spring break Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Fun Spring Break Recap Activity

Paula — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:55:00 +0000

Well, Spring Break this year has been full of surprises already. Just a few weeks ago we were all assuming that spring break would be in March as usual. But then it got shifted to April here in Ontario. That was clearly shocking to many people. I’m not sure it matters anymore, I mean not like we are able to travel or go anywhere outside the province. Whether spring break is in March or April seems like a trivial thing after this year that we have had. Dates hardly matter these days. Many of us wake up still and wonder what the heck day it is! Ultimately, what matters most still is family and health and getting through this pandemic to the other side. I am hoping we will get our vaccines in the second round soon. Fingers crossed. Then I will start dreaming about adventures again. This April I’d be happy to have some down time on spring break to go hiking or visit a nearby park, maybe even time to start to garden. My youngest daughter doesn’t care about having a week off after having months of remote schooling in 2020 and then half weeks this year. She’d much rather that school just returned to some normalcy in terms of schedule. What Are Your Spring Break Plans? Are you on the go safely with masks in hand? Hanging out at home, gardening and reading? Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is doing it together, right? Pre-pandemic our family spring vacation routine would be travelling to a ski hill or taking some epic road trip. While that is still not possible, I hope that soon we can get back to that kind of fun activity. Next year I am all about a spring ski trip again. Spring Break Recap Really the best part of spring break for me always is hanging out with my family. So, here’s to making that happen soon. For More Ideas How to Get this Spring Break Recap Printable Activity Click on the link below and the printable will show up like magic. Have some fun with this. It reminds me of those old vintage scrapbook pages I used to love and fill out for each of my kids when they were small. If you liked this post, then don’t miss this – Spring Brain Breaks Post. What are you up to this year? Any plans?

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Why Not Spend Spring Skiing in Vermont?

Paula — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 01:05:53 +0000

For years, I have made no secret of my love for winter and summer too. Spring and fall were distant cousins at best. A couple of years ago though, I started to wonder what if we simply stretched winter out a little longer right into spring. Spring skiing! We are guests of Smugglers’ Notch while visiting which means we receive accommodations and lift tickets as well as activities. Spring Break Oh I know, spring break is often synonymous with heading south and we are technically heading south. Just not to the sunny south where the weather is warm. This year, we are on our way to Smugglers’ Notch to do some spring skiing. We can’t wait! Smugglers’ Notch Layout Smugglers’ Notch consists of three mountains – Morse Mountain, Madonna and Sterling Mountains. When we visited Smugglers’ Notch the first time in 2016, we were almost entirely on Morse Mountain because we were beginners. We returned last summer to see what Smugglers’ Notch had to offer in the summer months and now we are checking it out with an eye to spring skiing. That’s, right. I said Spring. Celebrating Spring Break In the last 2-3 years, we have become experts on family Spring Break ski vacations. Last year, we embarked on an epic 12-day road trip through Vermont, Maine and Quebec, culminating in a stay at Hotel Valcartier and the Hôtel de Glace, just outside Quebec City. Read all about staying in an ice hotel. Next week, we will drive to Jeffersonville, Vermont again, pretty much a straight ride through Ontario to Quebec and then down into Vermont until we see the sign that indicates Smugglers’ Notch is ahead. For Canadians, Smugglers’ Notch is an easy drive and an excellent choice. Why Take A Smugglers’ Notch Spring Break? Smugglers’ Notch was named #1 for Family Friendly Ski Resorts in the East by Ski Magazine 2020 and it’s easy to see why. It’s also a 2019 Traveller’s Choice on TripAdvisor. We have been to Smugglers’ Notch a couple of times and it’s incredibly family friendly as well as a great spot for teenagers too. For sure the kids will be checking out the teen lounge again. So, What Can You Do in the Spring at Smuggs? Pretty much everything that you did in the winter is available during the spring months too, weather dependent of course. This year, we are driving to Smugglers’ Notch to spend our spring break there skiing. We arrive just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Hurray! So, we plan to go get some green shirts or hats and dress up that day. Here’s What’s on my Agenda for the Week Spring skiing can be just as awesome as winter skiing. I mean it’s typically a bit warmer and a few trails might be closed, but for the most part at night temperatures dip so snow guns are often still going. Also, the slopes are often less crowded and resorts can be a bit more peaceful. Oh, and also if you are on a budget, then you can save money if you time it right. St Patrick’s Day Festivities On St. Patrick’s Day we will be skiing and wearing green. This year on March 17, there are numerous activities happening at Smugglers’ Notch. Wear something green and look for the leprechaun on the hills. He will be handing out raffle tickets which you then turn in at the end of the afternoon for possible prizes! I love a good contest and so do the kids, so we will be looking for that leprechaun. Here’s hoping it’s not a rainy day. I’m aiming to do lots of spring skiing and potentially some other fun outdoorsy activities. Maplefest Spring is the ideal time for sugar shacks. The sap has been flowing and the maple products should be everywhere right now. You can stay at Smugglers’ Notch and then drive to a sugar shack to learn more. Or, you might consider sampling the goods close to the resort and stocking up to take some home. Spring Skiing Of course, this is the main reason we are looking forward to March Break! Spring skiing is glorious and like a last hurrah for the season. Go out with style. Ski all the trails possible and fall into bed at night. That’s typically my goal every season. Nothing is sadder for skiers than the day they have to put all the gear away. Glow Tubing Please let the weather gods – and the health gods – be kind. Glow tubing is being offered on March 17th at the end of the day to cap St. Patrick’s Day off. Cross-country skiing Join the Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center and enjoy 34 kilometers of beautiful cross-country trails for every level from beginner to expert. Rental equipment is available there too. We also have several group and private cross-country lessons. Not sure if I will get to do this, but it is an option for any of you visiting right now. Snowshoeing Our Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center also offers 24 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe trails for every level from beginner to expert. Atlas snowshoes are available for rent at the Nordic Center. We have an extensive list of snowshoe lessons and tours to choose from. Ice Skating My younger daughter has had this in her head for weeks now. We tried to go skating a couple of times but the weather for outdoor rinks around here has been a mess. We had rain in February and that did the rinks in. They have frozen a few times since but now they are a bit of a mess. Twirl and glide across the outdoor ice skating rink (weather permitting) at Smuggs. Located next to the Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure Center. Access is FREE. Rental skates are available at the Nordic Center. Snowboarding Lessons So, my youngest daughter has been talking a bit about trying snowboarding. She’s the most athletic of all of us, so I feel like she could pick it up. When we are not on the slopes perfecting our technique and enjoying the scenery then I might sneak over to see her master snowboarding. Teen Lounge Now that my kids are teens one of their favourite things about this kind of trip and this resort is the teen lounge. They would spend all week there if possible. Follow Along for Spring Skiing and Family Fun this spring break.

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The Best London March Break Camps

Paula — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:11:12 +0000

Spring break is almost here. Some years it sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? Oh, I remember well the mad last minute panic to find something to occupy the kids when school was suddenly out for March break. But, you don’t need to panic. There are so many great children’s camps and programs that there’s always something to do. In London, there are several March break camps for kids that are extremely fun and creative. Many are also quite affordable. When my kids were small we tried most of these creative children’s programs and we’ve had experience with most of the ones below and can vouch for them as quality March break camps for kids in London. London March Break Camps for Kids Over the years we have done so many London March break camps and local summer day camps too that I feel like an expert on the matter. Also frankly if you ever want to ask me which ones are best for kids with unique needs and special needs feel free to message me or comment here. We tried so many and several failed my youngest so that we actually complained and requested our money back a time or two. Camp counsellors now though have much great understanding of the needs of young kids with sensory issues, FASD and autism too. Thank goodness for that and for inclusion counsellors. Training has evolved and young people are better able to support all kids. Note that even though these are kid’s camps I have always felt that camp is a family service as in if you do it well and support my child that benefits the entire family. Modern Martial Arts Camp My kids have both done this one many times over and they have also volunteered and worked as counsellors at Steve Stewart’s Modern Martial Arts Studio too. We love the emphasis on martial arts and healthy activity. I especially like that this is a dojo and program that encourages girls to excel and continue growing alongside male athletes. We have always found amazing role models for our daughters here. If your kids are interested in trying martial arts, or if they are already members at MMA, then this is the spot for them. They do a lot of physical activity and it will keep them occupied all March break. Check it out here or register via this Modern Martial Arts March break day camp link. Benefits: Excellent physical activity Cost: $169 It is a great deal in my books. Kidlets – Original Kids Younger Set My kids have also done this fun theatre camp a few years in a row. It’s one of our favourites. This is how my oldest girl started at Original Kids years ago. She’s been in the cast now for almost ten years! It’s truly one of her favourite spaces to be. Benefits: Extremely creative camp for younger kids. This will keep them well occupied. I can also vouch for the amazing high quality counsellors and camp directors at all levels of this camp and in the organization itself. If your child has unique needs note them clearly and I am confident they can be supported here. Not only will they be supported though, they will flourish. Cost: $375 per week Camp runs from 9 to 4. It also sells out fast as do the rest of their camps so when registration opens you need to book it. Cost might seem high, but here’s the thing: they are learning to act, sing and dance as a team in a cast. At the end there is a performance. Plan to be there for that. Sport Western https://www.uwo.ca/sportwestern/camps/march_break_camps.html Although we have not done this one ourselves we’ve heard rave reviews from others over the years. It has a great reputation for kids who are interested in sports and activity. Benefits: Multiple sports offered during the weeklong day camp that is all day every day this March break. Cost: $250 for the week. Divided according to age ranges with ages 4 to 7 in Juniors and Seniors 8 to 11. Boler Mountain Ski Camp The year we learned how to ski at Tremblant we returned home eager to keep skiing and to remember what we’d been taught. So I signed Ainsley up for Ski Camp that March break and she LOVED it. She is an excellent skier and quite an athlete so it kept her busy. My older girl and I then took the week to ski together and graduate from the bunny hill to some bigger options. The only drawback here is it fills up fast and also it’s quite a drive out there too. Benefits: Ski and Snowboarding lessons are incredible ways to nurture love of the outdoors in winter. Various ages and stages are available. My younger daughter LOVED this March Break camp. Cost: Lesson – $185 Lesson and Lift Tickets – $290 Lesson, Lift tickets and Rental equipment – $399 (if you don’t have skis or snowboards etc.) East Park Inquire directly or go in through the City of London Spectrum Winter 2019 program brochure for this one. We have been to East Park many times and love it there. We have not done the camp but my kids have also been to birthdays there and we enjoy spending time at East Park. There’s a lot to do, so it’s definitely entertaining. Benefits: Active camps for kids. Cost – This year, in 2019, it is $230 for the week. City of London March Break Camps These are the camps that are run through the city and advertised in the Spectrum brochure. There are a range of locations this year. The City of London web site indicates 2018 information, but in fact I have checked these and there are numerous locations offering camps this year. There might even be spots available still at some. In the past we did many city of London camps. My older daughter loved them and did quite well at them. When Ainsley was younger though she was a runner and her sensory processing disorder challenges coupled with her attention and impulsivity issues were not a great fit at all. In the last 5 years or so the city has gone to great lengths to accommodate and support kids with various disabilities, differences and learning styles. I now know some of the young people working as counsellors and they are exceptionally well qualified for their jobs. But be sure to ask the right questions when you are signing up a child with special needs for camp. You might consider visiting this page and creating an All About Me Booklet if your child has special needs. Use it as a helpful tool to give counsellors a means of supporting your child at day camp. Kinsmen, Carling Heights, and several South London day camps are available for March Break. Several years ago we did Kinsmen and loved it. My daughter met several friends that over time also ended up at her French Immersion school and even in her various recreational after school activities over the years. Fun how sometimes kids of the same age end up interacting over and over and forming friendships even if they don’t live in the same neighbourhood. Sometimes London is not so big after all. Benefits of these City of London March break camps: Cost – $130 per week!! Very affordable and you might find one not too far from home. Other Factors: If you are on a fixed income you can always apply for subsidy in order to be able to send your kids to camp. YMCA Check your individual branches for information regarding what they are offering this year. Looks like Stony Creek in North London has a camp this March break for five days. Activity is indoors and out. The benefit of these YMCA or YWCA London March break camps is that they are always active and there’s often swimming involved too, which is well-supervised. Benefits: Usually can find one close to your home. I kind of loved the swimming part of the day as a parent, but mostly when I knew my daughter was relatively competent at listening and at swimming. Cost: $195 or $235 depending on whether you are a member or not. Very affordable. Other Factors: You can always apply for subsidy in order to be able to send your kids to camp here too. London Children’s Museum March Break Camp Oh this is definitely one of my favourite London resources for kids and families. Not just referring to the day camp actually. The London Children’s Museum is an asset and we spent days upon days here when my children were younger. We also had a few birthday parties hosted at the museum. Highly recommend those London children’s birthday parties too. This is a very affordable way to do a birthday party. STEM Learning Anyways, this camp is contained and well organized and in high demand so if you have not signed up by now you might be out of luck actually. With its emphasis on STEM learning and the excellent dinosaur area on the main floor this is a natural hit with most kids. Yearly Membership and PA Days Way back when we began going we quickly learned that we needed a yearly family membership to save money. It’s definitely worth it especially if your children are preschoolers and need a spot to get together with playmates, practice turn taking and simply act out their creative play scenarios. Benefits of Children’s Museum Stem Learning and Free Creative Play, plus the atmosphere is stimulating and fun for all ages. Cost: $230 for the week or $210 if you are members. OH FYI Don’t Forget… Don’t forget to schedule and pay for your summer camps now too, whether they are inside London day camps for kids, or overnight sleep away camps outside the area, they are filling up fast!

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