Tuesday and Wednesday this week

Sorry to those who I have confused, the new schedule commences next week. The old schedule for this week, which I removed as I thought no one would notice, is still the same.

Tuesday 10.30 - 12.30 + 3.30 - 5.30 Paddle Wheel Park

Wednesday 10.30 - 12.30 + 3.30 - 5.30 BX Trail Star Rd Entrance

Thursday No activities

Friday No activities

Taster Session at BX Trail

So today I ran our first session, hurray! It was great, the kids had a great time and I managed to experiment with the group dynamics that I wanted to try. When the kids arrived we had a quick introduction and the kids who did not know each other said hi. Straight to it, Off you go! I let the kids just go for it, I could tell they were eager and not up for more talking. While they were playing I quickly gathered them together and explained the whistle safety calls. I then let them go of and play for a while more then tested out the "get back to me ASAP" whistle call. The kids reacted great, they were all back at my side in seconds. More play and then we went and took a look at the goodies that I had brought along. The kids seemed genuinely interested in the gear and asked a lot of questions, however after a few minutes I realized all they wanted to do was grab the gear and get back at it. So enough talking. The kids grabbed the walkie talkies and the rope and stated their own game of "Cops and Robbers' Girls Vs Boys. They spent the next hour running non stop. With about 20 minutes left in the session I gathered everyone together and showed them how to use and handle knives safely. A quick hand in of gear borrowed and that was it. The kids however did not want it to end; the mums on the other hand were shivering away and glad to get in a warm car. So session number one done and the result was fantastic. I am so excited to get busy, I hope to the sessions fill up quickly and we can all have some serious outside fun! Thanks to the Mums who brought their kids Cheers Derek

A few books that I like to use. The Commando Survival Manual is great it has good pictures and the instructions are easy to follow. The SAS Survival Guide is a classic book in the British outdoor world, every one seems to have a copy. It too is a great book however it's pictures are black and white and is a little more grown up than the other book making it less appealing to younger readers. The book at the back is the Okanagan Backroads Mapbook, it contains a lot of local hikes and directions to get to the trail heads by car. It is not to bad publication but it does not contain many local young kid friendly hikes or trails.

Demonstrating how to handle pocket knifes safely as well as letting the kids look and handle a few different multi tools that are good for in the outdoors.

Just some of the gear that I want to introduce the kids to over time, camp stoves, map and compass, walkie talkies, knives and safety stuff etc. I had this lot covered in a blanket to start with, I then quickly pulled it away and there was a small gasp of excitement.

"Blow your whistles"

The kids were required to the carry whistles with them while they were on activities. The human voice does not carry well over natures voice and on this occasion the noise from BX river was louder than me shouting. The shrill noise of a whistle could be heard pretty well above the water and if a kid got lost or for some reason couldn't walk then they could have signaled me by blowing their whistle.

Dannon and Olivia running from the Boys or should I say the Cops

Cole blending in well with nature

David on the hunt

Run away

My Kids

This is Olivia, age nine, she is a home learner and spends her entire days outside. At the moment she really likes jumping on our trampoline with her friend Zoe. She is keen on survival and camping activities and is currently collecting tools for her own survival kit.

This is Ivy, age five. She too loves to bounce on the trampoline and likes to go high on the swings. She spends her days in and out the house and likes to hang around with her buddy Evan.

Ivy's favorite thing to play right now is her imaginary games with her Schleich animals she got for Christmas and the wooden barn she got for her birthday.

This is Rosie my two year old, she is insanely active! She always has to do what her sisters do.

She bounces, she swings, she plays Schleich and LOVES to ride on Dads shoulders. Oh and she yells loud.

Rosie and Me

Schedule for following week is up

Hi guy's the schedule is up, I want to concentrate on play and safety awareness to start with. I feel that the kids need to learn what dangers to look for and how to avoid them as well as how to call for help if they need it.

I would appreciate some suggestions for play locations in Kelowna so that I can go and check them out some wet and some dry would be good.

Cheers

Derek

Hi guy's the time is 8.07 on Wednesday evening, I am trying to update the blog and provide info for people. However my five year old is climbing all over me and demanding stories so I have to attend. I will be back later to iron out a few details

Cheers

Derek

I have been working hard on getting things in order and things are looking good. We are receiving tons of extremely positive feed back which is really appreciated. I am very excited to get things going. I will be running a taster type session at the top of the BX Trail on Friday @ 10.30 for two hours. I am keen to experiment a few things. Any one is invited, I just want to get a feel for group sizes and dynamics as well as take a few snaps for the blog.

At the moment I am not focusing on activities in Kelowna, I intend to focus on three days in Vernon to start with and then Kelowna in two weeks to a month. Of course this may change, lets just wait and see, walk before I run and all that.

Lets get active!

Derek