A summer of exploring earth’s wonders…
The goal was to explore our city and our world…
With that in mind, the Big Kids Club took to the streets, for our 2015 Summer Field Trip Program, Big Kids Abroad!
We learned about the earth itself, from the ground up, at the Vancouver Gem and Mineral Show!
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And its inhabitants at the Bloedel Conservatory…
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Talia and Judy made a train ride to the Yaletown Farmer’s Market where mentorship, and buddying up were the best part of the trip!
And Lara and Duncan took some brave adventurers for a big hike to visit the bunnies at Jericho Beach! The berries were a sweet bonus!
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Sarah and Duncan also took the kids to explore bones, minerals, tornados and green screens at UBC’s Pacific Museum of Earth!
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The Big Kids went to Granville Island in all kinds of weather. Johanna and the kids stopped in at the Jazz Festival, and later, they spent a rainy day by the duck pond. After all, Ducks Like Rain 😉
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We were lucky enough to have a personal story time at the Terry Salman library, and send a big Special Thanks to Big Kid Dad, Adam for the musical entertainment!
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This year, our Summer Field Trip Program took the kids and teachers to explore the wide world around them. In doing so, they formed real-life friendships, born of shared experiences. It’s truly our pleasure to share with them the incredible opportunities and adventures that surround us everyday.
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This week, we’re saying some goodbyes that we can hardly believe have arrived.
To Emma, and Lucie, and Nolan, and Moa. Our little gang is moving up to the big leagues… and we know they’re ready… We couldn’t be more proud of each and every one.
… and for the big 3 year olds, stepping into those empty shoes, the newest batch of Big Kids to join the Club… We can’t wait to see you in September! 😉
Welcome to the Big Kids Club, AJ and Oliver!
For our fieldtrip to Yaletown last week, our new practicum student Judy and I led a merry band of adventurers to the Farmer’s Market:
- Rykiel (Senior ‘tripper)
- Nolan (Senior ‘tripper)
- Asher (Senior ‘tripper)
- AJ (Freshman fieldtripper)
- Oliver (Freshman fieldtripper)
Asher and Nolan were our team captains, helping Judy and me to show our newest teammates the fieldtripping ropes on our Yaletown Farmer’s Market adventure.
When we got off the train, the map showed us the way to the market… and Helmcken Park. Our plan was decided.
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As we passed the stalls, we saw tonnes of fruit and vegetables, and bought a bunch of sunflowers for the Bee Party on Saturday!
We had our snack at Helmcken Park (as requested), and then headed back to the train. We found ourselves at the Engine 374 Pavilion, commemorating the train that pulled the first passengers from Atlantic Canada all the way to the Pacific coast in 1887! Between the small model train, the big engine itself, and the fact that they could really ring the bell, I’d say the kids had a blast. 😉
On the way back, we had some extra time, so we decided to walk among the giant Walking Figures at the City Hall SkyTrain Station, and make a quick stop at our favourite giant ramp, at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre.
We had so much fun, and our littlest Big Kids had a great first experience. Thank you so much to Asher and Nolan, and Judy and Rykiel for taking so much care!
Big Kids Abroad – Fieldtrip Program Kick-Off
Summer has arrived in full-force! And while the air-conditioning at Buddings offers a very welcome respite to the afternoon heat, we also want to take advantage of the warm weather, festivals and summer fun.
Last Friday we launched our Summer Field Trip Program by heading down to Granville Island to take in a show from Vancouver’s thriving Jazz Festival. We arrived just in time as the band was on a quick break before starting their second set. This allowed us to find the perfect seats right up front, and enjoy some extra time out of the sun while we waited for them to begin.
The Buddings troupe were the only kids in Performance Works, and we sure got a lot of attention and admiration from surrounding festival goers.
The band performing Friday afternoon came all the way from London, England. I would call the music created by Cloudmakers Trio something along the lines of experimental, abstract jazz with its creative percussion and sound. With only a vibraphone, a bass, and drums, the range of sounds and moods the trio created was very impressive.
The diversity of sounds and movement between very quiet and very loud dynamics kept the kids engaged. Or mostly engaged. Two songs did the trick, and then it was time for us to leave.
The experience really made an impact on the kids. These were some of their highlights from the experience:
Maksim: The drums Heron: The xylaphone (vibraphone), when the man was using the sticks (violin bows), and went bam! bam! bam! and made all the funny sounds! Raha: The instruments. There were three instruments. (Vibraphone, drums and upright bass) Carter: Going outside to play |
Big Kids Abroad
Big Kids Abroad is back for our second summer season, and this year, there are two trips every week!
The program is open to big kids of all ages, and as part of our Big Kids Club, there is no additional cost for any of these amazing day trips. Since some of our them take us a bit further afield, all you have to do to participate is book into the hours from 1 – 5pm.
Click on the schedules below for the larger view, and if you are looking for more information, send a note to preschoolers@buddings.ca.
Big Kids Abroad!
We are so excited to announce the launch of our Summer Field Trip Program, a completely new, and complimentary part of the Big Kids’ Club for 3 – 5 year olds!
For 2014, we mapped out a special schedule of great adventures to take our Buddies out into the wider world, with fun, FREE activities throughout Metro Vancouver. Each one is 4 hours long, from 1 – 5pm, on a rotating basis on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through June, July, and August.
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The adventures all summer long were so much fun, and the teachers posted their impressions on the blog. Find the write-ups of some of our favourite trips below:
Overcoming our fears – UBC Canopy Walk
