Six-year-old Danica Dennis of Cornwall can't wait to visit Candyland, dress up as a spy and be a superhero.
Those are just some of the activities the youngster is looking forward to on her March break.
School children across the province are getting their break this year later than normal, March 26-30, with the Easter weekend on the tail end (not to mention two storm days this week) to give them an extra long holiday.
Danica lists Candyland and building snow forts outside as two of her favourite activities coming up at KidHub, a program that runs in Cornwall and Charlottetown on mornings, after school, on storm days and as a day camp during March break.
“(Danica) gets to meet new children and really expand her friend base and we really enjoy that. They (also) spend a lot of time outside, which we think is really important.’’
-Rose Dennis
Rose Dennis, Danica’s mother, said day camps were hit and miss for her two older children, but KidHub is the perfect way for her little girl to spend her March break.
“It’s structured play-based learning where they have an agenda for each day (and) a time table (and) it doesn’t take away from the fun,’’ said Rose Dennis. “We drop her off at a time in the morning; we know the day is going to be fun, but it’s also going to have a certain amount of routine that the children need.’’
Rose said KidHub makes it that much easier for her family to save their vacation time for the summer rather than travel like many other Islander do.
“We look for these opportunities to have her in a place that’s really going to help her grow and expand her mind and not be so hard on the routine of home life.’’
Rose said March break’s KidHub will feature a theme each day, from comics, superheroes and princesses to doing experiments on science day to Candyland and dressing up as a spy on spy day.
“They keep them occupied. It’s a very active program so they’re not just going and sitting in a room, basically glorified babysitting. They have them involved in an itinerary and an agenda through the day and they keep them moving and learning through play-based learning.’’
KidHub also features healthy fun snacks and their own themes, such as Mexican day. Parents provide the lunches.
“(Danica) gets to meet new children and really expand her friend base and we really enjoy that. They (also) spend a lot of time outside, which we think is really important.’’
What’s happening
Following is just a sample of March break activities around the province:
- Murphy’s Community Centre, Charlottetown: Both licensed school-aged March break camp programs are full. Greg MacDougall, general manager of the centre, said while the bowling alley has taken some reservations, there is still lots of room for drop-ins.
- Bell Aliant Centre (CARI), Charlottetown: Swims are every day after 1 p.m. and then a public skate Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dean Lund, sales, marketing and events manager, adds that there is still some space left in its March break camp for people who haven’t registered. It’s a full day of activities, crafts and sports.
- TCAP Family Aquatics and Fitness Centre in Montague: There is a free entry swim each day except Good Friday when the facility will be closed. Times vary. Call 902-838-3429 to check on times.
- City of Charlottetown: A youth drop-in program is 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 26-29 and April 3, for children in kindergarten to Grade 5, at the Hillsborough Park Community Centre. A fee of $2 per child per morning applies. Program includes lunch and refreshments. Pre-registration is not required, but children must be signed in each day by a parent or legal guardian.
- Credit Union Place in Summerside: $5 bracelets allow children to swim, skate and jump on inflatables. Or, pay a toonie for each activity. Bowling is not included. Inflatables will be located in the Veterans’ Convention Centre Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Credit Union Place is also offering skating on Monday, 10-11 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 2:30-3:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 10-11 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.; and Thursday (to be determined). There will be swimming in the leisure pool Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or use the slide daily at noon. Swimming in the main pool will be offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, 1-5 p.m. Bowling (not included in the bracelet/toonie offer) is Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. New this year is the March break camp from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Drop off the kids and let them bowl, swim, skate and do crafts every day. For kids ages 5-12. $125 per child.
