Island Parent Pre-Summer 2023
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years • Explore the Island: A Region-by-Region Guide • Road Trip Food • Things to Do in June & July • Play On: Outdoor Games for Families • Seas, Trees & a Gentle Breeze • Tweens & Teens
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years • Explore the Island: A Region-by-Region Guide • Road Trip Food • Things to Do in June & July • Play On: Outdoor Games for Families • Seas, Trees & a Gentle Breeze • Tweens & Teens
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Explore the 2 kms of hiking trails along the river,<br />
past fish ladders and crashing waterfalls. Starting<br />
in late August, spawning Sockeye salmon begin<br />
making their way up the Stamp River. The park<br />
is a 20-minute drive from town on Beaver Creek<br />
Road.<br />
Spend a Day at the Beach<br />
Rathtrevor Beach is a three-mile stretch of sandy<br />
seaside, perfect for families craving a day at the<br />
beach, with water warm enough not only for<br />
wading, but for swimming, too! Stick around for<br />
the sunsets, often some of the most spectacular<br />
on the <strong>Island</strong>. The nearby BC Parks campground<br />
is also a family favourite. bcparks.ca/explore/<br />
parkpgs/rathtrevor<br />
Meet the Herd at Morningstar Farm<br />
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is just north of<br />
Parksville. Wander LQC’s Morningstar Farm, meet<br />
the small herd of Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss<br />
and Canadienne dairy cows and see how yummy,<br />
artisanal local cheeses are made. You can take<br />
your own self-guided tour around the 90 acres<br />
of beautiful working farm. Open daily 9am–6pm.<br />
403 Lowrys Road. morningstarfarm.ca<br />
Be Wowed by Wildlife<br />
North <strong>Island</strong> Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC)<br />
in Coombs is a rehabilitation facility, especially<br />
for raptors and black bears. The goal: to care<br />
for these animals and eventually reintroduce<br />
them into their natural environment. See eagles<br />
through one-way glass in the largest flight cage<br />
of its kind in Canada. View bears, owls, falcons,<br />
hawks, swans and ravens. NIWRA offers activities<br />
and educational programs for the whole family.<br />
Open daily 9am–4:30pm. niwra.org<br />
Follow the Nanaimo Bar Trail<br />
Looking for the ultimate Nanaimo Bar? Look no<br />
further than these top three options: Red’s Bakery,<br />
Hearthstone Artisan Bakery or Vault Café.<br />
Or follow the self-guided tasting trail<br />
(tourismnanaimo.com/what-to-do/sip-andsavour/nanaimo-bar-trail)<br />
where you’ll find<br />
everything from the classic Nanaimo Bar, the<br />
organic/vegan/raw/gluten bar and ice cream<br />
versions to maple bacon topped and deep fried<br />
Nanaimo Bars.<br />
Play in the Sand<br />
Known to locals as Beachfest, this 5½ week long<br />
family-oriented festival runs from mid-July to the<br />
third week in August and includes the Quality<br />
Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition,<br />
weekend concerts, daily buskers, an artisan market<br />
and a special weekend evening light up of the<br />
sculptures. parksvillebeachfest.ca<br />
St. Christopher’s Montessori School<br />
Offering an enriched<br />
and nurturing<br />
Montessori program<br />
Competitively priced<br />
independent school education<br />
Half day for 3 & 4 year olds<br />
Full day kindergarten<br />
Now Receiving<br />
the New CCFRI<br />
(Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative)<br />
<strong>Pre</strong>school $489/month<br />
Kindergarten $331/month<br />
stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> Kids Camps<br />
In Cowichan Bay<br />
Day Programs &<br />
Overnight Camps<br />
Register online now at cowichanbaykayaking.com<br />
250-597-3031 info@cowichanbaykayaking.com<br />
<strong>Island</strong><strong>Parent</strong>.ca<br />
<strong>Pre</strong>-<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 17
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