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Cool things for Kids to do.

Clare Ogilvie Whistler was made for kids in the summer. There are lakes to swim in, mountains to climb, trails to explore by bike and on foot, a skateboard park and even a glacier to ski on.

Clare Ogilvie

Whistler was made for kids in the summer.

There are lakes to swim in, mountains to climb, trails to explore by bike and on foot, a skateboard park and even a glacier to ski on.

Those are the things you know the kids can get up to just by looking out the window.

But there are also a host of other activities to expand the mind, introduce new information and skills, and encourage the pursuit of fun and adventure, both in Whistler and beyond, for the under 12’s.

There are camps for kids through the Spring Creek Children’s Centre and the Meadow Park Sports Centre.

Pre-schoolers, locals and visitors, can take part in camps at the children’s centre which focus on outdoor adventure and learning through creative play and arts and crafts.

Parents can sign up weekly from July 11 until the end of August for the Crickets Program, which caters to under four-year-olds, and runs every Tuesday and Thursday.

It costs $40 a week.

The longer you book for each camp the cheaper it gets.

The senior preschool camp, which operates on Mondays and Wednesdays, runs until the end of July and caters to four-year-olds. It costs $50 a week.

For more information on both programs call 604-904-1001.

The reading club at the public library is back. It starts this week and runs every Wednesday.

It caters to a couple of different age groups: three to five year-olds and six to nine year-olds.

The pre-schoolers club runs from 11 a.m. to noon every Wednesday until August 20 and the older group can either go on Wednesdays between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Many fun themes are covered, including puppet pageantry, costume parties and circus clowns.

Next door at the Whistler Museum kids can enjoy two more fun filled Sunday sessions.

On July 27 children aged 5 and up can learn about Owls – a popular topic thanks to the popularity of the Harry Potter fantasy novels in which owls provide the main mail service for witches and wizards.

Kids will learn about the owls in the local forests and find out why they can fly so silently.

And they will get to make their own periscope for birding.

Pre-registration is recommended for the session, which runs at the museum from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

You can call 604 932 2019 or email info@whistlermuseum.org .

On August 17 the museum will host the Antique Toys Road Show and Lego Extravaganza.

It starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a toy from the attic to share and kids can try and build a Lego car with a prize going to the best effort.

Of course the Meadow Park Sports Centre is hosting lots of great programs for kids of all ages.

There’s Camp Action Adventure for kids who will be attending kindergarten in September. It runs daily Aug 11 to 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Camp Tiny Tyke is up and running and goes until August 29. It caters to three and four year-olds and promises nature walks, theme days and even cooking.

Also for pre-schoolers is Mish Mash Camp which runs daily from this week until July 27 th . Kids get to take part in outdoor adventures, gymnastics, swimming, skating and arts and crafts.

Skateboarders in Grades 1 through 5 can also take part in a riding club from this week until July 27. It runs every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

To find out more about these activities and the many more not mentioned check out www.whistler.ca/recreation .

The Vancouver Youth Theatre is also coming to Whistler from August 18 through the 22 nd .

It will offer two programs: Around the World in Five days for the six to 11 year-olds and Improv Shakespeare for ages 12 and up.

Call Judy Keith at 604-932-2498 for more information.

There is tons to do outside.

Captain Holiday’s Kayak and Adventure School is offering Yak Attack camps to teach kids 8 to 13 kayaking skills while having fun.

It runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parents can buy a one-day pass ($60), a five-day pass ($250), or a ten-day pass ($450).

Kids should bring their own lunch and drinks. Snacks will be provided along with all the equipment they need.

Joining Yak Attack also signs kids up with the Whitewater Kayaking Association of British Columbia and the Whistler Kayak Club.

If you are club member you can also come down and use the equipment on Wednesday nights for free.

"Let me tell you I have never had a kid come who didn’t like it," said adventure school owner Don Butler.

"I had parents come to me in the morning and say, ‘I don’t know what you did to Johnny yesterday but this is the first day he has got out of bed by himself, got himself dressed, and been waiting by the car ready to go.’

"This is all about having fun and playing games in the boats."

Kids who attend the camps will also get certificates to recognize the different skills they manage to master.

For more information call 604-905-2925.

Whistler-Blackcomb offers a host of programs that local and visiting kids can sign up for.

There are camps daily for 18 months to four year-olds and for 5 to 12 year-olds.

Activities may include nature walks, visits to the puppy daycare, gondola sight seeing, visits to the fire hall, arts and crafts, outdoor play, story times, nap times, and cooking activities for the pre-school set.

The older kids could enjoy nature hikes, visits to Lost Lake, gondola sightseeing, swimming, outdoor games, mini golf, cooking activities, frisbee golf, scavenger hunts, boat building, and arts and crafts.

A full day is $79 and includes lunch. A half-day is $45 for pre-schoolers.

If you book for three days it’s $225 and includes lunch and grab bag.

There is also a mountain bike adventure park program. It is a skill-based mountain bike program with a specific progression for kids based on skill levels.

There is also a ‘Learn to Ride’ beginner program as well as trials parks, descents and trail rides for intermediate and advanced riders.

Safety equipment (helmet, knee/shin/elbow pads & gloves) and bikes are not included in the price, but are available to rent. Non rental bikes must pass a safety check.

The program is for 8 to 12 year-olds and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A full day is $89 and includes lunch and expert instruction. The three-day camp is $250 and includes lunch and a grab bag.

New this year is a 10-day lesson pass sold through Whistler Kids.

Passes are good for either the Mountain Bike Adventure Program or the Big Mountain Adventure Program between the dates of June 28 and September 1. The Early Bird pass price starts at $489.

Every Thursday and Saturday, from 6 to 10 p.m. kids can enjoy activity-based evenings with the mountain.

Activities include frisbee golf, air bands, pizza parties, cookie decorating, scavenger hunts, carnival games and a night at the movies.

Come prepared for both indoor and outdoor activities. The cost is $45 and caters to 5 to 12 year-olds.

The Dave Murray Summer Ski and Snowboard Camps are also on offer.

Go for freestyle skiing, alpine racing, or snowboarding and learn amazing skills and tricks. These camps provide expert coaching for all ability levels from ages 7 and up. There are both five and eight-day camps.

For more information contact 604-932-5765 or check out www,skiandsnowboard.com.

Camp Summit offers something unique.

Youths, 10 to 15 years old, can stay in winterized log cabins on 50 acres of wooded land, eat tasty food, and participate in all the outdoor activities that make Whistler famous – mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, summer skiing or snowboarding, kayaking, arts and crafts and more.

All programs are geared for the active and outdoorsy type. Staff are professionally trained, accredited, and certified in First Aid and CPR.

Call 1-866-550-1118 or check out www.explorecanada.ca for more info.

Just about very Wednesday from now until August 27 a Family Cabaret Night will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Plaza Gazebo. Families can enjoy local street entertainment and its all for free.

Many other organizations are offering activities for kids. For those looking further afield there is lots going on.

Did you know that there are 351 museums in B.C. that you could visit.

The Royal Victoria Museum is hosting Dragon Bones – When Dinosaurs ruled China. So far more than 100,000 people – many of them kids — have enjoyed the exhibit.

Go to http://rbcml.rbcm.gov.bc.ca for more information on the exhibit.

Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium are other great spots to visit.

You can find out what’s on their agenda’s at www.canaqua.org and at www.scienceworld.bc.ca .

If you’re heading to Washington be sure and check out the children’s museum in Seattle.

Kids can dress up and perform their own theatre and explore how others lived through the exhibits.

For more information go to www.thechildrensmuseum.org .

Have a great summer!