Family Day in BC has switched to the third Monday in February, syncing up with the rest of the provinces’ holidays. While we have a few snow days under our belts, Family Day will bring friends and loved ones together through some really fun long weekend events around Metro Vancouver:
This month’s guest post is contributed by Adria Hussain, School Programs Manager with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”)
A day camper scans Beaver Lake in Stanley Park. Photo by Richard King
It’s no secret. The next generation will inherit this earth and its complicated set of ecological challenges. Now, more than ever, we need to think about the tools that we’re also passing on to that generation.
How can we equip our kids with skills to be the ecological leaders our communities need? At Stanley Park Ecology Society we believe a love for the natural world, and the ability to have a positive impact on it, is a great place from which to start building this toolbox. Our goal is to empower kids to be change makers through fun, experiential learning.
This year our spring break Eco Camp features a new theme, “EcoLeaders’ Adventures.” The week-long camp is designed to empower campers to take action through conservation and citizen science. Children will be given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and team work as they become park stewards.
A day camper studies bird nests in Stanley Park. Photo by Lanie Goebel/SPES
One of the activities campers will undertake is a pond dip in Beaver Lake. Using nets and bowls to catch squirmy creatures, campers will identify aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. While it’s fascinating and fun to find dragonfly nymphs and tadpoles, this activity also serves a conservation purpose.
The species the campers identify will be recorded and submitted to a longstanding database used by biologists to monitor the ecological health of the lake. Through this citizen science project, campers will have a direct contribution to ongoing biodiversity research in the Park.
“Animal Detectives”, our other daycamp, runs from March 18th– 22nd and gives campers a chance to sharpen their observation skills to solve mysteries about the animals that live in the Park. By examining habitat needs of wildlife through hands-on exploration, children gain an appreciation for the interconnected nature of our ecosystems.
These two unique outdoor camps are a chance
for kids to connect to nature and be a real part of conservation and
stewardship, inspiring and empowering them to make a positive difference for
our natural world.
Follow the Stanley Park Ecology Society on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information.
Since 2013, I have been a member of SPES and have published “SPES Saturday” guest posts from the society on Miss604.com. Thanks to the SPES volunteers who contribute these stories monthly.
Tourism Coquitlam has launched VisitCoquitlam.ca, a central resource for residents and visitors featuring rich images, engaging local content and tons of ideas for great places to eat, stay, and play in Coquitlam.
Visit Coquitlam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, comment with your favourite place to find fun in Coquitlam, and tag a friend. You’ll be entered to win prizes for local activities, shopping or dining from a different local business each week.
One prize awarded each Friday until March 15th. Must be 16 or over to enter. One random winner chosen each Friday, and winners will be notified on the platform on which they entered.
Weekly Prizes
To kick off the competition, the first prize this week is from Climb Base5 Coquitlam. Get out and get active at Metro Vancouver’s largest climbing gym with four x 2 hour guided climb times. Prize will be awarded February 22, 2019. Check them out at Climb Base5 Coquitlam
Monster Jam, the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world, returns to tear through British Columbia with a new level of high-flying, four-wheel excitement, featuring another weekend of larger-than-life events with high-octane racing and freestyle stunts.
Northern Nightmare
Monster Jam at the Pacific Coliseum
Where: Pacific Coliseum at the PNE (2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
When: Friday, March 8, 2019 at 7:00pm Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 1:00pm
Tickets: Starting at $18 each. Pit Passes available to purchase for $15 each Tickets are now available to purchase online or charge by phone at (604) 252-3700.
This year’s exciting truck lineup features Monster Jam super-truck icon Grave Digger (driven by 2018 Triple Threat Series East Champion Tyler Menninga) and World Finals Champion and Canada’s own Northern Nightmare (driven by BC-native Cam McQueen returning to Vancouver to compete for the first time since 2015) plus highlighted by two Vancouver debut truck appearances including EarthShaker and Jekyll & Hyde.
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered, not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles per hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motor sports action seen around the world. Now across all Monster Jam events, fans in every city will have the chance to vote for the winner in the two-wheel and freestyle competitions by real-time, in-stadium fan voting on their smartphones.
In addition to the world-class racing and freestyle competition action, fans can come to the stadium early to enjoy the Monster Jam Pit Party pre-show experience – which gives fans unparalleled access to view their favourite trucks up-close and meet the star drivers for autographs & photos.
Win Tickets
I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away to Monster Jam on Friday, March 8th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Coastal Jazz & Blues Society is thrilled to announce one of the headliners for the 34th annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Roots! They will perform at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday, June 28 at 8:00pm.
The Roots Headline Vancouver’s Jazz Festival
Legendary GRAMMY award-winning crew The Roots are one of the best-known and most respected hip-hop acts in the business. Prolific and progressive, they were named one of the greatest live bands around by Rolling Stone and serve as the official house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Forsaking usual hip-hop protocol, they are endlessly creative, whether with their own material or through numerous collaborations. The Roots Picnic, a yearly star-studded mix of musicians, has become a celebrated institution, and most recently, they are working on animated live-action and animated children’s series in partnership with Amazon. They’ve gone platinum, they’ve gone gold, and they bring the house down every time.
Tickets for The Roots
Pre-sale tickets for Festival donors will be available from February 19 to 21 at 10:00am, and tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, February 22 at 10:00am online. Ticket prices start at $79.
The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival will take place June 21 to July 1, 2019 and will be held in multiple locations across Vancouver. With 1,800 artists, 300 performances, 35 venues, and 150+ free shows – this annual event is not to be missed. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest updates.
I’m excited to present a very special 2 show ticket giveaway with The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring the following performances:
No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts presents the dazzling multimedia workNo Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brookson February 24, 2019, at 7:00pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall as part of the Beyond Words series.
Manual Cinema by Julia Miller
The late poet was a radical and disruptive presence within the national literary scene, becoming the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. In this ambitious creation, innovative art-collective Manual Cinema collaborates with Chicago-based poets Eve L. Ewing and Nate Marshall to craft an inspiring biographical narrative, featuring a live six-piece band and original score by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts presents the soulful, harmony-driven sounds of Ladysmith Black Mambazoon March 2, 2019, at 8:00pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall.
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
Sharing the bill alongside Malian guitarist Habib Koité and lutist Bassekou Kouyate, the nine-member choral group returns to a sold-out Chan Centre for the first time since 2006 on their global tour of Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration, for which they earned the Best World Music Album of 2018 and their fifth Grammy Award.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo is one of the world’s most admired musical ensembles. Their repertoire is beautifully uplifting — messages of hope and unity translated through stunning vocal harmonies and energetic performances,” says Joyce Hinton, Co-Managing Director of the Chan Centre.
Win Tickets to Both Shows!
I have a pair of tickets to see No Blue Memories: The Lifeof Gwendolyn Brooks on Sunday, February 24th AND a pair of tickets to the SOLD OUT Ladysmith Black Mambazo with HabibKoité and Bassekou Kouyate show on March 2nd. Here’s how you can enter to win:
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts is located at 6265 Crescent Road, UBC. Follow along on Twitter and Facebook for the latest performance information. I will draw one lucky double winner from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.
Spring Break is just around the corner and local businesses and attractions are gearing up by loading their calendars with events and activities for kids. Whether your child is into cooking, nature, science, or the performing arts, there’s a day camp in Vancouver that can accommodate, educate, and entertain them all week long in 2019:
Vancouver Aquarium: Spring Break AquaCamp March 18-22 and March 25-29, 2019 Aquacamps are filled with hands-on activities, animal observations, crafts and time to run around outside to fully engage your children in an environment that encourages active learning. Children will learn about local and exotic animals, life cycles, food webs, adaptations, ecosystems and sustainability.
Stanley Park Ecology Society Animal Detectives March 18-22, 2019 EcoLeaders’ Adventure March 25-29, 2019 Aftercare available from 4:30pm to 6:00pm Stanley Park Ecology Society offers Eco Camp for children ages 7 to 11. Embark on an exciting educational adventure among the giant trees, sandy beaches and hidden wetlands of Stanley Park. This spring break, spot wild animals like otters and beavers, have a blast exploring the beach, and learn while spending valuable time outdoors.
Arts Umbrella Day Camps Granville Island March 18-22, 2019 Granville Island March 25-29, 2019 South Surrey March 25-29, 2019 Spring Break at Arts Umbrella is where young artists let their imaginations free – be it capturing photos or popping cool hip-hop moves. Week-long camps and programs let students get creative through Theatre, Dance, and Visual Arts classes. Young artists challenge their curiosity and stretch artistic boundaries.
Vancouver Police Museum: CSI Spring Break Camp March 20- 22, 2019 & March 27-29, 2019 An exhilarating, three-day crime-solving spree, featuring exciting opportunities for kids and pre-teens to work on criminal investigations and forensic science activities.
Owned and operated by Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss604.com (since 2004) provides daily information about life in Metro Vancouver, events, community happenings and local history. It also features music, film, and television interviews along with travel features for day-trips and weekend getaways.
Online since 1997, Rebecca also started podcasting RadioZoom in 2005, co-founded sixty4media, a WordPress website development firm, in 2008, and co-authored the book, Blogging to Drive Business in 2010.
Enter here to win tickets to Cuba Vibra! (until Feb 18)
Enter here to win 2 ticket packs for 2 exciting shows at The Chan Centre (until Feb 20)
Enter here to win tickets to Monster Jam in Vancouver (until Feb 21)
Enter here to win a BC Home + Garden Show prize pack (until Feb 19)
View a complete list of contests »
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »
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