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It’s summer time, let the games begin
By Felicity Youngward
Summer break for the kids is here; do you have a plan?
If not, I have some suggestions for you to keep the kids busy and engaged.
Free or Cheap
Take a hike or ride a bike, Idlewild, Elizabeth Lake, Rotary Trail, Rails 2 Trails, Cranbrook Community Forest, Eager Hill, The Buttes.
http://cranbrooktourism.ca/activity-categories/outdoor-activities/hiking/
Cranbrook Public Library (check out their Facebook page for details)
Story time for toddlers to age 12 at various times
Walk on the Wild Side Summer Reading club
Go check out the Community Garden (next to McKinnon Park) and go dig in the dirt.
Parents in the Park – Wednesdays in July and August 10-12 a.m. @ Rotary Park. Ages 0-6 years old, older siblings are welcome.
Bring hat, water, swimwear and sunscreen.
Drive out to the Fish Hatchery
Check out a new playground – Rotary Park (downtown) McKinnon Park, Pop Price Park, Idlewild, Gyro playground.
Check out Pinterest and grab some crafting supplies from Crafty Creations at the Child Care Resource and Referral office (across from Safeway) or the dollar store.
Cranbrook History Centre – Summer Jr. Paleontologist Program. Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. -12 p.m. (ages 6-12) $5 per participant.
Free Family swims at Western Financial Place on: July 15 from 12-1 p.m. and August 19 from 12-1 p.m.
Pack a picnic, your shovels and buckets and go to the beach…
Moyie Lake
Wasa Lake
Jim Smith
Splash park time – If it is 22 degrees or warmer the water will be on!
Rotary Park (downtown)
Kinsman Park (up by COTR)
Learn to Fish programs at local lakes – check out the website www.gofishbc.ca (ages 5 and older)
Camps and other activities ($)
City of Cranbrook –
Summer Break Swimming Lessons: Check out the Leisure Services Guide on the City of Cranbrook website, or call 250-489-0220
City of Cranbrook Summer Break camps – Ages 5-12, the city is running a camp for each week of summer break. Check out Leisure Services Guide or call 250-489-0220
Fort Steele Heritage Town–
Ages 5-12, Fort Steele is running a camp for each week of summer break. Check out their website or call 250-417-6000.
Take the family for a visit, there is a new exhibit running during the summer “Ice Age Mammals” check out the Fort Steele website for admission prices
Spirit Rock Climbing Centre Kimberley– Are running several different programs during summer break, please check out their website www.spiritrockclimbing.com and look under Kids programs.
Arq Mountain Centre Cranbrook – Summer Camp programs (full and ½ days), check out their website www.arqmountaincentre.com or Facebook.
Key City Gymnastics – summer break camps and programs. Call them at 250-426-2090 or check out their website – http://keycitygymnastics.ca.
Drop in on Saturdays (Family) $8 per participant 1:30-3 p.m.
Drop in on Tuesdays (Junior 0-5) $5 per participant 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Fairmont Hot Springs/Radium Hot Springs – Go and have a soak in the hot springs.
Toy Lending Library – Located at the Child Card Resource & Referral Office (CCRR) Memberships are $35 per year and start Apr 1.
Kimberley Underground Mining Railway opened July 1.
http://www.kimberleysundergroundminingrailway.ca/schedule.php
Summer Theatre Camp – Ages 6-12, Details inside the current Cranbrook Leisure Services Guide
East Kootenay SPCA Summer Camps – http://www.spca.bc.ca/kids-teens/whats-happening/summer-camps/summer-camps-east-kootenay.html#scheduleEKB
Blue Lake Camp (now known as Columbia Outdoor School) camps for six-years up to teens. Three to six night camps. Funding available. Check out their website. http://columbiaoutdoorschool.com/
Get out and explore and if you discover something that isn’t on this list, please share on our Facebook site. https://www.facebook.com/Cranbrook-Early-Years-800323603424295/
Lead image: Hiking up Eager Hill. e-KNOW file photos
– Felicity Youngward is coordinator for the Early Years Committee
