Island Parent Fall 2023
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years: Out & About in Nature: Rain or Shine • The Cool of Volunteering at School • Lessons from a Little Kid • Setting Kids Up for Success at School • Be Gentle with Yourself • Tweens & Teens
Vancouver Island’s Parenting Resource for 35 Years: Out & About in Nature: Rain or Shine • The Cool of Volunteering at School • Lessons from a Little Kid • Setting Kids Up for Success at School • Be Gentle with Yourself • Tweens & Teens
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NATURENOTES<br />
Out & About in Nature:<br />
Rain or Shine!<br />
As the days get shorter and the sun disappears behind the<br />
trees earlier each day, it’s lovely (and easy!) to stay hunkered<br />
inside with a hot drink and a fuzzy blanket. Maybe you<br />
have a book that you can’t put down, a show that ends on a<br />
cliffhanger each episode or a knitting project for yourself or a<br />
special someone. If you asked my partner, he’d say my happy<br />
place is nestled under the blanket on the couch with a good<br />
book. And if you asked me, I’d agree! But it is just one of my<br />
happy places—I also love being outdoors and experiencing<br />
nature in all seasons.<br />
Whether sunny, cloudy or rainy, I know that being outside<br />
in nature helps my mental and physical health. And numerous<br />
studies show the benefits of spending time in nature, which<br />
include lowered stress levels, improvements in mood and<br />
emotional wellbeing, and restored capacity for concentration<br />
and attention, just to name a few! I’m fortunate to live in the<br />
southern Vancouver <strong>Island</strong> region, where we have numerous<br />
regional parks and trails to explore. The following are some<br />
of my favourites for families to explore in the fall and winter.<br />
Sooke Potholes Regional Park<br />
Sooke Potholes Regional Park, as the name suggests, has<br />
fascinating potholes to view, and in the wet winter months<br />
impressive river flow and rapids to marvel at. The potholes in<br />
the river are unique geological formations (deep pools within<br />
the river rock) that were formed by large boulders stuck in<br />
the river. These boulders were swirled around and around<br />
and created the potholes, which in many areas are surrounded<br />
steep bedrock cliffs, created by glacial erosion thousands of<br />
years ago. In the fall, there are some great trails to hike and<br />
the Sooke River is home to an annual salmon run. The river<br />
itself is the second largest on southern Vancouver <strong>Island</strong> and<br />
the sandy area just down from Parking Lot 1 offers a prime<br />
Save the date!<br />
Sunday, December 10, <strong>2023</strong><br />
• Decadent brunch buffet<br />
• Two seatings available<br />
• Pajamas & onesies encouraged!<br />
• Visit from Santa<br />
• Festive activities<br />
• Tickets on sale October 30 at<br />
islandkidsfirst.com<br />
10 <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Parent</strong> Magazine <strong>Island</strong><strong>Parent</strong>.ca
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