Shuswap Explorers Newsletter

Blind Bay MunchkinsShuswap Explorers Updates

 

Summer is quickly approaching!!

We’ve had another great year at Shuswap Explorers After School Program and look forward to another fun year!

If you will be needing after school care in September please register online and secure your space. Spaces are limited!

A $50.00 non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your space for September.

If you will be needing summer care at all over the summer or would like to put your kids in a fun adventure camp for a week or two over the summer- check out our Summit Kids program based out of Salmon Arm. We offer full day adventure camps Monday to Friday. Bus heads out at 9 am and is back by 4pm. Our opening hours are from 7:30am to 6:00pm.

Please remember to let us know if your child will not be attending the after school program on their scheduled day!

A quick text can do wonders! THANK YOU!! 250-803-2996

 

May Newsletter!

Blind Bay MunchkinsBlind Bay Munchkins Updates

The warm weather is finally here!! We are ecstatic. We have been starting the majority of our days outside so please:

  • apply sunscreen on your child(ren) before drop off.
  • Send a hat and appropriate outside clothes (we are outside all day)
  • Sandals or quick dry shoes (Not flip flops)
  • Change of clothes (or several!) we play in water/mud/sand regularly
  • Swim gear can be left in cubbies as well or a sun shirt!
  • Water bottle (labeled)
  • June to Aug there will be an additional $5.00 monthly charge for sunscreen. If you have a specific preference on sunscreen and prefer to send your own labeled bottle to stay in your child’s cubby just let us know!  

We have started our weekly bus trips and are having some great adventures! We mainly stick to our little Blind Bay/Sorrento area and have enjoyed some nature hikes and park adventures. Our trips are spontaneous and change weekly so that everyone gets a chance to head out. Please make sure your children are dropped off by 9:00AM.

   

 

Keep an eye for upcoming event days posted on the door- from pajama day, baking special snacks to share, picking our local produce and creating. We will post a heads up on the door ahead of time.

Some children really benefit from having a special stuffy or blankie from home. If your child is one of these and you don’t already- please bring an extra stuffy they can leave in their cubby to comfort them 🙂

 

We are looking forward to planting a fun, edible garden with the children in the upcoming weeks. So much learning happens during this process over the next few months!

 The children will be able to develop new skills such as:

  • Responsibility- from caring for their plants.
  • Understanding- as they learn about cause and effect (plants die without water, or too much water/sun etc…)
  • Self confidence- from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown.
  • Love of nature- a chance to learn and explore the outdoor environment
  • Reasoning and Discovery- learning about the science of plants, animals, weather, the environment, nutrition and simple construction.
  • Co-operation & team work- as we work together as a team to achieve an end goal
  • Nutrition and Creativity as we learn about where fresh food comes from and find new and exciting ways to grow food!

We have some available spaces coming up in September- if anyone would like to add a day- please let Sam know by June 1st. In house families get first priority. 250-803-2996

We look forward to each day we get to spend with your amazing little people and thank all our families for raising such special, beautiful children.

Summit Reminders & Summer Camp

Blind Bay MunchkinsThe Outsiders Updates

Summer Camp News

We are now taking registrations for summer camp! We are looking forward to a fun filled active summer! It’s going to be a blast!!

Each day is an adventure, we are an outdoor based program so will be spending our days hiking, biking, exploring the Shuswap, heading to different beaches, scavenger hunts, mountain & river exploration, games,
science experiments, science center and so much more!

Please note our days are flexible and based on the group we have and their interests. Daily activities will be planned around them and what we know they will enjoy! The options are endless and we do not have a set summer schedule.

What you CAN plan for:

We will enjoy and explore the many offerings of the Shuswap and surrounding areas daily, so children should come with the following, everyday:

  • Swim Gear
  • Towel
  • Large re-usable water bottle (we can re-fill)
  • Healthy Lunch and Snacks for the day
  • Appropriate outside clothes for the weather

If the children need bikes, helmets or something out of the ordinary for the day, we will let everyone know in advance.

  • We will explore and have fun, every day, rain or shine!
  • Bus leaves at 9:00am and returns by 4:00pm

Looking forward to a fun filled summer!

Please label everything and read the parent handbook for more detail and what to send your child with daily. You can label your gear and leave it at the center if that makes it easier for your family.

Your space is not held until your deposit has been received.

Invoices will be sent out at the end of June for July camps.

Why is Social Emotional Learning So Important?

Blind Bay MunchkinsResources

Social Emotional Learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

These skills are essential for children and adults as we make successful transitions in life- one of the first big ones is heading into kindergarten where children will get to practice and build on the skills they have learned thus far.

On a daily basis we support the children in our care socially and emotionally- giving them the skills they need to be successful on a daily basis!

Take a quick peek at this video that shows you what SEL is and the importance of it.

Munchkins April Newsletter

Blind Bay MunchkinsBlind Bay Munchkins Updates

Happy Spring Everyone! We are so glad for this warmer weather! The children are having so much fun splashing in mud puddles, biking, exploring in the creek and enjoying everything outdoors! As the warmer weather brings rain and mud please make sure your children are equipped with proper outdoor gear! A one piece muddy buddy is the best investment ever if you don’t have one already! We utilize these for most seasons! You can buy a size up and use it for 2 years 🙂 They keep your little ones dry and their clothes cleaner! What parent doesn’t love that!?

On that note- if you are finding it a challenge to take home messy outdoor gear, feel free to leave it at the center. We will hang it to dry and shake it off or wash it. We are happy to make things easier for your family! Please make sure your gear is labeled!! We have an awesome fundraiser that is ongoing with *Emily Labels* –  easy name stickers you can stick on ANYTHING! They wash and don’t come off! Otherwise a sharpie works great too! www.emilypress.com/bbmunchkins

As we head out of winter we will be heading out on field trips! Please make sure your children are dropped off by 9:00am everyday. We will be jumping on the bus 2x/week (spontaneously- so everyone gets an adventure) and will not wait for late comers! We are equipped with car seats and seat belts on the school bus and will be going on local trips- hiking, parks, farm adventures etc… Our trips are based on the interests and diversity of our group and what suits them that day! We are excited to go out and explore our community. If we are headed out further than our local area (Kamloops zoo) – we will post a note prior to.  If you have any questions or concerns please let Sam know- 250-803-2996.

When pulling into the driveway for drop off or pick up, please park parallel to the fence and off to the left or right. Also follow the arrows and enter at the top and leave through the lower exit 🙂  This makes it much easier for multiple families to come and go through the driveway. Do not park in the middle or block the entrance with your whole vehicle- this makes it very difficult for anyone else to come in or out. Also please be mindful of pulling in front of staff vehicles at the end of the day if you plan on visiting or if your pick up takes a bit longer. Thank you so much we all appreciate it!

Stay updated as we figure out our new webpage (www.blindbaymunchkins.ca) where we will post updates/newsletters important information etc… We are hoping to have all our newsletters along with some great parent resources online soon!

We are so grateful for the wonderful group of children we get to spend our days exploring, playing and learning with! Thank you to all our families for raising such wonderful little people.