Scouts Canada is partnering with School District 23 to provide Schools and Scouting, an outdoor camp for students between six and 12-years-old. Students will get in-class training before forging into the wilderness for supervised shelter building, fire lighting, archery and games.

Image Credit: Contributed

KELOWNA – With teacher job action escalating to full strike next week, several local organizations have added programs and extended hours to help parents out.

The H2O Centre will open their slides and other attractions at noon instead of 4 p.m. starting Monday, and general manager Cory Krist says they have also instituted morning and afternoon half day camps for as long as the strike continues.

“We’re expecting registration to be last minute,” Krist says. “Right now the camps are about half full but we expect them to fill up completely over the weekend.”

Scouts Canada is partnering with School District 23 to provide Schools and Scouting, an outdoor camp for students between six and 12-years-old. Students will get in-class training before forging into the wilderness for supervised shelter building, fire lighting, archery and games.

The five day camp runs Monday through Friday at a cost is $185 per child. For more info email Ann Armstrong at aarmstrong@scouts.ca or call 1-888-912-6541.

The YMCA/YWCA in Rutland is starting their daily half day camps two weeks early to accommodate parents looking for activities for their kids. The camps run from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Program manager Geoff Gowe says the camps are drop-in only, and encourages parents to call early in the morning to secure a spot for that day.

“Parents can register in the morning but they can’t register days in advance or book for the entire summer,” he says. “It does fill up pretty quickly but since it’s drop-in only, parents should be okay as long as they call before 8 a.m.”

The cost for the half day camps is only $10 and free for anyone with a membership.

The Kelowna Art Gallery has teamed up with Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre and Kelowna Museums to provide a full week of children’s activities from June 16 to 20.

Program director Josh Desnoyers says the collaboration means kids between six and 12 will be exposed to theatre, art and history in a fun and interactive way. Activities will vary each day and children have the option to attend all or just one of the days.

The Kelowna Museums will be offering their Curious Curators program, where kids explore the people, places, and nature of the Okanagan through stories and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about bugs and bees while at the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum, and will have the chance to decode messages during their visit to the Okanagan Military Museum.

At Bumbershoot Theatre participants will dive into the world of theatre, exploring character, telling stories, playing games, and creating theatre sketches. 

At the Art Gallery, students will learn about artists from the past and present who are inspired by the fantastical, the absurd, and the surreal. Hands-on activities will include drawing, painting, and sculpture projects.

Pickup and drop off for all classes will take place at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Children are required to bring two snacks, lunch, and a water bottle.

Parkinson Recreation Centre is offering full-day camps every day for two weeks starting Monday. Various activities are planned for boys and girls age seven through 12 from 7:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. Drop in fee is $40 per child but pre-registration is encouraged due to limited space.

"We're just trying to help out the community any way we can," Angus says.

Image Credit: Scouts Canada