Island Parent Summer 2023

SUMMER 2023 

Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years 

FREE COPY 

Beat the 

Back-to-School 

Blues 

Inside: 

GRAND 

A Special Feature for 

Island Grandparents 

MAKE the MOST 

of What’s Left of 

SUMMER

BURNABY ONLINE 

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Learn where you want, when you want 

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Kindergarten to 

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Contemporary 

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to 12 

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2 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca 

Registration: online.burnabyschools.ca/registration

IslandParent.ca 

Summer 2023 3

INTHISISSUE 

6 10 

Need to Know 

9 

SUMMER2023 

I ❤ Island Back-to-School Blues 

Jim Schneider 

Publisher 

publisher@islandparent.ca 

Sue Fast 

Editor 

editor@islandparent.ca 

RaeLeigh Buchanan 

Account Manager 

raeleigh@islandparent.ca 

12 

18 

Mom’s POV 

Kids’ Reads 

14 

20 

Explore 

What’s for Dinner 

16 

Exercise & Relaxation 

22 

Dad Speak 

Kristine Wickheim 

Account Manager 

kristine@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. 

For distribution inquiries, please email 

publisher@islandparent.ca 

Island Parent Magazine 

518 Caselton Place 

Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5 

250 388 6905 

A proud member of 

24 

26 

Symphony & Opera 

Cut It Out! 

A Special Feature for Island Grandparents 

GRAND 

28 

Nature Notes 

Cover Photo: Kandyce Joeline, 

songbirdandoakphotography.com 

GRAND Cover Photo: Gina Woods, 

driftwoodsphotography.com, 

@driftwoodsphotography 


twitter.com/IslandParent 

facebook.com/IslandParent 

34 

36 

38 

instagram.com/islandparent 

Relearning History 

Facing Fears 

Grandparent Time 

4 Island Parent Magazine IslandParent.ca

FASTFORWARD 

5 Game-Changing 

Apps to Help Gear Up 

for Back to School 

1. Lala Lunchbox 

Save time, save money, save sanity. 

That’s the premise behind Lala Lunchbox, 

a meal planning app that has been 

said to “Ingeniously pull your kids in 

by turning meal planning into a game.” 

Who knew making school lunches could 

be so much fun? lalalunchbox.com 

2. AIM2BE 

Move towards being your best self and 

conquering your back-to-school goals. 

Designed for families, Aim2Be aligns 

with Canadian health and physical activity 

recommendations. Discover proven 

strategies to help you be a mindful, 

healthy eater and learn everyday strategies 

to move more. aim2be.ca 

3. Habatica 

This “gamified task manager” makes a 

game out of habit-forming activities and 

uses its multiple task-tracking features to 

encourage follow-though. Kids and parents 

set to-dos and tasks such as brushing 

their teeth and leaving for school on 

time—when the tasks are complete, kids 

earn gear for their avatars and defeat 

monsters. habitica.com 

4. Remember the Milk 

Another task and schedule manager, 

this app includes a Smart Add feature 

that makes it easy to enter new tasks to 

schedule and includes space for details 

such as due date and priority. Make lists, 

organize using colourful tags and opt to 

receive reminders, among other possibilities. 

rememberthemilk.com 

5. Calm Kids 

A specific subsection of the mindfulness 

and meditation app Calm, Calm 

Kids helps soothe and de-stress kids 

after a crazy day at school—or any 

other stressful situation, for that matter. 

Choose from short meditations or create 

longer calming routines for your kids 

within the app. calm.com 

Delivering RESULTS 

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offer at time

NEEDTOKNOW 

Keep On 

Reading 

Make the library part of their summer—and 

fall! From Baby Times to 

the BC Summer Reading Club and 

the Summer Challenge, there is a 

lineup of programs, with something 

for everyone. Children participating 

in the BC Summer Reading Club 

read (or are read to) for at least 20 

minutes each day. The Read and 

Write Reviews program encourages 

participants to read and share 

their thoughts by submitting a book 

review. There’s also Summer Baby 

Times, Indoor and Outdoor Family 

Storytimes and a series of Story- 

Walks to choose from. For information, 

visit gvpl.ca and virl.bc.ca. 

Taste the 

Flavour 

Take part in North Saanich 

Flavour Day Festival on August 

18–20, a weekend-long community 

celebration of local farmers, fishers, 

food producers, chefs, vinters and 

more. Follow a self-guided tour of 

local farms, producers and small 

businesses each with their own 

Flavour Trail offers. Live music, 

food trucks, games and more. 

flavourtrails.com 


Learn a new sport or refine 

your skills: come join our 

rock climbing teams! 

Orange 

Shirt Day 

2023 

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day 

and Canada’s National Day for Truth 

and Reconciliation, a day to remember 

and raise awareness of the harm 

caused by residential schools and 

the ongoing impact it has on Indigenous 

families, communities and cultures. 

The Orange Shirt movement 

was inspired by the story of Phyllis 

Webstad, a former residential school 

student who had her brand new 

bright orange shirt taken from her on 

Registration 

for recreational 

and competitive 

teams open now. 

All levels 

welcome! 

Ages 6–18. 

Details and registration at climbtheboulders.com 

The Boulders Climbing Gym 

1627 Stelly’s Cross Road | Saanichton, BC | 250.544.0310 

I am proud 

to continue 

my support 

of parents, 

families and 

youth in 

Oak Bay- 

Gordon Head. 

her first day of school in 1973. The 

orange shirt symbolizes the loss of 

Indigenous culture and identity that 

occurred in residential schools. To 

find Orange Shirt Day events in your 

area, visit orangeshirtday.org. 

MLA Murray Rankin 

Oak Bay – Gordon Head 

Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca 250-472-8528 



Explore 

Gardens BC 

Connect with nature and explore 

BC’s gardens for fun, adventure, 

beauty, rejuvenation, relaxation 

and learning. Historic and modern 

gardens offer great trip ideas and 

itineraries. From rugged coastal rain 

forests to fertile valleys, from urban 

centres to mountains—there’s no 

better time than summer to visit BC’s 

gardens. Birdwatch, take photos, 

learn about biodiversity and sustainability 

and enjoy immersive unique 

garden experiences. For a list of 

Vancouver Island’s gardens and itineraries, 

visit gardensbc.com. 

In Sight 

Festival 

Enjoy a mosaic of live music, 

childrens’ art activities, aerial 

acrobatics, a visual art showcase, 

traditional Indigenous dancers, plein 

air painting and tasty food at Fort 

Rodd Hill on September 9–10. Let’s 

embrace diversity, build friendships, 

connect with nature and our local 

community, in one of our most 

beautiful oceanfront settings. Free 

Admission Saturday from 11am 

to 4pm and Sunday from 10am 

to 4pm. 

tourismvictoria.com 


I ❤ ISLAND 

To help combat lunchbox letdown, here 

are three Island food producers that have 

good taste in the bag! 

Holy Humous 

Looking for an alternative to sandwiches? Try 

tortilla chips and Island-made Holy Humous. With 

two versions to choose from—original or roasted 

red pepper—kids won’t be able to resist. Not only 

is it tasty, but it’s filling and nutritious, too. 

holyhomous.com 

Tree Island Yogurt 

Started by a microbiologist and a whole food 

enthusiast, Tree Island Yogurt is handcrafted in 

small batches in the Comox Valley. But better than 

that? With flavours ranging from Coconut Lime to 

Okanagan Peach, the taste can’t be beat! 

treeislandyogurt.com 

Hornby Organic Snack Bars 

You can’t go wrong with these 100% organic 

snack bars that feature flavours including peanut 

butter and jam, chocolate chip banana and chocolate 

espresso. Or for an afterschool pick-me-up, 

try Hornby Organic energy bars—delicious and a 

great source of protein. 

hornbyorganic.com 



LEARN 

Beat the 

Back-to- 

School 

Blues 

Just got into the swing of summer and 

now it’s time to start preparing for 

back to school? Don’t sweat about it! 

There’s still time to squeeze a little more 

fun out of summer while gearing up for 

the fall and getting ready for back to 

school. Here’s how: 

1. Plan an Island Adventure 

Scavenger Hunt 

Organize a scavenger hunt with clues 

that lead to various outdoor locations in 

your neighbourhood—or even a farther 

flung area on the Island. Incorporate fun 

facts and learning opportunities into the 

clues to make it not only fun but educational, 

too. (Where can you find an 

Elasmosaur dinosaur? Answer: Courtney 

District Museum…then go there!). Or 

organize a hunt that follows with the 

route to school. 

2. Schedule a Backyard/Back 

Porch Camping Night 

Set up a mini campground in your 

backyard—or even on your back porch 

or living room floor—to bid farewell to 

summer vacation and hello to the soonto-be 

school routine. Pitch a tent/string a 

tarp, sing campfire songs (sans campfire!) 

tell ghost stories (if you dare!) and stargaze. 

3. Make a DIY Summer 

Memory Collage 

Have kids create a visual representation 

of their favourite summer memories. 


Give them craft supplies—a scrapbook 

or paper, markers, stickers, photos and 

any other souvenirs/ticket stubs/shells etc 

they may have collected over the summer— 

and encourage them create a collage 

showcasing their favourite summer 

memories. 

4. Family Learning Excursions 

Plan educational outings as a family to 

Island museums, historical sites or parks. 

Hand of Man, Royal BC Museum, Miniature 

World, Fort Rodd Hill, Nanaimo 

Museum and The Bastion and Port Alberni 

Railway, to name a few, will spark 

kids’ curiosity, helping them switch gears 

from summer to school. 

5. Organize a “Get Ready 

for School” Party 

Turn the process of preparing for 

school into a fun and collaborative activity. 

Let your kids invite their friends over 

to organize school supplies, decorate 

backpacks or create personalized calendars. 

Turn it into a party, a celebration of 

sorts, with music, snacks and maybe an 

end-of-summer sleepover. 

6. Go on Nature Walks and 

Beach Explorations 

Still have a few places you meant to get 

to this summer but haven’t yet? Botanical 

Beach? Strathcona Park? Englishman 

River Falls. Go now! While you’re there, 

challenge kids to identify different plant 

species, collect shells or study tidal pools. 

7. Create a Quiet and/or 

Creative Corner 

Okay so it doesn’t have to be in a 

corner but having a special space for not 

only homework and reading, but being 

creative, contemplative or just plain quiet 

is a great thing for kids to have to help 

calm the chaos of back to school. Take 

some time before the school year begins 

to set up the space and help kids customize 

it so that it suits their needs. • 



MOM’SPOV 

Bravery & the Importance 

of Trying Something New 

My daughter decided to try volleyball for the first time 

and joined the school’s Grade 7 recreation-level 

team. I was pleased that she had willingly signed 

herself up for a school sport—an activity that I didn’t have 

to organize or pay for after years of community sports and 

other pursuits. No uniforms. No equipment. No early mornings. 

No crazy parents. I was thrilled. 

It didn’t take long to realize that my daughter was average 

at volleyball. I didn’t expect her to be good. She had never 

played before. But I think every parent secretly hopes that 

their kid is an undiscovered superstar with scholarships and 

excellence in their future and I was no exception. 

I needed to believe that the hours I’d put in on bleachers 

and benches would add up to something. 

So, as I sat there on the bench watching my daughter and 

her teammates make mistake after mistake, it was no surprise 

that the girls weren’t skilled volleyball players. Most of them 

had never played before. 

And that got me thinking about how uncomfortable it is to 

try something new and not be good at it. It doesn’t feel good 

to fumble, to put yourself out there and risk being embarrassed 

or incompetent. I can recall many times in my own life 

when I’ve opted out of an activity or invitation because to 

participate felt too scary and too vulnerable. 

Then a moment came in the game when one of my daughter’s 

teammates bumped the ball off of her arms onto her 

own bench, causing her teammates to scramble out of the 

way. She blushed and looked apologetically at her teammates 

and coach. She then looked over to her dad, who was sitting 

next to me. He smiled and said, “It’s okay.” She turned back 

toward the game and got into position. 

She had made an error, one that had come at a cost: a lost 

point for her team, an insult to her confidence and worst of 

all, in front of an audience. It occurred to me then that I was 

bearing witness to bravery in action: a girl, willing to stand 

in front of us in all of her imperfection, exposed and seen. 


Vulnerability is not winning or losing: it’s 

having the courage to show up and be seen 

when we have no control over the outcome. 

– Brené Brown 

It’s an understatement to say these girls had no control 

over the outcome. None. It was almost funny how little control 

they had over the ball. I’m not exaggerating when I say 

that the girls were terrible. Most of the serves didn’t make it 

to the net. There was the odd time that the volleyball traveled 

back over the net but mostly, it was a lot of bad bumps and 

misfires. 

The ball landed on the score-keepers table, on the bench 

where I was sitting with the other parents and sometimes it 

just traveled through the air and its destination was anyone’s 

guess. You had to have your wits about you as a spectator in 

the game or risk a volleyball to the head. 

The benefits of team sports go beyond just the physical. 

Being a part of a team creates a sense of community in which 

kids can build connections and grow in a supportive environment. 

Teamwork fosters compassion and teaches kids to be 

able to accept the limitations and strengths of others. They 

get to experience the joy that comes from lifting up a teammate 

after they’ve missed a shot and encouraging them to 

keep going. 

At the heart of all of this is the building of self-esteem and 

community, two pieces of being human that are essential in 

all of our lives. 

What was happening on the volleyball court that day was 

good practice for what will continue to happen in these girls’ 

lives. They will on occasion be embarrassed. They will sometimes 

make mistakes that disappoint people. They will always 

have to push through the discomfort of learning to do new 

things and develop the grit and tenacity to stick with them, 

even when it’s uncomfortable to do so. 

I left that game feeling so filled with pride for my daughter 

and her teammates who showed up that day. I’ve always marveled 

at the duality of life and it was captured so well in that 

volleyball game: Can you be not good at something and still 

be worthy enough to try? 

To hold both truths at the same time is possibly the most 

important work a person can do. 

Sarah Seitz is a working mother, wife and writer. 

She spends her free time cutting off crusts and uses 

good coffee and humour to get through the day. 

St. Christopher’s 

Montessori School 

Now Receiving the New CCFRI 

(Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative) 

Preschool $489/month | Kindergarten $331/month 

Offering an enriched and nurturing 

Montessori program 

Competitively priced independent school education 

Half day for 3 & 4 year olds 

Full day kindergarten 

stcmontessori.ca 250-595-3213 



EXPLORE 

Make the Most of 

What’s Left of Summer 

As the days grow shorter and the 

air hints at autumn, it’s an ideal 

time to slow down and explore our 

own backyard. Parks Canada has put 

together a selection of events and activities 

that are perfect for families on 

southern Vancouver Island and the 

Gulf Islands. 

Learn About Indigenous 

Languages and Cultures 

September 30 is National Day for 

Truth and Reconciliation. Indigenous 

Languages are an essential part of 

Canadian culture and society, and it’s 

crucial to preserve them as outlined 

in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls 

to Action. Consider learning about 

the local First Nations language and 

culture. The W_ SÁNEĆ Nations and 

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve 

collaborate to create programs like 

the Coast Salish Campfire Programs 

at SMONEĆTEN Campground (every 

Saturday at 7 pm in August) near Sidney 

to further people’s understanding 

of Coast Salish Culture. There are also 

self-guided activities like the ḰENES 

SOL- Whale Trail at T_ EK_ TEK_ SEN 

(East Point) on Saturna Island. 

Experience Festivals 

Many communities hold cultural 

festivals and events at the end of summer, 

showcasing their traditions and 

heritage. On September 9 and 10, 

Parks Canada and Arts & Culture 

Colwood Society present the “In Sight 

Festival” at Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard 

Lighthouse National Historic Sites. 

This event features music, art activities 

for children, aerial acrobatics, visual 

art exhibitions, Indigenous artists and 

dancers, en plein air painting and delicious 

food. Let’s celebrate diversity, 

build friendships, connect with nature 

and engage with our local community 

in Colwood’s beautiful oceanfront setting. 

Admission is free. 


Visit Local Attractions 

Take advantage of the quieter endof-summer 

days to visit local attractions 

like Fisgard Lighthouse National 

Historic Site in Colwood or the Shaw 

Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney. 

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve’s 

interpreters offer daily programs until 

the end of August at the Shaw Centre 

for the Salish Sea. Entry fees apply. 

NEW! 

Kid 

Zone 

Peninsula 

Since 1991 

Story 

Time 

for 

Kids 

As summer comes to an end, take 

the opportunity to explore different 

traditions, art forms and perspectives 

to enrich your life and foster a more 

inclusive and interconnected society. 

For information about learning experiences 

offered by Gulf Islands National 

Park Reserve, visit parks.canada. 

ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/activ/apprentissagelearning. 

To find out more about programs 

and events at Fort Rodd and 

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic 

Sites, visit parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/ 

fortroddhill/activ/calendrier-calendar. 

CORN 

HOLE! 

Saturdays 9am – 1pm 

June 3 – Oct 7 at Saanich Fairground 

1528 Stelly’s Cross Road, Brentwood Bay/Saanichton 

Weekly Kid Zone Activities 

Storytime: 9:30am 

Interactive Educational Activities: 11am 

Full schedule on our website: 

peninsulacountrymarket.ca 



HEALTH 

Balancing Exercise 

& Relaxation 

Maybe you have moved into your new house after separating 

from your spouse. Or your family went on vacation, 

and you had to stay behind to work. Or you’re travelling for 

business and have just got to your hotel room. Whatever the 

scenario, you’re now faced with silence when you are used to 

the hustle and bustle that is family life. 

This may be the first or hundredth time you’ve been here. 

Your thoughts start pacing and you start listening to the voice 

in your head that accompanies the absence of sound. However, 

you’re not used to it and you don’t like it. 

You think to yourself, who can I call or text? What’s been 

posted on social media? What’s on TV? Should I play some 

music? 

How many times do we choose these options rather than 

embrace this rare chance to get to know ourselves better, or 

to allow our brains to decompress from the preceding days, 

weeks or months. 

We live in a world where we are constantly plugged in 

to technology—social media, gaming, listening to music or 

watching tv with our friends or families. We also plug in 

socially, by meeting friends for drinks, coffee or to eat, play 

dates with our children, dog dates, gym buddies, running 

groups, the lists are endless. 

Yet in an age where we are constantly seeking ways to optimize 

ourselves and lives, we overlook one of the most basic 

tools which I believe is undervalued and underpromoted. We 

stress to our children how important quiet time is for them, 

but rarely do we adopt the same principles. 

Many of us live fast paced lives and do not entertain the 

idea of self-imposed quiet time as we think that it involves being 

in a house and sitting still as we try to stop ourselves from 

thinking. However, it can take any form that you want as long 

as the only noise that exists is from your natural environment. 

For me when I was faced with my “quiet house,” I gravi- 


tated towards exercising. I began running and hiking with 

a friend’s dog, not listening to music so I knew where she 

was at all times. We would spend hours in the mountains, 

not coming home until I had enough of what I thought we 

needed, which was to burn off energy. What I didn’t know 

at the time, was that what I actually needed—and got from 

my runs and exercise—was a place free from distraction and 

noise so I could productively make sense of everything that 

was happening in my life. 

Since then, my exercise practice has evolved and now not 

only do I use this time to unplug, but also to think about decisions 

that need to be made in the upcoming week, or have 

been made, and to reflect on the social or professional interactions 

I’ve had, analyzing whether they could have been 

improved. In fact, the longer I am out running, the more I 

mentally accomplish, and I always come back refreshed. 

By no means am I an expert in this field, I am more a beginning 

practitioner. In fact there are articles written by more 

reputable authors, so I will not be listing ways that you can 

get structured periods of silence into your own lives. A simple 

audit of your day could potentially provide you with an insight 

into areas where I hope you could find time to incorporate 

this. For me, quiet time is as necessary as food or water 

on an almost daily basis. So much in fact, that whenever I see 

the toll of life weighing down my friends, I not only ask them 

what “me time’ have they had recently but I also try to emphasize 

that “me time” should involve quiet time. 

Henry Ogwudire is a proud father of two 

and a self-described fitness enthusiast who is 

passionate about ensuring parents commit to 

being ready for life’s challenges by staying 

mentally and physically active. 

Classes Begin September 5 th 

STAGES 

Performing Arts School 

since 1980 

Come Dance With Us 

• Offering classes for Teens & Pre-Teens in Jazz, 

Ballet, Lyrical, Tap. Musical Theatre, Acrobatics & 

Hip Hop, in a non-competitive atmosphere. 

• Not sure which class to take? 

- Try a Drop-In: No hassle, No Obligation. 

Daytime Pre-School Classes 

for the little angels... 

STAGES Performing Arts School 

#301 1551 Cedar Hill X Rd 

Call 250-384-3267 Email us at: stagesdance@shaw.ca 

Or visit our website: www.stagesdance.com 



KIDS’READS 

Lean into 

Learning 

Well, another summer has come and gone. I hope you 

were able to spend some of your time watching the 

ocean waves, visiting exciting places, meeting new 

people and, of course, reading. But with the end of the summer 

comes a new school year and that can have all sorts of mixed 

feelings for our children. So this year, let’s strive to teach our 

children to be more accepting of others and more comfortable 

in their own skin. To help you, here are a few books that you 

can read with your children to start the conversation. 

This book might seem like an odd addition to a beginning 

of the year reading list, because Frankie’s Favourite Food by 

Kelsey Garrity-Riley (Tundra, 2019) is about an end of the year 

school play. However, this story is all about learning how to be 

happy and excited for others, how to solve problems creatively 

and how to embrace everything you love. The brightly coloured 

picture book starts by introducing us to Frankie, a young boy 

who loves ever kind of food so much that he can’t pick his favourite. 

This is a problem, because everyone is dressing up as 

their favourite food for the school play. For ages 4 to 7. 

While it’s not about traditional school learning, The Most 

Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires (Kids Can Press, 2022) can 

help spark some ideas in your own children’s minds. In this 

tale, a young girl loves to make things and she always has a 

new idea about what to make. Until one day when she doesn’t. 

If you and your children can relate to that, don’t worry, the 

story doesn’t leave her there, but follows her along as she tries 

to find something that will give her brain the idea-creating 

boost it needs. Along the way she learns about perseverance, 

noticing the needs of others and problem solving—all of which 

are great skills to remember at the beginning of a new school 

year. For ages 4 to 7. 

The summer is also a time when a lot of people move 

around, and so your child might have a new child in their class 

(or they might be one). If that’s the case than Tayra’s Not Talking 

by Lana Button and illustrated by Christine Battuz (Kids 

Can Press, 2022) is a good book for them. This book is told 

from the perspective of all of the other kids in Tayra’s class, 

which is a smart idea on the author’s part because we get to see 

the kids’ thought processes as they struggle to understand and 

include the new girl Tayra because she won’t say anything. But 

as the book moves along, the classmates learn that it’s okay if 

Tayra isn’t vocal, because they can learn to communicate and 

include her in other ways. For ages 4 to 7 

If your children love learning and don’t want to stop when 

the school day ends, they may enjoy these next two books. The 

first is Elinor Wonders Why: Hiding in Plain Sight, which was 


Children’s Museum 

in Olympia, Washington 

created by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson (Kids Can Press, 

2022) and is based off of the TV show with the same name. 

This science-based graphic novel teaches children about camouflage 

using the game of hide-and-seek, so be prepared for them 

to get a bit better at the game if they read this book. The story 

also has discussion questions sprinkled throughout to keep 

your kids thinking and, if talking about it isn’t enough, there is 

an activity in the back that your kids can do to bring their newfound 

knowledge to life. For ages 5 to 8. 

Finally, for children who love all things that are gross and 

yucky, you can try Poopy Science: Getting to the Bottom of 

What Comes Out Your Bottom by Edward Kay and illustrated 

by Mike Shiell (Kids Can Press, 2022). This non-fiction book 

is filled with all sorts of gross facts. If your children ever wondered 

how people in the past dealt with poop, if they want to 

know what paleo poop is (and where they can see the biggest 

paleo poop ever) or if they want to know why human poop and 

animal poop is different, this book is for them. For ages 7 to 

10. 

And there you have it, five books to help your children start 

their school year off right. I hope they all find themselves in 

classrooms with friends and teachers they can connect with, so 

they can learn, play and grow. Good luck everyone and have a 

great year! 

INSPIRED LEARNING 





As 

Seen on 

Blippi! 


Presented 

By: 

Guests & Activities 

All Summer! 

Guests & Activities All Summer! 

Major Festival Major Support 

Support: Festival Support: M 

Major Festival Support: 




Animal Encounters • Rock Wall Climb 

Visiting Artists • Stage Performers • Nature Play 

Explore the Hands On Children’s Museum! 

150 Exhibits • MakeSpace • Art Studio • Outdoor Exhibits 

414 Jefferson St. NE • Olympia, WA 98501 • (360) 956-0818 • www.hocm.org 

See airplanes, seaplanes, 

helicopters and more at the 

BC Aviation Museum 

Learn about BC’s aviation history from early 

bush planes to water bombers and beyond! 

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. 

Summer Hours, May 1 to Sept 30: 

10am to 4pm, Thurs through Tues 

Winter Hours, Oct 1 to Apr 30: 

11am to 3pm, Thurs through Tues 

For special days and events 

go to bcam.net. 

1910 Norseman Rd, Sidney | 250-655-3300 | bcam.net 



WHAT’SFORDINNER 

Teaching Healthy Eating 

Through Lunch 

Fruits and Vegetables 

Fruits are often more popular with kids than vegetables. The 

textures and flavors of vegetables can be difficult for them to 

get used to. So offer a variety of different options and they’ll be 

sure to find something they like. My secret to getting them to 

eat vegetables is to serve it first, while I’m cooking the rest of 

dinner. Hungry kids are way more likely to enjoy a salad. 

• Carrots, cucumbers, peppers, cherry tomatoes are classic. 

• Raw green beans and snow peas are popular. 

• Microwave frozen edamame until it is just warm. 

• Serve defrosted mixed frozen vegetables. 

• Steamed broccoli and cauliflower are nice with a dipping 

sauce. 

• Offer salad or leftover cooked vegetables. 

• Try kohlrabi or diakon radish spears. 

• Dust apple slices with cinnamon to prevent browning. 

When my kids were just starting school, we invested in 

a whole set of lunch containers. They came in different 

sizes (small and large), were dishwasher safe and 

easy for the kids to use themselves. They were a bit more pricey 

than other lunch containers, but 10 years later we’re still using 

them. 

It wasn’t just getting high-quality lunch containers that was 

an important part of our lunch routine, it was teaching our kids 

about what went into those containers that mattered. The small 

container was for treats. Two large-size containers were protein 

and carbohydrates. And two large-size containers were for vegetables 

and fruit. 

It was a simple way to teach healthy eating as set out by the 

current Canada Food-guide: food-guide.canada.ca/en. The recommendation 

is for half of what we eat to come from the vegetable 

and fruit food group, whereas treats should only make 

up a small part of our diet. 

We started right away, letting our kids decide what they 

wanted for lunch in preschool. By Grade 1, they were filling 

their lunch containers and by Grade 3 they were chopping up 

their own vegetables and fruit. 

Now that our oldest is in high school, obviously he is packing 

his lunch without any parental involvement. But I’m pretty 

sure he’s still following our traditional lunch set up because we 

keep buying vegetables and they keep getting eaten. 

Involving your kids in food prep, is parenting for the future. 

It takes time to teach and supervise a seven-year-old in 

the kitchen. However, the skills they learn and the established 

routines are so powerful that they’ll keep them up, even when 

they’re in high school. And that is pretty powerful. 

Healthy lunches can look like whatever your kids enjoy eating. 

The key is to offer a variety of options and teach them 

about proportions. 

Here’s some suggestions for filling healthy lunch boxes. 

Carbohydrates 

Carbs are the quintessential kid-friendly food. Whole grains 

pack in a lot more nutrition than processed food. So try switching 

up your white rice for brown basmati or jasmine rice instead. 

Whole grains more appealing when accompanied by a 

flavorful sauce. 

• A slice of bread with butter 

• Whole wheat pasta 

• Crackers and corn chips 

• Rice, millet, quinoa 

Protein 

Nuts are generally not allowed in school lunches, but if your 

kid loves peanut butter or roasted almonds, be sure to stock 

them in your snack cupboard. Then they can help themselves 

after school. Here are some school-friendly options. 

• Pumpkin and sunflower seeds 

• Hummus or chickpeas 

• Cooked meat and smoked salmon 

• Hard-boiled egg 

• Tofu (tofu puffs are popular) 

• Cheese 

Treats 

Treats are anything that is high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy 

fat. So vegetable chips, sesame snaps and rice crackers are 

treats. They are perfect for putting into a small lunch container. 

Small containers are also the perfect place for muffins, cookies 

and pretzels. 

Dips and sauces are a great way to make healthy lunches 

more fun! They are good for dipping vegetables or pouring 

over rice. Here are two dips that really make my kids happy! 


Creamy Herb and Yogurt Dip 

(Prep time: 10 minutes) 

This dill and green onion is popular with our kids. Feel free to 

leave out the garlic powder or swap the dill for basil or parsley. It’s 

perfect for your favourite dip flavours. 

1 green onion 

1 1 ⁄2 cups of full-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt 

1 ⁄2 cup mayonnaise 

1 tsp lemon juice 

1 ⁄2 tsp garlic powder 

1 ⁄2 tsp dried dill 

1 ⁄2 tsp salt and black pepper, to taste 

Dice the green onion. Measure the yogurt, mayonnaise and other 

ingredients into a serving bowl. Stir to make sure everything is well 

mixed. Taste and add more salt, if needed. 

Cover with an air-tight lid and place the dip in the fridge at least 

30 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to infuse. Use within 

one week. 

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 

Dill Pickle Dip 

(Soaking time: 2 hours, Prep time: 5 minutes) 

This vegan-friendly dip is hugely popular with kids. If cashews 

aren’t allowed in your child’s classroom, swap them with sunflower 

seeds instead. It won’t be quite as creamy, but it will still be delicious! 

1 cup of cashews (or sunflower seeds) 

2 cups of water 

1⁄2 cup of dill pickle brine 

1 tsp dried dill 

1⁄2 tsp garlic powder 

1⁄2 tsp onion powder 

1⁄2 tsp salt and sugar, to taste 

Measure the cashews into a large measuring cup. Cover with water 

(approximately 2 cups) and leave the cashews to soak for 1 to 2 hours. 

Sunflower seeds will need to soak for 2 to 3 hours. 

After the cashews have soaked, drain the water. Place the cashews 

in a blender with the pickle brine, dill, garlic powder and onion powder. 

Grind on high until the cashews are a smooth paste. Add additional 

water at this point to get it to the desired consistency (dip or sauce). 

Taste and add salt or sugar if needed. It will depend on the flavour 

of the pickle brine. Sometimes really sour pickles need a bit of sugar 

to balance the acidity. 

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

A place of 

possibilities 

Students of any age, any instrument, 

and any level are welcome. 

Register today for Fall classes! 

vcm.bc.ca/course-calendar 250.386.5311 



DADSPEAK 

The Value 

of Pushing 

Past Where 

You’re At 

When I first considered writing about fatherhood, I 

wasn’t sure what fresh perspective I could bring to 

the conversation. Still reeling from my recent separation, 

adjusting to my new life as a single dad and focused 

on holding all the shards of my life together, I decided that 

any relationship-related topic was off the table—except perhaps 

as a cautionary tale. 

My confidence was shattered and scrolling through my 

social media feed, I could find dozens of people I felt may be 

better suited to talk about parenting, as they were continuously 

delivering family, relationship and parenting advice on 

the daily. My knee jerk reaction was to decline the opportunity. 

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to contribute 

to this community and took time to hone in on my personal 

motivation for that desire. 

Let me be clear, I’m not a writer; I’m far too painstakingly 

analytical. It takes me forever to write, revise, rinse, repeat. 

Any infrequent writing that I do is as a domain expert, 

providing technical advice and speaking from a position 

of comfortable confidence to industry clients with whom I 

share a working relationship. The thought of writing about 

a personal topic for an audience of strangers triggered a fair 

amount of anxiety as I was well outside my comfort zone. 

In digesting all these mixed feelings, I realized this process 

was what I wanted to write about. 

My son is a naturally talented and gifted child who excels 

when he participates in most activities. He has an innate curiosity 

for nature and love for art, a remarkable amount of 

emotional intelligence and seemingly boundless energy. 

However, sometimes he loses interest when he’s not immediately 

good at something or if it takes too long or requires 

too much effort to reach his desired outcome. He wants 

to return and play the “fun” games he’s already mastered, 

where he always wins, instead of pushing through the challenges 

of learning and mastering a new activity. 

As a parent, I often encourage him to stick with these 

new activities, enjoy the learning process, as he builds his 

skill set and pushes his own abilities. His smile when he 

achieves a goal that he struggled at minutes earlier is all the 

reward I need to keep supporting him in this manner and I’m 

confident that each of these little wins is building his own 


sense of self-worth and helping him grow as a person. I love 

watching this evolution within him, each victory padding 

his intrinsic value and helping shape the man he’ll one day 

become. 

It occurred to me that these same virtues I’ve asked him 

to embrace had also taken hold of me. I needed to push 

my own boundaries despite the discomfort of sharing my 

thoughts on parenting in a space where I feel vulnerable. In 

doing so, I would be more in line with my personal values, 

leading by example and acting as a role model for my son. 

By espousing these values of lifelong learning and personal 

growth, my encouragement for him would carry more 

weight for me personally and hopefully resonate better with 

him. 

So here we are… it’s been a minute for you, but over a 

week since I wrote my first sentence above. I’ve written, 

revised, removed, replaced and refined my thoughts you’ve 

just read. In the meantime, I’ve stalled, procrastinated and 

re-prioritized. 

Through the process, I’ve grown a real compassion for 

how frightening it is to try something new, how raw it feels 

to put yourself out there when the result may fall flat of your 

objectives and seen firsthand how easy it is to retreat back 

to the comfort of where you’re at and not put yourself out 

there at all. 

There’s an expression “The child is the father of the man” 

which implies the values instilled in us and behaviours of 

our childhood shape the person we become as an adult. I 

hope that the virtues I’m trying to extoll are setting my boy 

on a path for happiness, fulfillment and success, that I am 

embracing his inherent love and natural gifts while providing 

the leadership to show that his path requires not only talent 

but also initiative and dedication. 

Geoff Spears is a mobile app developer living in 

Colwood with his adorable son and their tiny gold dog. 

When he’s not chasing them in opposite directions 

at the beach, he may be playing music or wondering 

what became of his other hobbies. 

geoff.spears@gmail.com 



PLAY 

Symphony & Opera 

in the Park 

Have you always wanted to take 

your child to the opera or symphony, 

but you weren’t sure which 

concert to choose, or the tickets were a 

little too much for your budget? Well, 

look no further, because the Victoria 

Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria 

are offering two free full orchestral 

concerts on August 4 and August 5. 

These special concerts are called 

“Symphony and Opera” and it will be 

performed at the Cameron Bandshell in 

beautiful Beacon Hill Park. Cameron 

Bandshell, also known as The Stage 

in the Park, is located in the middle 

of the park, off Arbutus Bridge Way. 

Since it is an outdoor event it’s best to 

bring folding lawn chairs or a blanket 

for your family to share. There are 

also outdoor benches at the Bandshell. 

Another good idea is to pack a food 

hamper or small cooler with water and 

snacks. 

The symphony will be playing a variety 

of orchestral and opera pieces. On 

the program is Rossini’s The Barber of 

Seville, Vaughan-Williams Sea Songs, 

Bernstein’s West Side Story, John Williams’ 

Flight to Neverland and much 

more. 

Listening to the symphony and hearing 

opera singers is a wonderful way to 

spend time with your family, especially 

when it is presented in an outdoor venue 

in the park. As parents, we should 

encourage our children to listen to all 

forms of music including symphonic 

and operatic music. Research suggests 

that classical music can have numerous 

positive effects for children, including 

memory development, creativity and 

self-expression. 

Listening to a selection of symphonic 

and operatic music before attending 

the concert is a good idea. This will 

give your child an idea of what instrument 

and vocal sounds to expect at a 

concert. For operas, start with childfriendly 

plots and characters, such 

as The Magic Flute by Mozart. This 

opera features enchantments and silliness 

with some of the most memorable 

music of all time. Or listen to Rossini’s 

The Barber of Seville. It is a fun opera 


Opera can be a great way to introduce 

kids to music and storytelling. 

Here are a few ideas to make it fun 

for them: 

Use visual aids. Watch videos of 

operas online and show your kids 

the sets, costumes, and singers. You 

could also use picture books to help 

them understand the story. 

Attend an opera together. Many 

opera companies offer family-friendly 

performances, with shorter running 

times and interactive elements. 

that features Figaro, the barber who 

charmingly masterminds a successful 

ending for two lovers. The opera is full 

of funny scenes and music that you will 

never forget. 

As well, an excellent book to read 

before attending the concert is Meet 

the Orchestra by Ann Hayes. It is a 

lively book that explains the orchestra 

sections with colorful illustrations. Another 

informative book is Zin!Zin!Zin 

a Violin by Lloyd Moss. It is written in 

rhythmic verse with bright detailed artwork 

of the various instruments. 

By taking the time to explore music 

and attending the Symphony and Opera 

concert you will be expanding your 

child’s music appreciation and creating 

memories for your whole family. 

EXPLORING OUR WORLD 

LICENSED PRESCHOOL 

Gordon Head Recreation Centre 

Enrollment is open for this 

affordable, licensed year-round 

kindergarten readiness 

program for children 30 months 

to five years. Speak to us today 

for more information. 

(250) 475-7113 | saanich.ca/preschool 

SEPTEMBER 

SPACES 

AVAILABLE 

PARKS, RECREATION 

& COMMUNITY SERVICES 

Jerri Carson is a retired 

music teacher. She now 

spends her time playing the 

piano and cello. 



local innovative theatre 

BUSINESSES 

YOUNEEDTOKNOW 

CUTITOUT! 

These local businesses are family-focused and 

committed to our community and helping you. 

n e v er b orin g 

visit 

skam.ca 

today 

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Advertise your 

family-friendly 

business here! 

info@islandparent.ca 

Thriving Roots 

Wilderness School 

Thriving Roots provides hands-on, 

wilderness education and 

counselling services for youth 

and adults. Our year-long programs 

and summer camps are immersive 

in nature, fostering connection to land 

and community through earth-based 

skills, play, music and more. 

info@thrivingroots.org 

Your Loving 

Other 

Many couples are sure that learning better communication 

skills will fix their relationship. If 

this were true, why weren’t your communication 

skills a problem back in the romance stage? While learning 

more effective ways of listening, speaking and taking turns 

is important, research shows, it’s only a small part of a 

healthy relationship. 

While we need the foundation of trust and commitment, 

we also need to be on the lookout for bad habits and our 

own immature reactions. We all have immature parts that 

stop us from using all our great skills. Over-reactions, 

pouting, criticisms, sour tones, defensiveness and throwing 

the blame ball sum up just a few behaviours to catch and 

extinguish. First step; notice if you are doing these things. 

Second step; stop yourself, breathe and take some time to 

access a little calmness. Slow things down and connect to 

your values. Who do you want to be in relationship? What 

do you have control over? 

There are certain values, that if shared by a couple, can 

guide a relationship. They are: 

Responsible communication where you listen effectively, 

use safe language and show respect. 

26 Island Parent Magazine 

IslandParent.ca

BIRTH NEWBORN MATERNITY FAMILY 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KANDYCE JOELINE 

VANCOUVER ISLAND 

SONGBIRDANDOAKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 

250 951 3831 

Protecting your relationship from intrusions (children, 

extended family work, hobbies…). Obviously, our children 

need us but that shouldn’t be our main focus. If it is, we can 

lose sight of important issues to resolve as a couple and our 

children will carry that anxiety. 

Being accountable and doing what we say we are going to 

do, even if it means putting the toilet paper on the right way. 

Yes, there is a right way. 

Take responsibility for your feelings, needs and wants. 

Your partner can’t and shouldn’t read your mind. 

Commit to personal growth and development. 

Among these values is the ongoing curiosity about your 

partner. Ask how they feel about their day rather than what 

they did. Nurture a friendship and play together. Not everything 

has to be so serious. Try getting together and not talk 

about the kids and recycling. 

Share your dreams, your goals and challenge one another 

to get there. Above all, make the comfort of your partner’s 

nervous system your top priority. If they are upset or feel 

hurt by something you have said, stop talking. Turn toward 

them and give them your loving, mature reassurance reminding 

them that you are their loving other. 

Eternal 

Bond 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

couples • family • birth • newborn • maternity • wedding 

intimate lifestyle photography 

tamara-bond@hotmail.com 

@eternal.bond.photography 

Dr. Allison Rees is a parent educator, counsellor 

and coach at LIFE Seminars (Living in Families 

Effectively), lifeseminars.com. 



NATURENOTES 

Celebrating Dead Wood 

When I was a youngster, I made 

a discovery so shockingly glorious 

that I still search for the 

feeling it gave me to this day. I decided 

for the first time to flip a decaying log. 

What was under this log awoke something 

in me that felt like it predated back 

thousands of years. The feeling was so 

alluring, soothing and utterly thrilling! 

Finding things. This feeling is everything…searching 

and finding, and relishing 

at nature’s magic. What did I find? 

An Eastern Red-backed Salamander. 

The thing was, I had absolutely no idea 

that salamanders existed! To me, this animal 

was completely novel. It was snakelike, 

but with the most adorable little 

limbs! It looked waxy, smooth and shiny, 

boasting two large eyes and a handsome 

red stripe. It was the greatest creature I 

had ever seen and my heart filled with 

awe. 

What are the happenings at the site of 

a single dead log? Who shows up? Who 

stays, comes and goes? Why should you 

love your local dead logs as much as you 

love your local birds and flowers? I’ll tell 

you. 

It is so often the underappreciated 

parts of an ecosytem that form the building 

blocks for the elements that are most 

cherished by humans. The things we label 

as gross or burdensome in fact play indispensible 

roles. They are the life source for 

the charismatic creatures that are popular 

and loved, and they are incredibly neat! 

Home 

Dead wood is an ecological house 

party and many are invited. The variety 

of species that live inside, around, on 

top of and underneath dead wood is astounding. 

This list includes the obvious: 

worms, isopods, salamanders, centipedes, 

ants…. And the not-so obvious: bears, 

bats and even large cats! A single stick 

could be home for fungi, protizoae, bacteria, 

springtails, mites and many other 

micro-fauna. 

Consider ants. Their bodies are built 

for incredible feats of strength and enduarance. 

Living up to 30 years and having 

jaw parts that can move at a speed of 

nearly 400km/hr, these tiny creatures are 

rather impressive. Dead logs are a prefered 

habitat for many ant speices, and 

ants are a prefered food souce for certain 

bear populations! Some BC populations 

of bears are dependent on ants as a food 

source when berries become sparse. The 

roles of ants go far beyond this example, 

but it gives us an idea of the connections 

to be made. 

Food 


party and the food is pleantiful. The 

creatures that dwell near or within dead 

wood are an important food source for 

the forest, as is the dead wood itself. 

Fungi, for example, are a major food 

source for many animals like slugs, squirrels 

and deer. Fungi love dead wood and 

are consummate decomposers. Consider 

a tree that has fallen after 800 years of 

life. Who has walked by this tree in the 

past 800 years? What has happened 

above its root system? What has this tree 

witnessed? 

An organism this old has aquired mass 

amounts of nutrients in its voyage to 

become a towering and fantastical old 

growth tree. Within the now-dead tree is 

a cache of nutrients, but not just anyone 

can eat dead wood! 

Fungi, using fine filliments called mycelia, 

excrete enzymes that break down 

dead wood for their consumption. Tree’s 

cell walls contain lignin which allows 

them to stand tall and avoid rot—it is 

very difficult to break down. In fact, 

fungi are the only major group that can 

break down lignin. They are effectively a 

giant digestive tract for the forest! They 

take the nutrients in wood and turn it 

into food for the whole ecosytem. 

Function 

Dead wood is an ecological houseparty 

and the performers are incredible! Dead 

wood isn’t just an important habitat and 

part of a diverse food system. It provides 

numerous ecosytem functions. It stores 

carbon which is slowly released as it is 

broken down and can be used by the 

forest and its organisms. Removing the 

wood robs the soil and micro-organisms 

of carbon stores, and burning the wood 

releases carbon into the environment too 

quickly. 

Logs, snags, and trunks create habitat 

diversity and can provide shade for new 

seedlings, or help keep moisture in the 

ecosytem during dry seasons. In areas 

near water (riparian zones), dead logs 

can stabilize soil, provide nutrients to the 

aquatic ecosytem, divert waterflows…the 

list goes on and on. 

Wonder 


party and you are invited (if you follow 

house rules). 

While I don’t recommend flipping over 

dead wood all over the forest (it could be 

disruptive to its inhabitants), I invite you 

to spend some time with it. 


You could win WildPlay Season 

Passes for your family by 

sharing your Family Favourites! 

Family Favourites, presented by Island Parent, is developed 

to celebrate and be a resource for quality family retailers 

and service providers in our community. 

Find a log and imagine all that has 

happened at the site of this once tree, 

now log. What has it seen? How many 

organisms have used this wood? Thousands? 

Millions? Billions? How many 

nutrients have cycled through this microhabitat? 

How many connections have 

been made? 

Perhaps the dead wood will spark a 

poem, a painting, a one-act play, a conversation 

or even just an acknowledgment. 

“Good job wood, you’ve done 

more than I can imagine.” 

Join Us 

Join us this summer at the Nature 

Sanctuary for one of our children’s, family 

or adult programs and you will also 

find wonder in nature! See our calendar, 

register, and learn about our programs on 

our website: swanlake.bc.ca or follow us 

@SwanLakeNature. 

Madi Haller is a Community Educator at 

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. 

Madi is enthralled by the often unnoticed corners 

of the natural world, like slime molds, fungi 

and insects! 


Categories Include 

• Favourite Outings • Favourite Personal Services 

• Favourite Retail Stores • Favourite Food Services 

• Favourite Children’s Businesses and Services 

We want you to nominate 

your Family Favourites! 

Who has the best products and services 

that your family loves? 

Enter at islandparent.ca/family-favourites-nominate 

And be entered to win Season Passes for WildPlay! 


Join 

Our 

Team 

Island Parent Group—BC’s largest publisher of parenting 

content—is expanding its editorial team. We publish Island 

Parent Magazine, WestCoast Families, GRAND and Tweens 

& Teens. We are looking for someone who is passionate about 

sharing the joys and struggles of parenting through multiple 

mediums. This position will help shape the editorial direction of 

our magazines, websites and social media. We are looking for a 

growth-minded star who wants to be a part of a mighty team! 

Contact publisher@islandparent.ca 

I S L A N D P A R E N T G R O U P 

Tweens Teens 

Piano • Guitar • Bass • Voice • Strings • & more! 

Register For Music Lessons Today. 

Why Choose Long & McQuade? 

Music lessons for all ages, stages, and styles. 

Professional instructors make learning fun. 

Convenient lesson times for busy families. 

No registration fees. Affordable instrument rentals. 

With 15 locations across British Columbia. 

Visit our website to find the location nearest you! 


PRESCHOOL&CHILDCARESPOTLIGHT 

ENROLL 

TODAY! 

Come Learn & Grow with Us! 

FULL TIME 3–5 DAYCARE 

PART TIME PRESCOOL 

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE 

Cloverdale Childcare Society 

Vic West Site 

at Vic West Elementary School 

cloverdalechildcare.com 

250.995.1766 cloverdale@shawbiz.ca 

Licensed child care facility with spots available for children 

aged 3-5 years. Contact us to book a tour today! 

Victoria Social Innovation Centre: 1004 North Park St 

littlephoenixchildcare.ca 

director@littlephoenixchildcare.ca 778-269-2273 

Christ Church Cathedral Childcare 

& Jr. Kindergarten..................250-383-5132 

ECE and specialist teachers provide an 

outstanding all day licensed program for 

2.5–5 year olds at our Fairfield and 

Gordon Head locations. 

cathedralschool.ca 

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 

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 

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. 



PLAY 

SunFest 2023 

Get your tickets now to see this incredible family-friendly country 

music festival in Lake Cowichan! Grab a campsite and take in some 

or all the concerts from August 3–6. You’ll enjoy shows by big 

international stars such as Blake Shelton, as well as show your 

support for local bands such as The Country Line. 

sunfestconcerts.com 

COWICHAN VALLEY 

NANAIMO & AREA 

Nanaimo Blues Festival 

The Nanaimo Blues Festival will be at Matteo Sutton Park in Nanaimo 

from August 10-13, 2023. Bring your blankets and beach chairs to 

sit back with your family and enjoy music from new local artists to 

famous names. Pack a picnic or purchase food from a variety of 

trucks on-site. Get your tickets now! 

nanaimoblues.ca 

Cumberland Wild 

One weekend. One stage. Three shows! Get your tickets now 

to Cumberland Wild, happening at Cumberland Village Park on 

August 19 and 20. This incredible non-stop weekend of food, fun 

and music—including a silent overnight dance party—will provide 

all different types of world class music and dance in the 

picturesque village of Cumberland. 

cumberlandwild.com 

GREATER VICTORIA 

COMOX VALLEY 

Day of the Dog 

Bring your entire family—including your furry friends—to Bullen Park 

in Esquimalt on August 12 and 13! This free event offers fun, food 

and all the festivities to have a great day out in the park. You’ll find 

pet products, pet activities and everything else you need to make 

your dog a happy pup! 

petapaloozawest.com/victoria1 

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. 

32 Island Parent Magazine 


Vol. VI, Ed. III 

GRAND 

grandmag.ca 

Summertime Is 

Grandparent Time 

Helping Kids 

Face Their Fears 

Relearning 

History 

A Tour to Kiixin

Explore 

Relearning History 

A Tour to Kiixin 

The sky is overcast but the rain is 

holding off as we gather at the Kiixin 

Tour Office on the East Government 

Dock in Bamfield. There are 10 of my 

family members present, spanning three 

generations, all eager to follow a Traditional 

Knowledge Holder through lush 

rainforest to an ancient village site on 

the west coast of Vancouver Island. Stella 

Peters introduces herself as our guide for 

the morning, and it’s clear at once that 

we’re in good hands. There’s a final washroom 

run once we’ve signed our paperwork, 

and then we pile into our cars and 

following Stella’s truck a short distance 

back down the Bamfield Highway and 

onto a private gravel road. 

With two giant carved figures to welcome 

us, the trailhead is impossible to 

miss. The figures are Nutchkoa and Hominiki, 

we later learn, the first ancestors 

of the Huu-ay-aht, one of the Nuu-chahnulth 

peoples. As impressive as they are, 

the two figures are significantly smaller 

than the original carvings first erected in 

the village of Kiixin over 160 years ago. 

Taken from Kiixin in 1911, the original 

figures now stand watch in the lobby 

of the Royal BC Museum. New, full-size 

figures were carved and installed at the 

entrance to the House of Huu-ay-aht at 

Pachena Bay in 2000. 

As we join the other tour participants 

in the shelter at the trailhead, Stella 

shares this and more. “Journey with our 

ancestors” is one of the taglines of the 

tour—and with Stella’s guidance that is 

exactly what we do. Her words and visual 

materials take us from the distant past to 

the present. We learn about the ancient 

site itself, a 19th century village and fortress 

that shows evidence of continuous 

occupation for at least 3,000 years—and 

as much as 5,000 years, according to oral 

tradition. We learn about the archeological 

surveys that Stella participated in— 

and her Nation’s decision not to proceed 

with a full-scale excavation. We learn 

about the traditional skills and practices 

that allowed the Huu-ay-aht to live in 

this area for millennia. Best of all, we 

receive this information from a Traditional 

Knowledge Holder rather than an 

“outside,” non-indigenous source. 

As we move through time, Stella’s 

words inevitably lead to more painful 

territory—the decimation of the Huu-ayaht 

population as the result of European 

diseases, the loss of cultural treasures to 

19th and 20th century collectors, and the 

tragic consequences of the residential 

school system. These are difficult but 

necessary subjects, and Stella discusses 

them in a manner that is both matterof-fact 

and sensitive to the presence of 

children on the tour. 

With our guide’s introduction complete, 

we start down the rainforest trail 

towards the village site. The trail is not 

particularly long (at least not for our 

family of hikers), but we take our time, 

moving carefully down flights of stairs 

and over long sections of boardwalk. 

There are frequent stops as well, as 

Stella points out things of interest. I’m 

fascinated by the culturally modified 

trees—ancient cedars with strips of bark 

removed for clothing and basket-making, 

and other trees with entire planks missing 

for cradles, boxes and houses. 

Finally, we reach our destination. I’ve 

had the privilege of visiting many west 

coast beaches and coves, but this one is 

particularly breathtaking. It’s a strategic 


BRIGHT BEGINNING 

location as well as a picturesque one, set 

for defensive reasons “between the rugged 

outer coast and the protected inner 

waters of Barkley Sound.” Today there’s 

a bear waiting to greet us as we reach the 

sand. We keep a respectful distance, and 

the bear eventually wanders off—into 

the very section of the forest where Stella 

was planning to lead us. While we wait 

for the bear to wander a little further, we 

take out our packed lunches and have a 

quick picnic. 

Kiixin was the traditional capital village 

of the Huu-ay-aht, and it remains a 

sacred site. According to Parks Canada, 

“it is the only known First Nations village 

of more than 100 villages on the southern 

B.C. coast that still features significant, 

standing traditional architecture.” 

To see the remains of these structures 

in person, and to hear dramatic stories 

from a descendant of the resourceful and 

courageous people who lived on the site 

for millennia, is an unforgettable experience. 

As a child growing up in Nanaimo, I 

had very little knowledge of the complex 

indigenous cultures that existed on Vancouver 

Island before the first newcomers 

disembarked from their ships. The curriculum 

didn’t cover much local history 

back then, and what I did learn mostly 

began with the arrival of European explorers 

in the 1700’s. 

Things are different for my grandchildren—and 

for that I am profoundly 

grateful. I am especially grateful to Stella 

Peters and other Traditional Knowledge 

Holders across the Island who are sharing 

their stories and cultural teachings 

so generously. We can’t change the past, 

but we can certainly be intentional about 

how we go forward—and learning what 

we didn’t know before is an essential part 

of that process. 

Kiixin Tours are offered from the May 

long weekend to Labour Day. While the 

4-hour morning tour worked best for 

our extended family, there is also an 

evening tour, which includes songs and 

drumming on the beach. Headlamps or 

flashlights and a towel or blanket to sit 

on are required on the evening tour. The 

hike into Kiixin is rated “moderate plus,” 

thanks to uneven terrain, potentially 

slippery boardwalks and a steep flight 

of stairs down to the beach. According 

to the tour website, people with injuries, 

mobility challenges or hiking-restricted 

medical conditions cannot be accommodated. 

Children aged seven and older are welcome 

on the tour, as long as they are accompanied 

by a parent or guardian aged 

19 years or older. For more information, 

visit kiixin.ca/tour. 

Rachel Dunstan Muller is a 

children’s author, storyteller, 

podcaster and grandmother. 

You can find her podcasts 

Hintertales: Stories from the 

Margins of History and Sticks 

and Stones and Stories 

through her website at 

racheldunstanmuller.com. 

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Grandparenting 

Helping Kids Face Their Fears 

Every child passes through that 

stage of being afraid of monsters—under 

the bed, in dark 

corners, down in the basement—it 

seems to be a universal childhood fear. 

This fear can take root before a child 

is at an age when a parent can even 

reason with them and provide logical 

explanations, and even then, that 

assurance rarely seems to allay such 

deep-seated phobias. And some children’s 

fairy tales only serve to fan the 

fire—the witch in Hansel and Gretel 

who cooks children, the giant in Jack 

and Beanstalk who will “grind Jack’s 

bones to make his bread” or the big, 

bad wolf in The Three Little Pigs who is 

out to devour some piggies. 

I’ve had these experiences with 

my own sons, and now predictably, 

my young grandson seems to be going 

through the same phase. This was 

made clear to me on a recent trip to 

the public library. Whenever we visit 

the library, I turn my grandson lose in 

the children’s section where he will 

often tuck himself away with a book 

that catches his interest. On this particular 

visit, I didn’t notice he had his 

nose in a book about monsters until 

he asked me to put it back because it 

was scaring him. As we walked home 

afterwards, I noticed he wouldn’t hold 

my hand. Any time I extended my 

hand to him, he shied away from me to 

the other side of the sidewalk. When I 

asked him what was wrong, he said he 

didn’t want to hold my hand because 

he was afraid I was going to turn into 

a monster. So I asked him: “You’ve 

known me seven years now, have I ever 

turned into a monster?” His answer? “I 

don’t think so, but sometimes you look 

pretty scary.” 

Well…I asked. 

How best to handle this touchy subject 

of childhood fears and phobias? 

In my own childhood, the prevailing 

approach by many parents at that time 

was a no-nonsense one—there are no 

such thing as monsters. Period. Simple 

as that. It was as if a child’s fears were 

not be “indulged.” I was raised with 

this approach and can attest that it did 

nothing other than cause me to feel 

ashamed and somehow inadequate. Although 

on one level, I trusted the word 

of my parents (that they wouldn’t lie 

to me), but their logic simply could not 

quell my fears. I still took the basement 

steps two at a time and insisted 

on my bedroom door being left open 

with the hall light on. My fear of the 

dark was so innate and so irrational 

that it overruled all common sense until 

I was well into my teens. 

As a result, my approach with my 

own children was very different. Having 

been a victim of my own fears, I 

didn’t want to make my children feel 

bad about experiencing their own. So 

I listened, hugged and validated their 

concerns. I actually found it helpful 

to confess my own childhood fears 

to them as a way of illustrating that 

at some point, these anxieties which 

seem so overwhelming when we’re 

young, gradually lessen or fall away 

as we grow into adulthood. And yet, I 

also readily admitted to them that even 

in adulthood, I still have some fears I 

continue to grapple with. 


I am pleased to see books in the 

public library that address the topic 

of childhood fears. I’ve read several 

stories with my young grandson that 

illustrate the mastering of a particular 

phobia. While reading these stories, I 

am quick to point out the accompanying 

feeling of accomplishment and 

pride the child experiences by the 

end of the book. Many of these books 

employ a well-trusted behavioural 

therapy technique in which children 

are gradually exposed to their fears 

in a safe, secure environment. Take 

the fear of spiders, for instance, yet 

another phobia of mine! Reading 

books together about spiders and their 

importance in our ecosystem might 

be a way to start addressing this fear. 

Having a child look at illustrations and 

photos, even gently encouraging them 

to touch those photos, can help to desensitize 

their fear. 

Pointing out spiders in one’s outdoor 

environment and watching them 

build a web or collecting a spider in a 

bug box are some further ideas to help 

with desensitising. I am a firm believer 

that steps like this help make fears 

more manageable. Those fears may 

never be calmed, but at least we can 

develop coping skills that can serve us 

well later on in life. 

Susan Gnucci is a local 

author and a proud “nonna” 

to two young grandsons. She 

enjoys sharing her experiences 

as a grandparent. 

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Grandparenting 

Summertime Is Grandparent Time 

Summertime often means more 

time for grandparents to spend 

with grandchildren. Sometimes 

that’s a vacation or cottage getaway. 

Sometimes it’s a childcare-in-the-city 

situation. Either way, it may be a time 

where grandparents get more day-to-day 

interaction with their grandkids who are 

not in school. With lots of activities and 

destinations to choose from, how does a 

grandparent decide what to do? 

You may want to think about activities, 

which, while being fun and novel, will 

also support academic learning. Some 

of these will be obvious, but some might 

have benefits you have not thought of. 

Take the dolls tea party, for example. 

Set the table for tea time with the dolls, 

stuffed animals and action figures—don’t 

forget about the beloved cars and trucks. 

Discuss patterns, distributing one napkin 

to each creature, anticipating the needs 

of others. Pouring out the “tea” and passing 

the cookies provides practice in turntaking 

and polite pleases and thank yous. 

If you want to go all out, how about 

baking the cookies? Choose a really simple 

recipe with few ingredients. But even 

a three-year-old can help to measure and 

pour and stir. Cooking is a great way to 

reinforce math concepts (measurements 

of volume and weights, setting timers, 

talking about temperatures). 

Baking is also an opportunity for practicing 

fine motor skills, pouring, cutting 

(butter, with a table knife, for example— 

nothing sharp!), blending butter into 

flour. It gives kids a chance to experience 

and talk about textures (powdery flour, 

greasy butter) which they don’t feel 

every day, as well as smells: cinnamon, 

lemon peel, cloves. Not to mention the 

way soft dough become crisp cookie—it’s 

not magic, it’s chemistry! 

Building with blocks provides lots 

of opportunities to practice fine motor 

coordination and engineering skills. Of 

course it all starts with you building a 

tower and your grandchild knocking it 

down. A great exercise in turn taking! 

A little later, set up a small construction 

and challenge your grandchild to copy 

it. Then ask them to set you a challenge. 

Create enclosures for toys animals and 

dinosaurs. Make a house for the dolls. 

Lots of opportunities for telling stories. 

With older kids (4 and up) grandparents 

can teach them card games. Start 

with sorting the cards into red and black, 

or suits, or numbers versus face cards. 

Progress to Memory where all the cards 

are laid out face down and each player 

turns over two at a time. The goal is to 

remember where the cards are and find 

matching pairs. Games like War and 

PishePasha great starting games that 

don’t require small kiddy-hands to hold 

fanned-out cards (that’s a difficult fine 

motor skill!). By the time kids are 6 or 

7, they can learn Crazy Eights or Gin 

Rummy. And I know eight-year-olds who 

play Bridge! 

Outdoor play is a great time to develop 

gross motor skills, like running, kicking 

and throwing. 

These skills take a long time to develop 

and kids need a lot of practice! Take the 

opportunity to discuss things we CAN 

kick and throw (balls in the field, stones 

into the water) and those we must not. 

There are lots of games you can create 

around throwing stones into the ocean 

or a lake: who can throw it farther (of 

course), who can hit that log, who can 

do the silliest throw, who can throw over 

their shoulder. But just meditatively tossing 

stones in the water can make space 

for conversation and connection. 

Time outdoors also promotes healthy 

eye development. Studies have shown 

that spending a couple of hours a day 

outdoors reduces the incidence of myopia 

(short-sightedness). It seems that the 

bright light of the outdoors, and the opportunity 

to focus on the far-away things 

give the eyes the stimulation they need. 

On Vancouver Island we are so lucky 

to have relatively easy access to the shore 

and the ocean. 

There are so many opportunities there 

for wildlife observation, exploring tide 

pools, building sand castles, collecting 

pebbles or driftwood. But remember that 

just being outdoors, with unstructured 

time is hugely beneficial for children— 

and everyone else. The fresh air, the sunshine 

(remember sunscreen, hats, and 

the hydrantion), and the freedom is what 

summer is all about! 

Eva Bild, MA, AdvCD(DONA), LCCE 

is a Childbirth and Lactation 

Educator, and Birth Doula 

Trainer. She has been teaching 

and supporting childbearing 

families in Victoria since 1994. 

She become a grandmother this year! 


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Island Parent Summer 2023

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