At Qwanoes, it’s really starting to feel like summer is almost here! Today’s a beautiful, sunny, blue-sky day. Blossoms and new leaves are everywhere – and the grass is growing quickly. It’s so exciting to realize that our first camp of the summer, Jr. High #1, will be starting in 50 days!

We Love Summer!

At Qwanoes, we are in support of a school calendar that includes a traditional, full-length summer break. We believe so strongly in what happens in the summer when kids come to camp that we want to do everything we can to protect the summer break. Our hope is that as many kids as possible would be able to attend camp in the summer, the best time of year for kids and families to be enjoying the great outdoors of B.C.!

A Shorter Summer Vacation?

Last month, the B.C. government introduced Bill 36 (“School Amendment Act, 2012”). If Bill 36 goes through, it will eliminate mandatory school calendars in B.C. School districts may choose to have a more “balanced” schedule than what they have now.

But “balanced” unfortunately means a shorter summer vacation! Year-round schooling has the potential to change summer camp as we know it in B.C. For more information on this and what you could do to help, please see What’s This All About?

A Very Worthwhile Day In Victoria

Scott (Qwanoes’ Executive Director) and I went to Victoria on Monday to try to find out more about the thinking behind Bill 36, plus to share our concerns about year-round schooling. We had good meetings with the Director of Legislation for the Ministry of Education and with the Deputy Minister of Education.

Then we were sitting on the front steps of the B.C. Parliament Buildings when suddenly we realized we were surrounded by all the MLA’s of B.C. It was just the two of us, some photographers, and the MLA’s who had come out for a group picture. Scott and I took this unexpected opportunity to have a very good conversation with Doug Routley (MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan) about the implications of Bill 36.

Have You Seen “Leave Summer Alone” Yet?!

Meanwhile this past weekend Russ (a.k.a. The Squirrel) wrote a brand-new short song “Leave Summer Alone” on behalf of kids who love summer the way it is! Then a quick video shoot took place and a video was made for this new song.

Watch the video then share it with everyone! Facebook, Twitter, email, whatever way you want to… please help spread the word! #LeaveSummerAlone

~ Written by Julie Bayley, Qwanoes’ Associate Program Director