Summer Camp Ideas !

It's about that time for summer camps to start! But, what if you have no idea of where to start for choosing the best camp suited for your little one?

Here are a few tips to aide in finding the best fit for your children to ensure they have a blast this Summer!

First, what are the different types of camps out there?

Specialty camps meet a child's certain interest, such as drama, music or sports.
Please feel free to check out our specialty camps Kids party ideas and camps Vancouver

Traditional camps offer a wide range of activities, from sports and crafts to skill building and esteem building.

Travel camps take the little ones on hikes, bike, horseback or canoe rides in parks or other outdoor sites, including abroad.

Special needs camps are designed to meet the needs of children with physical, mental or learning disabilities.

Day camps can be a combination of fun activities and field trips, generally offered during regular workday hours. Some offer early drop-off and late pickup hours.

What are the questions to ask?

1. Ask other parents and your friends?

The best thing you can do is ask around your community and circle of parent friends. Ask at your community or local rec centre, your child's school, or even at their sport's events. Chances are high that another parent or friend has heard of or seen a sign or bulletin featuring day camps. Get their advice and share your thought too.

2. Start your research early.

Camps do fill up months ahead of time especially the good ones. So, research all your options early for the best choice.

3. Involve your children in the decision, show them the website.

You may think you know what’s best for your children, but it’s important to involve them in the process. Listen to their input. Perhaps all their friends are choosing one specific camp that you're unaware of. Bonus: It will also get them excited about going, if they were nervous to begin with!

4. Consider the cost.

Summer camp can be expensive, so be realistic about what you can afford. There are many lower-priced options. However, check carefully to be sure you fully understand what you’re getting. Is financial aid available? Will a trip outside the camp cost extra? Is there a refund policy? You don’t want to discover that the camp you chose costs less because it was skimping on activities or the quality of the food.

5. Ask questions.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like. What is the ratio of staff to campers? What snack options are given? Are allergies or special requirements recognized? What about medical facilities? Washroom facilities?  What are the activities planned? Possibly ask for references from other parents whose kids have attended the camp. Summer camp can be a life-altering, memorable experience. Choosing the right camp can ensure that it leaves a lasting, enjoyable impression.

Above all, choosing a camp that suits both yours and your child's needs is what is most important. Camp is such a great part of childhood. Meeting new friends every Summer. Remember, camp isn’t just for fun. It also helps your child make new friends and build their social skills!

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Marty @ Young Wizards Academy

Birthday Parties in the Park!

Nature makes the great outdoors perfect for silly water games, messy projects, and themed birthday parties — and best of all, they can be done at a fraction of the price of the indoor ones without the expensive rental fees and crowded spaces.

 

I love the summer and throwing  a birthday party in the park is a must!  There is some much space to let your little ones run around from spray parks, jungle gyms and forests they never seem to get bored. Please see my outdoor themed parties here Kids Birthday Party Vancouver

Some ideas for a space theme idea is:  Put small gift rock or gem/or treats inside aluminum foil and bunch it up real tight so they look like a funky moon rock or asteroid that has just landed. Before you begin with your themed birthday party games, hide all of them around the area, in the forest under bushes and let the kids go look for them. Tell each kid to find only one then bring it back (so that they'll leave the others for guests who haven't found one yet of course). The kids will love the excitement of hunting for their own moon rock then discovering what inside they get to keep

Little Cates Park North Vancouver

 

What could be more exciting than acting out your favorite light saber scene as part of your birthday party games?! The kids will totally be up for it, let them choose a favorite scene in the movies. You can then play the actual scene on a I pad or phone from one of the movies on so that they all can get a good feel of what happens and how they need to move. Then put up a video camera and just say "ACTION"! Watch the magic come alive as they piece together an always funny scene.. The kids can rehearse and do as many takes as they wish of course. Once they get it all right save it then just rewind the tape and watch latter at home or share with all the moms and dads that weren’t able to make it to the party. Boy they’d wish they had come!..  You can also do some really cool editing after like add in some fun effect and credits also use the same music they used in the movie.  You can always burn a CD and give to each child instead of a goodie bag. Your party would be remembered for a long time!

 

Young Wizards March in May Day Parade.

Young Wizards March Parade.

It was a cool experience for the Young Wizards Academy actors to all to march down Shaughnessy Street in the Port Coquitlam May Day Parade.

 

About the May Day Parade

The Rotary Club of Port Coquitlam also nicknamed is proud to be work with the fun City of Port Coquitlam to create the space for the 92th Annual Rotary May Day Parade and festivities. This awesome parade is part of the City's May Day celebrations with several activities organized for the enjoyment of city locals and neighboring friends.

The most successful and exciting event at the May Day celebration is the big Rotary May Day Parade. This Parade is enjoyed by up to 10,000-15,000 spectators/visitors from Port Coquitlam and the surrounding areas and is one of the only few remaining community parades in the lower mainland.

The Rotary organization is a group of business and professional leaders united worldwide who can provide kind humanitarian service, and help build positive goodwill and peace in the world. There are over 1 million Rotarians who are members of more than 32,000 stationed Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries throughout the world.

Young Wizards Academy had several actors march in the parade bringing excitement to many spectators watching that day.  It was a hot and beautiful day and perfect to have a parade.  There was even someone at the end of the parade running a spray hose onto the street for the kids to run through to cool down.  Thanks for the rotary club and Port Coquitlam for putting on such a fun event.

 

Young Wizards Academy provides entertainment for birthdays and events in the lower mainland and is centrally located in Port Coquitlam.   To find out more about Young Wizards Academy please visit Vancouver Kids Parties  

Thanks for taking the time to visit us have a wonderful day.