As students prepare for the last day of classes before winter break, parents are perusing the options for filling the holidays.
“Many people call us their second home and they enjoy spending some of their holiday time at the Recreation Oak Bay facilities,” said Janet Barclay, Manager Recreation Program Services. “During these times we see many local residents as well as those returning to Oak Bay for the holidays. As it is the school break we offer lots of camps including basketball, yoga, dance, soccer, science and creative camps.”
Kids are out of school after Dec. 18 and Recreation Oak Bay special programming starts the next day.
Several Kindergyms kick off the holidays with a seasonal edition at Henderson Rec Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
Swim with Santa on Dec. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. then on Dec. 21, 22 and 23, fill the afternoon with holiday extra skates from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Oak Bay Rec.
The sessions feature holiday-themed ice activities such as reindeer games and go-go-stop Santa's sled. Enjoy Christmas music and some off-ice Christmas crafting.
“There are also lots of themed drop-in classes such as Kindergym, and special swims and skates. Santa will be attending several of these drop-ins," Barclay said. “On Christmas Day and New Year’s day we open the doors and offer free swims, skates, Jazzercise and fitness. All of the details are in our guide and on our website on the event calendar.”
On Christmas Day enjoy a free swim, skate, round of tennis or visit to the fitness studio at Oak Bay Rec Centre from 1 to 3:45 p.m.
Work off the candy canes and other holiday indulgences with a Boxing Day skate between noon and 1:30 at Oak Bay Rec.
Gain a little extra ice time as holiday skating fills the void after Christmas with skates Dec. 28 to 31 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
With the exception of the free Christmas Day activities, drop-in rates apply: adult $6.75; student $5.25; child $3.40 (free admission for children younger than five); Kindergym $5.10.
Start the New Year in good health by preregistering for fitness orientation at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. on New Year's Day. Or join municipal leaders for the traditional New Year's Day community walk and meet and greet with mayor and council at Oak Bay Rec. runs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Join council leaving the lobby on a four-kilometre walk at 12:30 p.m. then join them after for coffee and tea in the Sports View Lounge from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Other free activities that day include Jazzercise from noon to 1 p.m.; tennis from 1 to 3:30 p.m.; an everyone welcome skate from 12 to 1:30; an adult swim 12 to 2 p.m. and everyone welcome 2 to 5 p.m. Finish up with a family movie in the Sports View Lounge at 3:15 p.m.
Classes in the Greater Victoria School District resume Jan. 4.