UPDATED Go Local - Summer Camps (and a few others....)

It's time to PLAN!  Consider the convenience as well as the great selection of summer camps located in our direct neighbourhood.  Consider NOT having to drive all over town to deliver your children to summer camp.  From sports, to pottery, cooking, theatre and dance, there are lots of camps right here in this neighbourhood:

Baobab Tree's Rhythm Trek camp (ages 7-12) runs August 15-19; as they put it "Drum, sing, dance; make art and food!"  Sounds good to me.  They are a fantastic local organization that teaches African drumming / dance and song.  They are located in "the treehouse" (no, not a real treehouse) at St. George's Church, 415C Piccadilly Avenue (just east of Island Park off Richmond).  Cost is $225.

Camp Awesome - run by Parkdale United Church, this bible camp for 4-12 year olds will run the week of July 25-29 from 10-3 pm with games, crafts and singing all in an environment where they will also learn about faith.  The cost is $75 but all children are welcome regardless of ability to pay.  For more information see http://www.parkdaleunitedchurch.ca/campawesome11.pdf

Canadian Mothercraft - best known for their daycare program and the Ontario Early Years Centre, Mothercraft on Evered (2 streets east of Churchill and just south of Byron) also offers the Fun Ventures summer camp for children aged 3.8 - 6.  For more information see http://www.mothercraft.com/early_learning/funventure.php

Capital City Dance - located in the Westgate Mall this dance studio offers summer dance camps during the weeks of July 11th, 18th and 25th.  See http://www.capitalcitydance.ca/ for more information.

Fisher Park Community Centre - Just realized I did not get around to including the details - and I have them somewhere.  Coming soon.....

Gotta Paint - Gotta Paint http://www.gottapaint.com/ holds typically holds weekly camps throughout the summer  for 5-7 and 8-13 year olds at 352 Kirkwood Avenue.  For more information please contact them directly as information for this year is not yet on their website.

Hintonburg Community Centre - Just realized I did not get around to including the details - and I have them somewhere. Coming soon.....

Jewish Community Centre - JCC programming is open to all faiths and they have a fantastic facility including a great outdoor pool.  I don't know if they're technically in the Kitchissippi boundaries, but if they're not they should definately receive an honorary mention for being so close!

New Star Childrens Theatre - New Star is located in what used to be the United Church at the corner of Churchill Avenue and Ravenhill (across from Churchill Alternative School).  They offer a no-experience necessary summer Broadway Musical Theatre Program for ages 7 and up that culminates in a show at weeks end with everyone assured a part!  It's available for 3 weeks this year - July 25 through July 29, August 8 through August 12 and August 22 through August 26.  Hours are from 9-4 with free before and after care available.  Weekly cost is $230..  For more information see http://newstarchildrenstheatre.ca/summer-performing-arts-program/

Ottawa Gymnastics Centre http://www.ottawagymnasticscentre.ca/   One of the best gymnastics clubs in the city, they have an awesome facility with equipment geared to all age groups.  Camps also take advantage of the outdoor City playground and wading pool.  There are half day camps for 3-5 year olds and full day camps for 6-13 year olds.  Registration is not open yet but will be available via their website, by phone or walk-in.

Ottawa Conservatory Vocal and Dance Academy at 175 Richmond Road,  http://www.ottawaconservatory.com/ - Rock Camp 2011!! 1/2 days 9:00-12:30 for ages 8-17 for a fee of $195 a week.  Registration is ongoing.  Check their website for more details.

The Social Learning Centre - Located at 725 Churchill Avenue, the centre will be running a Summer Bridges Academic and Creative Arts Camp with local author Selena Robins for 4-12 year olds.  The camp runs from 9-4 with free pre and post care.  The cost is $35 a day.   www.sociallearningcentre.ca

YMCA Carlingwood - The Y typically offers summer camps at their 200 Lockhart Avenue location (behind Carlingwood Mall).  Keep in mind that this location is set to close in 2012 so it may be one of your last chances to take advantage of the facility.  Information about Y summer camps will come soon at http://www.ymcaywca.ca/Children/neighbourhooddaycamps/

Suzart - Suzart Productions http://www.suzart.ca/ runs theatre camps out of the Woodroffe United Church at 207 Woodroffe Avenue (south of Byron and north of Carlingwood Mall).  Camps include music dance and performance instruction ending with a show on the final day.

Other Favorite, but further afield, summer camps:

Registration for camps at these great three museums (that operate under one umbrella) started in February but that doesn't mean they don't still have some spots available:

Canada Agriculture Museum http://www.agriculture.technomuses.ca/english/activities_events/summer_day_camps_2011.cfm ,

Canada Science and Technology Museum http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/whatson/detailed_summer_daycamps.cfm,

Canada Aviation and Space Museum http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/visit_us/at_the_museum/summercamps/

The Canadian Childrens Museum has a brand new bilingual summer camp this year called "In the Land of Giants"; there are 3 camps for ages 6-9 and 3 other weeks for ages 10-12. While they have not had this particular camp before, we have attended a lego camp at their facility and had a very positive experience (and my kids ended up knowing their way around all the hidden hallways of the museum!). Registration is by phone at 819-776-7014 and in my experience camps at this museum (for some strange reason - likely lack of awareness) fill up less quickly than at the other museums. For more information see http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/canadian-childrens-museum/programs/day-camps

The camp that I would most like to try myself (though registration is sadly limited to those aged 8-14!) is the "Sail and serve" at the Britannia Yacht Club. Half a day of tennis by the National Tennis School and half a day of sailing - what more can one ask for? It's great! The only possible drawback is weather since the tennis is outside - the flipside of that is the tennis is outside! And so is the swimming....What could be better?  Registration is online at http://nationaltennisschool.com/lessons.php?sid=47e7a12a78b6b1af17ee2304eef81be6&action=d&location=7&id=5 

One can also register for 1/2 days of tennis for 6-9 year olds and 10-14 year olds at the Tennis Centre West Ottawa at Pinecrest and Carling (Britannia Beach)

Two terrific camps where we have almost always been able to find a last minute spot: the Ottawa Athletic Club http://www.ottawaathleticclub.com/ - sports, golf or tennis (worth the price) and Rays Reptiles (worth the drive and worth arriving early for pick-up so you can watch the end-of-day animal show). For more information see http://www.raysreptiles.com/ . Little Ray will also be offering a Little Ray's Radical Science camp.
 
One of the only places I know of in the city that offers the choice to go to camp just for a day is Cosmic Adventures (http://www.cosmicadventures.ca/) and they generally have spots available if you're in a last minute pinch.  Tubes 'N' Jujubes in Gatineau has also started offering a similar daily program http://www.tubesjujubes.com/.

Lego - Fun Facts

In honour of the Lego Garden at the Tulip Festival this year I'm writing a post about Lego, something I've thought of doing for a while, initially on the organizational aspect.  I'm going to keep it short and sweet though.  Here goes:

Ottawa

• Robin Sather of Abbottsford, BC, is the certified Lego Expert responsible for the Lego Garden, in Major's Hill Park, at the Tulip Festival this year.  His website is http://www.brickville.ca/; Also see Sypdergrrl's blogpost at http://spydergrrl.blogspot.com/2011/05/starting-may-6-lego-community-garden-at.html (as well as her other great posts on cool kids stuff!)
• Local Lego expert Ian Dudley (aka "the Lego Guy") teaches Lego classes and camps around Ottawa (including at Dovercourt) for ages 5-15.  Classes range from simple structures and machines to more complex Lego robotics  For a great blogpost on a birthday party with "the Lego Guy": see http://danigirl.ca/blog/2010/03/07/best-birthday-party-ever/

World

• On April 9th of this year, children in Sao Paulo Brazil built a lego tower of 102 feet, beating the Chilean world record; http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/13/toy-tower-worlds-tallest-lego-structure-soars-over-brazil; Apparently former Brazilian soccer star Cafu laid the last block.

History

• The Lego founder Ole Kirk Christiansen was born in 1872 in Billund, Denmark, where the first lego factory was created, producing all wood products.
• Lego first came to Canada via a Lego licensing agreement with Samsonite that lasted from 1962 to about 1972.
• When I was about 3 my parents bought the electric lego train set that was initially marketed in 1968.  It was awesome and I wish they'd kept it!

Shopping

• The best Ottawa store for lego is Playvalue on Carling just past the split; also to be found at http://www.playvalue.com/ (yes, they ship and have previous year's merchandise at sale prices).
• Toys R Us has a good selection as well that has improved vastly in the last couple of years; see  http://www.toysrus.ca/ and they ship as well.
• You can shop for Lego online at http://www.lego.ca/ and they sometimes have items after local stores have sold out; they also have sale items and specialty items that are not often retailed (eg the $500 Starwars ship that my son wanted - but did not get - for his 9th birthday).
• There are lots of kids' computer games on the Lego website; they also market a multiplayer online game known as Lego Universe that we did just purchase but have yet to play.
• Chicago has a Legoland discovery center and there are full Legoland theme parks in California and Florida; http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/chicago/en/index.htm.

Instructions and Organization (aka Project Critical)

• Lego instructions for sets dating back to the 1950's (yes, the 1950's) are available on what I consider one of the best lego websites ever, at http://www.worldbricks.com/; They also have great vintage Lego images.
• Lego addictions (they're a good addiction to have) can lead to Lego storage issues.  For a great article on solutions see http://jdorganizer.blogspot.com/2007/09/15-lego-storage-options.html.
• If you have multiple children, label the instructions for each set with the owners name and then keep all instructions in a plastic bin.  It lessens arguments!  Source: personal experience.

Wild West Garage Sale and Devonshire School Book Bash

In the rush of spring sales, there are still 2 left. 

Wild. Wild Westboro Garage Sale - Saturday, June 4

Outside at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre near the wading pool from 8-1 pm.  There's no rain date so hope for good weather in which case you'll have a chance to see all your neighbours as a bonus.  Tables can be rented for $10 each through Dovercourt (online, in person or by phone).  Each table will have a separate registration number; book early to get your favorite spot.  If you don't want to sell you can also donate your items to the Westboro Community Association's Table (just contact them in advance by e-mail to hellowestboro@yahoo.ca to let them know in advance

Denonshire School Book Bash and Barbeque - June 10th

 Includes book sale, bake sale, barbeque and silent auction!  More details to follow.

More on Mud lake and the Britannia Conservation Area

On Thursday I went to Mud Lake and the Britannia Conservation Area, just west of the Kitchissippi neighbourhood in old Britannia Village.  I posted http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2011/03/mud-lake-area-in-spring.html

It was beautiful but I forgot my camera and also received some questions afterward that I wanted to answer.  This morning I had an hour and a half free time and I just wanted to get outside!  So, I took my camera, and off I went, to Mud Lake, again.

The Lake itself is still frozen though I wouldn't try to walk out on it from the shore.  I think the warm weather has brought an end to what was clearly a well-maintained ice rink complete with hockey nets nearby, not that long ago. 

I didn't walk around the entire Lake but starting from the westerly end of the trail I went a good distance.  The trail was still snow covered, crunchy and wet in only a few places.  It will definately be soggy when temperatures go above zero again so if in doubt, take rubber boots, though preferably ones with treads for the icey patches.

Dogs are not permitted on the Mud Lake trail (though they are permitted on the river trail across the street so read on...)

There were geese on the Lake (though for "better" geese, ducks etc. go to the river) and lots of squirrels and birds in the woods.  I'm no birder but if something were to turn me into one it would be Mud Lake.  Go there and you know it's spring.  

People were even feeding the birds directly from their outstretched palms - a great experience for kids and grown-ups a like.  (You are, of course, not really supposed to feed the birds, ducks etc. but that's another story). 

My bird photos make it clear I need a better zoom....

 After the Lake, cross the street and from the small parking lot on the north side of the road you'll find what I'll call the Ridge trail and the River trail.  On both of these dogs are permitted though they should be on a leash and you should of couse clean up the waste (and watch your step for those who didn't!)

The Ridge trail takes you up a small hill (see left) and along a ridge overlooking the Ottawa River and running parallel to Cassels Road.  There are nice views and more adventurous people than I clearly did some scrambling around for photographs. 

You can get down to the river in various spots - probably every 30 feet or so.  It's a short trail but pleasant and of course bring your birding binoculars and camera.

If you don't go up the hill to the ridge, simply follow the trail down to the river and that is my favorite spot.  Again today there were lots of geese, ducks, squirrels, seagulls etc.  The mix of ice, water, snow and wildlife is beautiful.

Do not go too close to the edge.  It is the river.  The water is cold.  Nobody wants an accident and people are NOT ducks!

These trails are a poignant reminder of the importance of green space in our city.  The ability to visit this type of environment so close to home is priceless. 

Mud Lake / Britannia Conservation Area - In Spring!

I first went to Mud Lake in October after viewing a post by Andrea at Quietfish http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=9449.  It's a short drive from here in quaint Britannia Village (which I had equally failed to discover unhtil last summer) and today we decided to go there again in the hopes of seeing some ducks.  I had three young ones with me and we didn't actually pursue the trail around the lake as it looked a bit snowed-in at least at one end, and the littlest man probably would not have made it around.

We did however take a walk down a short trail on the other side of the road to the Ottawa River (or at least a small arm of the Ottawa River.  And it was beautiful.  Really beautiful.  It didn't hurt that the sun was just coming through the clouds, or that there were large melting ice formations along the trees standing in the water a few feet from sure.  It was spring weather, slushy but not yet muddy and there were ducks, and geese and seagulls and squirrels and the sounds of lots of birds.  In fact we did even see a cardinal.  Next time, and I wish it could be tomorrow, we will take the camera and the binoculars.  We will also be sure to make our way around the lake.  There's a painted rock there (apparently with a scarey face!) that I want to see. 

In the meantime, I need my camera surgically attached to my right hand.

When near the Ottawa River at this time of year, never get too close.  The water is COLD and little people in particular can easily lose their footing.  Never take a risk.

To reach Mud Lake from Kitchissippi, take Carling Avenuewestward.  Just after you pass the Carling / Richmond Road intersection turn right at Britannia Road (this is before you reach Britannia Park).  Follow Britannia Road as far as you can and then turn right on Cassels Road.  You can't miss Mud Lake which will be on your right.  You can also reach it via the NCC trail but I'd wait till the snow clears a bit more for that.  Great bike destination for the summer though!

The NCC describes Mud Lake and the  Britannia Conservation Area as follows

 "A patch of wilderness in the middle of an urban setting,  Mud Lake is an amazing area of forest and wetlands. Located in Ottawa’s west end, Mud Lake is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, with raccoons, frogs, turtles and foxes, to name but a few. This ecologically significant urban natural landscape is also prime birding territory, with thousands of birdwatchers coming each year to observe hundreds of different species. A walk through this easy-to-access urban jungle provides an exciting escape from city life."

For more detailed information about birds in the area visit the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club at http://www.ofnc.ca/birding/wheretogo/britanniabirding.php. This "5-kilometre stretch of shoreline and conservation area bordering Lac Des Chenes and the Ottawa River represents, without question, the best year-round birding hotspot in Ottawa", they say.

Spring Smells & Boot Liners

As I walked into my sons school today I smelt the smell of, shall we say, "spring", to put it kindly.  This certain scent that arrives in elementary schools annually at this time of year is the product of many, many pairs of boots that have been worn by many, many pairs of feet, walked through many, many puddles and basically haven't been cleaned properly in about 4 months. 

My apologies for generalizing as I'm sure there are those of you who clean them regularly!

In portable classrooms where the shoes are kept inside the same room as the students, it is particularly bad.  Frankly, I'm sure it would give me a headache.  How do teachers deal with this?  Do they have any suggestions?  This will only get worse and I need to try something!

I have briefly scoured the internet (if one can actually scour something briefly) and come up with baking soda, kitty litter and tea tree oil.  Does anybody have tips or solutions to counter this phenomenon?  Are there commercial products that really work??  While of course one can wash the liners they do take a long time to dry.....they certainly would not be ready for the next days wear.

SUMMER BRIDGES ACADEMIC and CREATIVE ARTS CAMP

Have you ever visited The Social Learning Centre located at 725 Churchill Avenue near Carling?  It has some great looking programs with a real focus on creativity and aims to provide academic stepping stones for children who benefit from bridging activities between June and September. 

This summer, The Social Learning Centre’s Summer Bridges Academic Camp introduces writing workshops for kids with local author Selena Robins! Come and enjoy a new blend of creative arts, reading wizards and fancy free afternoon activities for children 4-12 years old.

 

READING THEMES and CREATIVE ARTS

• Let’s read Canadian Authors.
• Chocolate making – bugs and slugs.
• Gardening, flowers, and planting week.
• Clay, paint, and sketch weeks.
• Let’s read dungeons, dragons, and fairytales.
• Comics and cartoon week.
• Back to basics for school

The camp will run weekly from Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm with extended hours as an option.  The camp is open to children between ages 4 and 12 years and costs $35/day.

 

For more information contact Tricia Kassotis – Director at 729-1333 or check out the Centre's website at http://www.sociallearningcentre.ca/.