Camping has become an increasingly popular family activity, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s no better way to experience all of nature’s offerings. A leisurely hike, jumping fish, s’mores around the campfire - it all adds up to hours of stress-free quality time with the ones you love most. And even the plushest camping accommodations are inexpensive compared to other lodging. The 2012 Canadian Nature Survey found that 28 per cent of Albertans go camping at least once a year. So when in-town temps soar this summer, pack up your family and head to the mountains for a breath of fresh air.
Q: I am wondering about after-school activities, how busy should my child/youth be?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there is a strong association between kids’ participation in extracurricular activities and academic success. But finding an activity, club or sport that fits the child can sometimes be a tricky matter. Just about every mom can attest to the frustration of trying to convince a child to practice an instrument or do their best work for a club project. So there’s nothing like having a child approach an activity with enthusiasm and self-motivation.
The other day, I was at the ice skating rink dropping off my daughter for her figure skating lesson and I saw a young girl – about eight years old – come off the ice in tears. the ice in tears. “I can’t do it!” she cried to her mother, who was watching closely from the sidelines, holding an infant. “I’ve tried and tried, and I keep falling!”
Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2019 Calgary’s Child
