School is out, summer is upon you and you have "only" 66 days in which to keep your child(ren) occupied. What do you do? Where can you go? How can you make it easy on your pocketbook?
Let Calgary Parks & Recreation give you a few suggestions to assist you in planning your summer activities/adventures for the whole family.
Suggestion No. 1 - Day Camps: For those working parents or a mom/dad who need a bit of a break-why not a week-long swim & fun day camp at any of our City of Calgary pools (parents are welcome to join the program at any point during the day). Activities include swim lessons, fun swim times, crafts, games, a field trip and a lunch party. Summer day camps are also available at the Village Square Leisure Centre and Southland Leisure Centre with similar activities. Call central registration at 268-3800 to register or in person at the pool or leisure centre nearest you.
Suggestion No. 2 - Walk With the Natural Side: Have a fresh-air adventure in the wilds of Calgary! Calgary offers families to a chance to explore the wilderness without leaving the city: Nose Hill: The City's largest natural prairie grasslands with a view of the mountains and Calgary's skyline. Douglas Fir Trail: In Edworthy Park you can walk a self-guided tour on this forest rail which offers a mountain environment inside the city! Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: This lagoon and riverine forest is a popular bird-watching spot and you can walk it as a self-guided tour. (Other Wild Places: Beaverdam Flats, Bowmont Park, Weaselhead)
Suggestion No. 3 - Parks & Pathways: If you haven't already done so, take out those bikes & helmets, dust them off and experience the many pathways and parks this great city has to offer. The city has approximately 27 parks and 230km of pathway that links many of Calgary's parks and natural areas. Take along a picnic lunch, fly a kite or hook up with the travelling pathway show. The travelling pathway show is a mobile "edutainment" show that travels the pathways on bicycles equipped with a trailer full of surprises. They present skits & hands-on activities to relay one of three messages: pathway safety, environmental awareness and recreation opportunities with Calgary's outdoor clubs. Also check out the "Fire-Side Sing-A-Longs" which involve an evening of free entertainment and songs around the campfire. For more information call 221-4560. Keep a look out for the "Wagonstage," a Children's Theatre troupe that stages plays with hands-on program for children. Call 268-4748 for more information.
Suggestion No. 4 - Summer Festivals: For a day(s) of music, entertainment, food and just a good time for the entire family-try attending one or all of the following festivals: Calgary Folk Music Festival (233-0904) Heritage Festival- Prince's Island (262-8499) Afrikadey - (283-7119)
Suggestion No. 5 - Pools: Calgary Parks & Recreation's twelve indoor and 9 outdoor pools offer public swim times and a variety of waterbased activities.
Suggestion No. 6 - Family Golf: Richmond Green Par 3 golf course now caters to families. The course features more relaxed tee times, special family prices, marshalls to supervise play, a kids menu and walk-on or reserved tee time booking options. Club rentals available. Call 974-1820 for more information.
Suggestion No. 7 - Setting Sail: Why not row or paddle your family through the city on the Bow and Elbow Rivers or canoe on the Carburn Park ponds and attempt to snare a fish. Sailing is also a great summer activity for all ages. Kids ages seven and up, teens & adults can learn knots, crewing, skippering, rigging and seamanship at the Glenmore Sailing School. Rent a sailboat and set sail for a sunset sail in the Glenmore Reservoir.
Wherever you may plan to go and whatever you may do, spending quality time with your family in one of our many facilities, parks or natural areas will be memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. Come out and Adventure Us!
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