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5th Annual VINEC Playshop Details for Children Aged 3-5 Years Old

All Playshops begin at S1-Picnic Shelter. Please meet your educators there 5 minutes before your Playshop begins.

PLAYSHOP #1 (Saturday, June 13th, 9:30am – 10:30am)

  • Bear and Cougar Safety: Come and participate in a youth appropriate Bear and Cougar Awareness Training, where your children will become Junior Conservation Officers! I will provide safety information for encountering bears and cougars as well as provide human conflict preventative information around attractants and peoples homes. Available space is for unlimited forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (North Island Zone | Conservation Officer Service | Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Campbell River – Gordon Gudbranson).
  • Bringing Kids Yoga Outside: Connect and learn in this exciting and interactive Playshop that offers hands-on activities to easily integrate kid’s yoga (and walking meditation with a singing bowl) and mindfulness into your everyday. Yoga is a great way for children to stay active, learn self-awareness, build confidence and find calm in a fun and creative way. Yoga and the practice of mindfulness teaches children self-regulation skills, how to pay more attention to their bodies and feel good about themselves. Yoga is also an excellent modality for treating anxiety. Through yoga, children are able to connect to the self, others and nature. Participants should come in comfy clothes that they can move in. Available space is for 30 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc., Comox – Sue McGiffin). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Clay Creatures: Make creatures out if clay, adding natural elements for decoration. Available space is for 12 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (Nanaimo Forest Kids, Nanaimo – Kaleigh McGinnis). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Come, Tell a Tree a Story: We all love story-time; listening, feeling and being in the magic of a story. Now, what if we could share and give that same magic to a Tree? In the ways of our Earth ancestors, we are going to wander, find, gather and collect pieces from Nature…and some other treasures too…with the intention to create, tell and gift a story to a Tree. I promise it will be: a one-of-a-kind and never-before-heard story, with love from Us. Now come with me, it’s time, let’s tell a Tree a story… Available space is for 8 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (the HeART in NATURE, Merville – Kat Radford). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Sand Castles On The Beach: While the sea slips away and shares the sand, we will play with our buckets and shovels in hand. Available space is for 20 beach buddies (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 2 educators (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc., Campbell River – Sue Cameron & Sofi Czich). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Volcanic Eruption!: For this Playshop we will build a volcano out of sand. We will then use the magic of science to erupt the volcano! Available space is for 20 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (Tofino Nature Kids, Tofino – Heather Fleming). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Woodland Elves & Fairy Houses, & Magical Nature Crowns: Come join us in discovering the magical world of elves and fairies, as we use foraged bits and pieces, all from nature, to assemble whimsical little dwellings in the forest. Simple or fancy ~ how you construct it is entirely up to you! The idea is to express creativity while building adorable little refuges in which enchanting creatures may dwell. As a bonus activity, we will collect offerings from nature to decorate a crown of your own, for a take away piece. We cannot wait to share in the magic of nature with you! Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2 educators (Muddy Gumboots Nature Based Learning, Comox – Karen Maxwell Eddy & Laura Russell). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!

PLAYSHOP #2 (Saturday, June 13th, 11am – 12pm)

  • AdventureSmart: “Hug-a-Tree and Survive”: A professional volunteer from Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) wearing full gear will provide advice to children and their families on how to avoid getting lost…and what to do if you do get lost. Before coming to the KIDS Campference, it is important for participants to go to the www.adventuresmart.ca web site and for children to view the brief online video, “Hug-a-Tree and Survive,” about a child lost in the woods (please click here for video). Our group will discuss the actions of the child. Hug-a-Tree and Survive gives us an efficient way to get across 4 important messages that have saved lives of people of all ages – so parents, please check out the AdventureSmart web site, even if you do not sign up for this Playshop. Thanks! Available space is for unlimited forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (AdventureSmart, Parksville – Cynthia Pollak).
  • Bear and Cougar Safety: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #1
  • Build Your Own Adventure Playground: Come and join our educators and use your imagination to create your own adventure playground. You’ll have an opportunity to build and explore, using a wide variety of green elements, natural materials, “upcycled” loose parts and tools. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2 educators (Saplings Outdoor Program, West Vancouver – Heather Fraser & Emerson Chan). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Come, Tell a Tree a Story: We all love story-time; listening, feeling and being in the magic of a story. Now, what if we could share and give that same magic to a Tree? In the ways of our Earth ancestors, we are going to wander, find, gather and collect pieces from Nature…and some other treasures too…with the intention to create, tell and gift a story to a Tree. I promise it will be: a one-of-a-kind and never-before-heard story, with love from Us. Now come with me, it’s time, let’s tell a Tree a story… Available space is for 8 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (the HeART in NATURE, Merville – Kat Radford). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Decorative Nature Mobiles: Using found objects from the forest and beach, as well as some feathers, beads and artsy odds n’ ends, we will create charming, decorative hanging mobiles to brighten up your windows. Available space is for 12 forest friends (children must be at least 4 years old) (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Fanny Bay – Megan Moon). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Music In the Wild: All around us there are instruments to be found in nature; and within our bodies we have the most incredible instruments of all: our voices! Using the Elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth as our guide Joanna invites everyone to explore the sounds of Nature’s orchestra. We will create Soundscapes using our voices and body percussion, with the addition of the instruments we have found during our walk, and we will sing songs that celebrate Wild Nature. We begin with a guided meditation in which everyone listens with their heart to the sounds around them. Then we head out in pairs on a scavenger hunt to find the instrument that we are drawn to. Does it come from Water? From Air? From the Earth? Or from Fire? We come back and share the voice of the wild in a Circle Song. Finally Joanna will teach the songs from the 4 elements: Xie Xie Ni Shuie, Gratitude Comes Sweet, Fire Goblins and You Can Dream This Too. And because we live in the Salish Sea Joanna will teach the Salmon Song. Available space is for 18 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2-3 educators (Jobird’s Sensing Bliss Embodied Music and Movement for Kids of all Ages, Cumberland – Joanna Finch and TBA). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Musical Storytelling: Come create a story together through the magic of song! We will sing, dance and wiggle our way through a story full of forest characters. Once our participants, big and small, have been immersed in this experience together, we’ll create a new story! This Playshop emphasizes the joys of playful creativity of adults and children together. Available space is for 12 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc. – Brahmi Brenner). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Woodland Elves & Fairy Houses, & Magical Nature Crowns: Come join us in discovering the magical world of elves and fairies, as we use foraged bits and pieces, all from nature, to assemble whimsical little dwellings in the forest. Simple or fancy ~ how you construct it is entirely up to you! The idea is to express creativity while building adorable little refuges in which enchanting creatures may dwell. As a bonus activity, we will collect offerings from nature to decorate a crown of your own, for a take away piece. We cannot wait to share in the magic of nature with you! Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2 educators (Muddy Gumboots Nature Based Learning, Comox – Karen Maxwell Eddy & Laura Russell). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!

PLAYSHOP #3 (Saturday, June 13th, 2pm – 3pm)

  • Birding Adventure: Embody your inner birder. We will craft our own set of binoculars and go for a walk to see what we can see. We’ll tune into our senses, listen and look for movement in the bushes to see who we can spot flitting about in the woods. Available space is for 20 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (Tofino Nature Kids, Tofino – Heather Fleming). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Creating Stories in the Forest: I have always believed the most valuable part of storytelling is the connection fostered between teller and listener. Both my children love listening to stories, especially those from my own imagination! Today we are going to create our own stories from the forest. We are going to make our own story stones, and story characters using nature. Once we are done we will work together to tell a story that you can bring home and enjoy with your family! Available space is for 12 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2 educators (Saplings Outdoor Program, West Vancouver – Heather Fraser & Mei Lin Chan). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Decorative Nature Mobiles: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #2. THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL
  • Discover Owls: This educational presentation includes a visit from one of our glove-trained owls representing a special education ambassador in support of the program content. Once the owl is on display to the students, we interact with the students (question/answer opportunities as well as guiding to the answers if needed) to identify the very unique adaptations of owls for the life they live as a ‘raptor’. Although the bird cannot be touched, our various bio facts and props do allow for students to touch after the presentation and thus get a sense of what the bird feels like. Available space is for 30 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, Errington). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Friendly Forest Fending for Survival: An interactive session, sharing ideas and introducing concepts, skills, materials and awareness pertaining to the 5 steps in the boreal region land survival pattern. (1) First aid: Self-awareness and preventative care for heat and cold, (2) Fire: Natural and commercially available materials, preparation, and starting, (3) Shelter: Principles, materials, location, and improvising, (4) Signals: Principles and using natural and man-made materials and (5) Water/food: Body needs, sourcing, treatment. Available space is for 12 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Search & Rescue, Comox – Joshua Heilik). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Kids Forest Yoga & Nature Mindfulness: Join RYT 200 hr yoga instructor Katrina Sterba for a fun parent participation yoga and mindfulness exploration in and about nature. Available space is for 10 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Fresh Air Learning, Vancouver & North Vancouver – Katrina Sterba). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Nature Curiosity Walk and Scavenger Hunt: Honour your child’s sense of curiosity, and natural observation skills on this hour-long journey of exploration, and co-learning around the paths and beach.  This nature walk and scavenger hunt is suitable for both younger children and older siblings to accommodate families who wish to stick together. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 5 educators (Muddy Boot Prints, Vancouver – Belva Stone, Cheryl Fontaine, Sarah Eakins, Pat McGinness and Misachi Mori). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!

PLAYSHOP #4 (Saturday, June 13th, 3:30pm – 4:30pm)

  • Apple Pie on a Stick: Together we will start a fire, sharpen a roasting stick, then enjoy some “Apple Pie on a Stick”. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 2 educators (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc., Cumberland – Alix Wilson & Clare McDonald). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Drums are Fun!: Play with sound and rhythm and each other…let’s make NOISE with our voices and drums! Available space is for 8 forest friends (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 2 educators (retired teachers – Jill Peacocke and Gary Aylward). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • How to Make a Bug Hotel: Make your backyard or garden a nature sanctuary. Learn how to provide essential habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. We’ll use found materials to create a bug hotel! Bug or insect hotels attract species we need to pollinate our veggie gardens and fruit trees, plus they act as natural pest control. Your bug hotel will be excellent overwintering habitat for beneficial critters like ladybugs. We may also explore the area in search of butterflies, bees and the native plants they need to thrive. Bring your nets! Available space is for 20 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (David Suzuki Foundation and EPIC, Victoria – Lindsay Coulter). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Playful Storytelling: We will play active games, listen to an oral story and then create our own stories using animals, nature that is around us, our bodies and imagination. If there is time, we will make our own pine cone birds to use in our stories. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1-2 educators (SD72 Elementary Teacher, Campbell River – Chelsea Badger). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Self-Compassionate & Mindfulness Children: Introducing the art and the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness to our children. Working on breath work and sensory awareness, this Playshop emphasizes how the connection to our inner voices and the land can improve our mind and body. This Playshop will include mantras, art, breath work and mediation. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Euphoria, Cumberland – Samantha Rumney). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Story Stones: I would like to share a Playshop where forest friends create story stones. While individually painted, when the stones come together, the opportunity for a collaborative and shared storytelling journey unfolds. Join me if you’d like, to see where our collective imaginations can take us! Available space is for 10 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Cowichan Valley – Samantha Garstang). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • The Art of Upcycling: Garden Wind Chime Ornaments Edition: Inspired by the 6th principle of Permaculture “Produce no waste” we will take items that might be regarded as garbage and turn them into a whimsical outdoor decoration – great for the garden, front porch, deck or even just a tree. For this Playshop, it will be THE WIND CHIME / SOCK. We will paint the outside of yogurt containers wonderful colours and designs and while those dry we will take a short walk to gather forest floor treasures (sticks, leaves, seaweed). We will head back to the creation station where we will attach our nature findings to a string and the string to our yogurt containers and VOILA – something to remind us of our fun time at the Kids Campference 2020! Since we will be painting, perhaps a large old t-shirt from home or the thrift store could be good to put over clothes! Available space is for 12 forest friends (children must be at least 4 years old) (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 1 educator (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc., Comox – Megin Peake). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!

PLAYSHOP #5 (Sunday, June 14th, 9:30am – 10:30am)

  • AdventureSmart: “Hug-a-Tree and Survive”: A professional volunteer from Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) wearing full gear will provide advice to children and their families on how to avoid getting lost, how to stay warm and dry, how to make yourself ‘big’ and help rescuers find you.…and what to do if you do get lost. Before coming to the KIDS Campference, it is important for participants to go to the www.adventuresmart.ca web site and for children to view the brief online video, “Hug-a-Tree and Survive,” about a child lost in the woods (please click here for video). Our group will discuss the actions of the child. Hug-a-Tree and Survive gives us an efficient way to get across 4 important messages that have saved lives of people of all ages – so parents, please check out the AdventureSmart web site, even if you do not sign up for this Playshop. Thanks! Available space is for unlimited forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (AdventureSmart, Parksville – Louise Osborn).
  • Fire Lighting: Explore different methods of fire lightning… from lighter over flint and steel to bow drill. Discover how to care for your fire to be safe, warm yourself by it, but also how to cook something on it. Available space is for 15 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Canadian Outdoor Leadership Program, Campbell River – Julia Tashiro). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Musical Storytelling: Come create a story together through the magic of song! We will sing, dance and wiggle our way through a story full of forest characters. Once our participants, big and small, have been immersed in this experience together, we’ll create a new story! This Playshop emphasizes the joys of playful creativity of adults and children together. Available space is for 12 forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Hand-In-Hand Nature Education Inc. – Brahmi Brenner). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Salmon vs. Seals and the Salt Marsh Secret: Participants learn about an important kind of salmon habitat called salt marsh. Actual plants we find on the beach will provide the basis for recreating our own salt marsh habitat. We then place the salt marsh along a make shift water body (blue tarp) and play a tag game called salmon vs. seals. Through the game we see how salmon use salt marsh as a secret weapon to escape from seals. The game will show how important salt marsh is along areas such as Kus-kus-sum. Available space is for 16 forest friends (children must be 5 years old) (parents/guardians welcome to attend) and 2 educators (Comox Valley Project Watershed Society, Courtenay – Caila Holbrook and Wren Vorster). THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Sand Castles On The Beach: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #1. THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Self-Compassionate & Mindfulness Children: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #4.
  • The Art of Upcycling: Garden Wind Chime Ornaments Edition: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #4. THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Volcanic Eruption!: Please see details in PLAYSHOP #1. THIS PLAYSHOP IS FULL!
  • Yoga in the Outside World: Join Laura for a fun filled Playshop that will connect you to your mind, body, spirit and our outdoor environment. Breathing with the trees and jumping and moving our bodies like the waves of the ocean. We will play, we will move our bodies and we will have fun! Breath in the fresh air while supporting our bodies feel nourished! Available space is for unlimited forest friends (parents/guardians required to attend) and 1 educator (Saplings Outdoor Program, West vancouver – Laura Burki).

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AND CHECK CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF KIDS CAMPFERENCE’S MAIN PAGE!

(PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH AT 5PM)

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