Natural Nurturing

What offers a healthy dose of fresh air, a dash of science, some animal adventures and a day of fun? Nature, of course. But you don’t have to deep dive into a camping excursion. Rather, keep the spirit of adventure alive this month with some day trips. They’ll help nurture your child’s love of the outdoors as well as offering summer fun.

A visit to North Vancouver’s Capilano River Hatchery gives you a front-row seat at one of Mother Nature’s most amazing shows.

You’ll see the heroic Coho swimming furiously upstream to their birthplace in both the river and the hatchery’s glass observation gallery where they literally climb the staircase of water. The Chinook will be returning from their marathon journey in early October. While there, you can also check out the rearing ponds where thousands of salmon fry spend their first years of life.

Take a short stroll along the Coho Loop trail where the old growth cedars and sheer walls of the canyon will draw oohs and aahs from your kiddie crowd.

If you’ve packed a lunch, there are picnic tables and restrooms available. The hatchery is open from 8 am to 7 pm and (another bonus) admission and parking are free.

Out at Burnaby Lake, the ducks are always looking for a handful of birdseed and the beavers are busy building dams (best time to see these slick creatures is in the early evening).

Make your first stop the Piper Spit Boardwalk where there’s a viewing tower with a ‘birds-eye’ of the wildlife that make this oasis in the middle of the city their home. You can also launch your canoe from here for an up close and personal view!

With 10 kilometres of trails to explore, the more adventurous individuals can head out along the equestrian trails where more beaver dams can be seen spotting the landscape. The Nature House is open until Labour Day weekend and the last of the summer’s guided evening canoe paddles for kids six and up runs tomorrow.

Go for a ‘green’ global trek through the UBC Botanical Garden, where you’ll not only see gorgeous plants in full bloom that are native to BC, but you and the kids can also discover international flora and fauna. Afterwards, take a quick walk through the campus to the Museum of Anthropology and visit the Nitobe Memorial Garden to enjoy the traditional Japanese ‘tea and stroll’ garden (which is considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America). You can all stop by the Tea House and catch a glimpse of the Koi as they swim through the pond.

Wherever you go, it’s all naturally fun!