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bcparent.ca • summer issue 2014 3

Summer Issue 2014Volume 23, Number 5

Mail Address: Sasamat RPO 72086 Vancouver, BC V6R 4P2

email: [email protected]

inside...4 Mommy has a

Brand-New Swim Suit

6 Teaching Children Self-Control

8 Beat the Sweets

10 Natural Remedies for Allergy Relief

12 Love the Sun

15 Go Outside and Play

16 Summer Camp Guide

21 Zoo Attractions

22 Dear Dad

Publisher/Executive Editor: Forrest PhillipsEditor: Geoffrey LeghAdvertising Design & Layout: Julie CochraneEditorial Design & Layout:www.retrometrodesign.caAdvertising Sales: [email protected]: Gold Distribution

Contributors: Gayla Grace, Malia Jacobson, JanetJ. Johnson, Dr. Marisa Marciano, Judy M. Miller,Pam Molner, Dr.Tomah PhillipsBC Parent is published 8 times per year. The Publisher reserves the right to omit advertisingwhich is judged to be in poor taste or which doesnot conform to the concept of this publication. Canadian Publications Mail Registration No.251836

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4 bcparent.ca • summer issue 2014

W hen I haul my kids to the local pool this summer, I’ll besporting a new swimsuit. With sturdy straps and sensibleseat coverage, it doesn’t resemble anything you’d see on a

runway. No whimsical flight of poolside fancy, this baby is built towithstand ultra-chlorinated kiddie pools and over-zealous launder-ing. Jelly fingerprints and sippy cup mishaps are no match for theindustrial-strength fabric.

It’s a mommy suit, and I’ll wear it with pride. When I slip on thiswonder of engineering, I’ll join legions of other moms slapping onsunscreen and proffering towels in suits built for endurance, not style.

I’ve been a bit reluctant in donning this mommy suit of armor(or is that Lycra?). I grew up lakeside, my shoulder etched with per-manent tan lines from my swimsuit du jour. Most involved rufflesor sequins, preferably both. As a teen, I shed girlish tank suits andbecame a devoted fan of the two-piece. Bikinis suited my pear

shape and showcased my still-flat midsection—one of my betterfeatures, in those days.

Sadly, I’ve learned that the pretty swimsuits of my youth aren’tbuilt to withstand the pace of mom life. Like many of motherhood’slessons, this one dawned slowly. My first inklings came after I spentseveral seaside afternoons sprinting after my toddler in a woefullyunsupportive top. Need I say more? Soon after, I realized that myfashionable swimsuits were quite a bit of work. I was constantlyadjusting my top and feeling up my own rear end for tactile evidencethat my bottoms were still covering my bottom. Not pretty.

I knew change was in the air. That knowledge, however, wasinsufficient. It took a starring role in a peep show at toddler swimclass to drive the point home.

One Saturday morning, I made the mistake of wearing a ban-deau-style bikini to parent-child swim at the YMCA. Sporting astretched-out old top in a pool full of wiggly kids sounds like arecipe for disaster, and it was: I inadvertently flashed the entire poolfull of kids and their stunned parents when my top slipped downduring the “jumping fish” song.

By the time I felt the breeze tickling my upper torso, it was too lateto hide the damage from the extremely embarrassed dad standing fivefeet in front of me. Carefully avoiding all eye contact, I scraped togeth-er few shreds of dignity, hoisted my top back to its rightful place, andswore to get a new suit—one better matched to my new station in life.

These days, I’m approaching the world of swimwear with a newperspective. In the weary trenches of early parenthood, functiontrumps fashion. Any bikini matching the description itsy-bitsy orteeny-weenie doesn’t stand a chance in the chaotic world of the tod-dler pool. Suits designed to look good in a lounge chair require con-stant monitoring and repositioning, and moms can’t be bothered.We’re too busy monitoring and repositioning our kids.

Judging from the countless moms I’ve seen in near-identicalsuits, I know I’m not alone in my appreciation for sensibleswimwear. Swimming with kids is no day at the beach; it’s grueling,hot, exhausting work. A mom at the pool is a mom in motion, andher swimsuit needs to stay in place even when she’s too busy to payattention. That’s always.

So I’m embracing my sensible one-piece. It won’t win me anyadmiring glances or a spot on the yummy mummy list. But it willstand up to whatever the summer dishes out. And I don’t have toworry about any more swim-class wardrobe malfunctions. Theentire toddler-swim community with thank me, I’m sure.

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Herlatest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well WithoutTears, Tricks, or Tirades.

Mommy has a brandnew swim suit! –– One mom embraces sensibly chic swimwearBy Malia Jacobson

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T he goal of parenting is to prepare our children to be suc-cessful, independent, capable, and moral adults. Part of theresponsibility of parenting is teaching our children how to

control their responses to the world they live in. Through disci-pline (a word originating from the Latin disciplina, meaninginstruction) children learn to master self-control, a vital life-skillfor success.

Self-control is the ability to regulate emotions, desires, and theverbal, nonverbal, or physical expression of those desires, espe-cially when challenged by other people and situations. Childrenwill come to rely on self-control as they move through the stagesof infancy and childhood into adolescence and adulthood, call-ing again and again on their ability to tolerate frustration and tomanage themselves in a variety of situations.

Begin Early. Self-control begins when children are infants, whenparents empathetically respond to their child when he is tired,hungry, cold, needing connection, or has soiled his diapers.When an infant’s needs are met, they begin to learn basic trust. Achild must be able to trust his environment and to trust in oth-ers, because that security is the foundation for self-control.

Parents teach their infants how to self-soothe, the first self-regulation (self-control) skill. Infants are able self-soothe becausethey trust that their parents will care for and nuture them. I usedto rub my babies’ backs when they fussed in their cribs, beforedrifting off to sleep, assuring them I was close and responsive.They calmed and quickly fell into a deep slumber.

Model what you want to see in your child. Children learn emo-tional regulation by observing their parents self-regulate. Whenmodeling, parents should respond to others, and to situations, inthe way they wish their children to respond.

Model calmness, even though you may feel otherwise. You arealways the teacher. Furthermore, you are also the student—always. Take a look at yourself first when you witness your childbehaving in a way you do not approve of.

K.I.S.S. Keep it short and simple. For example with the youngerchild, directions can be something like, “If you hit, you sit.” Theparent follows through and when the child is ready, he can re -engage with others, with a reminder of “no hitting” as well as oneto “use your words”.

Self-control generally improves as children develop and theprefrontal cortex area of the brain, which regulates behaviour,matures. Older children have had years of experience of knowingthe rules, routines, and what behaviour is expected in numeroussituations.

Use do-overs and generous praise. Parents can go over instruc-tions (do-overs), to reinforce what beha viour they wish to see. Do-overs provide children with opportunities to practice thebehaviour over, often in a fun way. Do-overs teach, encourageand strengthen the self-control “muscle” in children. The besttime to achieve a do-over is when the child and the parent arecalm and the lack of control has recently occurred.

By Judy M. Miller

TeachingChildrenSelf-Control


takes a long shower to “wash away the emotional dirt.” His choice.The child that reemerges is my sweet, thoughtful loving boy.

Focus on the positive. Positive reinforcement begets more positivebehaviour. Bring up the positive whenever possible, “You are so

thoughtful and kind. You helped your sister feel bet-ter when you sat with her and read to her.” Kidslove to be stroked and be noticed for the goodbehaviour they have.

Reward kids for self-control. The most soughtafter reward with my kids is one-on-one timewith their dad or me. We try to be efficient, work-ing in tandem to get things done to allow formore “together” time, “I was able to complete myerrand quickly because you were so patient; now Ihave more time to spend with you. What wouldyou like to do?”

No child is perfect or comes with instructions.Focus on the love you have for your child, your rela-

tionship with him, and his strengths and interests. Your child’s self-control will eventually improve if you are consistent with discipline,expectations, and verbal praise.

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest with her husband and four children. Sheis a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween andWriting to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

For example, “You sounded mean when you spoke to me. Iunderstand you may be tired, but that is not the way we speak toeach other. Try again, please.” And then have your child speak, untilhe has achieved the proper tone. If he has trouble, model it for him.

Praise him for doing it the way you asked him to. “I like howyou spoke to me. Well done!” Praise him for con-trolling himself. Repetition and verbal praise,along with a hug and smile, reinforce the self-control you are trying to instill in your child andcontribute to the development of his self-esteem.

Help your child notice his lack of control andwork on problem solving. Discuss the reason(s)why your child becomes out of control. Does hehave a specific “flashpoint” or trigger? Is he tired?Hungry? Overtaxed with too many tasks or com-mitments? My daughter is triggered by hunger.She becomes snarky and then downright meanand combative as her blood sugar drops; in hercase we make sure she eats small portions of proteinthroughout the day. A teen now, she oversees this herself with greatsuccess.

With the help of your child come up with one or two go-to ideasthat work for him (and you) when he loses control. For my son, welong ago discovered two options that work well with him. He vol-untarily goes to his room to cool off until he feels in control or he

My daughter istriggered by hunger.She becomes snarkyand then downright

mean and combativeas her blood sugar drops.

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H ere’s the sugary scoop: kids consume far too much of thesweet stuff. According to the American Heart Association,toddlers are getting 12 teaspoons instead of the recom-

mended 4 (19 grams), and school-aged children who should haveno more than 3 teaspoons (14.2 grams) are consuming 21. Preteensand teens take the cake; instead of the recommended 5 to 8 tea-spoons (23.7 to 38 grams), they’re getting up to 34.3. That’s overtwo-thirds of a cup per day.

How does this mountain of sugar affect kids? Besides contribut-ing to childhood obesity, poor cardiovascular health, and juvenilediabetes, sugar can play a major role in mood swings, meltdowns,and tantrums.

“Sugary foods cause blood sugar to spike and then plummet,leaving kids feeling cranky, irritable, and tired,” says The Today Showlicensed nutritionist Joy Bauer, bestselling author of Joy’s Life Dietand Slim and Scrumptious. And when sugary snacks fill plates andstomachs, less room is left over for the nutrient-dense calories thatgrowing children need.

It’s clear that kids should eat less sugar. But let’s face it: thethought of a sugar-free world sends chills down parental spines. Sugarcan reward, motivate, or pacify a child, and a well-timed treat canwork wonders. I’ve been known to avert toddler tantrums with achocolate chip or two, and I keep an emergency lollipop in my purse.

Even highly motivated parents who want to cut sugar face anuphill battle. School lunches, misleading food labels, relatives, andeven kids themselves can throw a wrench in the most well-inten-tioned plans.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the facts and the potential payoff. “Bydealing with a sugar habit early in life, parents are giving children alifelong gift,” says Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., bestselling author

Little Sugar Addicts. “Parents whose kids are out of control are ab -solutely amazed at the bright, loving, incredible child who emerges.”

Ditching a sugar habit benefits moms too. “By limiting sugaryfoods, you maintain a steady blood sugar level and keep yourselffeeling energized and alert all day long. Nothing’s more importantwhen you have active young kids running around,” says Bauer.

If you’re ready to change your family’s sugary ways, fear not.Drastic measures aren’t required. Instead, slowly shut off the sugartap with a simple, step-by-step approach.

Drowning in liquid sugarFirst, take a look at what your family sips. The AHA reports thatkids drink most of their added sugar in the form of soft drinks andother sugar-sweetened beverages. According to American Journal ofPreventative Medicine, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverageswith meals has doubled. One 12-ounce cola has 8.2 teaspoons ofsugar that add up to 140 calories. Switching to water or low-fatmilk will make a huge dent in kids’ sugar consumption.

Even 100% fruit juice contributes sugar and calories that kidsmay be better off without. The American Academy of Pediatricsrecommends limiting fruit juice to 6 ounces for children under 7and 12 ounces for older kids. Stretch the smaller servings by dilut-ing juice with water, or create a healthier alternative to soda by mix-ing juice with seltzer.

Top of the morningNext, work on meals. Start at the top—of the day, that is. Accord -ing to DesMaisons, a healthy breakfast is essential to lowering sugarintake, because eating the right foods in the morning helps to wardoff sugar cravings later on.

Sensible strategies for breaking a sugar habit

BeattheSweetsBy Malia Jacobson


Begin by losing the sugary breakfast cereal. Bauer recommendsthat parents choose cereals with no more than eight grams of sugarper serving. Instead of sweet cereals and candy-coated pastries, serveup protein and complex carbohydrates like eggs and whole-graintoast or protein shakes made with fruit.

Combining protein with complex carbohydrates provides last-ing energy and enables the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin toenter the brain. Kids will feel satisfied, alert, and ready to starttheir day.

After kids have accepted a new breakfast routine, move on tolunch, dinner, and snacks. Gradually replace sugary foods withhealthy alternatives and give kids time to adjust to each change.Plan to spend anywhere from two weeks to six months on thewhole process, says DesMaisons, depending on their level of sugarconsumption, attachment to sweet foods, and temperament.

Plan for successKids need to eat on time to avoid the blood sugar crashes that bringon meltdowns (and that emergency lollipop in my purse). Don’tplan outings when they’re running low on fuel. Aim to serve mealsat a consistent time and keep fruit, crackers, nuts, and other snackson hand for hectic days.

For those occasions when a sugar splurge is inevitable—birth-days, holidays, and Halloween—serve a high-protein snack beforethe festivities begin. They’ll eat less of the sweet stuff on a full stom-ach, and the protein will slow the absorption of sugar to ward off apost-party crash.

Detective momFamily physician Tony Vento, M.D. tells moms to become labelsleuths to cut out sneaky hidden sugars that kids probably won’tmiss. “Spend a week reading every label, and you’ll be surprised,”says Vento. Some brands of kids’ favorites like peanut butter, fruitsnacks, and dried fruit contain added sugar, while others don’t.Switching brands can add up to big sugar savings.

Eliminating hidden sugars gives more dietary leeway for treatsthat they’ll appreciate. Fortunately, the AHA dietary guidelinesallow for some sweets. It makes sense to spend some of that discre-tionary sugar on nutritious foods like yogurt or chocolate milk(Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that flavoredmilks are fine in moderation and don’t cause weight gain in chil-dren). When total sugar intake is under control, even cupcakesaren’t off-limits. Now that’s a sweet reward to feel good about.

Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Herlatest book is Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well WithoutTears, Tricks, or Tirades.

“If you’re ready to change your family’s sugaryways, fear not. Drastic measures aren’t

required. Instead, slowly shut off the sugar tap with a simple, step-by-step approach.”

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In a 2002 study, people suffering fromchronic sinusitis were prescribed a neti potrinse daily. The subjects had a significantreduction in sinus symptoms and reducedrequirement for medications, with 93% ofthe participants reporting an overall im -provement in quality of life. Anotherresearch study looked at the efficacy of nasallavage in kids with allergic rhinitis, andfound a significant reduction in allergicsymptoms as well as a decrease in the use ofantihistamines.

This safe and inexpensive remedy shouldbe performed daily for best effects.

Herbal RemediesWhile the pollen from trees and flowersmay be the cause of your allergies, lookingto nature may also be the solution. Thereare a number of herbs that are excellent inpreventing and treating allergies, such asdried Nettle leaf (yes, the same nettle thatstings!) in capsule form or as a tea, whichhas been shown to stabilize mast cells anddecrease inflammation. Eyebright is anoth-er great herb, and is more specific for theeyes—a cold compress made from eyebrighttea can be very soothing to itchy eyes. Thespice Turmeric and it’s active ingredient,

W hile the spring and summer bringsunshine and warm weath er, theyalso bring months of suffering for

millions of Canadians with seasonal aller-gies. The itchy eyes, runny nose and sneez-ing can be so debilitating that many peopledon’t even want to be outside. There aremany over the counter medications forallergies, but these are not always effectiveand often come with side effects such asdrowsiness. Consider these natural remediesto help prevent and relieve allergic symp-toms this year.

Understanding AllergiesSeasonal allergies, also known as hay feveror allergic rhinitis, affect more than one insix Canadians. The most common symp-toms are runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezingand congestion.

Allergy symptoms are caused by an over-active immune response. It is not the pollenor ragweed that is causing your runny nose,but rather your immune system overreact-ing to these otherwise benign substances.When you come in contact with an environmental allergen such as pollen, yourbody releases an immune mediator calledIgE, which floats around and binds to

specialized white blood cells known as mastcells. Mast cells then release a number ofchemicals, including histamine (hence theuse of ‘anti-histamine’ medications), lead-ing to inflammation and an attempt to ridthe body of the allergen and thus creatingyour allergic symptoms.

Natural Remedies to Prevent and RelieveSeasonal AllergiesReduce Exposure to Allergens This does not mean completely avoidingthe outdoors during the summer, but takingsteps to reduce your overall exposure toallergens. A few steps include checking theweather network pollen report and beingmore cautious on days with high levels,changing clothes after being outdoors, reg-ularly cleaning your home (wash sheets,dust, clean carpets, etc), and using a HEPAfilter to help clean indoor air.

Nasal Lavage (Neti Pot)A great remedy for both prevention andtreatment of allergic symptoms is a nasallavage or neti pot. Using a saline (saltwater)solution to cleanse the nasal passage is par-ticularly helpful for those with sinus con-gestion or sinusitis.

NaturalRemedies

for AllergyRelief

By Dr Tomah Phillips


curcumin, is a powerful anti-inflammatorythat also blocks mast cell activation and his-tamine release.

Immune SupportSupporting your immune system can helpprevent allergies from occurring. For thoseliving above the 49th parallel, supplement-ing with 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 duringthe winter and spring can help boost theimmune system to combat allergies. Recentresearch is pointing to the gut as a primaryfactor in immune function, so supporting ahealthy gut flora (bacteria) reduces allergysymptoms. The best way to obtain good gutbacteria is from fermented foods such assauerkraut and kombucha, or with a highquality probiotic supplement.

DietDiet is the foundation for our health, so it’sno surprise that what we eat has an impacton allergies. If you or your children sufferfrom seasonal allergies it is best to avoidsugar, dairy and processed foods, as thesecan hinder our immune system and increasemucus production. There is also a connec-tion between food allergies and seasonalallergies, so working with a health care prac-titioner to identify and remove food aller-gens can greatly improve seasonal allergysymptoms. Lastly, increasing whole foodsthat are rich in flavonoids such as quercetincan stabilize mast cells and inhibit hista-mine release, while at the same time reducinginflammation. Good sources of quercetininclude dark leafy greens, apples, onionsand garlic.

AcupunctureAcupuncture and Traditional Chinese Med -i cine (TCM) have been practiced for thou-sands of years, and in the past few decadeshas been subjected to western researchmethods. Several randomized controlledtrials have shown that acupuncture providesa significant benefit for those with seasonalallergic rhinitis.

Rather than treating “allergies,” TCMfocuses on the individual patient, and acu -puncture points are selected based on thespecific individual’s symptoms as well astheir constitution.

Dr. Tomah Phillips is a licensed naturopathic physician practic-ing in downtown Vancouver. He uses a blend of modern evidence-based medicine and safe, effective natural remedies. For moreinformation visit www.doctortomah.com


Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin isanother type of cancer that can occur onsun-exposed parts of the body and hence is“associated” with sun exposure, but occurswith greater frequency in other parts of thebody, such as the, lung, prostate, vagina andcervix.

We’ve been taught for years that the use ofsunscreens provides useful protection fromsunburn, which they most definitely dowhen used correctly. They contain chem icalcompounds which work by either absorbingor reflecting ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultravi-olet-B (UVB) wavelengths. UVA waves pen-etrates deep er into the skin, and though theyrarely are the cause of burns, they can pro-duce excessive free radical damage. The farmore abundant UVB rays are the primarycause of sunburn, and can bind directly withour own DNA causing potential precancer-ous mutations. Hence, sunscreens are labeledwith a sunscreen pro tection factor (SPF),which essentially measures how much UVradiation is being blocked.

Theoretically, applying a high SPF shouldoffer us more protection, however studieshave found that users of high-SPF sun-screens have similar, or even higher expo-sures to harmful UV rays than those thatrely on lower SPF products. The reasonbeing that we wind up trusting these higherSPFs too much, fail to reapply, and stay outlonger in the sun than we should. Sales forthese high SPF products have been on therise for at least a decade, with little to noassurance that they are actually providingthe protection we need.

It is crucial to avoid getting sunburned,but avoiding the sun altogether means wecan lack the certain number of sunraysrequired to restore Vitamin D levels in thebody. Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D isproduced by the action of UV rays fromsunlight interacting with cholesterol in ourskin. Slabbing on sunscreen blocks outthese UV rays needed for vitamin D forma-tion, a nutrient us Vancouverites are espe-cially prone to lack.

So, how do we play safe in the sun? Season Your Skin. If you and your have fami-ly have mostly been indoors for the past 6months and you immediately head out tothe beach on the first sunny day, your skinwill be incredibly sensitive. At the be ginningof summer rub a thin layer of coconut oil

T o block the sun from our skin and ourbodies, though important, has alwaysfelt a bit wrong to me.

There is an ongoing love/hate relationshipwe have with our giver-of-all-life come thesummer season. It seems that as soon shebegins to share her warmth we all want tofrolic, but then commence to fear her—usually because we’ve been burned by herbefore!

We of course want to protect ourselvesand our families from the hazardous effectsof the sun. However the idea that there is“no safe level of sun exposure”, touted bysome, seems extreme. So without burningourselves to a crisp, how much is idealamount of sun? And what can we do to pro-

tect ourselves and our children from it’smore perilous effects?

Of course our fear comes from the veryreal and very scary development of skincancer. We know that prolonged exposureto strong sunlight significantly increases ourrisk, acting as a catalyst in a disease processthat occurs especially in those with fairerskin and a specific genetic make up.

There are many different types of skincancer but most take one of three forms:basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcino-ma and malignant melanoma. Of these,only basal cell carcinoma is really associatedwith sun exposure, and this is a non-fatalcancer that very rarely metastasizes or spreadsto other parts of the body.

By Dr. Marisa Marciano

love the sun

Our love/hate relationship withthe sun come summertime


Avoid ingredients like octisalate, oxyben-zone, and avobenzone which can all causeallergic skin reactions and may also be hor-monal disruptors.Avoid those that contain vitamin A (retinylpalmitate) which may speed the develop-ment of skin tumours and lesions whenapplied to the skin the presence of sunlightAvoid Any SPF over 50+ as there’s very littleproof that values greater than 50 offer anyadditional benefit. An SPF of 15 blocksabout 95% of UV radiation. An SPF of 45blocks about 98%. Anything above this isbasically meaningless. Putting these higherSPFs on can also give a false sense of safetythat you can stay out in the sun for longerthan we should.

A good rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’teat it, don’t smear it. Regardless of whetheringredients are injested or applied topically,they are absorbed into your body, and thenpotentially into the bloodstream.

If you’re looking to purchase a low toxic-ity commercial sunscreen, the following aresome recommendation made by the environ -mental working group, a non-profit organi-zation that keeps excellent data on theknown level of toxic environmental expo-sure in our personal care products. (You canfind more information on their website:http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/)• Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick,

SPF 50 • Kiss My Face Kids Natural Mineral Sun -

screen, SPF 30• California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Sun -

screen Stick, SPF 30+ • Hawaiian Sol Kid Kare Sunscreen,

SPF 25I also highly recommend that parents

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below). With the right ingredients it’s in -credibly simple (and fun!) to do.

Play safe in the sun this summer. Protectyour skin, and enjoy each beach day fullywith your family without fear, and with fullgratitude for the many blessings the sum-mer sun brings us.

over all uncovered skin and go out for 15–30minutes, de pending on your degree of sensi-tivity. You can repeat this process, staying out5 or 10 minutes longer each time. Don’t get burned. Red, sore, peeling or blis-tered skin is a clear sign you’ve got too much.Sunburn is what increases your skin cancerrisk more than anything. The best defensesare limiting your exposure and covering up.Find some shade, some light breathableclothing and some stylish new shades (eyeprotection is especially important). Coconut oil has been used as a sunscreen forgenerations as protection against burningand skin cancer. One study in India com-pared the ability of various edible oils as sunprotection and found that coconut oil wasable to block about 20% of UV light, with anatural SPF of around 4. It has the addedbonus of helping prevent the free-radicalreactions that lead to sunburn and all of theconsequences caused by overexposure (suchas signs of aging)After Sun Care. Fresh aloe gel blended into apaste is a wonderful way to treat burns, andis also an excellent emollient to help nour-ish the skin. Eat lots of bright coloured fruits & vegetables.These free-radical scavenging foods helpensure proper healing from the occasionalexcessive bit of sun. Pick what’s in season. It’samazing how the very foods nature providesfor us in the summer season are also thosethat will best protect us from the sun’s harm-ful effects. Some examples are rainbowchard, tomatoes, blueberries & raspberries.

How to pick a Sunscreen Avoid sprays that contain zinc and titaniumas these can be inhaled and we’re stillunaware of their effects.

Natural Sunscreen Recipe:

1/2 cup almond or olive oil (can infusewith herbs if desired—myfavourites are comfrey &calendula)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup beeswax (add more or less fordesired thickness)

2 Tbsp zinc oxide (this makes anatural SPF of 20+ — morecan be added. Be careful notto inhale the powder duringpreparation!)

1 tsp vitamin E oil

1. Combine all ingredients except zincoxide in a pint sized or larger glass jar (amason jar works great).

2. Fill a medium saucepan with acouple inches of water and place overmedium heat.

3. Put a lid on the jar loosely and placein the pan with the water.

4. As the water heats, the ingredients inthe jar will start to melt. Shake or stiroccasionally to incorporate. When allingredients are completely melted, addthe zinc oxide.

5. Stir in well as it cools and pour into ajar for storage. Store in a cool, dry placeor in the fridge (is best used within 6months).

Apply your sunscreen generously andevenly before sun exposure, andreapply as needed after swimming,sweating or toweling off to dry.

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the can. If he gets too far away from thecan, another player can come out of hidingand kick the can. If the player is tagged, hebecomes “it”. If not, he is safe. Play contin-ues until all players kick can or until a play-er is found or tagged.Clothes Pin Tag: Everyone clips a hingedclothes pin to the back of their shirt. Theperson who is “It” tries to grab the clothespin as they run by.Water Balloon Toss: Stand in parallel linesand pass a water balloon back and forthwithout dropping it. Change it up by set-ting one person in the middle of a circlewith a bowl on his head. Players try to tossthe balloon in the bowl.Drip, Drip, Drop: Played like Duck, Duck,Goose, this is a fun game for a hot day.Instead of taping the players in the circle for‘duck’, drip a little water from a sponge.When you choose a player to “goose”, yell‘drop’ and squeeze the sponge over theirhead before you start running.Kickball: This game is similar to baseball,but it levels the playing field so all ages andskill levels can play. The pitcher rolls a largeball to the “batter” who kicks it with hisfoot. Like baseball, the batter runs the basesand the opposing team tries to get him outbefore he gets home.

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. She hasfond memories of summertime games with her neighbors and looksforward to watching her children make summer memories of theirown.

S ummer is the best time to be a kid.School is out, the weather is greatand each day promises a new adven-

ture. At least that is how it used to be.Today, summer’s biggest rival is the com-puter screen. With the return of sunnyskies, there is no need to bask in the artifi-cial light of a digital display. Instead,encourage your child to gather up theneigh bourhood kids and show them how tohave some old fashioned summer fun. Tug-o-War: Start summer off with a splash.Break the group up into teams, find a longrope and stand on opposite sides of a kiddiepool filled with water. On go, see who willmake the first splash of the summer.Frisbee Tic Tac Toe: Draw a tic tac toeboard on the driveway with chalk or in theyard with spray paint. Gather four Frisbeesfor each player and try to get the Frisbees toland in the squares to win tic tac toe.Water Gun Shooting Range: Gather emptywater and soda bottles and set up on a deckrailing or table edge. Fill your water gunand try to knock them over. On windydays, fill each bottle with an inch of water.Obstacle Course: Dig out the hula hoops,soccer cones and jump ropes. Use your cre-ativity to set up an obstacle course in thebackyard and let the races begin.Watermelon Eating Contest: Cut water-melon into half-moon pieces and set infront of each player on the table. On go, tryto eat the watermelon as fast as you canwithout using your hands.

Nature Scavenger Hunt: Whether you arein the backyard or a local forest preserve,help the kids make a list of items they cangather and race back to the starting line.Find things like a river rock, pinecone,acorn or a robin’s egg shell.Pillow Case Race: It’s the same idea as apotato sack race, but easier to come by. Lineup the kids and their pillow cases at thestarting line and watch them go.Sharks and Minnows: Line up the players,called minnows, on one end of the yard.One shark stands in the middle of the yard.The minnows try to cross to the other sideof the yard without getting tagged andbecoming a shark themselves. Play contin-ues until all minnows have changed tosharks.Five Hundred: One player stands at the endof the yard or street with a baseball bat andtennis ball. He throws the ball up and hitsit with the bat into the crowd. Catch it on afly you get 100 points; with one bounce: 50points; or two bounces: 25 points. Who everscores 500 first is the winner.Dodgeball: Set up several soft vinyl balls inthe center of two teams. On go, charge thecenter to get to a ball and start throwingthem at other players. If a player catches it,the thrower is out. If he misses the catch orgets hit with the ball, the player is out.Kick the Can: Place a metal can in the mid-dle of the driveway or backyard patio. Theplayers hide while the person who is “it”tries to find them while keeping an eye on

Go Outside &Playby Pam Molnar

15 Old Fashioned Summer Time Activities


art, music, drama & danceThe Arts Connection604/241-0141www.theartsconnection.caRichmond

Arts Umbrella604/681-5268www.artsumbrella.comGet inspired this summer! Throughhands-on visual, media and performingarts programs, children and youth ages3–19 are immersed in creative, discov-ery and fun. Registration availablenow! Classes also available year round.Check the website for details.

Bard on the Beach: YoungShakespeareans604/737-0625www.bardonthebeach.orgVancouverOur Young Shakespeareans workshopsdeliver an interactive fun-filled theatri-cal adventure. Professional actors leaddynamic workshops on the Bard stagesall summer.

Camp Monarch, Music, Art & Dance604/723-8151www.campmonarch.caNorth Vancouver

Dance Co604/736-3394Dance Co provides unparalleled dancetraining for all ages and levels.Providing technique and performancewhile developing confidence and cre-ativity. Programs start throughout theyear, for more information visit ourwebsite: danceco.com

Evergreen Cultural Centre604/927-6555www.evergreenculturalcentre.caCoquitlam

Gateway Academy’s Summer Camp604/247-4975www.gatewaytheatre.comRichmond

Goh Ballet604/[email protected] us this summer to experienceunique and enriching ballet and cre-ative movement workshops designedspecifically for budding dancers ages4–7. Call or email to register.

Jean Lyons School of Music604/734-4019www.jeanlyonsmusic.com

Place des Arts Summer Fun!Art Camp604/664-1636www.placedesarts.caCoquitlam6 weeks: July 7 to Aug. 15, 2014Summer Fun! offers flexibility, choiceand lots of summertime fun for chil-dren ages 5–7 & 8–12. Our half-day,week-long workshops for 11-to-14 yearolds provide more intensive experiencesin a range of visual and performing artsdisciplines.

Prussin Music 604/736-3036www.prussinmusic.comWant to play in a Jazz Ensemble?Interested in Fiddle orSongwriting?How about Girls with Guitars orCampfire Songs? Does Music forChildren sound interesting? All atPrussin this summer.

StageCoach Theatre Arts – SummerCamps877/78-STAGE (78243)www.stagecoachschools.caSing, Dance, Act! For 4–18 yr olds.The world’s largest part-time theatreschool network, with over 700 loca-tions worldwide in 10 countries! Weoffer classes in Singing, Dancing andDrama every weekend alongside the

school term as well as week-long sum-mer camps: half day summer camps for4–6yrs, full day for 6–14yrs. Comejoin the fun!Schools locations throughout theLower Mainland: VancouverEastside/Westside, Richmond, Surrey,Langley, Coquitlam, Victoria.

Summer Music at UBC604/822-3113www.summer.music.ubc.ca

Vancouver Academy of Dance604/231-8293www.vancouverdance.comVancouver/Richmond. Quality dancetraining. Starting this July, 5 weeks ofsummer programs in Ballet, Jazz, Tap,Hip Hop, breakdancin’, Chinesedance, Ballroom and Acrobatics.

Vancouver Academy of Music604/734-2301www.vam.bc.ca

Vancouver Tap Dance Society604/253-0293Vancouver

Westside Dance Centre604/736-1000www.westsidedance.ca Visit our website for summer campinfo.

summer camp guidePhoto: Camp Qwanoes


summer camp guide

20years

danceco.comemail: [email protected] 604.736.3394154-4255 Arbutus St, Vancouver

Visit DanceCo.com

Classical Ballet Contemporary Lyrical Jazz Broadway Hip Hop Acro Tap

Register now for Summer & Fall programs!

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we inspire the artist in everyone!


general activitiesAlexandra Neighbourhood House604/535-0015Programs for children and familiesthroughout Metro Vancouver.Residential Summer Camps include a 5 day camp for Families with limitedresources, as well as a weekend FamilyCamp for families with teens/preteenswith developmental challenges.

False Creek C.C. Daycamps604/257-8195, Vancouverwww.falsecreekcc.caOffers canoe/kayak camps, recreationalcamps and leadership camps for ages3–14.

Langara Family YMCA 604/324-9622www.langarafamilyymca.orgAges 3–16; Hours 8 am–5 pmPreschool, Adventure, Leadership, andCounsellor in Training Camps.

Mount Pleasant NeighbourhoodHouse Licensed Out-of-School Careat Florence Nightingale School604/879-8208www.mpnh.org8 weeks of licensed summer care for 20children 5–10 years old

North Vancouver RecreationCommission604/987-PLAY (7529)www.northvanrec.com

SFU Summer Camps778/782-4965www.sfu.ca/camps

Sunset Community Centre604/718-6505www.mysunset.netVancouver

Westside Montessori Academy'sSummer Camps604-434-9611www.wmasummercamp.com Westside Montessori Academy’sSummer Camps are one of Vancouver’sbest-kept secrets! Fun and enrichingweek-long camps for 3–6 year olds(half day) and 5–12 year olds (fullday). Taught by professional staff inour amazing space. Visit our web sitefor more information.

residential campsCamp Qwanoes250/246-3014www.qwanoes.caQwanoes is a youth-oriented high-adventure Christian camp seeking toencourage biblical discipleship throughrelationship-focused, fun-oriented, andChrist-centred programs. Wild actionand pure fun, real relationships, awe-some counselors, great music, a worldof discovery, all in one amazing setting.

Outward Bound1-888-OUTWARD (688-9273) ext 209www.outwardbound.ca

Webbs Holiday Acres604/857-1712www.webbsholidayacres.ca

specialty campsBC SPCA Among Animals Camp604/599-7297www.spca.bc.ca (see youth)Camps are held in various locationsaround the province. Participants willlearn about animal care, welfare andenvironmental issues in a safe and funenvironment.

Bricks 4 Kidz®

778/822-5672www.bricks4kidz.com/vancouverWith our unique, motorized Lego®models, Bricks 4 Kidz® Vancouver isoffering an exciting lineup of summercamps. From our popular SpaceAdventures and Robotics Camps to ournew Mining & Crafting and Bricks 4Girlz Camps, kids will have a blastwith hands-on activities and challenges.

Christianne’s Lyceum of Literatureand Art604/733-1356The Lyceum encourages young people

to see themselves as readers, writersand artists as they engage with abstractideas and reflect on their own place insociety. Programs include: bookclubs,writers’ workshops, literature and artclasses and holiday and summer camps.

Heritage Summer Daycamps604/592-6956Spend a summer day on the farm atHistoric Stewart Farm doing things theold-fashioned way! Tend the garden, goon a nature walk, play games, be a riverpirate, and more–there is a differenttheme every day!

K12 Plus Learning604/767-0949We offer special summer programs atour centre or your home.

Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre604/990-3755, North Vanwww.dnv.org/ecology

Midnight Cheer Athletics604/263-6436, Vancouverwww.midnightcheer.com

Oxford LearningN. Vancouver 604/990-8850Coquitlam 604/936-1371Richmond 604/233-5566South Surrey 604/575-1494Langley 604/534-4089www.oxfordlearning.com

summer camp guide

get inspired this summer!

artsumbrella.com/summer

Summer programs available for ages 3-19. 19gablmsummSSummer programs available for ages 3-1Full- and half-day options available, starting abvaayd hd a ad June 30Ju !

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St. George’s Summer Programs604/221-3601www.summeratstgeorges.caVancouver, Dunbar area

Science Camps – HT Science Made Fun778/737-5277www.ScienceMadeFunBC.net

Science World at TELUS World ofScience604/443-7443www.telusworldofscience.com/

Dive into Summer Camp at theVancouver Aquarium604/659-3552www.vanaqua.orgKids explore the intriguing world ofmarine mammals, fabulous fish andother cool creatures through hands-onactivities, exploration, games andcrafts. Plus check out the behind-the-scenes action! Remember Members save20%.

Westside Church Day CampsCosmic City & Beyond!604/263-2314, Kistilanowww.churchonthewestside.comVisit our website for all the details onour outer space themed camps packedwith games, crafts, science, singing andlocal trips.

YWCA Camp Fun Girl604/895-5844

Writing and Book Camp (VancouverPublic Library)604/331-4093www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/events/details/bookcamp

sportsThe Academy at Richmond Stables604/275-1830

Athletes in Action604/514-2079www.athletesinaction.com

Atlantis Programs604/874-6464www.atlantisprograms.comVancouver

Cartwheels604/275-0020 or 604/594-1555www.cartwheelsincorporated.comRichmond/Surrey

Cliffhanger Indoor Rock Climbing604/874-2400www.cliffhangerclimbing.com

Fitba—Soccer Player Development604/340-1263www.fitba.ca

Jump Gymnastics604/568-9690www.jumpgymnastics.ca

Langara Family YMCA604/324-9622www.langarafamilyymca.org Ages 6–12: Hours 8 am–5 pmBasketball, Soccer, Hockey, Tennis andmore! Girls and Boys only optionsoffered, as well as a UBC WrestlingCamp for ages 12–16. FinancialAssistance available.

RBL Basketball604/269-0221 or 604/253-5295www.RBLBasketball.caWeek-long camps for boys and girlsfrom kindergarten to Grade 10. Two tothree hours each day.

The Little Gym604/539-2543www.thelittlegym.comCall for summer day camp details.

Oval Sport CampsRichmond Olympic Oval778/[email protected] We offer 49 different sports camps forages 6–16. Visit our website for details.

Pedalheads Bike Camp604/874-6464www.pedalheads.caVancouver

Royal Soccer800/427-0536www.royalsoccer.comRoyal Soccer is excited to offer our #1

summer camp guide

grassroots soccer camp in Canada.Open to boys & girls ages 5 to 13 atmultiple BC locations during July &August.

Sportball604/688-3157Sportball is a non-competitive sportsprogram for children 16 months to 12years. Children are introduced to eightpopular sports: soccer, hockey, football,basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennisand golf. Sportball offers weekly pro-grams, outdoor soccer, camps duringschool holidays, and birthday parties.Come try a free trial class! See ourwebsite for a location near you.

Twin Rivers Equestrian Centre604/574-5481www.twinriversequestrian.com

UBC Sport Camps604/822-6121www.ubccamps.caVancouver

Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics604/737-7693www.phoenixgymnastics.com

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“Look!” Milo shouts. He leaps to theside of the path and kneels on the landscap-ing border. “Ants!”

Lilly and I stand in the shade of a jungletree.

“There’s lots of them!” Milo says, reach-ing for a nearby twig. He pokes at theground near them in excitement. Lilly runsto his side, and within seconds, she is star-ing at the industrious army of ants. The twoof them point in wonder at the tiny crea-tures.

The irony of our situation doesn’t escapeme. I paid precious money for the kids tosee exotic animals from all over the world.Yet, here they are, fascinated with an ordi-nary row of ants—creatures we could haveseen on the sidewalk in front of our house.

Leaving the shade behind, I squat downbeside my children in the hot summer sun.To my surprise, I find that I, too, amintrigued with a line of insects on a path atthe zoo—the ant attraction.

T he expensive zoo outing had seemedlike a good idea this morning. I’dscraped together the money for

admission tickets, and the forecast was forclear skies. But now, under the hot after-noon sun, the animals are lethargic. Thetiger is curled up tight in its den, the brownbears won’t leave their air-conditionedhouse, and my two kids are bored.

Lilly, my five-year-old, and Milo, barelythree, race ahead on the zoo pathwayssearching for an animal that is “doing some-thing.”

We hear the high-pitched cry of a pea-cock, but despite our best efforts to find it,the bird remains invisible.

Milo comes to a halt for a moment.Panting, he scans a murky pond for signs oflife. All I can see poking up out of the waterare what might be the ears of two underwa-ter hippos.

“Where are the dinosaurs, Mommy?” heasks.

“Mi-lo,” Lilly says, joining him. “Theylived a long time ago.”

I resist the urge to chuckle.My son frowns and grumbles to himself.

I can’t make out anything except the word“dinosaurs” again. He takes off again, zig-zagging ahead of us. “Maybe we’ll find adinosaur skeleton!” he calls over his shoul-der. “We need a shovel to dig up bones.”

“Let’s go find the penguins,” I say, long-ing for the cold air of the Antarctic attrac-tion.

But Milo’s not interested. Nor is he tempt -ed by Lilly’s request to see kangaroos. Hehas his own agenda.

Milo darts off into the bushes, right pasta sign that reads“Please stay on path”.

“Come back here,” I say, reaching forhim through the shiny green leaves, but hejogs along the bamboo fencing, beyond mygrasp.

“Milo!” I snap. “Stop!”He stops, but not because I told him to.

He’s fascinated with a large rock that is stick-ing up out of the dirt. As I catch up, he saysreverently, “It might be a T-Rex bone, Mom -my.” He rubs the stone with his fingers, andI dig a packet of wipes out of my bag.

“Milo,” I say, trying to keep my jawunclenched, “the sign says we’re supposedto stay on the path.”

Lilly trudges over to my side as Miloreluctantly steps out of the bushes and joinsus. I clean off his hands and discover to mydismay I’ve got a glob of blue gum stickingme to the pathway. Scraping my foot free, Ifan myself with the colorful zoo map. Theheat has me nearly ready to give up andhead for home.

Visit www.bcparent.caRead our new blogs… catch up on past issues… enter our contests and find out about great familyevents in the Lower Mainland.

Love our articles? Subscribe at bcparent.ca to have BC Parent delivered directly to your inbox.

By Janet J. Johnson

AttractionsZOO

One Letter at a Time Inspirational stories ofhis life told by Rick Hoyt, using his one letterat a time method of speaking to commu-nicate.

Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love forHis Son The story told by Dick Hoyt of theincredible bond with his son and howTeam Hoyt’s mission statement, “Yes YouCan,” was created.

Inspirational Books by Team Hoyt:


R ick Hoyt was born a quadriplegicwith cerebral palsy. His parents, Dickand Judy Hoyt, were told he would

be a vegetable for life and should be institu-tionalized. But his dad refused to believe it.Dick noticed Rick’s eyes followed himeverywhere he went and determined to finda way to communicate with him. He solicit-ed help from Tufts University, where askilled group of engineers built Rick aninteractive computer. Rick controlled thecursor by touching a switch with the side ofhis head, finally able to communicate withthose around him.

Rick immediately relayed his love forsports and at 15 years old, asked his dad toparticipate in a five-mile benefit run for aclassmate paralyzed in an accident. Al -though not a distance runner, Dick agreedto join in the run and push Rick in hiswheelchair. That day changed their lives.After the run Rick said, “Dad, when I’mrunning it feels like I’m not handicapped”(www.teamhoyt.com).

Inspired to offer Rick more opportuni-ties for that feeling, Dick began trainingevery day with a bag of cement in Rick’swheelchair while Rick was at school. Thetwo began participating in marathons,triathlons and other grueling athleticevents. They have now completed morethan 1000 races together, including 247triathlons and 70 marathons. Rick knowshe has an incredible dad whom he refers toas “The Father of the Century.”

Most dads don’t have the same opportu-

nity Dick Hoyt had with his son. But everydad has the chance to show love and accept-ance to his children, giving of his time toprovide nurturing and guidance.

Children gain security from a dad willingto make time for them. I love watching dadswith their sons at the baseball fields playingcatch, practising batting or offering encour-aging words. Athletics offer a great way fordads to be part of something their childrenenjoy while teaching sportsmanship, team-work and respect for others in the process.

Children benefit from a dad who pro-vides consistent love and discipline. Disci -pline teaches children self-control and rightfrom wrong, while helping them feel secureand cared for. Boys, in particular, needmore guidance from fathers due to theirnature toward “out of bounds” behaviour.Dr. James Dobson, author of Bringing upBoys, says “Boys are more likely to get offcourse when they are not guided and super-vised carefully… when left to their owndevices, they tend to drift toward the centerdivider or into the ditch, toward misbehav-iour or danger.”

Children gain healthy standards from adad with spiritual principles. Studies showthat children who actively engage in a com-munity of faith increase their odds toward ahappier, healthier and longer life, while sig-nificantly reducing the likelihood of lifeproblems and risky behavior.

Children need a dad who reflects a stablemale role model. We’ve all heard the saying,“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any

day.” Children mirror their parent’s behav-iour and learn relationship skills and healthysocial skills, including how to treat others,by watching them. Children benefit from afather who regularly shows them physicalaffection and treats his marriage partnerwith love and respect.

Our generation sees too many childrenreared without fathers. A high divorce rate,unbalanced career priorities, and prevailingaddiction rates contribute to an absentfather for many—emotionally and physical-ly. However, study after study reflects theim pact on a child’s well-being from the in -fluence of his father.

It’s not always possible to be an activedad on a daily basis, but it is possible to stayinvolved in your child’s life in other ways. Adad’s role is a high calling that not everyonegets to experience. But for those who do, it’sa role to be honoured and cherished, carriedout with intentional purpose.

Gayla Grace is a freelance writer, wife, and mom to five chil-dren. She is thankful for the role her husband plays as their chil-drens’ father.

“Dear Dad, your kidsneed you!”

By Gayla Grace


Le français au CSF, c’est bien plus qu’une langue !

Inscrivez votre enfant dans une des écoles publiques du CSF ! Depuis sa création en 1995, le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offre des programmes et des services éducatifs valorisant le plein épanouissement et l’identité culturelle des apprenantes et apprenants francophones de la province. Le conseil compte aujourd’hui plus de 4 700 élèves, 37 écoles publiques et dessert plus d’une centaine de communautés réparties dans l’ensemble de la province.

! programme d’enseignement public de la maternelle à la 12e année;! services à la petite enfance;! service de transport scolaire;! programme d’anglais de qualité;

! haut niveau de réussite scolaire; ! portables pour tous;! programmes de musique, théâtre.

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