawing: Turn a story into picture form with John Le Flock. Create your own comic strip using basic cartooning skills. For ages 12 and up. Registration required. At the Sardis Library, Friday, March 22, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Norden the Magician: Let the magic begin! Join Master Magician Norden for a show filled with amazing tricks, tons of gags, and lots of laughs. Be prepared to join in the fun. This is a ticketed event. Please pick up your tickets a week before the event. It’s at the Sardis Library on Monday, March 25 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Harry Potter Event: Tired of living the ordinary life of a muggle? Join us at the Chilliwack library for an afternoon of magical activities, including a sorting ceremony to discover your Hogwarts house, crafts, a scavenger hunt and more. Drop-in, no registration required, open to all ages. It’s happening at the Chilliwack Library on Thursday, March 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.
