The name of the game is kids camps for Prince Rupert Recreation this summer.
A whole slew of various themed half and full-day camps are taking over the civic centre and beyond, starting July 6 and running until Aug. 28.
The week-long sessions are centred around different elements that kids from ages three to 12 can explore.
For the three to five-year-olds, “Daring Detectives”, “Stars of Hollywood”, “Camp Buccaneer” and “Mini Einsteins” highlight the eight different sessions that run for three hours for the wee ones, either in the morning or afternoon.
Next, for the six to eight-year-olds, “Outside the Box Sports Camp”, “Wildnerness Trekkers”, “Passport to Adventure” and “Water Wonders”, among a few others, are part of the day-long activities.
Finally, the 9-12 age range features “Curious Inventions”, “Science Mythbusters”, “Eco Adventures” and “Super Sports” with four more diverse offerings throughout the summer. These are also day-long.
“Each week is themed, so we start off with a sports camp [and then move onto] other things, like going out into nature, or experiencing the spy camp or water camp and it’s all about having fun. We’re trying to get the kids engaged in recreation, so each camp is going to have different elements of recreation, so if you’re in a sports camp, you don’t do strictly sports, you’ll be getting the culture aspect as well – going out and experiencing a lot of different things,” said recreation coordinator Shantelle Berry.
“The kids’ camps are run by our “big kids” ... so we have very competent staff that have gone through an orientation week, that’s included learning a bunch of activities, trying them out, making sure they’re going to work for the kids,” said Berry.
“They’re not going to be sticking with one age group, we want their expertise spread throughout.”
Along with the kids’ camps, the centre is hoping to attract the teen audience with a variety of programs including a week-long certified climbing camp for youth aged 13 – 17, which upon completion will net participants a Devil’s Crag top rope card which enables them to continue to climb and belay during Devil’s Crag open wall climbing times.
A ‘Pinterest’-ing challenge, full of do-it-yourself recipes, games and anything participants can think of, has been expanded to include youth aged 13 – 16. “Planting 101” with Rupert Lawn and Garden and a free youth night titled “Back to School Bash” on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Our junior badminton also does really well and so does floor hockey, so we’re expecting those to continue on. One thing we’re trying to build up is kids’ yoga, because it can be a really great program. It would be nice to have kids to be able to relax and our instructors are really great at working with children,” Berry said.
Kids’ yoga includes songs, activities, dancing and games along with introducing kids to the basics of yoga and is open to the ages of 3 – 5 and 6 – 11.
“We’re trying to expand our youth offerings and we have adult programs going on as well. We’ve heard from the community that they’re looking for more things for the kids to do, so we’re trying to fill that void and help out,” said Berry.
For more information or to register for any recreation programs, call Prince Rupert Recreation at 250-624-6707, email registration@princerupert.ca or look in the recreation guide found at the civic centre or the Northern View office at 737 Fraser St.