Island Parent Magazine June-July 2022

JUNE/JULY 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 34 Years 

5Outdoor 

Games to 

Play this 

Summer 

3Family- 

Friendly 

Island 

Hikes 

Things 

to Do in 

June & July 

Explore 

the Island 

A Region-by-Region Guide

A MAMMOTH 

EXPERIENCE 

BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING 

rbcm.ca/mammoth 

Every student deserves 

a chance to 

St. Margaret’s School (SMS) is Vancouver Island’s 

only girl-centered, day and boarding STEM 

school. To discover all the ways we can help your 

child soar in JK through grade 12, visit 

stmarg.ca 

2 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca

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https://cocf.ca/get-involved/donations/ 




IslandParent.ca 

June/July 2022 3

JUNE/JULY 2022 

FREE COPY 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 34 Years 

TABLEOFCONTENTS 

10 

5 Outdoor Games 

to Play this Summer 

Learn how to play games 

like Fox Tails, Otter Steals Fish, 

Bat and Moth, Camouflage 

and Four Trees! 

LINDSAY COULTER 

12 

See the Sights in the CRD 

Features 

24 

3 Family-friendly 

Island Hikes 

Hit the trails and have 

some fun in the great 

outdoors this summer. 

STEPHEN HUI 

In Every 

Issue 

5 

Fast Forward 

SUE FAST 

6 

Need to Know 

26 

Preschool & 

Child Care Directory 

27 

Family Calendar 

28 

Nature Notes 

KALENE LILLICO 

30 

Moms’ POV 

KELLEY McQUILLAN 

16 

Get to Know 

Nanaimo & Area 

14 

Chillin’ in the 

Cowichan Valley 

18 

Poke Around 

the Pacific Rim 

20 

Discover the Comox Valley 

22 

Explore the Gulf Islands 

36 

Sunshine & 

Summer Fun at 

the Royal BC Museum 

Take part in a summer of fun 

with family-friendly activities 

for kids of all ages. 

32 

Kids’ Reads 

CHRISTINE VAN STARKENBURG 

34 

What’s for 

Dinner 

EMILLIE PARRISH 

38 

Cut It Out! 

ALLISON REES 

38 

Businesses You 

Need to Know 

On the 

Cover 

Éowyn (2) 

Photo by 

Kandyce Joeline 

SongbirdandOak 

Photography.com 

Things 

to Do in 

June & July 

Outdoor 

Games to 

Play this 

5Summer 

3 

Family- 

Friendly 

Island 

Hikes 

Explore 

the Island 

A Region-by-Region Guide 

Jim Schneider Publisher publisher@islandparent.ca 

Sue Fast Editor editor@islandparent.ca 

Kristine Wickheim Account Manager kristine@islandparent.ca 

RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager raeleigh@islandparent.ca 

Island Parent Magazine, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a 

bimonthly publication that honours and supports parents by providing information on 

resources and businesses for Vancouver Island families. Views expressed are not 

necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be reproduced without 

the permission of the publisher. Island Parent is distributed free in selected areas. 

Annual mail subscriptions (7 issues) are available for $21 (GST included). 

Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement 40051398. ISSN 0838-5505. 

Island Parent Magazine 

250-388-6905 islandparent.ca 

518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 

A proud member of 

BC 


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FASTFORWARD 

Slippin’ Into Summer 

Longer days and way more rays. Fingers sticky with watermelon 

and ice cream. The scent of salt air, campfires and 

fresh cut grass. 

Whatever comes to mind when you think of summer, chances 

are you’re ready for not only a change in the weather, but a 

change of pace. After one of the coldest, wettest and windiest 

springs on record, summer couldn’t have come too soon. And 

one thing’s for sure about Vancouver Island in the summer: 

there’s no shortage of things to do. 

Feel like ziplining on a mountain top. We’ve got you covered. 

A petting farm is more your speed? Lots of those here, too. 

Rather spend your day at the beach or by a lake? Why not? 

No matter what you have planned this summer—or what 

just happens—we hope this issue helps you have a great time. 

Within these pages you’ll find information on five outdoor 

games to play this summer, a selection of family-friendly Island 

hikes, numerous Vancouver Island activities and attractions, 

places to explore, creating nutritious and delicious kid-friendly 

summer salads, walking trails suited to families, places to see 

animals, good summer reads and much more. Check out what’s 

happening at the Royal BC Museum and don’t forget the Summer 

Calendar with highlights of what’s happening on the Island 

in June and July. 

Here’s to striking a balance between the action-packed and 

lazy-hazy days of summer, to togetherness and solitude, to the 

seaside and to mountaintops, to sunshine and…more sunshine! 

Happy Summer! 

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Academic Excellence and Innovative Thinking 

Junior Kindergarten - Grade 12 

International Baccalaureate School 

First & Only Independent, Co-Educational 

School in Nanaimo 

www.AspengroveSchool.com 

1.250.390.2201 

7660 Clark Drive, Lantzville, BC 



NEEDTOKNOW 

BC Summer 

Reading Club 

Children ages 12 and under (or their parent 

or caregiver) are invited to visit any 

GVPL or VIRL branch to collect a 2022 

BC Summer Reading Club (BC SRC) 

package. This helps kids build confidence 

in reading while having fun and developing 

stronger connections with their public 

library. This year’s theme: “All Together 

Now”—a celebration of communities 

and connection. 

Kids can set their weekly reading goals 

and earn digital badges. BC SRC also has 

an online participation option including 

an online reading tracker, activities, contests, 

events, and more that can be found 

on bcsrc.ca. Online registration opens on 

June 13th and local libraries will open 

registration in mid-to-late June. 

You Are Not Alone 

You Are Not Alone is an anthology of perinatal mental 

health stories from conception to postpartum. The first of 

its kind in Canada, the book recounts the true stories of 

49 moms across the 49th parallel. They write about the 

struggles and triumphs of motherhood and perinatal mental 

illness. These personal accounts were collected by Patricia 

Tomasi, co-founder and executive director of the Canadian 

Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative (CPMHC) along with 

registered nurse and perinatal mood disorder coordinator, 

Jaime Charlebois. Both share their own experiences with 

perinatal mental health struggles and, drawing on their own 

expertise as therapists and healthcare providers, include 

resources and critical information on the science of perinatal 

mental health, types of disorders, a glossary and insights 

from Canada’s leading doctors and researchers. To order a 

copy, visit cpmhc.ca/anthology. 


Canada Day 

Celebrations 

Canada Day celebrations will 

return to several Island communities 

this year after a two-year 

absence due to the pandemic. A 

multi-cultural street fair will kick 

off Victoria’s celebrations, along 

with music at Ship’s Point and 

fireworks over the Inner Harbour. 

Sooke will host the ever-popular 

West Coast Lumberjack Shows, 

set for 1, 3 and 5 pm at the Sooke 

River Flats plus other familyfriendly 

events. Maffeo Sutton 

Chariot 

Sport 1 & 2 

3045–C Douglas St. 

Victoria, BC 

The Kiddies Store 

Infant Sling and Baby Supporter sold separately 

4 Activities – Bike, Jog, Stroll and Ski 

Compact Fold – easy to bring carrier with you 

Reclining Seat – convenient one-hand recline 

Thule VersaWing system – quick and easy conversion 

Adjustable Suspension and Padded Seats 

Hand-Activated Disc Brake for increased control 

Dedicated to providing Vancouver Island families 

with high-quality infant and toddler products 

at affordable prices for over 40 years 

tjskids.com 

250-386-2229 

Douglas St. 

Finlayson St. 

Larch St. 

T.J.’s 

Thrifty 

Thursdays 

A different 

sale each 

week! 

Jogging & Ski Kits 

Sold Separately 

Climate Control Cockpit – removable windows, 

multi-position sunshade 

Rear Light for added visibility and safety 

Thule Click n’ Store/XL Cargo Space – on-board storage 

of strolling, jogging and cycling kit 

Easily Adjustable Vents – optimize air flow 

Adjustable Handlebar – ergonomic for maximum comfort 

SUMMER ACCESSORIES FROM SUNGLASSES TO LIFE VESTS! 

Now Offering Curb-Side Pickups Current Hours: Tues–Sat 10am–5pm 

Entrance off 

Larch St. 

Park in Nanaimo will be bustling 

with various Canada Day events, 

as will Port Alberni, starting the 

day with a parade. To find out 

what’s happening near you, 

visit vancouverisland.travel/ 

things-to-do. 

Dance Camps 

ELEVATEDANCECENTRE.CA 

info@elevatedancecentre.ca 

250-391-9222 

& classes 

join us for your best summer ever! 

5 Week summer session classes, 

half day Camps & full day Camps 

Register 

NOW for 

Summer 

FUN! 

Space is limited. Register TODAY! 

Visit our website to learn more. 

Lakeside Village - View Royal 



Wonderment 

Festival 

The Wonderment Festival takes place in Victoria over 

the BC Day Weekend, from July 29 to August 1. Part of 

its mission is to provide an outlet for contemporary ambient 

and electronic music for families with kids who 

may not be able to get out to see concerts. All of Wonderment's 

daytime programming is free, and many of Wonderment's 

headliners will be appearing in public parks. 

Wonderment's park locations are selected because they 

have kids' playgrounds on site or immediately adjacent. 

Free programs include: Friday July 29, Beacon Hill Park 

Cameron Bandshell, 7-9:30pm; Sunday July 31, Beacon 

Hill Park Cameron Bandshell, 3-10pm; Monday August 1, 

Banfield Park, 2-6pm; and Monday August 1, Beacon Hill 

Cameron Bandshell, 7-9:30pm. There will be a Synth Petting 

Zoo, a family favourite, on Monday August 1 at the 

Vic West Community Centre next to Banfield Park where 

artists will bring their equipment for the public to try out 

and learn about. For information, visit wonderment.ca. 

OFF-GRID 

Summer Camp 

Cedar Coast Field Station (CCFS) offers family and 

youth overnight programs at its nature-based, offgrid 

facility located on Vargas Island, a 15-minute 

boat ride from Tofino. Engage in off-grid living while 

enjoying the natural beauty of Clayoquot Sound. 

Campers stay in oceanside canvas and cedar “wall 

tents” and discover an eco-friendly way of living 

based on solar energy, rainwater catchment systems 

and woodfired heat and hot water systems. All 

programs include place-based learning, traditional 

summer camp activities and local excursions. Cedar 

Coast Field Station is an independent, not-for-profit 

society with a vision to preserve ecological health 

through place-based research and education that 

celebrates the cultural and biological diversity of 

Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

CCFS acknowledges and honours the traditional territories 

of the Ahousaht, Hesquiaht and Tla-o-quiaht 

First Nations. For more information or to register visit 

cedarcoastfieldstation.org. 


10 Tips for Saving Our Planet 

1. Choose Reusables. Use reusable cups, containers and shopping bags 

to reduce waste and cut down on plastic sent to landfills. 

2. Make the Leap to LEDs. Energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, are a 

bright idea—they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

3. Switch to Silicone. Ditch single-use plastic wrap for silicone of beeswax 

food covers. 

4. Walk the Talk. Walk or cycle when possible and carpool when driving’s 

your only option. 

5. Meal Plan. Prevent food waste by meal planning for the week ahead. 

6. Cold Wash Clothes. Washing weekly laundry in cold water and 

switching from a dryer to a clothesline can cut your carbon foot print. 

7. Grow Your Own Veggies. Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed 

into carbon and waste-reducing vegetable gardens. 

8. Forget Fast Fashion. Avoid “fast fashion” that typically becomes landfill 

and donate used clothing to charity, friends or family. 

9. Upcook Leftovers. “Upcook” excess ingredients to reduce food 

waste—bacon’s not just for breakfast but a topping for salad or ice 

cream! 

10. Look for Logos. Check food packaging for a Carbon Zero logo and an 

ENERGY STAR efficiency symbol on appliances. 

From Maple Leaf Foods Green Guru, Tim Faveri 

ON NOW 

SEE FULL 

SCHEDULE 

AND GET 

TICKETS 

imaxvictoria.com 



5 Outdoor Games 

to Play this Summer 

Make this the summer your family and the neighbourhood 

kids learn how to play forest school games like Fox Tails, 

Otter Steals Fish, Bat and Moth, Camouflage and Four Trees! 

These fun games are well loved by forest schoolers. They will 

entertain kids during your local neighbourhood block party or 

when camping. (Roll up this issue and store in the glove box 

or with the camp gear.) Early childhood educators or summer 

camp leaders can test these out, too. Source a bunch of bandanas 

from a local thrift store and you’re all set. 

So get ready to play! 

Fox Tails 

Audience age: 5+ 

Time needed: 10–15 minutes 

Materials needed: Bandanas (one per player) and an open 

field or lawn 

How to play: Each player tucks one “tail” (bandana) into the 

back of their waistband. Players run around within a designated 

boundary trying to capture the tails of other players. They 

most also keep their own tails safe! If a player’s tail is captured, 

they sit on their knees. They can re-join the game if they capture 

a new tail from another player while sitting. The game 

ends when one player captures all the tails or set a time limit. 

How many can play: 4+ players 

Variations: Add Fairies. They collect extra/donated tails 

from players who already have two tails. They give tails to 

players that are sitting down and are out. 

Otter Steals Fish 


Time needed: 10–15 minutes 

Materials needed: “Fish” (bandanas) and a field or forest 

How to play: Set up a circular boundary around 6–8 metres 

in diameter. Use backpacks or bandanas to delineate the boundary. 

Make sure the circle is free from obstacles. The cheeky 

otters are on the outside of the circle while the patient heron 

guards their fish (one bandana) in the middle. The heron cannot 

touch the fish during the game. They can stop an otter from 

stealing their fish by tagging the otter. The goal of the otters is 

to get in, grab the fish and get out of the circle without being 

tagged by the heron. If an otter steals he fish, they become the 

heron. 

Variations: Once an otter is tagged, they can go outside the 

circle and count to ten or run to touch a nearby tree/object before 

trying to grab a fish again. 


Bat & Moth 


Time needed: 15 minutes 

Materials needed: Blindfold (bandana) and level field surface 

How to play: One person is a bat, everyone else is a moth. 

The bat stands in the centre and calls out “bat” to those who 

are moths. When the bat calls, the moths reply “moth.” The 

bat must try to catch the moths, and the moths do their best 

to “fly” away from the bats. Everyone can move around, with 

the bat repeatedly calling out “bat” and the moths replying 

“moth.” 

How many can play: 5–10 

Variations: Instead of saying “moth,” moths can clap their 

hands and the bat can follow the sounds. Also, if you have a 

lot of players, for safety you can create a forest ring of kids to 

make a boundary. The boundary are kids (aka trees) and stand 

with hands outstretched to keep the bat and moths inbounds. 

Still select one bat but only 3–4 moths who play inside the forest. 

Then take turns rotating kids to play bat, moths or trees. 

Camouflage 



Materials needed: A forest! 

How to play: The game starts with the player that is “it” 

shouting “camouflage.” The other players scatter and hide. The 

“it” player counts to ten out loud with their eyes closed. After 

the count is over, the “it” player begins looking around. If they 

recognize any player not completely hidden, they call out the 

name and location of the player. If they have correctly identified 

the player, they are out. If not, the player does not have to 

reveal their identity and is still in play. Once the “it” player can 

no longer identify anyone, they call out “green light” and count 

out loud to five with their eyes closed. The players have five 

seconds to try and reach the “it” player, or at least get closer 

while still being out of sight. The first player to touch the “it” 

player without being seen is the winner. 

Variations: Add face painting or fabric to hide with like 

painted burlaps sacks for added camo affect. 

Four Trees 



Materials needed: Treed area (forest or yard) 

How to play: Pick four different types of trees in the play 

area. Choose someone to be it. The “it” player closes their eyes 

and counts to 20 while the other players run to one of the four 

trees. With their eyes still closed, the “it” player yells out one 

of the four tree types. Whoever is standing at that tree is out. 

Repeated until there is only one player left or all the players are 

caught. 

Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator, facilitator, 

naturalist, community catalyst, soul activist, 

mentor, and dedicated mother of two. She’s the Director 

of Communications, Culture and Community 

at EPIC Learning Centre, a forest and nature school 

in Victoria. Find her @SaneAction on Instagram and 

Facebook. 



See the Sights in the CRD 

Roam Around at Fort Rodd Hill 

Tour through secret bunkers, military command 

posts and original 19th century buildings at Fort 

Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress on active 

duty from 1895 to 1956. Learn the personal stories 

of soldiers and their families. Camp overnight 

in a group-friendly oTENTik. Grab the wheel as 

a “master mariner” at Fisgard Lighthouse, the 

oldest on the Canadian west coast, and wander 

through a rare Garry Oak meadow. pc.gc.ca/en/ 

lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill 

Get Out in the Garden 

Butchart Gardens is open daily from 9am- 5pm, 

welcoming guests to take solace from this beautiful 

garden. You’ll find a sunken garden, rose garden, 

Japanese Garden, and Italian Garden along 

with Ross Fountain and Star Pond. For information 

on both present and future happenings, visit 

butchartgardens.com. 

Play in the Park 

Beacon Hill Park offers 200-acres to play in, just 

steps from downtown Victoria. Explore the trails 

meandering through meadows, gardens and 

trees, and the 18-hole putting green (bring your 

own clubs and balls), spray park and playground. 

Stroll past the duck ponds, over bridges, through 

gardens, and find what was once the world’s tallest 

free-standing totem pole. beaconhillpark.ca 

Gallop Along the Goose 

The 60-km partly paved Galloping Goose Trail 

winds from Victoria to Sooke with access points 

along the way. It also intersects with the E&N 

Rail Trail-Humpback Connector, the 17km cycling 

and pedestrian trail. Start the Goose in the heart 

of the city or drive out to a rural access point for 

more of a country experience. 

gallopinggoosetrail.com 

Lose Yourself on the Lochside Trail 

The 29-km Lochside Regional Trail starts in Saanich 

and ends at the ferry terminal in Swartz Bay. 

In some places trail visitors must share paved or 

gravel public roads with motor vehicles and farm 

vehicles. Trail maps and suggested access points/ 

day trips are available from the CRD website: 

crd.bc.ca/parks, then select “Find a Park.” 

Loop Swan Lake 

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary 

features both marshy lowlands and the rocky, 

oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill. The 

12,000-year-old lake is home to a variety of birds 

and wildlife including muskrats, river otters and 

mink. Circle the lake along a 2.5-km trail and 

cross the floating walkway then stop in at the 

Nature House (open on a limited schedule). 

swanlake.bc.ca. 

Stretch Out at Sidney Spit 

Sidney Spit Marine Park is a great destination 

for a day trip. The foot-passenger ferry service 

has re-opened so now you can book your trip to 

Sidney Island (25 minutes). Explore the sandy spit 

at the northeast end or hike around the whole 

island. Walk-in camping is also available. For 

updates on the ferry service, visit sidneyspitferry. 

com. 

While Away the Day at Witty’s 

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park in Metchosin offers 

more than 5 kms of beautiful trails run through 

woodland, past lagoon and marsh. Watch for 

birds as you meander down to the sandy beach. 

The Nature House at the trailhead has some great 

displays. Check for opening hours. On Metchosin 

Road, approximately 40 minutes from downtown 

Victoria. crd.bc.ca/parks 

Retreat to Roche Cove 

Roche Cove Regional Park in East Sooke. Picnic 

at the protected cove after an easy walk from the 

parking area. Wander the 7 kms of trails through 

cedar forest and along a cool creek or climb 

a mossy slope for hilltop views of Roche Cove 

and the Sooke Basin. Roche Cove is also a good 

access point for the Galloping Goose Trail. crd. 

bc.ca/parks 

Ease into East Sooke Park 

East Sooke Regional Park offers 50 kms of trails 

along the windswept rocky coast, over dry hilltops, 

through dark rainforest to sheltered coves. 

Aylard Farm is popular with picnickers and those 

looking for an easy excursion. A 5-minute walk 

through open fields leads to a sandy beach. Trails 

head inland to hilltop views, or along the rugged, 

more challenging Coast Trail. crd.bc.ca/parks 

Make a Splash at Thetis Lake 

Thetis Lake. Hike scenic trails hugging Upper and 

Lower Thetis lakes. The beach area of Thetis Lake 

is perfect for a picnic or swim, although it tends 

to be crowded in summer. If you have a canoe, 

try an early morning or evening paddle. Pay parking: 

$2.25 for the day or $20 for the season. crd. 

bc.ca/parks 

“Star” Gaze at The Shaw Centre for the 

Salish Sea 

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney is a 

state-of-the-art aquarium and marine education 

centre focused on the ecosystem of the Salish 

Sea. Spend a moment with calming, drifting jellies. 

Take a peek at invertebrates of all shapes 

and colours. The Centre is open and welcomes 

visitors on Thursday though Tuesday from 10am- 

4:30pm. Masks mandatory. salishseacentre.org 

Fly by Butterfly Gardens 

Victoria Butterfly Gardens. See thousands of 

exotic butterflies (up to 70 species) flying free in 

their own tropical rainforest environment. Wander 

through the orchid exhibit or carnivorous plant 

section. You’ll also see colourful fish and tropical 

birds. Open daily from 10am-4pm with the last 

admission into the facility at 3pm. Group bookings 

are only allowed between 8-10am. 

butterflygardens.com 

Seek Sun & Surf 

Gonzales Beach. Sure the water is freezing, but 

this is a beautiful sandy beach with the southfacing 

views and sunshing. It’s a great beach for 

skim boarding and splashing about in the shallow 

waters. Willows Beach has all the amenities at 

hand: bathrooms, a tea room for concessions, a 

playground and a sweeping sandy beach. There’s 

a grassy park for picnics and lots of trees for 

shade. Gyro Beach at Cadboro Bay Beach and 

home of the Cadborosaurus! The ocean is no 

warmer at this beach than any of the other Victoria 

beaches, but the stretch of sand and nearby 

Cadboro-Gyro Park make it a hit with families. 


Cool Down at Sooke Potholes 

Sooke Potholes are a series of deep fresh-water 

pools created by water falling over boulders in 

the Sooke River. Enjoy the views, explore the 

trails, camp under the stars, or take a refreshing 

dip on a hot summer day. You can access the 

potholes at different points. crd.bc.ca 

Love a Llama 

Millstream Miniature Llamas offers a guided tour 

of the farm for families and small groups. The tour 

includes an explanation of why llamas are special, 

the history of llamas in North and South America, 

how llamas interact with people and with each 

other, a discussion of the uses of llamas today, 

a chance to meet several llamas, experience a 

“llama kiss” and feel the fibre. Phone 250-478- 

9969 to arrange a tour. millstream-minis.com 

Behold the Bugs 

Welcome to the amazing world of insects, arachnids, 

and their many-legged relatives. See live 

giant walkingsticks, alien-eyed praying mantids, 

hairy tarantulas and glow-in-the-dark scorpions, 

to name a few. Discover roughly 50 fascinating 

species including Canada’s largest ant farm. 

Masks are mandatory. To guarantee your spot at 

the time you’d like, book online at victoriabugzoo.ca. 

Take Flight 

At Wild Play Adventures you can soar through 

the air on six exhilarating zipline flights that crisscross 

through the treetops. A guide will attach 

your harness to each zipline along the way. Just 

lean back and enjoy the ride. Afterwards, try your 

hand—and eye—at axe throwing (12+). Open Fri– 

Mon from 10am–7pm. wildplay.com 

Visit the Farm 

Beacon Hill Children’s Farm is located in Victoria’s 

beautiful Beacon Hill . Enjoy the farm animal experience, 

from alpacas to miniature goats, tropical 

birds and miniature pigs. The Farm is home to 

all kinds of fuzzy, furry, feathered creatures and 

features a goat petting area and the famous goat 

stampedes. Open seasonally. For dates and hours 

visit beaconhillchildrensfarm.ca. 

Appreciate Art 

A visit to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is a 

one-of-a-kind experience. The diversity of exhibits 

and programs is welcoming for all and there’s 

always something new to discover. aggv.ca 

Find Out About Flying 

See airplanes, seaplanes, helicopters and more at 

the BC Aviation Museum. Learn about BC’s aviation 

history from early bush planes to bombers 

and beyond. bcam.net 

Summer 

memories 

start now! 

Register for summer camps, basketball skills, kids tennis, 

advanced aquatics, junior lifeguard club, youth fitness and more. 

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: 

victoria.ca/recreation 250.361.0732 



Chillin’ in the Cowichan Valley 

Walk Among the Totems 

Duncan, aka “The City of Totems,” has over 40 

beautifully carved totems scattered throughout 

the city, just waiting for you to take a self-guided 

walking tour. Follow the yellow footprints or take 

a virtual tour with an interactive map. Take as 

long as you want; stop along the way for a drink, 

treat, lunch, or to browse the toy shop. 

downtownduncan.ca 

Change Your View of the World 

at Hand of Man 

Step inside this 17,000-square-foot museum of 

some of the most interesting personal collections 

in the world. Every bit of wall space is covered 

with a treasure, artifact, oddity, or piece of culture 

and history. Don’t be surprised if the owner curator 

Jim Shockey joins you and starts talking about 

his incredible world-wide adventures over the last 

40 years. This museum is a rarity and treasure all 

to itself. handofmanmuseum.com 

All Aboard at the BC Forest Discovery 

Centre 

Take a trip through the past, present and future 

on 100 acres! Forestry and logging take an important 

place in history and our present-day-lives, 

all captured in the Forests Forever interactive 

exhibit. No visit is complete without a locomotive 

ride across the spectacular grounds and over the 

Somenos Lake trestle. Plan on lunch from the 

concessions or bring your own picnic. 

bcforestdiscoverycentre.com 

Gear Up for Biking 

Bring your bikes and ride the trails! Hundreds of 

kilometres of trails for all levels of ability. Enjoy 

the lush forests, the vistas, waterfalls and the 

adrenaline. Camps and clinics for kids 8–14 are 

available at Next Level Riding nextlevelriding. 

ca. Need a bike rental to get started? Check out 

Cycle Therapy in Duncan to get on a bike and 

start seeing the sights of Cowichan from a whole 

new perspective. cycletherapy.ca 

Cool Down on the Cowichan River 

Dive into the fun of tubing down the Cowichan 

River with a leisurely but exhilarating floating experience. 

It’s Vancouver Island’s best kept secret 

for cooling off in the slow-moving, crystal clear 

waters of the Cowichan River. Jump in with your 

own floatie or give the guys at The Tube Shack 

a call for licensed and insured tube rentals and 

complimentary shuttle back to Lake Cowichan. 

cowichanriver.com 

Spend the day at Transfer Beach 

One of Ladysmith’s gems, Transfer Beach is a seaside 

park that will keep the little ones entertained 

for hours. Swimming, spray parks, playgrounds, 

and sheltered picnic areas—all surrounded by 

flora and fauna, viewpoints and lookouts. Pick up 

a game of basketball, horseshoes or sand volleyball 

then grab a bite and drink at the concessions 

and food trucks. This beach has it all, and is 

centrally located right off Trans-Canada highway. 

ladysmith.ca 

Let Your Spirit Soar with The Raptors 

The Raptors, 10 minutes north of Duncan, invites 

you to meet some of the coolest birds in the 

world. Check out the flying demonstrations featuring 

eagles, hawks, owls and vultures. Want to 

get closer? Take a walk through the woods with 

a hawk, hold a falcon on your glove, meet an owl 

face to beak, or spend an entire day immersing 

yourself in the world of raptors. pnwraptors.com 

Fall in Love with Stocking Creek Falls 

This gentle waterfall is situated just north of Chemainus 

in the seaside community of Saltair. Part 


of the Cowichan Valley Trail, this easy path to the 

waterfall is full of wildlife, birds, trees, flowers and 

fresh air. Pick a salmonberry along the way and 

count all the owls in the tall trees. Enter Stocking 

Creek Park from Chemainus Rd. cvrd.bc.ca 

Explore the Cowichan River Footpath 

The lower stretch of the footpath, from the Cowichan 

Fish and Game Association clubhouse to 

Skutz Falls, is a well-maintained trail, beautiful at 

any time of the year. You’ll also find many excellent 

picnicking spots. There is a 2.4-km circle 

route to Holt Creek and a 6.4-km circle route 

with good picnic spots. Maps can be picked up at 

Duncan Visitor Information Centre. 

Swimming is a Life Skill 

Remember how much 

fun it is to swim! 

Summer Introductory Programs 

Daily afternoon programs from 

July 4 to August 22 

Register by the week. 

Come give our programs a try! 

Register online at 

www.islandswimming.com/program-info 

More information 

info@islandswimming.com (250) 744-5536 

AN EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME! 

Hunt for Fairies at Merridale Cidery & 

Distillery 

Explore Merridale’s 20-acre apple orchard in Cobble 

Hill and learn about apple trees, indigenous 

plant life and little known facts about Cowichan. 

This tour also highlights “Merri and Dale”—the 

magical apple blossom faeries living on the property. 

Pick up a “Mystical Orchard Adventure Map” 

to search for faeries, dryads, hobgoblins, gnomes 

and elves or download it at merridale.ca. 

Summer Camps for Children, Youth, Families & Leadership 

• Community & Corporate Retreats • 

Registration is open for summer camps 

and family cabin rentals. 

CampPringle.com • 250-743-2189 • info@camppringle.com 

Want to join our team? Visit our website for info on staff and volunteer positions. 



Get to Know Nanaimo & Area 

the suspension bridge over the river. The Information 

Centre at the south end of town will provide 

directions. rdn.bc.ca/top-bridge-regional-trail 

Try Your Hand at Disc Golf 

Bowen Park Disc Golf is free and open to the 

public every day of the year. The par 54 course 

starts at a large, introductory sign that’s located 

across from the main complex building, near 

Bowen Road. For a course map and score card, 

visit nanaimo.ca. 

Brush Up on Island History 

Nanaimo District Museum offers guided and selfguided 

tours that encourage visitors to “Make 

a Discovery” while exploring the history and 

heritage of our area. The Museum Gallery is open 

from 10am–4pm, admission is by donation. The 

Bastion remains closed and cannon firings have 

been cancelled until further notice. 

nanaimomuseum.ca 

Gander at the Goats 

Coombs Old Country Market is along Highway 

4A, on the way to Port Alberni from Parksville or 

Nanaimo. Wander the market, unique shops, galleries 

and studios for gifts, groceries and great 

food. There’s lots to see. Be sure to look up when 

you’re outside the market—the goats on the sod 

roof live there throughout the summer and “mow” 

the lawn. The Market is open from 9am–6pm. 

oldcountrymarket.com 

Take Your Best Shot at Mini Golf 

Sink some putts at Paradise Mini Golf and Fun 

Park (paradisefunpark.net) featuring two worldclass 

mini-golf courses complete with a mini lighthouse, 

pirate ship and Victorian mansion. Riptide 

Lagoon Adventure Golf (riptidelagoon.com) will 

whisk you away to another land filled with mini 

mountains, rapids and a research station. 

Play in the Park 

Lions Venture Land Playground and Splash Park is 

a landmark in the Parksville Community Park. Kids 

love the brightly coloured slides and sea creatures, 

swings, jungle gyms, in-ground trampolines 

and the ever popular Zipkrooze. Not only that, but 

there are horseshoe pits, a skate park, kite field, 

lacrosse box, sports field and ball diamonds, and 

a picnic shelter and gazebo. 

Go Underground at Horne Lake 

Explore the beauty and mysteries of Vancouver 

Island’s Underworld in a subterranean adventure 

at Horne Lake Caves. A wide variety of tour options 

offers many levels of experience for families 

and adventurous park visitors. To reserve a tour, 

visit hornelake.com. 

Bike at Top Bridge 

The Top Bridge Trail in Parksville links Rathtrevor 

Beach with Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park on the 

scenic Englishman River. The trail is 5km each 

way and winds through public and private property, 

with a number of access points (a local favourite 

is at Industrial Way and Tuan Road). Enter 

from the Chattell Road trailhead and you’ll be at 

Zip, Swing & Bungy at Wildplay 

At WildPlay Nanaimo, you start with a training session 

on the ground to get comfortable using the 

ziplines and continuous belay system. Then you’ll 

climb up a ladder and start making your way from 

tree to tree by walking across tightropes, climbing 

up cargo nets, sliding down ziplines, flying 

through the air on rope swings and leaping onto 

swinging logs and balancing on wobbly bridges. 

There’s a Kids Course, too. Feeling really brave? 

Then give bungy jumping and the primal swing a 

try. wildplay.com/nanaimo 

Look Waaayyy Up at Cathedral Grove 

Cathedral Grove-MacMillan Park is a day-use park 

just past Cameron Lake on Highway 4. View some 

of the largest and oldest trees on Vancouver Island, 

including over-800-year-old giants and lush 

vegetation on the interpretive trail system that 

winds through the park. Cathedral Grove is approximately 

20 minutes from Parksville. 

bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/macmillan 

Hike to the Falls 

Stamp River Provincial Park near Port Alberni is 

over 327 hectares of forests, rivers and waterfalls. 

Explore the 2 kms of hiking trails along the river, 

past fish ladders and crashing waterfalls. Starting 


the small herd of Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss 

and Canadienne dairy cows and see how yummy, 

artisanal local cheeses are made. You can take 

your own self-guided tour around the 90 acres 

of beautiful working farm. Open daily 9am–6pm. 

403 Lowrys Road. morningstarfarm.ca 

in late August, spawning Sockeye salmon begin 

making their way up the Stamp River. The park 

is a 20-minute drive from town on Beaver Creek 

Road. 

Spend a day at the Beach 

Rathtrevor Beach is a three-mile stretch of sandy 

seaside, perfect for families craving a day at the 

beach, with water warm enough not only for 

wading, but for swimming, too! Stick around for 

the sunsets, often some of the most spectacular 

on the Island. The nearby BC Parks campground 

is also a family favourite. bcparks.ca/explore/ 

parkpgs/rathtrevor 

Meet the Herd at Morningstar Farm 

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is just north of 

Parksville. Wander LQC’s Morningstar Farm, meet 

Be Wowed by Wildlife 

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) 

in Coombs is a rehabilitation facility, especially 

for raptors and black bears. The goal: to care 

for these animals and eventually reintroduce 

them into their natural environment. See eagles 

through one-way glass in the largest flight cage 

of its kind in Canada. View bears, owls, falcons, 

hawks, swans and ravens. NIWRA offers activities 

and educational programs for the whole family. 

Open daily 9am–4:30pm. niwra.org 

Follow the Nanaimo Bar Trail 

Looking for the ultimate Nanaimo Bar? Look 

no further than these top three options: Red’s 

Bakery, Hearthstone Artisan Bakery or Vault Café. 

Or follow the self-guided tasting trail (tourism 

nanaimo.com/what-to-do/sip-and-savour/ 

nanaimo-bar-trail) where you’ll find everything 

from the classic Nanaimo Bar, the organic/vegan/ 

raw/gluten bar and ice cream versions to maple 

bacon topped and deep fried Nanaimo Bars. 

SUMMER CAMPS 

AT 

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• CLIMBING & OUTDOOR 

Develop skills, meet new friends, explore 

creativity and experience exciting activities 

in a fun, safe and positive environment! 

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See complete camps listings online: 

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Presented by 

Supported by 

• Archery 

• Ball Hockey 

• Basketball 

• Cheer 

• Cross Country 

• Dance 

• Fencing 

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• Golf 

• Indoor Climbing 

• Vikes Explorers 

• Judo 

• Mini Vikes 

• Racquet Sports 

• Soccer 

• Softball 

• Sport Science 

• Swimming 

• Tennis 

• Track & Field 

• Vikes Adventurers 

• Vikes Sports 

• Volleyball 

• Yoga 

• and more! 



Poke Around the Pacific Rim 

Hang 10 in Tofino 

Want to Learn to Surf? You’ve come to the right place. Here are three rental 

places and surfing schools In Tofino: Surf Sisters surfsister.com, Pacific Surf 

Co pacificsurfschool.com, Tofino Surf School tofinosurfschool.ca. 

See the Sawmill 

McLean Mill National Historic Site will be for self-guided tours with maps 

available outside the administration office. The Mill will also be offering 

guided tours in limited group sizes. Dates and times to be confirmed. Gift 

shop and Steam Pot Cafe are open daily, hours to be confirmed. Campground 

is open, with online booking available. mcleanmill.ca 

Explore the Trails 

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The stretch of Pacific Rim National Park 

between Ucluelet and Tofino boasts magnificent beaches and dramatic 

seascapes (and a few tourists!). Check in with the Tourist Information Centre 

at the Ucluelet-Tofino-Port Alberni Junction to find out about trails, beaches, 

eateries and activities. pc.gc.ca 

Get Wild on the WPT 

The Wild Pacific Trail in Pacific Rim Park. Follow cliff-edges along the extreme 

outer coast, including the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse site. You’ll view 

the ocean’s fury from the protection of the trail and from viewing platforms 


situated at the best headlands along the route. You’ll also be awed by gigantic 

nurse-logs, raised root systems, mosses, fungi, lichens and ferns. The 

trail can be walked in two main sections: Lighthouse Loop and Big Beach. 

Then leave the coastline to visit the largest trees in the area at Ancient Cedars 

grove. wildpacifictrail.com 

Littles to the Lighthouse 

Lighthouse Loop, part of the Wild Pacific Trail and 2.6 kms long, can be 

walked in a 30–45 minute loop using the adjoining He-Tin-Kis Park boardwalk. 

The trail includes viewpoints and benches for watching whales, birds 

or catching the sunset. The Bog Interpretive Trail is open, a 300m interpretive 

loop (within the Loop!). wildpacifictrail.com/lighthouse.html 

Learn About Local Marine Life 

Visit Ucluelet Aquarium, Canada’s first catch-and-release aquarium, where 

you’ll find a diversity of local marine life. The touch tanks will be covered for 

animal care purposes as soap and disinfectants are harmful to the health 

of fish and invertebrates. Learn about the local marine ecosystems at the 

mini aquarium and help raise awareness about local marine biodiversity and 

promote respect for the ocean environment. Open every day, including holidays, 

from 10am–4:30pm. uclueletaquarium.org 

Get Out in the Garden 

The idea of the garden is that it can be both a basic introduction to the 

natural and cultural history of Clayoquot Sound, and a place where the relationship 

between culture and nature can be explored. A COVID-friendly way 

to spend a day in Tofino “just to set the heart free.” Now open seven days a 

week, from dawn to dusk. tofinobotanicalgardens.com 

Try Out Tuff City Skatepark 

Tuff City Skatepark is a surf-inspired park built and powered by the determination 

of local residents. The result is a well-designed, safe skateboarding 

area for the young and old, those who are learning or experienced skaters. 

tourismtofino.com/plan-your-trip/business-directory/tuff-city-skatepark 

Or Ride on Over to the Bike Park 

This mountain bike park is Tofino’s newest addition to its outdoor playground. 

The park is located beside the Tofino Community Hall and includes 

a pump track, table top jumps, a learning area, ladder planks and other 

obstacles. The park is “use at your own risk” so think safety first. 

Indulge in Gelato 

Chocolate Tofino offers handmade gelato flavours including Dutch Chocolate, 

Salted Caramel, White Chocolate Raspberry, Hammerhead—a secret 

recipe—“Kookville” and Lavender Honey, to name a few. With a menu that’s 

“sometimes seasonal, sometimes as we please,” you never know what 

you’ll find. chocolatetofino.com 



Healthy Families, Happy Families 

Child, Youth 

& Family 

Public Health 

South Island Health Units 

Esquimalt 250-519-5311 

Gulf Islands 250-539-3099 

(toll-free number for office in Saanichton) 

Peninsula 250-544-2400 

Saanich 250-519-5100 

Saltspring Island 250-538-4880 

Sooke 250-519-3487 

Victoria 250-388-2200 

West Shore 250-519-3490 

Central Island Health Units 

Duncan 250-709-3050 

Ladysmith 250-755-3342 

Lake Cowichan 250-749-6878 

Nanaimo 250-755-3342 

Nanaimo 250-739-5845 

Princess Royal 

Parksville/Qualicum 250-947-8242 

Port Alberni 250-731-1315 

Tofino 250-725-4020 

North Island Health Units 

Campbell River 250-850-2110 

Courtenay 250-331-8520 

Kyuquot Health Ctr 250-332-5289 

‘Namgis Health Ctr 250-974-5522 

Port Hardy 250-902-6071 

islandhealth.ca/our-locations/ 

health-unit-locations 

Changes with BC Medical Services Plan 

premiums mean that families eligible for partial 

payment of some medical services and access 

to some income-based programs now must 

apply for Supplementary Benefits through the 

Government of BC. Applications can be done 

online and take approximately 15 minutes. 

Families who previously qualified for MSP 

Premium Assistance should not need to re-apply 

if taxes are completed yearly. It is advised to 

confirm coverage before proceeding with 

treatment to avoid paying out of pocket. 

For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/ 

content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/ 

bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-bymsp/supplementary-benefits 

Discover the 

Comox Valley 

Peruse the Courtenay Museum & 

Palaeontology Centre 

The Courtenay Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 

from 10am–4pm. Find out why the Comox Valley, 

past and present, is one of the most plentiful 

places on earth. Take a fossil tour and travel 80 

million years back in time; browse the galleries to 

delve into the stories that make our history come 

alive. courtenaymuseum.ca 

See the Standing in the Gap Exhibit 

Campbell River Museum’s Cecil Dawson: Standing 

in the Gap exhibit explores the impacts of colonization 

through the experiences of one family, and 

one artist, Kwakwaka’wakw artist and Hereditary 

Chief Gixkastallasame-gi, or Cecil Dawson. His 

artworks interpret this hurtful history and its continuing 

impact upon our society. Open daily during 

the summer from 10am–5pm. crmuseum.ca 

Wonder About Whales 

Look up at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph 

Cove and you’ll see the 18-metre skeleton 

of a fin whale hanging from the ceiling. Walk 

between the jawbones of a blue whale or check 

out the skull of a sperm whale with giant teeth. 

Housed in an old freight shed, the interactive 

museum’s goal is to increase public awareness 

about whales and other local marine mammals 

and the threats they face. killerwhalecentre.org 

Catch a Fish 

Cast a line from Discovery Pier and see what you 

catch. Or pack a picnic and sit at one of the tables 

on the pier for dining al fresco. There’s a concession 

stand nearby that sells ice cream and rents 

fishing rods in the summer. campbellriver.travel/ 

attractions/discovery-pier 

Zip-pidy Do Da 

Unfold your wings and fly on Mt. Washington’s 

“Eagle’s Flight” ZipTour. This dual-line, four-span 

zip line offers an adrenaline-filled and scenic 

adventure down the terrain of the Mt. Washington 

Alpine Resort. The total tour length is 1.44-milelong 

with a vertical drop of 1,364 feet! Or skip the 

zip and take a chairlift ride to the summit to see 

breathtaking mountain and ocean views. 

Open weekends, book in advance at 

mountwashington.ca. 

Go Go-Carting 

The Saratoga Speedway provides family-friendly 

entertainment and activities. Get a ride in a monster 

truck, race a go-cart or watch the action at a 

Crash to Pass race featuring everything from travel 

trailers to boats! For a current racing, schedule 

visit saratogaracing.ca. 

Sway on the Suspension Bridge 

Just a 30-minute walk from the parking lot, Elk 

Falls Suspension Bridge gives a bird’s eye view 

of Elk Falls, cascading 64 metres to the canyon 

below. The high wire sides mean you can relax 


and enjoy the view without worrying about any 

climbing kids. The area is well signed. bcparks. 

ca/explore/parkpgs/elk_falls 

Discover Local Marine Species 

Discovery Passage Aquarium features local marine 

species and habitats from Discovery Passage. 

The Aquarium offers education and fun hands-on 

experiences suitable for all ages. With a focus on 

conservation and education, the Aquarium will reopen 

this summer with species that are collected 

in the spring being released in the fall. 

Enroll Now 

and Save up 

to $50 * ! 

Preschool – 

High School 

Math and Reading 

Program 

Make a Quick Stop at the Quinsam 

As one of Canada’s largest salmon rearing facilities, 

the Quinsam River Hatchery plays a vital role 

in restoring natural spawning runs to the Campbell 

and Quinsam Rivers during the fall. Check 

out the fish floor inside the hatchery’s interpretive 

centre, a glass floor covering a re-creation of the 

nearby rivers with salmon, trout and other native 

aquatic species. Check for re-opening and hours. 

pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sep-pmvs/hatcheriesecloseries/quinsam-eng.html 

Celebrate the Return of 

Islands Folk Festival 

Islands Folk Festival resumes live performances 

at Providence Farm in Duncan on Saturday, July 

23. With on-site camping, a ‘Wee Folks’ kid zone, 

shuttle service, beverage garden and food and 

craft vendors, this family-friendly event will feature 

great music and performers, craft vendors 

and family fun. For a full list of performers visit 

islandsfolkfestival.ca. 

Set your sights 

on success this 

summer. 

practice makes possibilities 

Top scientists, artists, athletes and scholars – none 

achieves greatness by accident. They practice. 

Give your child an academic advantage in school 

and beyond. Enroll today. 

Contact one of our convenient 

Kumon locations in Victoria, 

Saanich or Langford today! 

800-ABC-MATH www.kumon.ca 

* Enroll between June 1-30, 2022, to waive the Enrollment Fee of up to $50. The Enrollment 

Fee includes services such as processing, student evaluation and lesson plan development. 

Enrollment Fee waiver only valid at participating Kumon Math and Reading Centres. Most 

Kumon Centres are independently owned and operated. Additional fees may apply. See Centre 

for applicable terms and conditions. ©2022 Kumon North America Inc. All rights reserved. 



Explore the Gulf Islands 

Meet You at the Market 

Salt Spring Saturday Market on the waterfront in 

Ganges is famous for a reason: there’s lots to see 

and do. Oh, yeah…and the Salt Spring fruitsicles! 

You’ll find 140+ stallholders who, between April 

to October from 9am–4pm, sell what they make, 

bake or grow on. saltspringmarket.com 

See the Seashells at the Seashore 

Montague Harbour was declared the province’s 

first marine park in 1959 and the area has been 

home to Coast Salish people for over 3800 

years. You’ll find the middens made of discarded 

clam, oyster and abalone shells on the seashore. 

Crushed by storms and bleached by the sun, the 

shells have created beautiful white beaches, 

perfect for exploring. bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/montague 

Play in Paradise 

Visit Big Tribune Bay on Hornby Island, dubbed 

“Hawaii of the North” for its crystal-clear blue waters 

and sweeping sandy beach. With lots of tidal 

pools to explore at low tide, this Hornby favourite 

provides a day’s worth of to-dos so pack a picnic 

and beach toys and kick off your shoes. 

bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/tribune 

Commandeer a Kayak 

Go kayaking on Galiano Island with a kayak from 

Gulf Island Kayaking and see the sandstone 

shoreline and maybe even a whale or two. As 

the original kayak outfitter in the Southern Gulf 

Islands, the owners chose Galiano as its base 

because of the exceptional beauty of the island’s 

undeveloped coastline, the abundance of diverse 

wildlife and the reliable tranquility of its sheltered 

waters. For rates and tours, visit seakayak.ca. 

Find the Mountain Fairies 

Follow the Fairy Door Trail at Mount Erskine on 

Salt Spring. A good, stiff hike up the 488-metre 

mountain takes you past twisted trees, mossy 

forest floors and an assortment of fairy doors. Be 

forewarned: the first door is further along the trail 

than you might expect. For details and a map, 

visit travelingislanders.com/enchanted-fairydoor-trail-on-salt-spring-island. 

Hit the Hilltops 

Explore Helliwell Park on Hornby Island and take 

in some incredible views. This 5km hike is stroller 

friendly, with an all-terrainer. The expansive grass 

fields mean lots of room to roam, but beware of 

the steep cliffs! bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/ 

helliwell 

Homestay Families Needed! 

Dedicated students in grades 6–12 come from 

28 different countries to attend academic 

programs in Greater Victoria Schools. 

Why Host? 

• Enjoy an unforgettable cultural experience. 

• $1100 per month will be provided to 

support a student in your home 

• Short Stay or Long Stay Hosting 

Opportunities are Available 

• 24/7 assistance is provided from 

the Homestay Office 

Questions? 

250.592.6871 

homestay@sd61.bc.ca 

studyinvictoria.com 

Connect your family to the world. 


Ramble on the Ridge 

Hike along Galiano’s 75km+ of trails. One of the 

best hikes is the 90-minute roundtrip hike in 

Bodega Ridge Provincial Park. At the top, 328 

metres above sea level, you’ll have a spectacular 

view of Trincomali Channel. Watch for endangered 

peregrine falcons in this safe critical habitat. 

bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/bodega_ridge 

Roam at Roesland 

Walk the trail to beautiful Roe Lake on North 

Pender Island and take a dip. Roesland Park is 

another outpost of Gulf Islands National Park 

Reserve; while you’re here, explore the Pender 

Island Museum. 

Visit Vesuvius 

Vesuvius Beach on the northwest coast of Salt 

Spring Island has the warmest swimming waters 

and stunning sunsets. Another place to swim on 

Salt Spring is at St. Mary’s Lake where you’ll find 

a small public beach and, not too far from the 

beach, a rope swing popular with locals. Cusheon 

and Stowell Lakes are also popular with families. 

discoversaltspring.com/vesuvius 

Say Cheese! 

Visit the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company and 

take a peek through one of the viewing windows 

into the cheesemaking facility. Stay for lunch at 

the café and choose from housemade soups, 

pizza, salad and a delicious goat cheese cake for 

dessert. saltspringcheese.com 

Try out the Tree House Café 

In Ganges and set amidst the trees this quaint 

and quirky restaurant is a local favourite, one that 

Lonely Planet called “the kind of place where a 

hobbit would feel at home.” treehousecafe.ca 

Scream for Ice Cream 

To cool down, drop by Lix Ice Cream and Espresso 

on Hornby Island. You’ll know you’ve arrived 

when you see the building at Ringside Market, 

painted with as many colours as there are ice 

cream flavours. facebook.com/LixHornby 

BIRTH NEWBORN MATERNITY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KANDYCE JOELINE 

VANCOUVER ISLAND SONGBIRDANDOAKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 250 951 3831 



3 Family-friendly Island Hikes 

What better time than summertime 

to get out and explore the great 

outdoors with the kids? 

Slow down and delight in their discoveries 

as they investigate every creek, hollow 

tree and snail. Don’t forget to pack 

plenty of food and water and take lots of 

breaks. 

Here are three easy hikes on Vancouver 

Island that are fun for the whole family. 

Reminders: Check trail reports, bring 

the 10 essentials, leave a trip plan with 

a responsible person, and pack out all 

trash. 

Sooke Potholes 

Round trip: 4 km 

Location: Sooke Potholes Regional Park 

Take a hike on the Riverside Trail, 

cool off on beaches, watch salmon returning 

to spawn, and marvel at cliffs, 

swirl holes, and waterfalls created by the 

Sooke River. 

Starting at Parking Lot 1, head past 

the toilets and up the stairs to the right. 

Quickly earn the first viewpoint, overlooking 

deep pools in the gorge. Briefly 

walk along Sooke River Road. Keep left 

to see the ruins of an abandoned lodge. 

Follow the fence north. Then bear left 

to descend to a junction where the Riverside 

Trail goes up the stairs to the right. 

Go straight ahead and down the rock 

stairs to the viewing platforms. Peer over 

two waterfall tiers and down the gorge. 

Continue upstream on the main path. 

Fork left by Parking Lot 2. Return to the 

road. At a pedestrian crossing, leave the 

road, and follow Mary Vine Creek left to 

Sand Pebble Beach. Have a picnic, go for 

a swim or watch American dippers hunt 

for insects and fish in the river. 

Backtrack to the road and walk north 

on the shoulder to reach Parking Lot 

3. At the north end, take the Riverside 

Trail left. Up the path, rainwater fills 

puddles on a rocky clifftop that serves as 

a phenomenal viewpoint for the Sooke 

Potholes. Two deep pools are divided 

by a narrow gap in the gorge. Keep kids 

away from the edge and beware of slippery 

rock. 

Just upstream, there’s another spectacular 

viewpoint. The river has carved a 

bizarre canyon out of the sandstone bedrock. 

There are waterfalls, tight chasms, 

and swirl holes. 

Push on upstream to Skipping Rock 

Beach. Indeed, the flat stones are perfect 

for skimming. 

Turn around and retrace your steps 

downstream. 

McKenzie Bight 


Location: Gowlland Tod Provincial 

Park 

Lively tide pools and lovely arbutus 

trees await. The McKenzie Bight Trail 

is short and sweet, but you could easily 

while away most of day exploring the 

coastline. 

A big sign indicates the way to Gowlland 

Tod Provincial Park across the road 

from Mount Work Regional Park’s parking 

lot. Set off on the wide McKenzie 

Bight Trail. Hike northwest and steadily 

downhill along the lush ravine of Pease 

Creek. Enjoy birdsong and the burble of 

flowing water. 

Emerge from the rainforest at the 

mouth of Pease Creek on McKenzie 

Bight. Explore the beach ahead before 

following the trail to the right and up a 

little hill. Turn left at the outhouse to arrive 

on a grassy promontory with arbutus 

trees. Picnic time! Save some treats for 

the uphill return to the trailhead. 

Extension Ridge 


Location: Nanaimo 

Extension Ridge is a pleasant jaunt 

through arbutus, Douglas-fir and Garry 

oak trees, with views of the Salish Sea. 

The Abyss, a rock cleft ascribed to an 

earthquake, is the star of the show. 

Find the start of Extension Ridge Trail, 

part of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), 

on Harewood Mines Road, south of the 

Highway 19 overpass. Head east in the 

right-of-way, turn right at a signed junction 

and climb the steps under the power 

lines. Go right twice, then left at the base 


of a pylon to enter a clear-cut. Keep right 

on the main trail. 

Twenty minutes from the trailhead, 

ascend a conglomerate outcrop to discover 

The Abyss. The enigmatic fissure is 

narrow enough to step across but wide 

enough to fall in. Be careful with kids 

and dogs. 

The TCT continues south in the woods, 

following the mellow crest. Twenty minutes 

from The Abyss, come to a wideangle 

viewpoint with two seats carved into 

stumps at the top of the clear-cut. 

Keep going for 45 minutes to enjoy 

more of the ridge. Go under a power line. 

Gradually descend to a clearing occupied 

by a quartered circle of rocks strewn with 

assorted trinkets. Stay right, and reach a 

bluff viewpoint featuring a canine memorial 

plaque. Finally, steps lead down to a 

gravel road, where an Extension Ridge 

Trail signpost points back the way you 

came. Turn around here. 

Summer FUN at GNS 

Glenlyon Norfolk School is offering a variety of fun summer camps 

for students age 5 to 17. Arts, cooking, baking, field hockey, day camps, 

kayaking, outdoor education and overnight camps, entrepreneurial 

camps and more—our summer programs offer something for everyone! 

www.mygns.ca/summer-fun 

IB CONTINUUM 

CONTINUUM DE L’IB 

CONTINUO DEL IB 

Stephen Hui is the 

author of Best Hikes 

and Nature Walks With 

Kids In and Around 

Southwestern British 

Columbia, a new 

guide to 55 familyfriendly 

trails. His first two books, 105 Hikes 

and Destination Hikes, were #1 B.C. bestsellers. 

Photos: Stephen Hui. Learn more: 105hikes.com 



PRESCHOOL&CHILDCAREDIRECTORY 

Victoria & Area Peninsula Westshore Cowichan Valley Nanaimo & Area 

v Comprehensive programs for 

Preschool through Grade 11 

v Delivering academic excellence through 

music, dance, drama and visual arts 

v Outstanding educators, 

locations and facilities 

www.ArtsCalibre.ca 250.382.3533 

Pre-School 

Junior Kindergarten 

PacificChristian.ca 

250-479-4532 

Educational Excellence to the Glory of God 

St. Christopher’s Montessori School 

Offering an enriched and 

nurturing Montessori programme 

Competitively priced independent 

school education 

Half day for 3 & 4 year olds 

Full day kindergarten 

stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213 

Castleview Child Care........... 250-595-5355 

Learning Through Play & Discovery. 

Licensed non-profit, ECE staff. Since 1958. 

Morning or full-time care. 

castleviewchildcarecentre.com 

Rainbows 

& Dreams 

Preschool 

Offering small classes, creative 3–5 year 

and kindie programs. Safe, fun, nurturing 

environment to learn and grow. 

250-479-1966 4184 Keewatin Place, Victoria 

St. Margaret’s School Jr. Kindergarten 

Apply now for our Early Learning (JK and 

Kindergarten) Programs. Early learning at SMS is 

a curriculum-based program for 3 and 4 year olds. 

St. Margaret’s School 

250-479-7171 | admissions@stmarg.ca 

Emmanuel Baptist Church Child Care 

We offer all-day Day Care 

for 3 and 4 year olds. 

We also offer an After School Care 

Program for Kindergarten to 12 years 

old for Campus View and Frank Hobbs. 

250 598 0573 2121 Cedar Hill X Rd (by entrance to UVic) 

daycare@emmanuelvictoria.ca afterschool@emmanuelvictoria.ca 

Ready Set Grow Preschool.....250-472-1530 

Join our learning through play preschool located 

in Hillcrest Elem. Our caring ECEs offer 

an enriched Program for 3-4 hour, 2-5 days a 

week and help with kindergarten transition. 

heoscmanager@gmail.com 

SEEDLINGS 

Forest Education 

Where nature becomes the Teacher! 

Seedlings Forest Education is a Nature based program 

that includes After School Care, Nature Preschool, Parent 

Workshops, Saturday Seedlings, Summer Camps and more! 

250-880-0660 seedlingsforesteducation.com 

w ild c h ild 

e a r l y l ear n i n g c e n t r e 

• Licensed program for 

3–5 year olds 

• Nature focused 

• 3 hour morning classes 

Exciting new learn-throughplay 

program in Saanichton, 

ideal for Peninsula families 

www.wcelc.ca 

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 

Learn more today! 250-390-2201 AspengroveSchool.ca 

NANAIMO’ S JK–12 INTERNATIONAL 

BACCALAUREATE WORLD SCHOOL 

Need help with the Affordable Child Care Benefit? 

Looking for child care? Taking care of children? 

Need child care training? 

Call your local CCRR for free referrals and resources. 

Victoria & Gulf Islands: 250-382-7000 

Sooke: 250-642-5152 ext 239 West Shore: 250-940-4882 

Cowichan Valley: 250-746-4135 local 231 

PacificCare (Ladysmith North): 250-756-2022 or 1-888-480-2273 

gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres 

Your community’s best source of 

child care information and resources. 

Funding for the CCRR is provided by the province of B.C. 


JUNE/JULYFAMILYCALENDAR 

For more information and calendar 

updates throughout the month 

visit IslandParent.ca 

JUNE 

V 

P 

W 

Victoria & Area 

Peninsula 

Westshore 

CV 

N 

CX 

Cowichan Valley 

Nanaimo & Area 

Comox Valley 

PR 

G 

O 

Pacific Rim 

Gulf Islands 

Online 

3 FRIDAY TO 5 SUNDAY 

Oak Bay Tea Party 

V 

Fri eve, all day Sat and Sun, Willows Beach 

Activities at this popular family event include an 

air show, bathtub race, parade through Oak Bay, 

carnival, free live music, raffle draw and so much 

more. oakbayteaparty.com 

12 SUNDAY 

Teeny Tiny Garden Tour 

V 

All day, various locations in Victoria 

Plot your map, grab your hat, and prepare to 

be inspired. victoriahospice.org/event/2022- 

teeny-tiny-garden-tour-save-the-date 

23 THURSDAY TO 2 SUNDAY 

Victoria Pride Festival 

V 


We are looking forward to connecting again 

through our signature Victoria Pride Festival 

events. victoriapridesociety.org/pride-2022 


TD Jazzfest 

V 


TD Victoria International JazzFest is a ten-day music 

festival featuring jazz, blues and world music 

of local, Canadian and internationally acclaimed 

musicians. jazzvictoria.ca/jazzfest-home 

25 SATURDAY 

Comox Summer Fest 

CV 

10am–5pm, Downtown Comox 

Specials from local merchants, street market, live 

music and family fun events. downtowncomox. 

com/downtown-comox-summer-fest 

25 SATURDAY 

Vic West Fest 

W 

12–8pm, Vic West Park 

Vic West Fest is a family-oriented community 

celebration, with local musicians, and games and 

activities for adults and children alike. 

victoriawest.ca/vic-west-fest 

JULY 

2 SATURDAY 

One Love Festival 

12–8pm, Transfer Beach Park Ladysmith 

All ages FREE Reggae event. 

1lovefestival.ca/index.php 

10 SUNDAY 

Saanich Strawberry Fest 

P 

11am–3pm, Beaver Lake Park 

Event activities, displays, strawberries and ice 

cream. saanich.ca/EN/main/news-events/ 

events-list/saanich-community-events/saanichstrawberry-festival-2021.html 

N 

14 THURSDAY TO 17 SUNDAY 

Northwest Deuce Days 

V 

Inner Harbour Victoria 

2022 marks the 10th edition of Northwest Deuce 

Days and this highly anticipated event promises 

to impress as attendees admire classic cars, meet 

their owners and witness their passion first hand. 

tourismvictoria.com/deuce-days 

16 SATURDAY & 17 SUNDAY 

Nanaimo Gem & Mineral Show 

Legion Hall 

Vendors selling rocks, crystals and jewelry. 

facebook.com/2girlsrock 


Nanaimo Bathtub Races 

N 

Various locations 

This year’s race will start and end in Nanaimo 

Harbour. The finish line is below the Frank Ney 

statue at Maffeo Sutton park! bathtubbing.com/ 

bathtub-weekend/calendar-events 


Splash Around Town 

V 

Various locations 

A 10-day summer music festival at some of the 

City’s most beautiful locations. 

victoriasymphony.ca/splasharoundtown 

N 

Nestled on 4 acres of lush west coast forest, our Award 

winning, Nature based program will not disappoint! 

While firmly embracing the Reggio-Emila (Italy) Philosophy our 

dedicated team of educators use the environment as the third 

teacher as we encourage your child throughout their day. 

Our purpose built facilities have been handmade using the 

trees from our forest. Come take a virtual tour on our website! 

lexieslittlebears.ca Waitlist: 250-590-3603 

BC Award of Excellence in Childcare & Prime Minister’s Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education. 



NATURENOTES 

The Science of Slug & Snail Slime 

Snails and slugs have an extremely porous body. They 

absorb moisture from their environment but can also 

rapidly be left in trouble on a hot sunny day with no 

shelter to be found for meters. In an attempt to avoid desiccation, 

or drying up, slugs and snails produce something that is 

better than liquid gold. For a slug that is. Mucus! While mucus 

may be something we as humans shy away from, for snails, it 

is the reason they are able to move around so, um, let’s say “effectively.” 

It is also how they are able to seemingly defy gravity 

with their climbing feats, and how they leave love letters for 

potential mates. 

Snail mucus is produced by glands in the foot, the body of 

the animal, and has properties making it similar to both a lubricant 

and a glue. As they move, the secreted mucus creates 

a gliding surface for the creature, they use the muscles in their 

foot to push themselves along. Once they are moving, it doesn’t 

take too much effort to continue their glide! On top of this, the 

mucus they secreted has the additional benefit of leaving a trail 

brimming with pheromones. These pheromones can be smelled 

by others of their species, and used to find mates. 

This miracle mucus happens to be strong enough to anchor 

them onto surfaces, allowing them to climb up trees, glass, 

patio furniture, you name it. If they are in fear of dessication, 

snails can create a plug of mucus to block their shell from evaporation. 

This can keep them safe for months at a time until they 

are reintroduced to hydration. 

While leaf litter filled forests are a perfect place to find these 

slimy wonders, even for those surrounded by buildings, slugs 

and snails can be found if you know when to look. Rainy days 

of course provide the necessary incentive for these mucusy 

friends, but a bonus to being a morning person is that you may 

be more prone to encountering a snail or slug making their way 

somewhere damp in the mornings! As the rising sun brings an 

air of warmth, the last straggling creatures of the night begin 

their progression into their daytime abodes. Night holds a 

dampness, and a safety from the drying sun that gives respite to 

creatures whose moisture is of high importance. 

Gastropods, the “stomach-foot” animals, include a few wellknown 

creatures: the slugs and snails, along with their marine 

counterparts; limpets; whelks and nudibranchs. In many cases, 

snails and slugs will spend time in gardens, whether snacking 

on freshly grown vegetation, or aiding in the decomposition of 

dead plant material. Even if you miss seeing their tentacle laced 

face, you may be fortunate enough to see evidence of their visits 

through slime trails and tiny bites out of your plants. Gastropods 

are one of the most diverse groups of animals, second 

only to insects. Vancouver Island is home to many charismatic 

slugs and snails, including the second largest in the world, the 

banana slug. Despite its name, you do not want to eat these 

creatures. They can contain parasites that can cause severe 

damage. In any case, their texture is much less appealing than 

that of an actual banana! 

Banana slugs have graced the presence of many Vancouver 

Islanders on their travels, although few are lucky enough to 

spot one of Vancouver Islands aptly named jumping slugs. 

Dromedary and Warty jumping slugs are extremely rare creatures 

that have little known about them. The dromedary jumping 

slugs for example, are only found on Vancouver Island, and 

only seven spots on the Island have been confirmed as known 

locations for them! While they may physically not be able to 

launch themselves off the ground in the same way that humans, 

kangaroos or rabbits are able to jump, they can thrash their 

body rapidly and sporadically to try to deter predators. I don’t 

speak for the predators of the forest, but I have to say that a 

thrashing slug does seem less consumable than a slug who has 

simply shrunk their body into itself as a defense. 

While they may seem to be creatures of little importance, terrestrial, 

or land based, gastropods fill an important place on the 

food chain. They provide nutrients for many birds in particular, 

robins and thrushes. Snails especially, are excellent at taking 

calcium from their environment and utilizing it in the growth 

of their shell. This is important as all of their predators will be 

gaining calcium as well, which is especially important during 

breeding season! When observing snails and slugs in your garden, 

or signs of slugs taking a nibble from your leafy greens, I 

urge you to resist the urge to use pesticides. All chemicals that 

we add to the environment have unintended consequences for 

our natural neighbors. Even if slugs are not your favorite critters, 

consider the potential ill effects pesticides can have further 

up the food chain, or on invertebrates that you gladly welcome 

into your garden. If you want the birds and butterflies, you 

have to accept the snails and the slugs as well. 

Rather than dwell on their slimy, perhaps uninvited presence, 

take the time to observe them! Leave your blinds open tonight 

and aim to awaken with the sun. Sit outside in your garden 

as the sunny tendrils urge snails to hasten away to the damp 

undergrowth, or carefully walk around your neighborhood 

until you find one of these friends. Simply watch them. May 

the March of the Slugs encourage you to use your senses in 

exploration, follow trails laid by those before you and take… 

it…slow. 

Kalene Lillico is a Program Naturalist at Swan 

Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary. She can often be 

found searching for forest wisdom, and creatures of 

the many-legged variety, under logs and rocks. 


SPONSORED CONTENT 

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MOM’SPOV 

A Digital Disconnect 

…for a real-time re-connect 

I 

never thought I would be one of those parents. You know, 

the distracted parent, engrossed in something on their 

phone/tablet/laptop while their child is trying in vain to capture 

their attention. And then it happened. My 6-year-old son 

totally called me out on it. 

“Mama! What is more important? Me or your phone?” 

Yikes. Now, granted, my son is quite impatient when it 

comes to getting my attention, and I knew I hadn’t been ignoring 

him for an inordinate amount of time, but his words gave 

me instant pause. 

No matter how much I tell my son I love him, if my attention 

is so often focused on this little gadget in my hand that he 

thinks it is more important to me than him, ever—well, something 

needs to change. 

In the cold, dark, winter months it was definitely more 

tempting to scroll through Instagram or Marketplace when I 

had spare moments. It’s been a source of mental respite during 

long days of homeschooling and pandemic isolation with 

my delightful-yet-intense son. We can’t be “always on,” it’s 

exhausting. But as the world wakes up and summer holidays 

approach, I feel like it’s going to be easier to put the Google 

machine down and reconnect with everything around me, including 

connecting in more meaningful ways with my son. I 

don’t ever want to take his presence for granted and I certainly 

don’t want him to think he comes second to a machine. 

I also know that kids learn profoundly from observing what 

their parents do, and I want him to make healthy lifestyle 

choices that don’t revolve around a screen. Electronics are already 

so alluring, I need to reinforce that there are many, many 

alternatives he can choose from besides passive entertainment. 

And to do this effectively, I need to model it myself. 

So, I’m making myself a list of resolutions—ways I can cut 

down on my own screen time and alternative activities with 

which to replace it. My intention is that this summer we can 

create some good habits that will stick with us throughout the 

fall and winter. 

#1: Schedule time away from my device. 

I find myself wishing we had a landline again. Because then I 

wouldn’t have to constantly have my phone nearby for people 


to contact me. Out of sight, out of mind, right? However, with 

senior parents and a young-adult stepson with a chronic disease, 

I need to be reachable. And landlines are expensive. Since 

completely divorcing myself from the smart phone isn’t possible, 

I need to set (and keep) some boundaries for myself. Giving 

myself set hours when social media, news or Marketplace 

scrolling are “no-nos” sounds like a good start. 

#2: Have alternative activities conveniently located. 

A good portion of what I consume on my device is writing 

or art-related. Unfortunately, phones are a very private type 

of consumption—it’s hard to share what you’re looking at or 

reading with someone else. But if there are books, poetry, puzzles 

and magazines etc. lying around, chances are higher that, if 

I’m looking at something with interest, my son will join me. 

#3: Creation vs. Consumption 

I want to make more art. Be it visual, written or musical, 

putting down my phone will free up more time for self-expression—and 

hopefully model for my son that art isn’t just done 

in art class. We can live creatively every day and actively make 

meaning, rather than passively watch someone else’s products 

and thoughts scroll by. 

#4: Spend more time in nature 

Now that my son is older, he can walk further and tackle 

new physical challenges. During the summer, unencumbered 

by busy schedules, we can stretch ourselves to go on more outdoors 

adventures on this beautiful Island we get to call home. 

Beachcombing has the same mind-calming effect for me as 

phone-scrolling. Therefore, I should do it more! And we’ll pick 

up some litter while we’re at it. Even spending more time together 

in the garden will be a good start. 

It feels like the world is getting ready to turn a page and start 

a new chapter. I feel confident that making these small changes 

in my relationship with my device will add so much to my life, 

my son’s life and our connection with each other. It’s so easy 

to zone out on our phones, but time already passes by far too 

quickly, and I don’t want to miss out on what is truly important 

because I’m staring at an electronic screen. 

Kelly McQuillan is a writer, musician, teacher 

and fledgling mother living in Comox. 

kellymcquillanwriter.weebly.com and 

kellymcquillan.com. 

1Up Single Parent Resource Centre 

has moved to Royal Oak Plaza! 

Services Include 

Free Clothing Room 

Birthday Gifts for Children 

Moms and Mentors program 

Dads with Dads drop-in support group 

Parenting and Life skill courses 

1-1 Counselling and coaching sessions. 

Seasonal supports 

1Up’s FREE services are open to ALL single 

parents in Greater Victoria who are caring 

for children at home ages 0-18. 

Contact us to make an appointment, 

become a member, or make a donation. 

250-385-1114 | 1-Up.ca 



KIDS’READS 

A Little Love Goes a Long Way 

(To Save Our World) 

Recently I came across an essay 

I wrote in high school. It was 

basically the written version of 

a self-portrait, just oozing with the selfconfidence 

of a 17-year-old who thinks 

she knows everything. In the middle 

of my wide-eyed fantasies, one thing I 

practically promised my reader was that 

someday I would live on the ocean. 

And here I am. 

I love it. I love being able to walk 

along the beaches and seeing the waves 

and the mountains beyond them. We 

have such a beautiful home. It’s so important 

to me that I take care of it, learn 

more about it and teach my children to 

do the same. 

Which is why I was excited to pick 

up The Seal Garden with photos by Ian 

McAllister and words by Nicholas Read 

(Orca Book Publishers, 2018). This story 

brings you to one of the Seal Gardens 

in the Great Bear Sea, where seals, sea 

lions and otters play and stay safe from 

predators like Orcas. Each page is filled 

with stunning photos of the marine mammals 

napping in blankets of kelp, sunning 

themselves on rocks and swimming 

through the beautiful, blue water. For 

ages 5 to 9. 

Another book I’ve been reading lately 

is Urgent Message from a Hot Planet: 

Navigating the Climate Crisis by Ann 

Eriksson and illustrated by Belle Wuthrich 

(Orca Book Publishers, 2022). This 

educational book teaches children and 

teens about why the earth is warming 

up (and how we know it is). In addition 

to easy-to-digest facts, the book is filled 

with poems written by teens and ideas on 

SUMMER 

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how young people can get involved and 

make a difference. For ages 12 and up. 

If your kids are a bit younger but are 

still interested in learning about how they 

can take care of the environment, they 

can always read Fresh Air, Clean Water: 

Our Right to a Healthy Environment 

by Megan Clendenan and illustrated by 

Julie McLaughlin (Orca Book Publishers, 

2022). This non-fiction text talks about the 

benefits nature has for us, like the “happy 

bacteria” in soil that actually makes us 

happier. It also includes understandable 

explanations of different environmentallybased 

court cases and some ideas on how 

kids can help, like composing a song or 

talking to their friends. For ages 10 to 14. 

While the previous books are all wonderful, 

I know that not every child will 

be interested in reading non-fiction. So, 

if your child is interested in environmental 

issues, but they prefer fictional tales, 

they might want to check out Bear in the 

Family by Eric Walters and illustrated by 

Olga Barinova (Orca Book Publishers, 

2022). This story takes place after a forest 

fire forced Jasmin and her family to flee. 

Now that they’re back home they find a 

bear cub stuck in a well. Jasmin and her 

brother Hunter decide to care for it until 

people from the bear-rescue sanctuary can 

come and get it. For ages 7 to 10. 

The final story for this month is Sky’s 

Search for Eco-happiness written by Julie 

Neustadter and Sandi Schwartz and illustrated 

by Emily Hercock (Independent, 

2022). This beautifully illustrated tale 

follows Sky as she discovers how being 

outside can brighten up her day (even if 

you don’t want to dig in the soil to find 

the “happy bacteria”). For ages 3 to 7. 

And there you have it: five books to 

help you find ways to enjoy and save 

our lovely home. Maybe you can take a 

page from Sky’s book and look for ecohappiness 

as you lie down on the grass 

with a nice glass of lemonade and read 

the books outside. 

Christina Van 

Starkenburg lives in 

Victoria with her husband, 

children and cat. She is the 

author of One Tiny Turtle: 

A Story You Can Colour and 

many articles. To read more of her work and 

learn about her upcoming books visit christinavanstarkenburg.com. 

Facebook: facebook. 

com/christinavanstarkenburg and Twitter: @ 

Christina_VanS. 



WHAT’SFORDINNER 

Kid-Friendly Summer Salads 

My kids love salad. They love small side salads, and big 

dinner salads are a favourite. While I realize a love of 

salads is not typical for kids, it’s something that I specifically 

cultivated as a parent. Salads are a great way to pack a 

load of vegetables into your diet. They are also so much easier 

to make than soup or pasta. 

If your kids aren’t fans of salad, here’s a few ways to get 

them excited for leafy greens: 

1. Preschoolers are not likely to naturally love salad. The best 

way to get them on the salad bandwagon is to serve it when 

they’re hungry. Avoid snacks for at least 2 hours before mealtimes, 

then serve the salad first. Honestly, I think my kids love 

salad because I spent 5 years serving it to them when they were 

at their hungriest! 

2. Boring salads are not appetizing. Make sure to include at 

least one fun ingredient. Fun ingredients can include favourite 

vegetables, berries or other seasonal fruit, or grated cheese. 

3. Don’t include any hard-to-eat vegetables. If you want to 

serve firm vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower make sure 

to cook them first. Carrots and beets are easiest to eat when 

they’ve been grated. I also like to use a peeler to make paperthin 

slices of carrot. 

Here are three simple and delicious salads that can be served 

as a side or a complete meal. To make a dinner-sized salad be 

sure to include the suggested protein and serve with a slice of 

bread. 

Choose Your Own Toppings Cobb Salad 

(Total Time: 15 minutes) 

Berry Salad 

(Total time: 15 minutes) 

Adding berries to a salad is a great way to make it feel like a treat! Use 

a mix of whatever berries are available: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries 

or sliced strawberries. I’ve even made this salad with frozen 

berries. 

Salad Dressing: 

1 ⁄2 cup olive oil 3 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar 

2 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of salt, to taste 

Salad: 

3 ⁄4 cup of berries 1 red pepper 

1 large carrot 1⁄2 cup of soft goat cheese 

1 head of lettuce added protein: toasted pecans 

1. Mix the salad dressing in the bottom of your salad bowl. Add in the 

berries and mash slightly with the back of a spoon. 

2. Finely dice the red pepper and grate the carrot. Add the pepper 

and carrots to the salad dressing. Toss to combine. 

3. Wash and dry the lettuce. Rip the leaves into bite-sized pieces. 

4. When you’re ready to serve the salad, toss the lettuce into the 

dressing, then top the salad with the goat cheese. 

A Cobb salad is a hearty meal-sized salad served with a mix of hardboiled 

eggs, meat and cheese typically laid out in rows over top of a 

bed of lettuce. When making Cobb salad for kids, I recommend serving 

them a plate of salad, then letting them choose their own toppings. It’s 

a great way to deal with a picky eater. 

Cobb salad is usually served with French dressing, however, we enjoy 

a homemade Ranch-style dressing instead. So easy and delicious! 

Salad dressing 

1⁄2 cup mayonnaise 1⁄2 cup yogurt 

1 tsp dried dill weed 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder 

1 Tbsp fresh chopped chives pinch of salt 

Salad: 

2 tomatoes 1 package of mixed salad greens 

Toppings: 

avocado hard-boiled eggs 

crisp bacon cooked chicken 

cheese cubes 

1. Mix the salad dressing in the bottom of the salad bowl. 

2. Dice the tomatoes and stir them into the salad dressing. Top with 

the salad greens. 

3. Decide which toppings you want to serve, and prepare them. 

4. Toss the salad and serve it to each person, then allow them to help 

themselves to the toppings. 


Roasted Vegetable Salad (Prep time 15 minutes, Cook time 45 minutes) 

Roasting vegetables for a salad does require a bit more time. However, 

it’s easy and delicious. The vegetables can even be roasted a few days 

in advance for a super easy salad dinner. 

Roasted vegetables 

2 medium sweet potatoes 1 ⁄2 head of cauliflower 

4 cloves of garlic 1 ⁄4 cup of olive oil 

Salad dressing 

1⁄2 cup of olive oil 3 Tbsp toasted tahini 

3 Tbsp cider vinegar 1 tsp soy sauce 

2 Tbsp chopped chives pinch of salt 

Salad: 

1 red pepper 2 tomatoes 

1 head of lettuce added protein: chickpeas and 

toasted pumpkin seeds 

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. 

2. Dice the sweet potato and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. Finely 

dice the garlic. Toss the vegetables in olive oil. Spread them out on a 

roasting pan and place in the oven. Roast for 45 minutes, tossing once 

halfway through. 

3. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the salad. Mix the salad dressing 

ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake the salad dressing until 

the tahini is well mixed in and the salad dressing is emulsified. 

4. Place the salad dressing in the bottom of a large salad bowl. Dice 

the red pepper and tomatoes and add to the salad dressing. 

5. Wash and rip up the lettuce. 

6. When the vegetables are finished roasting, allow to cool slightly 

before mixing into the salad. 

7. Toss everything together and serve. 

TN – NANAIMO – ISLAND FAMILIES/WEST COAST FAMILIES AD 

HALF PAGE 7" × 4.5" 05/06/22 

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently 

released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com 

Family fun starts here 

Thinking about your next family getaway? Nanaimo is the 

perfect place for your next Island adventure. With biking, 

kayaking, shopping, ziplining and incredible parks and 

playgrounds at every turn, the affordable family fun is 

endless in Nanaimo. From the moment you take the bikes 

off the roof rack, get onto the water, or stumble upon that 

first Nanaimo Bar, come #ExploreNanaimo with the kids 

and see why it all starts here. 

tourismnanaimo.com/StartHere 

@TourismNanaimo 


June/July 2022 35 

FILE NAME: TN_22-0211_Nanaimo-Island-Parent-WCFamilies-Mag

Sunshine & Summer Fun at 

the Royal BC Museum 

The Royal BC Museum is gearing up 

for a summer of fun with familyfriendly 

activities for kids of all ages. 

Kicking things off is I See Seaweed by 

the Seashore, a free interactive drop-in 

session at the seashore diorama, held 

in partnership with Seaquarium Ocean 

Education. In celebration of Seaweed 

Days and Oceans Week Victoria, learn 

more about how barnacles live their entire 

lives upside down and why you can 

find seaweed in your toothpaste. Stop 

by I See Seaweed by the Seashore, June 

4 from 11 am to 2 pm, to learn more 

about the seaweed and marine invertebrates 

that call our coastline home. 

Have you ever wanted to see bats 

in their natural habitat? Join us for 

Fieldtripper: Evening Ha-BAT-itat Exploration, 

for a chance to see bat breakfast 

as they wake up and swoop through 

the air to feed. While we can’t guarantee 

we’ll see bats that evening, a CRD Regional 

Parks naturalist will be on hand 

to lead the exploration. This free event 

is set for June 24 from 7:30 to 9 pm at 

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. 

And if you haven’t already, make sure 

you visit BATS: Out of the Darkness, 

a temporary exhibition on loan from 

Kelowna Museums. Now on display at 

Clifford Carl Hall on the main level of 

the Royal BC Museum, BATS provides 

a chance to celebrate and learn more 

about these amazing creatures. 

In July, the Langley Ukulele Association’s 

Senior A Ukulele Ensemble Recital 

will hit the stage for an afternoon of 

music. This talented crew features 17 

musicians ranging in age from 13 to 18. 

Join us for Music at the Museum, Saturday, 

July 16, from 2 to 2:45 pm. 

Exploring the biodiversity of BC 

can be as easy as visiting your own 

backyard. RBCM@Home (Summer) 

Backyard Biodiversity is a free digital 

program that encourages everyone to 

look a little closer at the bugs, plants, 

and animals creeping, crawling, slithering, 

and blooming right outside your 

door. Come read a book, do a craft, and 

look at weird and wonderful specimens. 

Brought to you in partnership with the 

Greater Victoria Public Library, Backyard 

Biodiversity is available online 

through Zoom, July 27 from 11–11:30 

am. 

We also have lots to offer at IMAX ® 

Victoria this summer, including the return 

of Hollywood feature films with 

The Batman and Fantastic Beasts: The 

Secrets of Dumbledore. Learn more 

about the magical places and creatures 

that make our world so wonderful with 

a great summer lineup featuring Dinosaurs 

of Antarctica, Into America’s 

Wild, Carbon: The Unauthorized Biography 

and Serengeti. Visit imaxvictoria. 

com or call 250-356-7226 ext. 2 for 

schedules and showtimes. 

And don’t forget about the Royal 

BC Museum’s year-round food truck 

festival! Stay hydrated and fueled up 

all summer long with a visit the museum’s 

back courtyard to enjoy some of 

Victoria’s favourite food trucks, including 

DeadBeetz, Puerto Vallarta Ami- 


IS THIS YOU? 

gos, the Love Perogy and Yummy Truck. 

As you may have heard by now, the 

Province of BC recently announced 

funding to build a new state-of-the-art 

museum. The current Royal BC Museum 

building in downtown Victoria will close 

to visitors on September 6, 2022, though 

IMAX ® Victoria and the museum gift 

shop will remain open through to January 

2023. While this work takes place, 

the museum will expand programs and 

exhibitions beyond the museum walls 

and into all corners of the province with 

travelling exhibitions, satellite exhibits, 

community events and innovative digital 

learning opportunities. 

To see more great offerings at the 

museum, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca for 

virtual experiences, enhanced collections 

and behind-the-scenes access. 

Island Parent is always looking for people who want to tell 

their stories and join our team: publisher@islandparent.ca 

Ages 2 - 10! 

All abilities 

welcome! 

SUMMER 

CAMPS 

Cycling camps are 

still open for 

registration! 

pise.ca/summer-camps/ 



CUTITOUT! 

Harmony, Disharmony, Repair 

To help our relationship not only survive these busy years 

but thrive, we need to gather in knowledge. The first step is 

to believe that this is important otherwise we are going to put 

our focus on anything but our relationship; kids, work, other 

people or hobbies. 

Even when you have young kids, you can make your marriage 

a priority. Just as children have a need for a secure attachment, 

so do adults. Being seen, soothed, supported and safe 

represents the needs of all people, not just children. 

When life gets busy and we have kids, it is easy to put 

our marriage on the back burner. Basic needs such 

as time alone, time together or sleep often go unmet. 

When stress hits, we can easily fall into negative patterns, then 

we try to figure out why our relationship has problems. When 

we do this, we often come up with theories that cause more 

harm. “He doesn’t care for me or listen to my feelings.” Or 

“She doesn’t appreciate everything I do; she’s always complaining.” 

We create more separation when we blame our partner and 

see them as the cause of our unhappiness. While we are wired 

for relationships, we are also wired to see problems and protect 

ourselves. When this happens, we lose our ability to care for 

each other. It is hard to feel empathy and curiosity about our 

partner’s pain if we are in the limbic ditch of fight, flight or 

freeze. 

What to do: 

• Have a greeting ritual. The moment your partner walks in 

the front door, go and greet him or her. Even if you have children 

clinging to your legs; do it! Hug each other until you feel 

each other’s heartbeat and have a few seconds of eye contact. 

•Learn what your partner wants from you when it comes to 

comfort and care. 

•Ask for what you want. Your partner is not a mind reader. 

• Create rituals, easy ones that you can do every day, even 

when you don’t feel like it. 

•Never let your partner become a third wheel to anyone or 

anything. 

• Conflict is inevitable, the most important part of the harmony/disharmony 

dance is repair. Talk it out and resolve the 

issues as soon as you are calm enough to do so. 

Focusing on your behaviour and what you can do to contribute 

is the work of a loving adult. 

Dr. Allison Rees is a parent educator, counsellor 

and coach at LIFE Seminars (Living in Families 

Effectively), lifeseminars.com. 

BUSINESSES 

YOUNEEDTOKNOW 

These local businesses are family-focused and committed to our community and helping you. 

Tired of packing lunches? Try a 

weekly delivery of school lunches! 

HEALTHY 

CONVENIENT 

AFFORDABLE 

ThisWeeksLunch.com/ 

How-It-Works 

38 Island Parent Magazine 

IslandParent.ca

ST. JOHN’S ACADEMY 

SHAWNIGAN LAKE 

A UNIQUE 

IB WORLD 

SCHOOL 

• 190 students between 

grades 4–12 

• Bussing from Duncan 

to Langford 

• Accepting local day and 

diverse international 

boarding students 

• We offer a 5-day boarding 

option for on-island and 

Mainland students 

• Healthy lunches included 

TO LEARN MORE 

2371 SHAWNIGAN LAKE ROAD 

SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BC 

admissions@stjohnsacademy.ca 250 220 4888 

stjohnsacademy.ca 



Offering the communities of Victoria 

quality programs since 1990 

Licensed Daycare Program 

for children ages 0–5 years old 

Licensed Before and After School Care, 

Pro D Day, Christmas, Spring Break 

and Summer Camps for children 

ages 5–12 years old 

Internship Program for teens 

ages 16–18 years old 

Brown Bag Lunch Program 

www.kidsklub.ca

Island Parent Magazine June-July 2022

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