Last-minute summer programs for New Westminster kids

So you didn’t think to make camp plans for the kids and now you’re staring at some long, slow summer days and wondering how to fill them?

Never fear. You can still find some last-minute options in New Westminster, thanks to the city’s parks and recreation offerings.

A few ideas:

School of Wonder, Semester 1

For the budding magician aged eight to 13, this one offers five mornings of magic at Centennial Community Centre from July 18 to 22, 9 a.m. to noon daily. Magician Paul Albertson leads a hands-on magic learning experience for kids, and there’s a show by students on the last day.

Children Dog Central

Is there a canine friend in your house? This camp for kids and their dogs helps them develop dog skills and includes dog sports, competitions and activities. It’s for ages eight to 12 and runs multiple times through the summer at Centennial Community Centre, with sessions every week in the mornings (from either 8 a.m. to noon or 10 a.m. to noon).

Byte Camp: Claymation Movie Production

Young filmmakers aged nine to 12 can make their own clay characters come to life. They will work to build clay characters, sets and props, develop their own script, shoot movie scenes and then learn to edit and add sounds and special effects. It runs Aug. 22 to 26 for full days (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Queensborough Community Centre.

Day Camps

The city’s always-popular summer day camps are indeed popular, but there are a few spots left as of this post. You can even luck into full-week Day Camp Junior spots at Fraser River Middle School from July 25 to 29 and from Aug. 2 to 5. But don’t delay, because these are bound to fill up.

Drop-ins

If you don’t want to commit to full registered courses, don’t forget about the drop-in options. You can enjoy Indoor Playland at the Queensborough Community Centre gym on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For the tweens and teens, there are drop-ins at the New West Youth Centre in Moody Park and at Queensborough Community Centre – you can find the full schedule and details in the latest New Westminster Active Living Guide.

How to sign up for recreation programs in New Westminster

To register or for more information about any of the above, check out the city's online registration site.

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
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