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Club Energy, the sustainable dance floor at the Power Smart Village, remains open, now throughout the Paralympic Winter Games (until March 21).
March 3, 2010
Spring Break adventures, from Paralympics to pirates
Blaine Kyllo
For bchydro.com
Spring Break is the perfect time for families to get out and embark on adventures. And no matter what you like to do, there’s something for kids of all interest and ages in B.C., from outdoor pursuits, to arts and culture, to fun and games.
Watch the Paralympic Winter Games
Even though the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games have come to an end, you can still soak up the spirit during Spring Break. Especially as the Paralympic Winter Games are taking place between March 12-21.
Visit Power Smart Village
BC Hydro’s Power Smart Village (get directions here) will be open throughout the Paralympic Games – through March 21 – so you can swing by and check out Club Energy and the Expression Wall in the Kids Zone.
Club Energy features a sustainable dance floor which generates electricity as people dance on it. Bring the kids by and see if they can move their feet fast enough to get the lights blazing.
The Expression Wall is a chance for kids to draw and doodle using digital spray paint. Seeing a group of children all working on the wall together, and cooperating on a mural, is inspiring.
Find the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion
The Mint, a monster hit drawing long lineups during the Olympic Games, will continue to show the medals given out to Olympic and Paralympic athletes. What's not certain is where the Mint is going to be set up – it's moving from the corner of Granville and Pender streets in downtown Vancouver.
Where's it going? Check the website for updates.
Learn about life in our north
Canada’s Northern House
This pavilion celebrates the life and culture of Canada’s northern citizens. It’s open until April 17.
Watch the big screen at LiveCity
LiveCity Downtown, open from March 12-14 and from March 18-21, will be broadcasting live coverage of Paralympic Games events as well as short films by artists from across Canada.
Also still open at LiveCity Downtown are CentrePlace Manitoba and the Canada Pavilion, which include a number of interactive exhibits including virtual snowboard and slapshot games. It’s located in LiveCity Downtown.
Ride the zipline at Robson Square
Robson Square, a hub of activity in downtown Vancouver includes the BC Pavilion and the Vancouver Art Gallery.
And then there's Ziptrek’s zipline that runs over the square, and the Robson Square ice skating rink which reopens on March 8 at noon, and provides free public skating through March 21.
Act up at Granville Island
Granville Island’s Carousel Theatre, which specializes in programming for young people, is offering condensed versions [PDF, 76 Kb] of their theatre school classes from March 9-12.
Explore outer space
The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is a great place to learn about the galaxy and our night sky through interactive displays (check out Day in Space, Rocket Lab, Earth Watch, and Powering the Future) and the planetarium. The Space Centre is adding extra programs between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the week of March 8 to 12.
Revisit the local library
The many libraries across the province are great places for younger children to explore the world of books and reading with storytime programs for all ages.
During Spring Break, some branches of the Vancouver Public Library are setting up PS2 and Wii game consoles so that teens and tweens can play some fun, family-friendly video games.
The Bob Harkins branch of the Prince George Public Library has scheduled Gamer Days from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from March 8-12.
Swashbuckle at Science World
The Science World became the Russian Pavilion during the Olympic Winter Games, but reopens on March 8, just in time for Swashbucklin’ Spring Break. From March 11 through March 15, discover the four steps to perfect pirating, pilfering and plundering, learn some sword fighting moves and embark on a treasure hunt of the imagination.
Go animal in Kamloops
The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is having a Spring Nature Fair on Saturday, March 6, and from March 8-12 is running Kids Camp 2010, which provides children with the opportunity to explore wildlife and their habitats.
Swim, kayak, snorkel in the local pool
Swimming pools around the province have special programs running during Spring Break. Kamloops’s Canada Games Aquatic Centre [PDF, 271 Kb] has opportunities for scuba, snorkel and kayak play, and the Westsyde Pool [PDF, 356 Kb] has an all-day camp that runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 8-12.
Go head over heels in Kamloops
Outdoor games and gymnastics are part of the fun at the Spring Break Camps being held at the Kamloops Gymnastic and Trampoline Centre.
Dance in Victoria
Ballet and art classes make up the programs that are offered by the Victoria Ballet Academy as part of its March Break camp.
Kick a ball in Prince George
Budding soccer superstars in Prince George can take advantage of a unique week of training under the guidance of top English coaches at the Everton Spring Break Camp.
Dress up at the Royal BC Museum
The Royal BC Museum in Victoria is opening a new feature exhibition this summer, and during Spring Break you can get a sneak peek of what’s to come by taking part in new family activities, including costumes, puzzles, writing, drawing and more.
Go back to school in Prince George... waay back
This year’s Spring Break Camp at the Exploration Place in Prince George is an exploration of what it was like to live and attend school in early times.
Blaine Kyllo is a Vancouver-based freelance writer and frequent bchydro.com contributor.
