HRM Parent Blog

AGNS Halifax
ages 4 – teens
Monday, March 12 – Friday, March 16
Register for classes in sculpture, drawing, painting, clay and mixed media taught by local artists and art educators who bring a wealth of talent and experience to each class. Experiment with a range of materials and ideas. Lots of fun, colour, and imagination! Students can attend week-long sessions of full-day or half-day classes. Organized lunch time supervision at a nominal fee is provided for students attending full days.

ART EXPRESS CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 4 + 5 with artist MARGARITA FAINSHTEIN
LITTLE HANDS, BIG IDEAS
This art class focuses on the joyful process of art making and the incredible experience of having created something new. Young children will express themselves using a wide range of art techniques in drawing, printmaking, collage, and painting. Explorations into the Gallery will add a richness to this fun learning experience!
9:00am – 12:00noon or 
1:00pm – 4:00pm

Please bring a snack along!

ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 – 13
SCULPTURAL SKIES with artist MIRO DAVIS
Come explore what goes up, and what must come down! Our journey will be finding shapes that float, rise, fall, and move through air and sky. We will create our sculptures by hand-building in clay, plaster casting, paper, wire, and wood.
Ages 5 (school-age) - 8        
9:00am – 12:00noon
Ages 8 – 13                           
1:00pm – 4:00pm

MIGHTY MIXED MEDIA with artist ELLA TRETAULT
This course is designed for students to explore a wide variety of fun art making techniques. Students will create their own masterpieces using both traditional and non-traditional approaches as they discover more about printmaking, clay, collage, storytelling, projections and tie-dye.
Ages 5 (school-age) – 8         
9:00am – 12:00noon

Ages 8 – 13                             
1:00pm – 4:00pm

SCHOOL OF ART ROCK with artist SHERRY JOLLYMORE
A fun-filled week inspired by rock and roll!  Students will design band t-shirts, album covers, and rock star accessories as they explore experimental visuals to accompany music. The week will come to a finale with a performance for the fans!
Ages 8 – 13                              
9:00am – 12:00noon

Ages 5 (school-age) – 8          
1:00pm – 4:00pm

CLASS OF CLAY with artist BETHANY RIORDAN-BUTTERWORTH
Learn all about clay using a variety of techniques including coil, slab, sculpture and the wheel. Students will explore sculptural and functional form, and delve into a range of decorating techniques!
Ages 8 – 13                               
9:00am – 12:00noon

Ages 5 (school-age) – 8           
1:00pm – 4:00pm

Week-long Classes:  Non-members $125.00 per week for half-days; $250 for full-day classes. Gallery Members $112 per week for half-days; $225 for full-day classes.  (+ HST for all classes)
FEES INCLUDE ALL ART MATERIALS.
An additional fee of $15 (non-members), $10 (Gallery members) per week will be charged for lunch supervision for students attending full-day classes.

Pre-registration is required for all art classes:
Phone 902 424 5280 during Gallery hours (Visa or Mastercard)

Email infodesk@gov.ns.ca


http://www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/en/AGNS_Halifax/learn/Marchbreak2012/artclasses.aspx

 
Atlantic Cirque

For ages 7 - 12
Monday, March 12th to Friday, March 16th from 9am to 4pm
(early drop-off: 8:30am - Late pick-up: 4:45pm at no extra charge)

Come learn trapeze, trampoline, acrobatics, juggling, human pyramids, stilt walking, flying rope, aerial silks, aerial cerceau, spanish web, contortion, handstands, spinning plates techniques and much more!

Price is $275 for the full week

http://www.atlanticcirque.com/march-break-camp.html

Cool Music School
6029 Cunard Street, Suite 5
(902) 440-2172


Creative Music Camp:  Ages 5 – 9
2-Day Camp (1/2 day: 8:30am – 11:30 AM  ): $55

Creative Music Camp is a day camp designed to introduce your child to a wide variety of musical experiences.  Through use of fun games, and interactive exercises, kids get hands on exposure to a selection of musical instruments and learn some basic techniques.  For
Select from
Mon-Tues (Mar 12 & 13) or
Wed -Thur (Mar 14 & 15    

2-Day Guitar Camp: Ages 10 - 17
(1/2 day: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): $55

Beginner Guitar Camp:  $55
Mon - Tues (Mar 12, 13)

Intermediate Guitar Camp: $55
Wed - Thur (Mar 14 ,15)

Contact Lesa at Cool Music School for more information!    

 
Dalplex
March Break camps are offered from March 12-16 for kids and teens, ages 5-17, and include the following options:

Active Kids Sports Camp
For ages 5-9
The Active Kids Sports Camps are a great way to shake those winter blues!
Throughout the week campers will have a chance to try a variety of activities such as soccer, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, floor hockey, track and field, and more! The emphasis is on participation and fun.
Register early as space is limited to 40 children.
Camp drop-off is from 8:15-9am and pick-up is from 4:30-5:15pm.
If you require an earlier drop-off or later pick-up time, contact the supervisor of your specific camp to see if we can facilitate your request.
Campers must provide their own snacks and lunches.
        
Bouldering March Break Camp
Ages 5-12
Designed for kids who would like to try more challenging walls, this camp provides an opportunity to learn how to move on the steeper walls and build on climbing technique.Campers will be mixed according to skill level and will have an opportunity to try rope climbing, rappelling and will get to swim in the pool as well.
        
Dal Tigers Basketball Camp
For ages 8-14
Dal Tigers basketball camps provide an introduction to the game for novice players and an opportunity for more advanced players to enhance fundamental skills.
Players will receive an evaluation report at the conclusion of camp, a swim in the pool every afternoon and a camp t-shirt.

Junior Leader Adventures Camp
Ages 10+
If your child is keen to become one of our summer outdoor rec and/or climbing camp leaders, this is their first step!
Participants will further develop their climbing, outdoor adventure and leadership skills, all while having fun and making new friends.
Please meet at the fieldhouse climbing wall.

Rock Safety March Break Camp
Ages 8-15
This climbing camp teaches participants a variety of rope safety skills and reinforces the importance of a positive attitude and teamwork.
Campers will be mixed according to skill level and will get to try other activities such as yoga, zip-lining, route planning, rappelling and a daily swim in the pool.
Please meet at the Rock Court.

http://athletics.dal.ca/children_youth/camps11.html

Discovery Centre
Ages of 6-12
March 12-16, 2012, Drop off is between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and the pick-up is between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

YUCK AND OTHER STUFF PART III: RETURN OF THE GOO
Our March Break camp is the most entertaining and educational camp experience in Halifax – an adventure of discovery, learning and fun kids won’t soon forget. In Yuck and Other Stuff Part III: Return of the Goo children can let the boogers flow and the ear wax build up because the third installment of our icky science camp is the stickiest and ickiest yet! This week-long exploration of chemistry, biology and anatomy will give kids the answer to burning questions like: How much scientific research has been done on cow farts and why? Is an oceanic snot diver a real job? How does stomach acid dissolve food? Which is better, green or yellow mucus? And, is it really safe to swim in the Halifax Harbour?

$175 for non members, $165 for members


http://www.discoverycentre.ns.ca/visit/camps

Excel Program: Halifax Regional Schoolboard
Please note, your child does not need to be enrolled in the Excel after school program to enroll in the camp.

Camp participants should pack their backpacks in preparation of five different theme-based days to the Jungle, Polynesia, Swiss Alps, a Magical Theme Park and an African Safari. Camps and registration will be offered for a fun week-long camp at the following 12 elementary schools located throughout HRM: Halifax (4 sites): B.L.T., LeMarchant St. Thomas, Ecole Rockingham, Westmount; Bedford: Basinview Drive; Fall River/Waverley: Ash Lee Jefferson; Dartmouth (4 sites): Hawthorn, Joseph Giles, Portland Estates, Shannon Park; Sackville (2 sites): Caudle Park, Millwood.

Camp operating hours will be from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm each day. The cost per student is $160/ week. Sibling discounts of 10% for the 2nd child, and 15% for the third and subsequent children are offered.

Maritime Centre for African Dance
March 12 - March 16 Halifax Day Camp ( Location to be announced. )
$150

We are an internationally recognized organization and even performed at President Obama’s Inauguration Ball.This March in Halifax we are having a day dance camp for children to attend. It is open to EVERYONE and was created in hope to educate children about Africa but mostly have fun!
 We offer campers the ability to dance with professional African dancers from all areas of Africa; Gambia, South Africa, Ghana and Egypt. Dancers range in specializing in traditional Zimbabwean dance, Caribbean Fusion to Stomp. New this year we have added Gumboot dancing!
Campers will also get the chance to learn musical instruments, sing and perform in Drama. There is even a cooking lesson and a final performance at the end of the camp! Transportation is included.

http://www.mcafricancamps.com/

Neptune Theatre School
4-6 Fairytales & Legends
Fairytales & Legends - Age 4-6
Join us as we go back to a time when Kings, Princesses, Knights and Dragons rules the world! During this week long camp we will use a mixture of theatre games, music and stories to develop our own characters and then, using our skills of co-operation, create a special adventurous world that parents and friends can visit on the final day of class
Cost: $225.00

Monday - Friday March 12-16  9:00am-4:00pm  
Class fee 225.00
Date:3/12/2012 to 3/16/2012
Times:9:00am to 4:00pm

7-9 Wizards of Neptune Theatre
Wizards of Neptune Theatre - Age 7-9
Forget The Wizards of Waverly Place, you'll be the Wizards of Neptune Theatre as we create spells, learn magic, and create our own magical adventure that we will present to family and friends on the last day of class!
Cost: $225.00

Monday to Friday, March 12-16  9:00am-4:00pm  Fee 225.00
Date:3/12/2012 to 3/16/2012
Times:9:00am to 4:00pm

10-12 Collective Creation
Collective Creation - Age 10-12
In this collective creation drama class you are the actor, playwright and director. Using a few props and costumes and a lot of imagination you and your fellow performers will creat a piece of theatre that you will share with family and friends on the final day of class.

Cost: $225.00
Monday - Friday, March 12-16, 9:00am-4:00pm  Camp fee: 225.00
Date:3/12/2012 to 3/16/2012
Times:9:00am to 4:00pm

13-18 Stories Alive
Stories Alive - Ages 13-18
The focus of this acting workshop is on using true stories, ghosts or otherwise, to create a new piece of theatre. Through a physically active, creative approach to theatre, students will work on developing stage confidence as well as physical and vocal control. There will be a strong emphasis on collaboration and the fundamentals of acting.

Cost: $245.00
Monday to Friday, March 13-16, 9:00am-4:00pm  Camp fee:245.00
Date:3/12/2012 to 3/16/2012
Times:9:00am to 4:00pm

http://theatreschool.neptunetheatre.com/?category=march%20break%20workshops

Oxford Learning March Break Science Camp
Camp is offered at our Halifax and Bedford locations. It's a combination of individualized academic programming and fun, hands-on science based activities. The cost is $250 for the week but members of HRM Parent receive 10% off.

We also offer the same format on PD days for $50 with 10% off for members of HRM Parent. 

Bedford Southgate location: 902-405-4116, bedford@oxforlearning.com
Halifax Quinpool location: 902-423-4484, halifax@oxfordlearning.com

Pier 21
Ages 5 to 12
From March 12 to 16, 2012, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Follow the beat and feel the rhythm at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21’s Rhythm Around the World winter day camp!
We will travel the world through music without ever leaving the Museum! Take part in cultural games and crafts, song and dance, and learn about music that immigrated to Canada and has shaped our Canadian sound.
For information regarding registration, please call 425-7770 ext. 243 or email education@pier21.ca.
You can fill out the online registration form and return it via email, fax, mail or in person. Please indicate your language preference upon registration as our camp will be delivered in English and French.
The cost of camp is $190 plus tax per week, $40 plus tax per day and an additional $10 plus tax per day for early drop-off and late pick-up (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

http://www.pier21.ca/home

Ski Martock
Ages 5 - Adult, Beginner to advanced skiers
1 day, 4 hour group lesson 9:30 to 11:30am

The perfect way to spend a day during March Break. Great for kids and parents to improve their skiing or snowboarding skills. The March Break Day camp are also a great way for kids and parents to try skiing and snowboarding for the first time.
*Lunch* 12:30 to 2:30pm. Lunch not included, no supervision during the 1 hour lunch break. Must pre-register.
Call (902) 798 9501

$60/Day plus tax

http://www.martock.com/snow/march.php

Ski Wentworth
Ski & Snowboard Camps
ages 5-15 and for all skill levels
March 12-14, 2012
*NEW FORMAT*
Drop off the kids and ski for the day!
Our camps now include a 1 hour supervised lunch. And lunch is provided!
(Please provide any allergy information)

Improve your skills and and have fun during these 3 ski and snowboard day camps.  

Prices for all 3 day camps are $225.00 + hst
** Camp prices do not include lift tickets or rentals. **
Camp Lift Ticket and Rental Deals:
Camp 3 day rental package - $55 + hst
Camp 3 day lift ticket package - $55 + hst

http://skiwentworth.ca/snow_school/camps/

Take it Outside: Youth Winter Program
Ages: 14-19
Dates: Sunday March 11 - 10am - Thursday March 15 - 4pm

This winter go on an adventure unlike any other! Few people get outside this time of year and take advantage of how magical it is. In the beautiful 100 acre wilderness at Brigadoon Village, our instructors will show you a whole new world of fun and outdoor skills by building shelters, bow drill fires, tracking, cooking and exploring. As part of your trip, you will also contribute to establishing a permanent overnight site that the Brigadoon will use for years to come. You will bond with your group, have time to chill and you’ll learn how easy it is to be warm, toasty and happy adventuring outside in the winter. No experience required. Food, camping and cold-weather gear is included. 5 day (4 overnights) course length.

Location: Brigadoon Village, Aylesford Lake, Annapolis Valley (1.5 h from Halifax and 1 h from Lunenburg)

http://www.seaschool.org/takeitoutside


Upstage Halifax
Ages: 8 - 18

HAIRSPRAY
March 12 to March 16, 2012. Performance 4 pm March 16  
9 am till 4 pm


$150.00 


http://www.upstagehalifax.ca/Productions.html

This has been the most enjoyable winter I can remember since my son was born.

We fully embraced winter sports this year, he both learned to skate on the oval and learned to ski on our NS hills. I've always been a fan of skiing and think that it's a great winter family sport. Many a spring break in my family was spent on a mountain or hill and I learned first-hand this winter that the more activities you can do out in the snow the more you don't want it to ever go away! I also learned that a child that skis all day sleeps like a log all night.

 I had no idea how my son would like skiing and I didn't want to push the envelope if he wasn't interested. So we headed out to Martock one weekend to try it out. They have a great package for little beginners, $75.00 gets you a lift ticket for the day, a one-hour private lesson and full rental (helmet included). I highly recommend Jimmy as an instructor, he was phenomenal. The patience of a saint, great with kids, and he intuitively knew when to plop down in the snow for a bit of a break. After a one-hour lesson O was sold and we haven't looked back.

We've done a few more private lessons, the rest of the time we just wing it on our own. We've tried both Martock and Wentworth and I can honestly say that we are very lucky in HRM to have pretty easy access (by car) to both.

Martock is a good place to start, simply because it's the closest at about 50-60 minutes from downtown. There's a nice bunny hill with a rope tow, it's strong so beginners definitely need help with it. There are lots of great runs on the rest of the hill but the easiest skiing is from half way down the hill so you need to get off the t-bar half way up. The chairlift will only take you to the top where your only choices are intermediate runs. 

Wentworth is a great place, a much bigger hill overall with a vertical of 815! They have a brand new magic carpet on the bunny hill which is really easy for a 4-year-old to get on and off on their own. But it is a longer drive, about 1.5 hours from downtown. Their beginner package is $47.00 for a full lift ticket and rental (helmets also included here) and a one-hour private lesson is $55.00. If you choose to teach your children yourself it's just $15.00 each for a magic carpet pass for the day (same price for both adult & kids). One of the best things about Wentworth is that there are really easy runs right from the top of the chairlift. Chickadee is a gentle, fun ride for a new skier and will take you about a half hour to get down. And a word to the wise, once they try the chairlift they ALWAYS want to take the chairlift. Anyone at Wentworth hearing cries of "Wooowee look out below" from a small child on the chairlift, ummm, that wasn't us!

If skiing is something your family has been thinking of trying, this might be a good time to do so! The weather is warmer and there's still lots of snow on the hills. So head out and carve it up!

I knew something was up during a recent visit with my folks when the girls’ dinner was gulped down without protest, dessert politely declined and lots of sneaky glances and winks were exchanged with Poppy.

The three of them buzzed around the house, whispering, scheming and giggling until the big plan was revealed…an indoor marshmallow roast.

The living room had been transformed into the perfect winter campfire. Stools set up, sticks whittled, and the fireplace roaring. The girls were beyond excited, my mom and I broke out the campfire songs and even my 90-year old grandmother took part in the gooey goodness. It was a great evening and one I’ll not soon forget, for how simple it was, yet how much it brought us all together.

So light the fire, grab a stick and see what bubbles up in your household when the campfire’s burning!

by guest blogger Wendy McCallum  

Hello HRM Parents! I am very excited to introduce myself to all of you who love this site as much as I do!  My name is Wendy McCallum, and I am a local nutritional & wellness consultant, founder of Simple Balance Consulting, and mother of two wonderful HRM kids.  This is the first of many posts I will be contributing over the coming months to the HRM Parent blog.  I look forward to sharing tips, tricks and recipes with you to help you manage your families’ food, wellness, and overall balance!

Given that many schools are out, I thought I’d share some quick & healthy portable snacks to have on hand when packing for day trips or travel with kids over the vacation period.

Are you planning on spending some time at the Oval or Canada Games Centre over the break?  Or maybe you have a long flight to a sunny destination ahead of you?  

The best family snacks combine a protein, healthy fat and a complex carbohydrate.  This combination will provide longer-lasting energy and eliminate the sugar highs and lows of a refined, processed treat (We’ve all witnessed the nasty aftermath of that cycle!).  The complex carbohydrates (fruits, veggies and whole grains) provide fibre and sugars which require work from your body to be accessed.  The result is slower, more regular release of sugar into the blood and a longer source of energy.  The healthy proteins & fats (nut butters, legumes, low-fat dairy, lean meats, and healthy oils) take longer to digest and keep you feeling fuller longer.  

Here are a few easy snack ideas: 

• nut (or seed) butter and honey sandwiches on whole grain bread or crackers
• sliced fruit with yoghurt or nut butter for dipping
• 1 oz cheese with fruit or whole grain crackers
• cubed cooked chicken in a whole grain pita with veggies and tzatziki or hummus
• hummus and cut-up veggies
• nuts/seeds with dried fruit (raisins, apricots, prunes, etc.)
• hard-boiled egg with veggie sticks and bean dip
• yoghurt with fruit, sprinkled with flax and wheat germ
• homemade protein energy bars
• simple fruit & veggie smoothies (milk or nut milk, frozen berries, banana, and a handful of raw spinach - they won’t taste it, I promise!)

Wendy McCallum, LLB, RHN, is passionate about providing busy parents with the tools & support they need to feed their families wholesome food, so everyone can play, learn, and feel better!  She is a mother of two terrific HRM kids, ages 6 & 7.  For information and recipe ideas, visit her 

• Registration for the spring session of Music Together, a music program for kids and caregivers to enjoy together with singing, dance, rhythmic work, movement and free instrument play, is now open. For ages 0-4 years. Classes will start early April and are located at St John's United Church in Fall River, and Riverview United Church in Elmsdale. Call 883-8504 to register.
• Spaces are still available in Pier 21's animal themed day camps taking place during March Break. Ages 5-12. Half days and full days available. For more information, check out Pier 21's website.
• Neptune Theatre School still has space available in the afternoon session of their Pirates and Princesses March Break camp. For ages 4-6. Go to their website for more info.
• Neptune is also accepting registration for their spring session of classes starting in April. The Family Fun class is for parents and children to enjoy together, exploring ideas through creative movement, games and storytelling. In Playtime Theatre 1 students will have fun exploring stories, characterization and using their bodies and voices creatively. In Playtime Theatre 2 students will use theatre games, music and props to create new stories every week, and use their imagination to create original characters and settings. For ages 4-6. Go to their website for more info.
• Friday, February 29 is the last day to enter our February contest to win one of 12 packs of natural skincare products from SkinFix. Don't miss this chance - enter now!