ORCA Bus - Preschool Children Activities Powell River
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    • COVID-19 Help
      • Explaining COVID-19 to Children
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      • SD #47 Health & Mental Health Resources
      • Anxiety Canada
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      • Child Mind Institute
      • Ministry of Children & Family Development
    • Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society
    • Family Friendly Powell River
    • Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Family Place
    • Tla´amin Health
    • Powell River Public Library
    • inclusion Powell River
    • StrongStart SD47
    • Powell River & District United Way
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The ORCA Bus Blog

ORCA Weekly Round-Up Skateboarding, Helmets, and Being Active!

7/20/2020

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Hello everyone! Did you have a busy weekend outside? Here are some ideas to have an energetic week!
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Do you have a child interested in skateboarding? Here are some Skateboarding 101 tips and how to choose a helmet!
“Hopefully, kids realize you can do anything you want.
​Skateboarding can be that gateway.”

~ ​Ryan Sheckler
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Do you have a fidget spinner in your toy box? Here are some fun activities to try with it!
“Nothing lights up a child’s brain like play.” ~ Dr. Stuart Brown
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Here are some ideas for being active without sports, including: hiking, biking and yoga. And ideas on how to get kids to love being active!
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” ~ Diane Ackerman
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Here is a fun way to learn your ´ABCs´, make your body into a life size alphabet! Have fun! 
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ORCA Weekly Round-Up Water, Safety, and Bubbles!

7/13/2020

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This week´s blog post is all about water, safety, and bubbles! Read on.....
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Every child loves a sprinkler! Here are some games to play while the garden is also being watered! 
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Check out this list for some of the best swim spots in Powell River and a strong reminder about water safety from a drowning investigator.
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Easy backyard summer games are a must on sunny days, here are some ideas! Including simple things like water balloons, a game of drip, drip, drop (like duck, duck, goose), and sponge toss!
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And, BUBBLES! Here is how to create a giant bubble maker (hint: 2 straws and a string), plus the *secret* soap formula! Check out this recycled bottle bubble blower! Be safe and have fun everyone!
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ORCA Weekly Round-Up - Summer Camp at Home!

7/6/2020

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Most summer activities and camps are cancelled; but, the magic of the season is not! Let´s try to recreate that fun and magic at home! Find some ideas here!
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Here are some fantastic camp ideas, including: throwing a living room camp out, card games, scavenger hunts, and water balloon fights! This list includes 7 camp games which consider physical distancing.
If you are comfortable with your child attending an actual day camp, this one for 4 - 6 year olds, happening July 20 - 24 in Powell River, looks amazing!
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This is an interesting article about the least and most risky activities to consider this summer.  Hint: hiking, beaches and other outdoor activities are the safest choices. 
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Children today are playing outside less than our generation. Now is the time to get outdoors! Here is a great resource as to why it is so important for our children.  
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Jumpstart, Canadian Tire´s program which supports all children gaining access to sport and physical activity, is offering this virtual summer camp.  You can also follow their Facebook page. 

​And, if you have a nature lover in your crew, consider this BC Wildlife Federation Virtual camp. For a cost of $20 (use code ´ohcanada´ at checkout for $10 off until July 11), you can purchase a ´Camp pass´ that will give you access to 7 weeks of weekly courses, on topics such as: bees/pollination, survival skills, ecosystems and animal identification. Best for children 4+
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​We only have 18 summers with our ´babies´! Let´s embrace those warm evenings, sprinkler games, and sticky ice cream fingers! Have a good week!
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ORCA Bus Weekly Round-Up - Eat local!

6/29/2020

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Eat local! Urban homesteading! Food security!
Terms that are top of mind these days as we have witnessed disruptions to the global food system. By supporting local farmers, or growing it yourself, you are creating a healthier and stronger food system for yourself, your family and our community. 
​ It is never too soon to teach children where food comes from and may help stimulate an interest and palette for homegrown, vibrant food!
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Lift Food Security Project in partnership with Tla´amin Nation have created the Good Food Box. Packed full of nutritious fruits and veggies, local whenever possible. Anyone is welcome to purchase a box for $25. You can find out more on this Facebook page or order online here.
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Have you heard of The Urban Homesteading School of Powell River? They offer courses and tips on homesteading and self reliance. Recently, they have launched the Pandemic Merit Badges, find out more here. The badges are geared towards adults; but, there is no reason you cannot get the little ones involved in some of these projects! 
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Join the Urban Chicken Movement! Three chickens are allowed in most Powell River backyards. You can find out more details here. Join the local Backyard Chicken Facebook Group here, for tips, info, and exchanges. Alternatively, buy local eggs. The Powell River Market has a post about local eggs here. Due to current circumstances the weekend Farmer´s Market is shop only, you won´t find the kid´s play area that we all know and love! You can also shop online and just swing by to pick up your order.
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The summer growing and harvest season is hitting full swing. We are fortunate to have many farm gate purchasing opportunities, including veggies, berries, eggs, and honey. Home Grown magazine is a great resource, check it out online here. 
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Maybe getting some dirt on your hands is just what you need to find balance during these uncertain times? Join a work bee at Blueberry Commons, check their Facebook page for details and upcoming dates!
Have a great Canada Day week! We are so fortunate to live where we do, let´s celebrate it!
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ORCA Weekly Round-Up - Biking!

6/22/2020

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Summer is here and it is bike season! Now is the time to get outside and ride! 
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A bike parade is a fun, festive and safe way to get outside. Join a few friends, while maintaining social distancing. Here is an article about bicycle safety, in our current circumstances.
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But first, you need to decorate your bike! Here is an idea for handle bar streamers, made from supplies you likely have around the house. You could also decorate with stickers, pipe cleaners, and artwork.
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For a little inspiration, here is one of our favorite books about cycling, ´Along a Long Toad´, by Frank Viva, read aloud. Here are more great books about bike riding.
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Maybe you have a little one on a tricycle or maybe this is the perfect time to make the move to a two-wheeler! Here and here are some tips for taking the leap.
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Some adults have been learning to ride for the first time too! It is hard not to be happy on a bicycle, just what we need in these uncertain days! 
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ORCA Weekly Round-Up - Camping!

6/15/2020

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Hello and Happy Monday! Powell River has tons of accessible camping; but, you can also create a remarkable adventure at home! 
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You don´t need to pack and plan, instead just step out your back door. Here are some ideas to make backyard camping extra special!
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No backyard or grey weather? Bring the outdoors in with these fun projects. 
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Here are some yummy ideas for kicking your campfire cooking up a notch! Even if it is in your own kitchen, or on your bbq, and heading to a blanket in the backyard or deck!
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There are so many benefits to getting outside and breathing fresh air (even just opening a window), including reducing stress, improving sleep and overall feelings of wellness. Check out Outdoor Play Canada, a network of organizations working together to galvanize outdoor play movement across Canada.
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ORCA Bus Weekly Round-Up - Music, Craft, and Snack!

5/11/2020

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Hello! We hope you had a lovely weekend! Here are some ideas for this week:
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Could you use some new music on rotation at your house? Try this list by the CBC.
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Do you have an empty shoe box around? Why not make a puppet theatre, as seen on the blog Almost Makes Perfect? See full instructions here. And, you will also find a link to the printable puppets.
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Are you looking for a new healthy snack idea? How about ´ants on a log´? We learned to make them last Monday, with Strongstart at Home.
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We cannot wait to welcome you back on the ORCA bus, in the future! Have a great week, friends!
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ORCA Bus Weekly Round-Up - Monsters and Dance!

5/4/2020

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Hello friends! We hope you are having a good start to the week! Here our some ideas to keep you busy:
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Have you heard of Growing Chefs? They do fantastic work in Victoria and Vancouver, by having chefs go into classrooms and help students learn more about growing, cooking, and eating healthy food! With the current situation, they have switched to online learning, here are the first three lessons:
  • Lesson 1 - Garden Talk (Planting)
  • Lesson 2 - Vegetable Exploration
  • Lesson 3 - What Vegetables Do For Us
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Do you have toilet paper rolls headed for the recycle? How about turning then into some toilet roll crafts? See some fantastic ideas here. Image from Alisa Burke.
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Check out the Dance Parent 101 youTube channel for some motivation to get the whole family moving!
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Discover ´little listeners´ stories read on Audible here.

​Have a good week everyone!
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ORCA Bus Weekly Round Up - Creative Movement, Safari and Dolly!

4/27/2020

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Hello everyone! Happy Monday! How are you holding up? We have a few fun ideas for you this week:
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image from Momtastic.com
Who has milk cartons ready for recycling? Why not transform them into some neat crafts! Here are some ideas. We love the little houses, the animal planters, and bird houses!
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Join Dolly Parton, a longtime early literacy advocate, as she reads from her Imagination Library. Live times are at 4pm PST; but, all videos are available here.
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Do you need to move? The National Ballet School is offering free online dance class for kids aged 3-6 years old, you can find them here. Plus adult ballet classes can be found here. 
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​Do you need to catch your breath at breakfast time? Watch live safaris here, first thing in the morning 6am - 8:30am. You can interact with the guides by asking questions on YouTube or Twitter!
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​Take care everyone!
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ORCA Bus Weekly Round Up - Stories, Yoga, and Animal Cam!

4/20/2020

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Hello friends of the ORCA Bus! We have some new ideas for you to keep busy and have fun this week!

School District #47 has launched Strongstart at Home; as well as an Instagram account. Live Strongstart sessions take place at 1pm PST M-F. Email: rita.john@sd47.bc.ca with Parent Name, Child Name and Age for the Zoom login info.
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One of our favorite authors and illustrators, Oliver Jeffers, is reading a book a day (11am PST) on his instagram account; but, you can also catch all of the videos here.  An animated short film of his book, Here We Are, has just been released on Apple TV.
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Learn more about Local Food Literacy with School District #47´s Learning at Home with Food. There are tasty recipes and ideas for you to get growing at home.
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Watch live animal cams from the San Diego Zoo. We especially love the apes and baboons! 
​Got ants in your pants?! How about trying a Cosmic Kid´s Yoga video.
And for the adults, local yoga studio Elements Movement is offering a free community yoga class on Sundays at 9am, email Andrew for the Zoom link: ElementsMovement1@Gmail.com
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Check out this Video Series for COVID-19 Wellbeing, this one if for parents and this one is for 4 - 7 year olds.

​Take care and stay healthy.
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    The ORCA Bus is an early years outreach vehicle dedicated to providing all children, in Powell River and qathet Regional District, with a good start in life. The ORCA Bus's mission is to ensure that all families have access to early years services.

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  • About
  • Schedule
  • COVID-19
  • Family Resources
    • COVID-19 Help
      • Explaining COVID-19 to Children
      • COVID-19 Financial Supports
      • SD #47 Health & Mental Health Resources
      • Anxiety Canada
      • BC Center for Disease Control
      • Child Mind Institute
      • Ministry of Children & Family Development
    • Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society
    • Family Friendly Powell River
    • Vancouver Coastal Health
    • Family Place
    • Tla´amin Health
    • Powell River Public Library
    • inclusion Powell River
    • StrongStart SD47
    • Powell River & District United Way
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
  • Find Out More
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Contact