Author: Kimberly

Kimberly is a homeschooling mother of two living with her husband of over 20 years in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also a freelance writer, editor, social media manager, and VA. In her free time she likes to hand-spin, knit, read, engage in local theatre, and horseback ride.
Posted in Homeschool Information

It’s Homeschool Registration Time in Nova Scotia

Posted on by Kimberly

It’s Homeschool Registration Time in Nova Scotia!

If you have already decided to homeschool your child this year, it’s homeschool registration time. September 20th is the deadline to register your child in Nova Scotia. It’s easy to register! Just follow these steps:

1) Click HERE to download the Nova Scotia Department of Education registration form.

All children ages 5 to 16 (re Amendment to Education Act Regulations, Section 3(1)) must be registered by September 20th of the coming school year (although if you’re starting mid-year this doesn’t apply). Registration must include:

in the case of previous public school experience, the last grade level attained; in the case of previous home education experience, the program level of achievement and estimated equivalent public school grade level; and identification of the proposed home education program” (Regulations Section 39 (2))

2) Fill out (online or on paper) your registration form, or you may choose to send in a letter of intent with the required information (if you are an HSLDA member, they provide a template). If you are registering your child for the first time (they have never been in a Nova Scotia school before), the Ministry will demand a copy of your child’s birth certificate, so you may want to include one with your registration.

In the Regulations, reference is only made to providing your children with an “educational program”. There are no stipulations as to what the “educational program” must be and can be whatever you feel is appropriate to give your child a well-rounded education. So, don’t agonize over filling out the registration form because this gives you complete freedom to choose whatever materials (religious or secular) you want and to design your own program that meets your child’s needs.

If you are using a curriculum that you purchased, you can say yes, your curriculum is commercially available, fill out the name and level of the curriculum and then your registration ends there – no need to fill out all the little subject boxes. But don’t forget to sign it (they will send it back for a signature – ask me how I know)!

3) Mail or send your registration digitally.

All done! Homeschool registration time doesn’t have to be stressful.

Can you decide to homeschool in the middle of the school year?

Yes! Simply fill out the registration form and send it in whenever you decide to start. The September 20th deadline is just for those who have decided at the beginning of the school year.

For more information on starting to homeschool, check out the Getting Started Page. And if you’re in the Halifax area, come to the Homeschool Informational Tea this Saturday!

it's homeschool registration time

If you have any questions about homeschool registration time in Nova Scotia, or homeschooling in general, please let me know in the comments below!

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Posted in Resources

Canadian Homeschool Resource Sale!

Posted on by Kimberly

One of the questions I get asked about homeschooling is, “Where can I get Canadian homeschool curricula?” Well, here is a whole bunch in one convenient Canadian homeschool resource sale!

canadian homeschool resource sale

Canadian Homeschool Resource Sale!

Canadian resources for geography, history, French, and more! Yay! You’ll find curriculum from providers such as The Canadian Homeschooler, Unlock Math, and Hip Homeschooling in the Canadian Learning Bundle. Here it all is, broken down so you can see which resources will fit you and your kids.

For Preschool

For Elementary

For Middle School

For High School

For All Ages

For YOU!

And that’s not all – there are bonuses, too! Altogether it adds up to $450 in resources for only $27 CDN. That’s over twice as much bang for your buck as last year and all new resources too – but only until August 8th! You don’t have to figure out any US exchange rate, and no shipping charges because it’s all digital! Tap here to learn more about this Canadian homeschool resource sale!

canadian homeschool resource sale

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I make a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!

Posted in Things to Do, Places to Go

2017 Nova Scotia Summer Camps

Posted on by Kimberly

Looking for 2017 Nova Scotia Summer Camps? Check out these camps and activities for your kids to enjoy on the mainland!

2017 Nova Scotia summer camps

2017 Nova Scotia Summer Camps

Kids Bowl Free all summer across the province! Visit Kids Bowl Free for more information.

HALIFAX/DARTMOUTH AREA

Alderney Landing Art Camps
Dartmouth
$200 for 1 week camps, $350 for 2 week camps
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Camps for Ages 6-10:
Art Camp: Pet Portraits July 3 – 7 (Rotunda)
Students will create portraits of pets and animals using various art processes throughout the week. Felting, sculpture, painting, collage and more along with super fun daily adventures, storytelling and outings in the community.
Art Camp: Whale of a Time! July 10 – 14 (Rotunda)
Students will spend time exploring deep sea creatures in their art projects. Includes a trip to the Bedford institute of Oceanography, doing plaster sculptures, Chihuly Glass, clay, sketchbook art and more!
Theatre Camp: Superhero VS July 17 – 21 (Theatre)
Students will work on creating and producing an exciting performance about ensuing battles between glory-seeking Superheroes in a play written just for them by students in our Scriptwriting Camp!
Camps for Ages 11-15:
Horror Movie Camp July 3 – 7 (Theatre)
Students will work with a local professional filmmaker learning the skills to write, produce, film and edit a Horror Movie Trailer which will be featured in our BLUENOSE GHOSTS Horror Movie Trailer Challenge in October!
Scriptwriting July 10 – 14 (New Boardroom + Rotunda)
Students will work with a local director/Actor/Playwright learning the ins and outs of writing a script for Superhero VERSUS! A play to be performed in our following week’s Theatre Camp.
Circus Camp with Willy Badger July 24- 28 (Theatre)
Come run away to the old-time traveling circus with Storyteller/Busker Willy Badger and his crew of traveling entertainers. Create juggling props, circus back drop through video and pastels plus put on an entertaining variety show. Music & mime, arts & crafts & circus skills are introduced leading to Showtime Friday.
Haunted Sculptures “Monuments of Horror” July 17 – 28 Rotunda
Students work with a local large scale professional sculptor creating ghoulish monuments to be featured for public display in October’s Bluenose Ghosts Festival.
Registration includes supplies, daily snack, and lunch on Friday. Please call the Alderney Landing Box Office to make payments (902)461-8401 or contact linda@alderneylanding.com

Artech Summer Camps
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Institute of Technology, 5685 Leeds St
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Click on link above to register.
July 4-7th – a 4 day camp week
Girls Go Digital! – ages 8 – 15 years – $284 – Camp is FULL
3D Minecraft World Design – ages 7-10 – $284 – camp is FULL
3D Minecraft World Design – ages 10-14 – $284 – camp is FULL
July 10-14th
Random Games: From Platforms to Portals – ages 7-12 – $349-FULL
Toon Boom Animation PART I – for teens – $349
Toon Boom animation software has become the industry standard Work on everything from storyboard through concept to character design and animation production.
July 17-21st
Game Design & Minecraft World Design – ages 7-12 – $349
Can’t decide between creating your own game or designing new worlds in Minecraft? This camp lets you do both!
Mining into Minecraft – ages 10-14 – $349
Discover the dynamic programming and design strategies behind games like Minecraft and Terraria.
Toon Boom Animation PART II – for teens – $349
A chance for Animators to take their ideas to the next level!
July 25-28th
Mario Minecraft Remix – ages 7-12- $349 – FULL
Mobile Movie Making – teens – $349
With cell phones and tablets getting faster and better every year, quality movie making is becoming easier than ever.
July 31st – Aug 4th
Animate! Animate! – ages 7-10 – $349
Bring clay, paper or Lego to life with stop motion animation lets you bring all sorts of characters to life.
Animate! Animate! – ages 10-14 – $349
Stop motion animation lets you bring all sorts of characters to life! We will cover story boarding through production, using stop motion animation techniques, as well as some special effects using the same software that’s used to make the Wallace & Gromit movies!
Design Games for Androids! – ages 11 and up – $349
Create an original game for your mobile devices. Design and program your own characters, blocks, monsters and story.
Aug 8-11th – 4 day camp week
Artech’s First Ever Game Jam! – ages 8-18 – $284
Work individually or on a team! No experience necessary. There will be instructors on hand to help teams take their ideas from planning to completion. Plus prizes!
3D Minecraft World Design – all ages – $284
Learn how to: create spectacular 3D statues; take control of your world with control blocks; and much, much more!
August 14-18th
3D Minecraft World Design – ages 7-12 – $349
Learn how to: create spectacular 3D statues; take control of your world with control blocks; enhance your worlds with REDSTONE; and much, much more!
Unity Game Design – teens $349
This is the camp many of you have been waiting for if you are tech savvy and are ready to take things to the next level!

2017 nova scotia summer camps

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Summer School of the Arts
July 4 – September 1
Week-long half-day classes: Non-members $130.00 per week; Gallery Members $117 per week. Fees include all art materials.
For ages 5-7 and 8-12
Register in person at the AGNS Gallery South Information Desk or by phone with credit card payment (Visa or MasterCard only) at 424-5280 during regular Gallery hours.

Athletics & Recreation Camps at Dalhousie University
All summer long, July 4-September 2nd for ages 5-17
Choose from Active Kids, Badminton, Climbing Camps, Lacrosse, Lifeguard, Leadership, Fencing, Shakespeare by the Sea, and more!
Click the link above for more info.

Atlantic Cirque – School of Circus Arts
Halifax
Summer Camps – for ages 5-6, 7-12, and 13-17
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm $275
June 26 through August 18
Trampoline, juggling, stilts, human pyramids, trapeze, and more!
Classes and Workshops also available. See link above for details.

Coding Camp at the NSCC
July 4-7 – Minecraft Adventures, ages 8-11, $189
July 10-14 – Intro to Java Coding: Modding with Minecraft & Forge, ages 10-14, $229
July 17-21 – Game Design & Development with Scratch, ages 8-10, $229 – FULL
July 17-21 – Mobile Game Maker, ages 10-15, $229 – FULL
July 24-28 – YouTube Camp, ages 10-15, $229 – FULL
July 24-28 – Host Your Own Minecraft Video, ages 9-14, $229 – FULL
July 31-Aug 4 – Coding Girls, ages 9-15, $329
July 31-Aug 4 – Robotics Camp, ages 10-15, $329
Aug 8-11 – YouTube Camp, ages 10-15, $189
Aug 14-18 – Host Your Own Minecraft Video Show, ages 9-14, $229
Aug 21-25 – Robotics Camp, ages 10-15, $329 -FULL
Aug 21-25 – Game Design & Development with Scratch, ages 8-10, $229
Aug 28-Sep 1 – Intro to Programming, ages 10-14, $329
Aug 28-Sep 1 – Adventures in Programming, ages 8-10, $329
Tap on the link above for more info and to register.

Discovery Centre Camps
Halifax
5-7 and 8-12 year olds; 9am-4pm; $230/week; MEMBERS: $215/week
Nine weeks of Summer Science Camps to choose from July 3 through Sept 1, Destination Discovery, Digital Discovery, and Ocean Technology Camps.
To register online, tap the link above.

French Language Camps
July 3-7 – Camp Chocolat – St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Halifax, ages 6-10
July 10-14 – Camp Chocolat Session 2
July 17-21 – Camp du Soleil – Dartmouth, ages 6-10
July 24-28 – Camp du Soleil Session 2

Mad Science Summer Camp
Halifax/Dartmouth
Ages 5-12
Hours (9am-3:30pm): $210/week, Half Days (9am-12pm or 12:30pm-3:30pm): $130/week; 4-day week camps $170/week or $105/week for half days
July 4-7 – Flight Academy (Shambhala School, Halifax)
July 10-14 – Crazy Chemists (Shambhala School)
July 17-21 – Secret Agent Lab (Shambhala School)
July 24-28 – Flight Academy (Shambhala School)
August 8-11 – Crazy Chemists (Woodlawn United Church, Dartmouth)
Please send your registration form and cheque (made payable to Mad Science) to 3537 Leaman Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 3Z6 or scan and email to madsciencenovascotia@gmail.com

The Nova Scotia Sea School
Halifax
Register for a 7-day Coastal Expedition, Sea of Islands Base Camp, or 8-Day Take it Outside Girls Expedition – AGES 14-18. No sailing experience is necessary. Tap the link above for more info.

NSCAD Summer Art Camps
Various Art camps available throughout the summer for various ages 5 through 18, 8:30am-5pm.
For more info, tap the link above.

2017 nova scotia summer camps

SuperNOVA Camps at Dalhousie University
Camps for Grades 1-12
Cost from: $210-230 per week, 9am-4pm
Choose from: Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Oceans Combo, I.T.S. for Girls, and more
Contact: 902.494.6220 or supernova@dal.ca

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY

Brigadoon Camps
on Aylesford Lake
Camp See-Ya (blind and visual impairment): July 2-7
Camp Carpe Diem (epilepsy): July 9-14
Camp Braveheart (congenital heart issues): July 9-14
Camp JoinTogether (arthritis): July 16-21
Camp Kedooopse (bereavement): July 23-28
Camp Believe (parental mental illness): July 23-28
Camp Treasure Chest (asthma/anaphylaxis/respiratory): July 30-August 4
Camp Trailblazers (craniofacial/facial differences): August 6-10
Camp Lots-a-Wata (kidney disease): August 6-11
Camp Guts & Glory (Crohn’s and Colitis/IBD): August 13-18
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtime (cancer):  August 20-25
Camp Silly Yak (celiac disease): August 27-September 2
Canoeing, swimming, arts & crafts, outdoor education
Choose a payment option that works for you. RSVP today with Sandy Morrow, info@brigadoonvillage.org or phone 1-888-471-5666. Or tap here to set up registration online.

CANNING

Summer Arts 2017 Camps & Programs
Ross Creek Centre for the Arts
July 3-September 1 for Ages 5-7, Ages 8-10, Ages 11-16, Teen, plus Dance Summer Dance Camp for Ages 12-18.
Tap the link above for a PDF full of information and to register for one of these amazing camps or programs!

DIGBY COUNTY

French Language Camp
August 7-11 – Camp Artistique – Barton, Digby County, ages 10-14

FOREST GLEN

Forest Glen Bible Camp
July 5-8 Family Camp 1 – All Ages, cost varies by age
July 10-15 Teen Camp – Ages 13-18 $177
July 17-22 Junior Camp – Ages 8-12 $177
July 26-29 Family Camp 2 – All Ages, cost varies by age
Tap on the link above for more information.

HAMMONDS PLAINS

Mad Science Summer Camp
Hammonds Plains Community Centre at 2041 Hammonds Plains Rd
August 14-18 – Secret Agent Lab
Please send your registration form and cheque (made payable to Mad Science) to 3537 Leaman Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 3Z6 or scan and email to madsciencenovascotia@gmail.com

KENTVILLE

Youth Theatre Camps
Centre Stage Theatre
$150 per week, Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Participants will learn stage skills such as voice, movement, character development and technical aspects. All camps are waiting list only.
July 3-7: Ages 5-8, Pippi Longstocking
July 10-14: Ages 7-11, Mr. Grey
July 17-21: Ages 8-12, Robin Hood
July 24-28: Ages 9-15, Campfire Tales: Attack of the Giant Chicken
July 31-Aug 4: Ages 8-12, Wolf and the Kid Who Cried
Aug. 7-11: Ages 5-7, Tales of Old
Aug. 14-18: Ages 9-15, Once Upon a Time
For more information, call 678-3502.

LOWER SACKVILLE

Sackawa Canoe Club
Sackawa offers weekly camps July 4-August 18, Mon-Fri, $175 for 1 week or $325 for 2 weeks.
Introduces the sport of canoe/kayak racing . Water activities such as an introduction to kayaking/canoeing and swimming, and learn teamwork in the war canoe. Dryland activities include soccer, volleyball, and various co-operative games.
Contact registrar@sackawa.ca for more information.

2017 Nova Scotia Summer Camps

MAGDALEN ISLANDS

French Language Camps
July 9-15 – Nautical Camp, Magdalen Islands, ages 12-16
July 9-15 – Sea Kayak Adventure Camp, Magdalen Islands, ages 15-17

MAHONE BAY

Youth Theatre Camp
Trinity United Church
July 3-7: Ages 6-10, Tales of Old
July 10-14: Ages 10-16, Once Upon a Time
August 28-Sept 1: Ages 8-13, Robin Hood
Learn theatre skills including voice, movement, character development and auditioning skills; theatre games, team building activities and rehearsals for the final production.
Visit the link above or click here for the registration form.

POINTE-DE-L’EGLISE

French Immersion Camp at Universite Saint Anne
1 week camp for ages 10 and up, July 29-August 5
$313.17 tuition, $194.87 room, $187.91 meals – includes sports, socio-cultural activities

SAMBRO HEAD

Bayside Camp
Camps run all summer long, and are available for various ages, from
Grades 1 through 12
Tap the above link for more info.

French Language Camp
August 20-26 – Camp de la Baie – Sambro Head, ages 10-14
August 27-Sep 1 – Camp de la Baie Session 2 – Sambro Head, ages 10-14

THORBURN

Music & Gospel Arts Camp
Scotia Glen Camp
For ages 7-12, $230/person

YARMOUTH COUNTY
Yarmouth Recreation Day Camps
Ages 4-17 years
Choose from Summer Fun Camp, Sports Camp, Yarmouth South Playground Program, Lake Milo Aquatic Club Program, or Youth Outdoor Active Leadership Program.
Tap on the link above for more info.

***Do you know of any other 2017 Nova Scotia summer camps on the mainland? Let me know and I’ll post them here***

Tap here for 2017 Cape Breton Summer Camps & Activities.

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Be the first to get activities, events, encouragement, and reviews in your inbox: tap here!

Posted in Homeschool Events

2017 Cape Breton Summer Camps

Posted on by Kimberly

Looking for 2017 Cape Breton Summer camps and activities to enrich your child’s summer? Check out what’s happening across the island!

2017 cape Breton summer camps

2017 Cape Breton Summer Camps

ARTS & CULTURE

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design Creativity and Craft Camps
Sydney
These camps will be based on creativity and how important it is to express yourself and let your own true colour shine through. They will also include lessons on the importance of the arts, learning, positive attitudes and the environment.
July 10 – July 14, ages 6-8
July 17 – July 21, ages 9-10
July 24 – July 28, ages 6-8
August 8 – August 11, ages 11-13
Half day weekly fee $75 – morning (9am-12pm) or afternoon (1-4pm); $65 for additional siblings
Full day weekly fee $120 (9am-4pm);$110 for additional sibling
*Week of August 8 is $56 half day or $96 full day
Pre-registration is required. Register in person or by phone with credit card payment by calling Amy at 902 539 7491 ext 116.

Class Acts Drama School Summer Day Camps
Sydney
Registration: June 17, 10:00am – 2:00pm
New Dawn CSI (former Holy Angels School, 37 Nepean St.)
July 3-7, 10am – 3pm, ages 9 – 12: Theme Play
Students will collectively create a play on a chosen theme. The class will be guided by Brian Gallivan through the process of selecting a theme, writing a script, casting players, staging rehearsals, and performing on the last day.
Acting Adventures (July 24-28, 10am – 3pm)
ages 9 and under
Instructor: Maggie Musgrave (maggie@classactsdrama.com)
A week of games, crafts, and story-telling. Fun-filled and good for both new and returning students.
Scenes with Dialect (July 10-14, 10am – 3pm)
ages 13 – 15
Instructor: Brian Gallivan (brian@classactsdrama.com)
Explore the fun of playing a character with a foreign dialect. This class experience will dramatically improve each student’s ability to enhance a role. Various short scenes will be performed on last day of camp. (students will be required to do some memory work)
Super Fun Drama Time Yeah (July 17 – 21, 10am – 3pm)
age 15+
Instructor: James FW Thompson (james@classactsdrama.com)
Fun theatre that spans the ages and generations but now for teens! Games, activities, improv, scene creation, everything! For experienced and new students! Super fun time, yeah!
Fee for each camp is $150 (with family discounts available!) and must be fully paid prior to starting class. For more information, or for early registration, please email the specific instructor for the camp.

Fortress of Louisbourg
Louisbourg
The Fortress holds three camp-style programs for youth every summer. Must be a member – family membership is only $15 and you can buy a membership and register for programs online.
Children’s Program for ages 5-12. 5 days. Approx. $75
Dress up in 18th century clothing, eat period snacks, play period games, and more.
Youth Apprenticeship for ages 13-16. 5 days. Approx. $75
Must have completed one year in the Children’s Program. Dress in 18th century clothing and choose from a Servant’s Life (includes 2 or more activities: cooking, laundry, garden work, cleaning, domestic crafts and serving, a Labour’s Life (includes 2 or more activities: forge, boat building, garden work, military, stacking/chopping wood and bakery), a Lady’s Life includes 1 activity: bobbin lace making (take away book mark), sewing a lingerie cap (take away cap), or embroidering (take away handkerchief), or a Drummer’s Life (drumming).
Youth Fife and Drum Program for ages 12-16 with some experience playing the drum, fife, or flute. Audition required. Please note: must have attended the winter drumming sessions.

Savoy “Got Glee?” Summer Musical Theatre Program
Glace Bay
Canadian Kids Rock! Ages 9-18; $350
July 4 – 14 9am-4pm, with Friday the 14th only 12 pm to Show Time
Directed by Gayle Lahey & Todd Marsh. Exposes students to modern music, movement, and acting! Students will also be rehearsing and preparing for a live musical theatre performance which will take place on the main stage of the Savoy Theatre on July 14th! Call 902-842-1577 to register.

SCIENCE

ACAP Cape Breton
Sydney
Holds Eco Kids Day Camps every summer. Watch the website above for more info. or email education@acapcb.ns.ca

IslandWise Science Camp for Girls
Sydney – CBU
Ages 7-12; July 10-14, 9am-4pm
Free full day camp with a focus on applied sciences.
Only 30 spaces available – first come first served. Contact Stephanie_Macquarrie@cbu.ca or brittneymelnick@gmail.com, 902-549-3110.

SPORTS

Capers Basketball Camps
Sydney
Coaches will utilize personal demonstration, individual instruction, half court and full court games and drills to allow the campers to get the best possible basketball experience.
GIRLS (grade 6+): July 10-14, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, $250
BOYS (grade 6+): July 17-21, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, $250
BOYS & GIRLS MINI (grade 5 and below): July 24-28, 9:00 am-1:00pm, $150
Call CBU Athletics at 563-1277 or 563-1143.

Dream Stables Horse Camp
49 Oyster Cove Road, Main-A-Dieu
Details TBA

Redwood Stables
1806 Coxheath Road
Horseback riding – for more information contact Mona
redwood@ns.sympatico.ca
539-5529

ZombieProof Martial Arts
Sydney
Ages 5-14, $25 per day
Fun, games, education, martial arts.
Call (or text Summer Camp): 902-371-3969

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Camp Bretondean
965 Hillside Road, Albert Bridge
An ecumanical overnight camp for children aged 6 – 14.
July 17 – 21, 2017; $200 with sibling and bring a friend discounts available.
See Facebook page link above, call camp registrar Betty Mansfield 902-794-3198, or register online.

Camp MacLeod
2731 Trout Brook Road, Albert Bridge
Camp Registrar: 733-2560 (after June 24: 562-1085)
All camps are $135, and for additional children $110, $70 for Novice Camp
Junior Co-Ed (ages 9-11) July 3-9
Intermediate Co-Ed (ages 12-14) July 10-16
Junior Girls (ages 9-11) July 17-23
Senior Co-Ed (ages 14-16) July 24-30
Novice Co-Ed (ages 7-8) July 31-August 3
Intermediate Co-Ed #2 (ages 12-14) August 7-13
Junior Co-Ed #2 (ages 9-11) August 14-20
Intermediate Co-Ed #3 (ages 12-14) August 21-27

Cape Breton Bible Camp
July 2-7 – Adventure Camp (10-12 yrs) – $250
July 9-13 – Discovery Camp (8-9 yrs) – $200
July 16-21 – Junior Teen (13-14 yrs) – $250
July 23-28 – Skills Camp (10-12 yrs) – $250
July 30-Aug 3 – Explorer Camp (8-9 yrs) – $200
Aug 6-11 – Senior Teen (15-18 yrs) – $250
Sep 30-Oct 2 – Teen Retreat (13-18 yrs) – $75
*check the website above for multiple child discounts

French Language Camp
June 23-29, ages 11-14 Canadian Parents for French
Sydney Camp at Camp MacLeod, Albert Bridge
Tap the link above for more information and to register.

Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts
Stay overnight, or choose a day camp instead – everything from the Gaelic language to Highland dance, music, and weaving offered.
Ages 5 – adult

MISCELLANEOUS CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

CBU Camps
Sydney
Various Camps throughout the summer for ages 4-12. Click on image to see full poster or click the link above for more information.
2017 cape Breton summer camps

Edventure Cape Breton Camp
A fun, educational day camp at Cape Breton University. Early bird prices available until end of day (midnight) June 30th for $135.
Aug 14- 18 Learning through Nature: Earth & Fire
Aug 21 – 25 Learning through Art: Air
Aug 28 – Sept 1 Learning through Drama: Water
Contact at the Facebook page link above or email edventurecb@gmail.com for more information.

Highland Village Programs
Wednesdays: Laithean Sona/Happy Days Chidren’s Living History Program
Take part in this special living-history program for children and get a sense of what life was like for Gaels in those days past. The program features special hands-on activities including chores, crafts, games, language, and song. Costumes are provided. For ages 8-12 only. 10 am to 4 pm. $45 per child. Prepaid reservations required. No refunds or discounts. 13% HST included.
Thursdays – Na Deugairean/ The Teenagers Living History Program for Youth
Partake in this special living-history program for teens and get a sense of the responsibilities and the lifestyles of young Gaels in days past. The program features special hands-on activities including chores, crafts, language and song. Costumes are provided. For ages 13-17. 10 am to 4 pm. $45 per child. Prepaid reservations required. No refunds or discounts. 13% HST included.
Fridays – Spors/Fun Gaelic Games for Kids
Join us for a morning of interactive games that focus on language, song, dance and other aspects of Scottish heritage. Gaelic games such as Tunnag Tunnag Geadh, Duck Duck Goose, center on basic Gaelic vocabulary and phrases which are incorporated into fun and engaging games for children. Spors is for children aged 5-10. 10 am to 12 pm. Free admission.

Super Summer Day Camp
Sydney Curling Club
Ages 5-10, July 4 – September 1, $140 per week

Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Camp
Sydney
New Dawn Innovation Centre (former Holy Angels)
July 31-August 4th; Register before July 24th – click poster below for more information.

**Do you know about a Cape Breton summer camp or activity? Let me know and I’ll post it here!**

For mainland Nova Scotia summer camps, tap here.

Be the first to get activities, events, encouragement, and reviews in your inbox: tap here!

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Posted in Resources

Work at Home While You Homeschool: 5 Legitimate Work at Home Jobs!

Posted on by Kimberly

work at home

Work at Home While You Homeschool:
5 Legitimate Work at Home Jobs!

You see those spammy ads about working at home all the time, I’m sure. The ones that promise work at home jobs – easy work for big money. So you wonder, are there truly companies out there that will hire you to work at home?

I am here to tell you that there are!

Are you ready?

Here are five companies that you can apply to today for work at home jobs:

– The Chat Shop (customer support): http://www.thechatshop.com/jobs/live-chat-agent

– TranscribeMe! (transcription): http://transcribeme.com/transcription-jobs

– Leapforce (Search Engine Evaluation): https://www.leapforceathome.com/qrp/public/home

– Wonder (research): https://askwonder.com/researcher

– Proofreading Services (proofreading): https://www.proofreadingservices.com/pages/careers

These five websites are included in the book, How to Find Real Work From Home Jobs by Anna Thurman. In this book, Anna lists *145* more companies who hire remote workers. Plus tons of detailed tips on how to search for jobs, how to avoid scams, and answers to all of your burning questions. Wow!

But that’s not even all of it …

This book is part of the Ultimate Work at Home Bundle. For only $47 US, you also get 49 other resources!

If you’re looking for a work at home job … if you need to identify your marketable skills … if you need to learn how to fit your work in between your other responsibilities at home … if you want to be more productive … if you want to avoid scams and opportunities that are really just a waste of your time …

You will LOVE this bundle.

It even includes a training course worth $250 to help you become a Virtual Assistant (VA), which is something I do from home, myself.

Pick it up here before the sale ends on Monday:

work at home

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

motionmailapp.com

P.S. Don’t forget the 30-day happiness guarantee! You’ve got nothing to lose. Get yours here!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I get a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!

Posted in Home Economics, Homeschool Information

Culinary Arts in the Homeschool: Enjoy Cake Decorating

Posted on by Kimberly

Are you enjoying home economics in your homeschool? One of the benefits of homeschooling is having the time to teach your kids all the skills they will need to use after they leave the nest, and being able to make it a fun part of your homeschool day! Another great benefit is that your kids can focus on a home economics subject if it’s one of their passions, such as the culinary arts – including cake decorating.

cake decorating

Culinary Arts in the Homeschool:

Enjoy Cake Decorating

The culinary arts are a big hit with both my 18 year old son and my 13 year old daughter. My son has even been working in a kitchen for two years now. They each started helping me in the kitchen when they were toddlers and could cook simple meals by the time they were 6 years old. Many days, you can find my kids both singing and dancing to music in the kitchen while they cook homemade chicken nuggets and fries or beef stroganoff, or bake chocolate chip cookies or homemade brownies. I love moments like that – especially when I get to enjoy the fruits of their labour!

My daughter developed a particular interest in cake decorating, years ago. I’m no expert, but I love making fancy cakes for birthdays. Kids love piping frosting on cakes so we often allow guests to decorate their own cupcakes or collaboratively decorate a cake at her birthday parties.

At first, my daughter enjoyed simply baking cakes from scratch with me. Then she started to experiment with decorating them. A lot of her inspiration and information at first came from videos she watched through Always Icecream.

She started to get interested in making and decorating with fondant. I knew absolutely nothing about it, so we turned to Craftsy. There’s a great, free, step-by-step mini-course called Basic Fondant Techniques that has taught my daughter how to make fondant and use it to great effect! She has watched it countless times, and each time she wants to use one of the techniques, she watches the video while she works. My daughter has insisted on making her own birthday cakes for years now!

She made this dragon egg (nesting in the sand) cake for her dragon themed birthday party a few years ago:

Cake decorating

This cake is a masterpiece from a few years ago:

cake decorating

She also enjoys making fondant flowers:

cake decorating

And my daughter still loves having fun decorating with buttercream frosting as well. Here is a Pinky Pie (from My Little Pony) cake that she created freehand:

cake decorating

Craftsy offers a bunch of great, free mini-courses, many of them in the culinary arts, so be sure to check them out! And then, if your child loves them, they can move on to classes such as Advanced Fondant Techniques and The Art of Painted Cakes.

Does your child have an interest in the culinary arts? Do you have any fun ideas to share? Please let me know in the comments below!

If you’d like to see how other homeschoolers cover home economics and life skills in their homeschools, check out Add Life Skills to Your Homeschool at The Canadian Homeschooler.

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

This post contains affiliate links, if you click through and buy I may make a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia.

Please note: This article was originally published in October, 2014 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Posted in Homeschool Information, Resources

Spelling Fun in Your Homeschool

Posted on by Kimberly

spelling fun

Spelling Fun in Your Homeschool

Spelling doesn’t have to be boring or tedious. Spelling can be fun! Toss those work sheets and spelling tests and give some of these resources a try for spelling fun in your homeschool. Spelling is important. Because spell check doesn’t catch everything!

SpellQuizzer

SpellQuizzer is great for any age, especially if your child loves to type and hates to print or write. Drill spelling words on the computer by recording the words (and a sample sentence or definition for your child), OR let your spouse or a special guest do the recording for even more fun. My daughter used to adore being a special guest for her big brother’s spelling words. You can also use it to drill vocabulary words, foreign language words, and more! Learn more, check out our SpellQuizzer review and get your free trial here.

The Homophone Machine

Homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently) are fun to learn about and they’re even more fun with the free online homophone machine. Your elementary age child will enjoy typing in words and phrases and see all the homophones appear. Try all the wonderful ideas and games suggested on the page for even more spelling fun.

Board Games

Board games play a big part in our everyday homeschool. Of course, Scrabble can be a great help for practising spelling. But there are many more games for spelling fun, such as Pick Two (which I adore) or Boggle. What’s your favourite?

Rummy Roots

Card games can add fun to your homeschool day, too! We’ve owned and used the Rummy Roots card game for many years. It is recommended in The Well-Trained Mind. We find it a terrific help for spelling words with Latin roots, studying Latin, and expanding vocabulary.

At first, when our kids were younger, we used it as a matching card game – simply matching Latin/Greek roots to their English definitions. Then we began playing the game properly – making compound words out of the various Latin and Greek roots, at first with two roots, and then with two or more. Recommended for ages eight to adult, I find anyone who reads well can play it.

Spelling Bees

I wish I could have participated in more spelling bees when I was a child – I only had the chance to enjoy one spelling bee in my Grade 4 classroom. My son enjoyed competing in spelling bees when he was elementary school age, although I don’t think he ever quite enjoyed spelling as much as I did.

Spelling bees aren’t as proliferous as they once were, but they are still around. Check out your nearest spelling bee and use their resources to study! If you’re in Nova Scotia, enter your child in the Halifax spelling bee. Even if your child doesn’t want to compete in a spelling bee, you can join the Scripps Spelling Bee Word Club for free spelling bee materials!

To practise, let the child who just can’t stop moving jump rope, bounce on an exercise ball, or jump on a mini trampoline for some extra fun. The spelling words will even stick in their brain better with the exercise!

Learning to Spell for Little Ones

There are many enjoyable resources available for your little ones who are learning to read and spell. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading. Spelling rules are so easy to remember when sung to the well-known tunes included in the program, “Rule Tunes.” And there are many more spelling games, including Bingo.

You may not have heard of Wordy Qwerty, as it isn’t well known, but it sure can be a fun addition for your little one. The JingleSpells spelling songs are a fantastic part of this spelling program. There are 20 incredibly well done tunes. They’re catchy and fun to sing along with, including everything from country to rock.

Are you making spelling fun in your homeschool? What resource makes it fun for you? Please let me know in the comments below!

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

 

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy I make a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!

Posted in Things to Do, Places to Go

Cape Breton March Break Camps 2017

Posted on by Kimberly

What’s going on in Cape Breton for children and families during the March Break, March 13-17?

cape breton march break camps 2017

Cape Breton March Break Camps 2017

Art Camp at Black Spoon Espresso Bar
North Sydney
Free your child’s creativity in a relaxing creative environment with award winning visual artist Nancy Chiasson. Use recycled box board into fabulous bookmarks and cards; gel pens, acrylics and glues on vintage pager to creating unique collages; painting with metallics and glitter (the kid’s love glitter) on recycled goose feathers; having fun creating ‘talking sticks’ with washi tape and driftwood. You can enroll your child for the week in either morning or afternoon program; 9am-noon OR 1pm-4pm. $99.00. Register: 902-322-0731.

Basketball at CBU
CBU Sullivan Field House, Sydney
March 13-17, 9am-1pm
Ages 6-17
CBU Capers Men’s and Women’s basketball teams share their skills. Call Coach Fabian at 902-563-1874.

Cape Breton Centre For Craft & Design March Break Camps
Sydney
Kids ‘N’ Comics
Kids ‘N’ Clay – Morning
Kids ‘N’ Jewellery
Kids ‘N’ Clay – Afternoon
Kids ‘N’ Printmaking
Pre-registration is required for all programs. Register in person or by phone with credit card payment at 902 539 7491 ext 111. Space is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment. Deadline to Register is March 10, 2017.

Cape Breton Regional Libraries
Fun March Break activities typically take place at the McConnell Library in Sydney for children in grade Primary and up. For more information please call the library at 562-3161.

Dream Stables
Usually holds a March Break Camp every year. No info. available at this time, please contact at the link above to inquire.

Gaelic College March Break Fun Camp
St. Ann’s
March 10-13 and 15-18, Ages 5-18
Gaelic language, fiddle, piano, piping, guitar, step & highland dance.

Hockey Camp
Emera Centre, North Sydney
March 17, 8am-4:10pm
$75 + HST
Group A: 2009-2007, Group B: 2006-2004, Skill Level: All levels
Each player will receive 2 X 90 minute ice times that feature 2 of our most popular programs, Modern Techniques of Hockey Skating and The Art of Scoring Goals. Perfect your skating and and learn to use your brain to score goals! Supervision will be provided between sessions as well. Players will partake in off-ice and classroom sessions.

Reaching Strides Equestrian Centre Horseback Riding Camp
Port Hood
March 13-15 (Snow Date Mar 15-17)
Camp sessions can be overnight sessions or day camp sessions. Campers enjoy a fun, safe experience that they will never forget. Camps combine horsemanship (working with and around the horses), theory, games and riding time with an emphasis on safety and lots and lots of fun. We provide a safe, friendly learning environment with a 1:3 ratio of camp counselors to students. Participants must be 4 years of age or older. We also welcome adults to attend our camps and clinics.
$260.00 / day campers (bring their own lunch)
$300.00 / overnighters (includes all meals)
$100.00 / single day

March Music Madness: A Vocal Performance Workshop
New Dawn CSI (formerly Holy Angels), Sydney
March 16-18, 10am-3pm, Ages 12 and up
$150 per person (due by March 3rd)
Give the gift of music and enroll yourself or someone special for a 3-day workshop dedicated to perfecting the art of optimal speaking and singing. The workshop will be comprised of body work, yoga, theatre sports, extensive masterclasses, and visualization.

March Break Daze at Ski Ben Eoin
Ben Eoin
March Break Day Camps for ages 6+
March 10-29th, 9:30am – 2:30pm
1 day=$55, 2 days=$100, 3 days=$135
call: 902-828-2804

Soccer at the CBU Dome
Sydney
March 14-17, 9am-noon
Ages 9 and up
Play soccer games, work on drills, and enjoy the Soccer Nova Scotia skills challenge. Click on the link above or call 902-564-1222.

Time Machine Camp
Harbourview Montessori, Sydney
March 13-17, 9am-3pm
$150 for 5 days or $35 per day.
150 Years of time travel with Edventure Cape Breton and the Old Sydney Society. Outdoor games, songs, stories, and skills.
Contact edventurecb@gmail.com to register.

Town House March Break Activities
Glace Bay
March 13-17, 9:00am-3:30pm
$20 per day; $90 per week. Family rates available.
Call 902-849-2449 for more info and drop by Town House to pay by March 9th.

ZombieProof March Break Camp

Ages 5-14
Fun, games, education, martial arts.
$25 per day (discounts for current students)
Call or text March Break to 902-371-3969

Do you know of any Cape Breton March Break Camps 2017 I’ve missed? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list. Thanks!

Click here for mainland Nova Scotia March Break camps.

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Posted in Things to Do, Places to Go

Nova Scotia March Break Camps 2017

Posted on by Kimberly

nova scotia march break camps 2017

Nova Scotia March Break Camps 2017

What’s going on for children and families during March Break on the mainland, March 13-17th?

ART

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Halifax
March Break Art Classes
March 13-17. Non-members $130/week for half-days; $260/week for full-day classes (+HST). Family Memberships receive a 10% discount. Pre-registration required: 902-424-5280
For ages 5 to 12.

Creative Kids Education Centre March Break Artastic Camps
Hammonds Plains
8:45am-3:45pm. Themed portion of camps is 9am-noon. Optional childcare from 7am until 6pm at no extra charge. Full week $150; Half day $100; Single day $32
March 13-17.
Choose from:
Digital Puppeteering, Jungle Fever for Young Campers, and Pokemon/Minecraft themes.

Ross Creek March Break Art Camps
Canning
For ages 5-16. Camps run March 13-17 from 9am-5pm and are $65 per day or $295 for all 5 days of fun. Lunch and snacks provided at no extra cost. Bus service is an additional $15 per day or $60 per week.

CODING

Artech Studios MARCH BREAK CAMPS!
Halifax – Shambhala School AND Maritime Muslim Academy
March 13-17, 9am-4pm. $349 + HST
Dig, Mine, Build & Battle for Ages 7-12
Game On! Take it to the next level for Ages 11-14
Mario Minecraft Remix for Ages 8-14
Artech Camps are all about getting creative with technology! All programs tap into campers’ creativity and incorporate the use of new media. It’s this blend of creativity and technology that makes Artech Camps so unique.

MISCELLANEOUS

March Break at the Ross Farm Museum
New Ross
March 11-19
Each day of March Break will have a theme relating to the farm. As always there will be lots of hands on activities for everyone to enjoy and crafts that everyone can participate in throughout the day. Hot chocolate will be served. Weather permitting, there will be sleigh rides.
Saturday 11th ~ Tasty Treats
Sunday 12th ~ Traditional Skills
Monday 13th ~ Spring Time on the Farm
Tuesday 14th ~ For the Birds
Wednesday 15th ~New Babies
Thursday 16th ~ Tasty Treats
Friday 17th ~ St. Patrick’s Day
Saturday 18th ~ Easter
For more information, contact Joan Lenihan at 1-902-689-2210 or
1-877-689-2210 or rossfarm@novascotia.ca

YMCA Day Camps
All Across Nova Scotia – contact the YMCA near you, or click on the link above

March Break Activities at Your Local Library
See your local library branch for what’s happening in your area or click on the link above.

SCIENCE

Discovery Centre March Break Camps
Halifax March 13-17
Destination Discovery
From assembling robots, crafting a simple circuit, a spin on spin art and launching rockets. This March Break camp week is completed with interactive, educational activities and experiences that will inspire your child.
Ages 5-8 & 9-12. Registration: $230 non members; $215 members

Digital Discovery March Break Camp
Explore the ever-changing world of digital technology, from robotics, video game development, to drone technology. This industry led camp, in partnership with Digital Nova Scotia, aims to build the next generation of technology leaders!
Ages 9-14. Registration: $275 non members; $250 members

SPORTS & RECREATION

Dalhousie University Day Camps
Halifax
March 13-17 for kids and teens, ages 6-14
Climbing Camp
Ages 6-12. Members: $265; Non-members $295

Tigers Basketball Camp
Ages 8-15. Members: $265; Non-members $295

Mount Saint Vincent University March Break Camp
Bedford
March Madness For Primary through Grade 6
March 13-17, 8am-5:30pm
$37 per day or $155 per week per child

Soccer Nova Scotia Annual March Break Camp at SNSTC
Halifax
March 14-18, 9am-noon. Ages 9-12. $160
This year they will be running two camps, Soccer Nova Scotia Traditional Camp & Vancouver Whitecaps U11A Pre-Prospects Camp. The camps will be split between the week but will include two full days for each respective camp.

**Do you know of an activity that I have missed? Let me know and I will add it to the list of 2017 Nova Scotia March Break camps. Thanks!**

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Posted in Contests, Free Homeschooling Resources, Homeschool Events, Homeschool Information

Canadian Online Homeschool Conference AND Giveaway!

Posted on by Kimberly

canadian online homeschool conference

The Canadian Online Homeschool Conference

**This event and giveaway are over. Did you miss it? No worries, you can get an All Access Pass with lifetime access to all the recordings HERE.**

The Canadian Online Homeschool Conference starts Friday! It is a five-day virtual event featuring knowledgeable speakers, a vendor hall, opportunities to interact with other attendees, fun, and giveaways! All without leaving the comfort of your own home (or paying for gas or other travel expenses). It is free to attend live (with the option to buy a complete access pass after it ends). I am excited to be a part of it!

Speakers and Sessions

This conference features a variety of speakers, from homeschooling moms to owners of businesses you’ll want to hear from. Speakers include Lisa Marie Fletcher (the host of the conference), Donna Ward, Louise House, Bev Rempel and me! Sessions include topics such as getting started, homeschool methods, all ages and stages including high school, subjects such as math and reading, and more.

Homeschool Community

Chats. Parties. Prizes. Used Book Buy & Sell. Connect with other homeschoolers and help create an environment of community and fun during this conference.

Vendor Hall

Visit with some of your favourite homeschooling vendors and learn about some fantastic new ones in the vendor hall!

Don’t miss this amazing event. Register now, free!

Giveaway!

And now for the giveaway! One of my lucky readers will win an all access pass, which means lifetime access to ALL the recordings from this event! A $97 value!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends at midnight Atlantic Time on Friday, February 10th. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberlycanadian online homeschool conference

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I make a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!