Where is the best place to take your child in or around the Vancouver Area?

Where is the best place to take your child in or around the Vancouver Area???

Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver
Steveston Park (their waterpark is just getting upgraded)
Chuckie Cheese in Langley
the Zoo in Aldergrove, (the zoo in Seattle is the best though)
the waterpark in Stanley Park
the train ride and petting zoo in stanley park
maple grove swimming pool
the water park/swimming pool in richmond near silver city
go banana's baby
Granville Waterpark and Kids Market is great to.

July 28 - 30, 2006
Aldergrove Fair Days. Aldergrove Fair Days is an event for the whole family that involves: Fireworks, Tractor Pull, Main Stage Entertainment, Kids Zone, Amusement Park (west coast amusements), Town Parade, Commercial exhibits; Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre; http://www.aldergrovefallfair.com

July 26, 29, August 2, 5, 2006
HSBC Celebration of Light -- The largest fireworks competition in the world. July 26 — Italy, July 29 — China, August 2 — Czech Republic, and August 5 — Mexico and Celebration Finale. English Bay, Vancouver; http://www.hsbccelebrationoflight.com/fireworks/

July 29, 2006
ALDERGROVE FAIR DAYS PARADE, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm; For all the information on this fun annual event, visit www.AldergroveFairDays.com

July 29, 2006
Richmond Play Day. Want to Play? Then head to Richmond Play Day. It's a free family fun event celebrating play and the fun, freedom and learning that naturally come with it. You can dig in the Sand Zone, sculpt in the Art Zone, create in the Building Zone, and challenge yourself in our newly created Adventure Zone. South Arm Community Park, 8880 Williams Road, Richmond.

July 29, 2006
WildLights Lantern-Making Workshop. Create decorative balloon lanterns using colourful tissue and paper mache techniques! Stop by Lynn Valley Centre on Saturday July 29 between 10 and 5 and design your own hand-made lantern. Drop-in workshop is by donation. 604-988-6844

July 29 - 30, 2006
Caribbean Days Parade and Festival. The Caribbean Days Festival is the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC's annual feature event at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the largest annual cultural festival in the province of BC. There is no charge to attend. The event is open to the public and draws in the tens of thousands of people each year. This festival has an AM azing track record of great weather and good times, reflective of its status as BC's premiere summer Caribbean gala. Held at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver. (604) 515-5400, www.caribbeandaysfestival.com (http://www.caribbeandaysfestival.com)

Ongoing to September 10, 2006
Vancouver Chinatown Night Market. Spend the summer nights at the Chinatown Night Market - the first of its kind in North America! A shopping extravaganza featuring Asian traditional handicraft, fashionable gifts & tempt your taste buds with ethnic snacks. A shopping experience like never before -on every Fri., Sat. & Sun. Check our website. www.vcma.shawbiz.ca
ngoing until October 7, 2006

ABBOTSFORD FARM & COUNTRY MARKET 2006 (every Saturday). In West Railway parking lot by Essendene. The local farm and country market is abuzz with lively entertainment and demos, people socializing, and shopping for quality products made, baked or grown by the vendors. It’s THE place for fresh farm produce, baked goods, specialty products, unique crafts and artwork, along with contests and prizes. 604-850-6547, Abbotsford Farm and Country Market (http://www.abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com)
Deep Sea: The Ride. Visitors to Deep Sea are taken aboard a submersible in search of the two great monsters of the deep ocean: The Giant Squid and the Sperm Whale. Two kilometres beneath the Ocean's surface, where pressure makes the environment more inhospitable than the surface of Mars, we follow a Sperm Whale through a spectacular hydrothermal vent community that teems with exotic life. It is a scene that has been observed by only a handful of ocean researchers. But there is more! Finding ourselves in the midst of a shoal of squid, we are amazed to see a Giant Squid up close. Hold on tight as our submersible is crushed between these two monsters as they jostle in a titanic struggle to survive. HR MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut St., Vancouver; Please contact the Space Centre for showtimes, as schedule can vary at 604-738-7827.
Admission $3.35 for adults, $1.65 for seniors, and 16 and under: $1.65

There are special events through out the year (Sheep Fair, Country Fair, Pumpkin Day, and the annual Country Christmas). Be sure to check out any new arrivals to the farm (baby goats, rabbits, and lambs).

Details: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Mondays. Call (604) 929-5610 for information. Located at 405 Seymour River Place, off Dollarton Highway (about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver). Website: www.maplewoodfarm.bc.ca

Pony Express Pony Rides - SurreyPony Express pony rides is located at 3507-176 Street, Surrey. Look for the Purple Pony! Phone: 604-575-9872. website: www.ponyrides.ca

The Rainforest Reptile Refuge is in south Surrey, about 1.5 miles north of the U.S./Canada Pacific Truck Border crossing. The address is 1395 - 176 Street. It's not hard to find. rainforestsearch.com

Vandusen Botanical Garden is located at 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver (37th & Oak St.). Adults $7 ($5 Winter), Seniors $5 ($3.50 Winter), Youth $5 ($3.50 Winter), Child $3.50 ($2 Winter), Family $16 ($11 Winter), Under 6 Free. For more information call 604-878-9274. Website: www.vandusengarden.org

Dinotown is almost next door to the Trans Canada Waterslides - Bridal Falls

Take the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) east, exit 135, 10 miles east of Chilliwack. Website: www.dinotown.com

the Bird Sanctuary in Ladner

Day Camps at the Vancouver Aquarium

Kids explore the intriguing world of marine mammals, fabulous fish and other cool creatures through hands-on activities, exploration, games and crafts. Plus check out the behind-the-scenes action! Remember Members save 20%. Family membership (2 Adults & 3 Children) is only $115

Summer Day Camps for Kids

Please see specific dates and themes below. Age groupings for Summer Camps are based upon what grades children will be entering into in the Fall of 2007.

All camps run from 9:30am-4pm with the exception of the half-day Kindergarten camp which runs from 9:30am-12pm.

Grades 6-8 (5 days)

Ocean Explorers Camp - FULL

So you want to be a marine biologist? Dive into your future at the Vancouver Aquarium! Become an ocean expert through hands on activities and wildlife excursions. Study whales, research sea lions, and gain new insights into the ocean ecosystem. This camp includes a day trip aboard the OceanWatch boat to explore the wonderful wildlife that inhabits our coast!
Dates: Monday July 9-Friday July 13 FULL or

Monday July 23-Friday July 27 FULL

Cost: Regular price $385; Members $308

Eco-Rangers Camp *NEW!

Discover wild wetlands! From the flooded Amazon basin, to our marshes and shorelines, explore these unique ecosystems and learn why it’s so important to preserve them. Become better stewards of the environment-from composting to sustainable seafood, see what the Aquarium is doing to put Conservation in Action! This camp includes a field trip to the Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre to meet some endangered wildlife species!
Dates: Monday August 13-Friday August 17

Cost: Regular price $360; Members $288

Grades 3-5 (4 days)

Marine Mammal Madness Camp
Are you dazzled by dolphins? Think sea otters are sensational? Explore the amazing mammals that roam the world’s oceans-including those who live right here at the Vancouver Aquarium!
Dates: Tuesday July 3- Friday July 6 or

Monday July 30-Thursday August 2 FULL
Cost: Regular Price $276, Members $221

Ocean Explorers Camp *NEW! - FULL
So you want to be a marine biologist? Dive into your future at the Vancouver Aquarium! Become an ocean expert through hands on activities and wildlife excursions. Study whales, research sea lions, and gain new insights into the ocean ecosystem. This camp includes a day trip aboard the OceanWatch boat to explore the wonderful wildlife that inhabits our coast!
Dates: Tuesday July 10-Friday July 13 FULLor

Tuesday July 24-Friday July 27 FULL
Cost: Regular price $296; Members $237

Underwater Adventures Camp - FULL
Jump in and explore the amazing world under the sea. Learn about plants and animals that call the ocean home. From sharks to sea lions to seaweed, we will study and explore what it takes to survive underwater.
Dates: Monday July 16-Thursday July 19 FULL
Cost: Regular price $256; Members $205

Eco-Rangers Camp *NEW! - FULL
Discover wild wetlands! From the flooded Amazon basin, to our marshes and shorelines, explore these unique ecosystems and learn why it’s so important to preserve them. Become better stewards of the environment-from composting to sustainable seafood, see what the Aquarium is doing to put Conservation in Action! This camp includes a field trip to the Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Centre to meet some endangered wildlife species!
Dates: Monday August 13-Thursday August 16 FULL
Cost: Regular price $288; Members $231

Grades 1-2 (3 days)

Marine Mammal Madness Camp- FULL
Are you dazzled by dolphins? Think sea otters are sensational? Explore the amazing mammals that roam the world’s oceans-including those who live right here at the Vancouver Aquarium!
Dates: Tuesday July 3-Thursday July 5 FULL or

Tuesday July 31-Thursday August 2 FULL
Cost: Regular Price $192; Members $154

Underwater Adventures Camp- FULL
Jump in and explore the amazing world under the sea. Learn about plants and animals that call the ocean home. From sharks to sea lions to seaweed, we will study and explore what it takes to survive underwater.
Dates: Tuesday July 17-Thursday July 19 FULL or

Wednesday August 8-Friday August 10 FULL
Cost: Regular price $192; Members $154

Kindergarten (5 half-days)

Sea Squirts Camp*NEW! - FULL
Discover the many wonders of the sea. Join us for five mornings of stories, games and crafts as we learn about blubbery belugas, sensational sharks, and so much more! Perfect for the budding mini marine biologist!
Dates: Monday August 20-Friday August 24 FULL
Cost: Regular Price $170, Members $136

Registration

To register for a program, please call 604-659-3552 or send an e-mail to programs@vanaqua.org, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please note, cancellations within 14 days of program start date are non-refundable. Cancellation fees will apply. The Vancouver Aquarium reserves the right to cancel a camp one week prior to start date due to low registration.

Father's Day is June 17th

Did you know that the idea of Father's Day came about from a Mother's Day sermon? A woman by the name of Sonora Smart wanted her father to know how special he was to her and her siblings as he raised them all after their mother died while giving birth to her 6th child.

Sonora's father, William Jackson Smart, provided parental guidance in a courageous, selfless and loving manner. And since Sonora's father was born in June, the first Father's Day celebration was held in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent in 1972. While some countries celebrate Father's Day on different days, we all feel that fathers should be honoured with a special day.