“vancouver blossoms” by David Wise licensed under CC BY 2.0
Post by Helena Zhu, Women Students Program Assistant at Access & Diversity
While your kid(s) might be delighted that they have a two week break this spring (Saturday March 7 to Sunday March 22), you might be wondering how you’re going to attend classes and get your work done. Fret no longer. There are a number of affordable day camps available to you in Vancouver. Here is a short summary:
YMCA
YMCA of Greater Vancouver offers perhaps the lowest-cost camps for the entire duration of spring break, from March 9 to 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For $147, your 6-12 year old(s) can stay either at the Langara Family YMCA (282 West 49th Ave.) or Robert Lee YMCA (955 Burrard St.), both a 30-minute bus ride from UBC. Both camps include a trip to Fort Langley and Science World, sports, games, and the recommended 90 minutes of daily physical activity.
YMCA offers need-based financial assistance to cover part of the cost.
UBC Camps
Can you imagine easier drop-off and pick-up than right here on campus? Over spring break, your kid(s) can dive underwater with the Scuba Camp at the Aquatic Centre, explore the forest with UBC Ropes Course, or shine in the spotlight with the Performing Arts camp. UBC’s Spring Programs are mostly half-day, week-long camps that cost between $133 and $288. The good news is that most of these courses are eligible for Community Service Card discounts.
The Old Barn Community Centre
Right behind Thunderbird Residence, the Old Barn Community Centre is conveniently located. The only downside is that these camps are a little pricey, though you can get 10 percent off with a University Neighbourhood Association (UNA) Access Card. Literary and writing camps from 9 to 4 p.m. cost $270 for five week days. Two-hour-a-day camps for 3-5 year olds cost $150 for five week days. You can register for camps and apply for a UNA Access Card on UNA’s website.
Dunbar Community Centre
If you would like more flexibility in your child(ren)’s spring break activities, Dunbar Community Centre has independent day camps every week day for children 7 to 12 years old. For $40 a day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., your child can go bowling, to the movies, and to attractions such as Science World and the Aquarium. For children anywhere from 1 to 12 years old, the community centre also offers hour-long and half-day programs in cooking, writing, and even good manners, among others. For more details, please see pages 10-11 in its Recreation Guide. You may qualify for discounts with the Leisure Access Program.
Kitsilano Community Centre
Located about 25 minutes by bus from UBC, Kitsilano Community Centre offers some creative programs, from building NASA space program models to seeing their LEGO creations in motion with motors. These 3-hour creative programs cost $177 for five sessions, while more traditional, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. programs cost $149 for five week days.
West Point Grey Community Centre
Located a 15-minute bus ride from campus near Jericho Beach, West Point Grey Community Centre is closer than both the Kitsilano and Dunbar community centres. West Point Grey has probably one of the longest programs for 3-5 year olds, at 4 hours a day, $145 for five days a week. For children 6-12, the program including activities such as baking, swimming, and skating cost $145 for five week days, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.