I hate to do this, but I do it every year...here is a list of fall registration dates for activities in the neighbourhood. Some don"t matter that much, but others do, depending on how much you want to be in a specific activity at a specific time for a specific age etc. So here goes...for all you planners out there....
Listings are roughly in order of registration date. There will be more to come, this is just the beginning...
Ottawa School of Speech & Drama - Fall registration opened June 1; http://www.ossd.com/
4Cats Art Studio - Registration for fall programming is open; see http://www.4cats.com/hintonburg-fall for detail.
Ottawa Gymnastics Centre - Fall Kindergym and Recreational registration starts July 20th - http://www.ottawagymnasticscentre.ca/
Dovercourt Recreation Association - Fall registration begins Tuesday, August 9th http://www.dovercourt.org/
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Splash Pads!
There are 3 splash pads in our neighbourhood. Unlike wading pools, they are always open as there is no need for lifeguard staff.
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/seasonal/ss/wading_pools/splash_pads_en.html
Hintonburg was closed for renovation last year but I understand it is re-opening this weekend with a fun sundial design and more spray features than the previous pad.
I believe Roy Duncan is currently open but can’t confirm.
- Hintonburg Park, 1064 Wellington Avenue West
- Laroche Park, 52 Bayview Ave.
- Roy Duncan Park, 295 Churchill Ave. North
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/seasonal/ss/wading_pools/splash_pads_en.html
Hintonburg was closed for renovation last year but I understand it is re-opening this weekend with a fun sundial design and more spray features than the previous pad.
I believe Roy Duncan is currently open but can’t confirm.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Notes
- Just a note that I do not publish comments that identify people, whether by name or otherwise, It's way too small a neighbourhood for that. I do read the comments and do take them in consideration along with any other information I may have.
- I LOVE feedback on this blog. Although writing the blog is fun, keeps me exploring and keeps me organized, it's also a certan amount of work, so feedback, especially positive (!) is always good. Constructive comments, positive or negative, are also absolutely welcome.
- If you have specific things you'd like to see on this blog, if you'd like to advertise an event on this blog or if you'd like to write something for this blog, please let me know!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Looking for Childcare?
We share a nanny with a family down the street. It’s a lovely situation. However, it’s about to change as our sharing family is moving outside the country for at least 2 years. We will really miss their two little girls and the relationship they had with our family.
And it brings us to looking for a new little person (s) to share our home with. If you are looking for a spot for your child in the neighbourhood near Dovercourt, we are looking for a nanny share family with 1 or possibly 2 children. Our littlest guy is 2 years old and we also have two big boys - aged 8 and 10 who are in school during the day. We’ve had our caregiver since September 2010 and she is lovely with the little ones.
Currently our caregiver comes to our house as do our neighbour's children though, depending on location, we could consider using your home for some days as well. We have a nice home with a big back yard and we are just a few blocks from the playground at Dovercourt. Our caregiver works from 8:30 to 4:30 with some flexibility. We are open to either a full or a part-time arrangement.
Please send me an e-mail at kitchissippikids@hotmail.com if you think you might be interested.
And it brings us to looking for a new little person (s) to share our home with. If you are looking for a spot for your child in the neighbourhood near Dovercourt, we are looking for a nanny share family with 1 or possibly 2 children. Our littlest guy is 2 years old and we also have two big boys - aged 8 and 10 who are in school during the day. We’ve had our caregiver since September 2010 and she is lovely with the little ones.
Currently our caregiver comes to our house as do our neighbour's children though, depending on location, we could consider using your home for some days as well. We have a nice home with a big back yard and we are just a few blocks from the playground at Dovercourt. Our caregiver works from 8:30 to 4:30 with some flexibility. We are open to either a full or a part-time arrangement.
Please send me an e-mail at kitchissippikids@hotmail.com if you think you might be interested.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Ongoing Summer Activities
Spring Awakes in Gatineau Park - On May 1st Gatineau Park began its nature interpretation program for the whole family with sessions on spring flowers and the sights and sounds of birds. For more information and dates visit http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/rec_docs/26186_spring-awakes-in-gatineau-park-2011.pdf. More information on Gatineau Park can also be found at http://www.guidegatineau.ca/
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bike Days - running right through our neighbourhood, 5.5 kilometres of the Ottawa River Parkway is closed for cyclists from Victoria Day through to Labour Day. Make sure to stop off at Westboro beach. http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16299-9970-9972&lang=1&bhcp=1
Watson's Mill in Manotick - Saturday, May 7 - opens for the season - hours are 10-5 - with milling demonstrations on Sunday at 1:00. For more details see last year's blog post at http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunday-excursion-part-ii-watsons-mill.html or http://www.watsonsmill.com/.
Gatineau Park - the parkways re-open on Friday, May 6th at noon! Check out Pink Lake, Larriault Trail, King Mountain trail or Champlain Lookout - all do-able with relatively young children (though take a backpack or a strong set of shoulders just in case!). See last year's blog post on Pink Lake http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/08/lots-of-life-at-pink-lake.html. Also don't forget about the Sugarbush trail http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/04/sugarbush-trail-in-gatineau-park_02.html. And remember, La Cigale is open for ice cream!
Upper Canada Village - opens for the season on Saturday, May 21, the 50th anniversary season launch, opening of the new Village store, and celebrations of Queen Victoria's birthday will be held. This is a great place for a day trip when you want to get out Ottawa. Interesting for adults, entertaining for kids, wagon rides, canal boat rides, train, history lessons, and a small farm! It's also where my 7 year old baker son loves to buy a big bag of stone milled flour! And you can feed bread to the BIG fish under the bridge. Have fun.
Alcatel-Lucent Sunday Bike Days - running right through our neighbourhood, 5.5 kilometres of the Ottawa River Parkway is closed for cyclists from Victoria Day through to Labour Day. Make sure to stop off at Westboro beach. http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16299-9970-9972&lang=1&bhcp=1
Watson's Mill in Manotick - Saturday, May 7 - opens for the season - hours are 10-5 - with milling demonstrations on Sunday at 1:00. For more details see last year's blog post at http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunday-excursion-part-ii-watsons-mill.html or http://www.watsonsmill.com/.
Gatineau Park - the parkways re-open on Friday, May 6th at noon! Check out Pink Lake, Larriault Trail, King Mountain trail or Champlain Lookout - all do-able with relatively young children (though take a backpack or a strong set of shoulders just in case!). See last year's blog post on Pink Lake http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/08/lots-of-life-at-pink-lake.html. Also don't forget about the Sugarbush trail http://kitchissippikids.blogspot.com/2010/04/sugarbush-trail-in-gatineau-park_02.html. And remember, La Cigale is open for ice cream!
Upper Canada Village - opens for the season on Saturday, May 21, the 50th anniversary season launch, opening of the new Village store, and celebrations of Queen Victoria's birthday will be held. This is a great place for a day trip when you want to get out Ottawa. Interesting for adults, entertaining for kids, wagon rides, canal boat rides, train, history lessons, and a small farm! It's also where my 7 year old baker son loves to buy a big bag of stone milled flour! And you can feed bread to the BIG fish under the bridge. Have fun.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A blog about a blog about biking
I don’t usually blog about other peoples blogs but here’s the thing: if you like to bike and you have a family that likes to bike you should read this blog: http://momentumplanet.com/blog
A majority of it is written by neighbourhood parent and avid cyclist Kathleen Wilker. Her blog focuses on family cycling and at this particular time includes the following topics:
A majority of it is written by neighbourhood parent and avid cyclist Kathleen Wilker. Her blog focuses on family cycling and at this particular time includes the following topics:
- Bicycle Adventures in the City
- After School Bike Club (yes our local schools are becoming more bicycle conscious. Broadview had a bike rodeo last week and at least two local schools have bicycle champions and bicycle clubs. Fantastic ideas that are catching on fast)
- Bike Decorating Part II (in preparation for the Hintonburg Bike Parade to ArtsPark on May 28th and in conjunction with Hintonburg's knitting and fibre haven Wabi Sabi http://www.wabi-sabi.ca/)
- Bike + Fibre = Parade Ready Bike Art (again, Wabi Sabi)
- Cycle the Social History of West Ottawa (a Jane's Walk on wheels)
- The ABC's of Bike Repair
- Go Take a (Bike) Hike
It also includes some equally interesting topics by other authors, including coach and gear expert Michael Stenning such as:
- Children and Competitive Riding: How, when and why should kids be introduced to racing?
- How to Successfully Resolve Cycling Disputes
- Bike Trailer 101
- Family of 5 Rides the MS Bike Tour for the 5th Time, by Grant Lawson
Monday, May 16, 2011
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
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/.
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/.
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