Connect for Kids

“Something Cool for After School” Fair

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:49:52 +0000

September 18^th 2010 | Capilano Mall

We are pleased to announce the third annual “Something Cool for After School” Fair at Capilano Mall on Saturday September 18^th 2010 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Once again this event is proudly sponsored by Middle Childhood Matters of the North Shore, a United Way project focusing on the needs of school age children in the out-of-school time. This project receives active support from many agencies and organizations across the North Shore including school districts, municipalities, recreation commissions, Vancouver Coastal Health and the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the North shore Community Foundation

This fair will be a chance for exhibitors to connect with children 6 to 12 years old and their families, and share with them the multitude of out-of-school time activities that are available for this age group across the North Shore.

We are also very excited to once again feature demonstrations that showcase activities for the 6 to 12 year old crowd provided across the North Shore by a variety of studios, community organizations and clubs. Please come by and share the excitement with us.

Are you a family friendly business?

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:28:57 +0000

Family Friendly Business Project

Good for Business!

Great for Family!

The Family Friendly Business Project is designed to make our North Shore community more supportive of families with children. Working together with the business community, we want to help work places, public places and outdoor spaces become increasingly safe, comfortable and easy to use for everyone.

Participating organizations can include restaurants, retail outlets, pre-schools, community centres, municipal employers, and the many other institutions that serve and employ families.

It can be as easy as providing a step stool in the restroom, or introducing flexible working hours for parents. Take a look at the checklists below, and see how well you are already doing

Family Friendly checklists:

Family Friendly Public Places
Family Friendly Workplaces
Family Friendly Outdoor Spaces

If you feel you qualify for on-line recognition, display decals, and a colourful poster please contact North Shore Community Resources (604-985-7138) to receive the complete kit.

Summer in the Parks with WHEELS!

kids — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:10:27 +0000

The WHEELS mobile “Summer in the Parks” program is an opportunity for families with young children to gather information about early childhood learning and care, parent support, health and wellness and cultural support from participating North Shore agencies and organizations.

Tuesdays, 5:30 pm -7:30 pm

Mahon Park (16^th and Jones, NV)

July 6 & July 20; August 10 & 24

St. Andrews Park (11^th and St. Georges, NV)

July 13; August 17 & 31

Wednesdays, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

John Lawson Park (Bellevue & 17^th WV)

July 7, 14, 21; August 11, 18, 25

Thursdays, 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Cates Park (Dollarton Highway @ 4000 Block

July 8,15, 22; August 12, 19, 26,

Preventing Children’s “Wheel-based” Head Injuries

kids — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:58:26 +0000

“Wheeled” accidents a leading Cause of Serious Head Injury

The leading cause of serious injury and death to kids on wheels is head injuries. These can occur during wheeled-activities like bicycling, in-line skating, scootering and skateboarding. Even seemingly minor head injuries may result in permanent brain damage.

A helmet could save your child’s life!

Why children are most at-risk

Children are most likely to suffer injuries because they are just learning to ride, go too fast, lack traffic safety skills, ride near traffic, have a tendency to attempt stunts and difficult moves and/or do not use safety gear.

Helmets are Important!

A properly fitted helmet helps protect your child’s brain in a crash or fall. A head injury can permanently change the way a child walks, talks, plays, and thinks. The human skull is just one centimeter thick. A properly fitted and correctly worn helmet can cut the risk of serious head injury by up to 85 per cent. This means four out of five brain injuries could be prevented, if every person on wheels wore a helmet.

Parents should wear bike helmets aswell!
You are your child’s best role model. Everyone should wear a helmet when they ride, as everyone is at risk.

Effective Legislation
Legislation requiring cyclists and other persons on wheels to wear helmets has been shown to be highly effective in having more children and adults wear helmets. If more children wear helmets, there will be fewer injuries.

Importance of wearing the correct helmet

All helmets are not the same! There are different helmets for different activities. Each type is made to protect the head from the impacts common to a particular activity or sport. Look for the CPSC, CSA, ASTM or Snell certification on the helmet or box.

Multi-sport helments

Some helmets are multi-sport. This means that the helmet meets safety standards for more than one activity. Be sure the helmet you buy shows clearly what activity or activities it has been tested for.

Fitting the helmet

It is very important that the helmet properly fits your child. The helmet should rest two finger widths above the eyebrow. The side straps should be snug, with the buckles right under the ears. The chin strap should be tightened until you can only fit one finger between the strap and your child’s chin. Have your child shake his/her head from side to side and from front to back – the helmet should NOT move around. Teach your child to fit his/her own helmet each time he/she rides!

This information is provided by Safe Kids Canada and can be found online at:

http://www.safekidscanada.ca/SKCForParents/section.asp?s=Safety%2BInformation%2Bby%2BTopic&sID=10774&ss=Wheeled%2BActivities&ssID=11341

For further information on preventing head and other injuries:

Think First – Brain injury facts, province-specific legislation info, sport-specific safety tips http://www.thinkfirst.ca/safetyinfo.aspx

Kid Safe Alberta – Several resources on bicycle safety, helmet use, helmet fitting http://www.capitalhealth.ca/YourHealth/Campaigns/KidSAFE/More+Information?id=10&KE_NAME=Bicycle%20Safety&type=4

The Community Against Preventable Injuries – Articles, blog, video clips on injury prevention

http://www.preventable.ca

North Vancouver Recreation Commission

kids — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:54:20 +0000

Welcoming Newcomers to North Vancouver Recreation

Northvanrec is committed to welcoming newcomers to the North Shore by providing translated information and services. We invite you to learn more about our recreation, fitness, and art and culture opportunities by participating in the following translated programs and services:

Community Recreation Centre Volunteer Hosts

Visit the Volunteer Hosts at Harry Jerome Recreation Centre who welcome and assist individuals in four languagues – Farsi, Korean, Mandarin and English. Out hosts are available at the follwoing days and times:

Farsi Thursdays 9:15-12:00
Korean Wednesdays 10:00-12:00
Mandarin Thursdays 9:15-11:15

Please note these times are subject to change. Please call (604) 983-6402 to make sure someone will be there when you visit.

Community Recreation Centre orientation Tours

Groups can book a translated facility tour with our Volunteer Hosts at Harry Jerome Recreation Centre. The tour includes a pool, arena, weight room, art space, fitness classes, indoor cycling and gymnasium visit. Please contact our Volunteer Resource Programmer, Meh Najak, at (604) 983-6417 to book a tour with our Volunteer Hosts.

Translated Multi-Language Guides

If English is not your first language, we have an Easy Guide available in eight different languages: Farsi, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Japanese, Tagalog, French, Spanish and Russian. Printed copies of the Easy Guides are available for you to pick up at your local Recreation and Community Centre or by visiting our website www.northvanrec.com (See publications and Resources/Leisure Guides).

Tranlated Website Welcome Videos

Welcome videos are available on the northvanrec website www.northvanrec.com in four languages: Farsi, Korean, Mandarin and Tagalog. This six minute video will intorduce you to the variety of programs and services available at northvanrec Recreation and Community Centres.

North Shore after-school programming supported through North Shore Community Foundation

kids — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:55:54 +0000

The North Shore Community Foundation, through the Mayors’ Golf Tournament Fund Raiser, has committed $50,000 to the North Shore Middle Childhood Matters Planning Table (MCM). These funds are dedicated to providing recreational after-school programming to pre-teens in both North and West Vancouver. Research conducted through United Way of the Lower Mainland has identified the considerable need for vulnerable pre-teens to be engaged in positive, active and supervised programs in their after school hours. MCM, supported primarily by the United Way of the Lower mainland and Ministry of Children and Family Development, has worked closely with the school districts, municipalities and recreation commissions to pilot after-school programming in several North Shore schools. These programs are not a child care option, but rather provide opportunities for developing strong social relationships with peers and mentoring adults in a recreational format. With the additional funds from the North Shore Community Foundation, MCM will extend this one afternoon per week opportunity to 14 additional schools over the next two years.

Why Child Care Matters – CFUW Forum in North Vancouver

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:08:20 +0000

On March 29, the Canadian Federation of University Women are presenting a forum on child care on the North Shore, featuring Dr. Paul Kershaw of Human Early Learning Partnership and Jean Bennett, Dean of Capilano University’s Faculty of Health and Education.

The event takes place at Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Boulevard from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. The event is free, but please register by contacting cfuwnorthshore@shaw.ca or 604-924-0121.

Circle of Care Drop-In Program

kids — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:41:21 +0000

“Circle of Care” is a fun drop-in program for nannies, family child care providers and caregivers. the program is sponsored by the North Child Care Resource and Referral program. All programs run from 9:30 am t0 11:30 am at the following three locations:

Tuesday @ John Braithwaite Community Centre, 145 West 1st Street, NV

Wednesday @ Hollyburn Elementary School, 1329 Duchess Avenue, WV

Friday @ Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Court, NV

Pre-Teen Programs: Community Based

kids — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:53:12 +0000

Several North Shore community agencies and organizations provide out-of-school time pre-teen recreation programming at a number of locations. Please contact those listed for specific programs and locations:

John Braithwaite Community Centre (604-982-8300)

North Shore Neighbouthood House (604-987-8138)

North Vancouver Recreation Commission (604-987 PLAY)

Parkgate Community Centre (604 983-6350)

West Vancouver Community Services (604-925-7270)

William Griffin Community Centre (604-987 PLAY)

Pre-teen Programs: School Based

kids — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:31:28 +0000

A number of North and West Vancouver Schools are running after-school recreation programs for 10-12 years olds, in collaboration with municipal recreation providers. These programs include programs offered on school sites, as well as programs where pre-teens join a “walking school bus” to travel to a neighbourhood recreation facility. Please call the listed schools for days, times and registration requirements.

North Vancouver

Blueridge Elementary (604-903-3251)

Canyon Hoights Elementary (604-903-3291)

Caplilano Elementary (604-903-3371)

Larson Elementary (604-903-3571)

Norgate Elementary (604-903-3681)

Plymouth Elementary (604-903-3691)

Seymour Heights Elementary (604-903-3761)

Westview Elementary (604-903-3841)

West Vancouver

Bowen island Community School (604-947-0367)

Caulfeild Elementary (604-981-1200)

Hollyburn Elementary (604-981-1220)