Welcome to Your Virtual YMCA

While we’ve closed our fitness facilities and reduced our services, we are committed to keeping our community healthy.
This page is here to keep you connected with your Y community.
You will find stories, recipes, health and wellness tips, on-demand videos, activities for children, and more.

Mind

Keep your mind well
and fit.

Body

Stay active and healthy while at home.

Spirit

Foster community and stay connected.

For the Kids

Mind

Mindfulness when we need it most:

Our very own Mindfulness Programs Coordinator, Jane gives us tips and useful strategies for keeping our minds well while navigating through this stressful time of social distancing and pandemic planning.

Less is more.

It can be tempting to read every single headline, every single helpful article, and need to find every useful resource, but this can actually move us further from living in the present and cause more stress and anxiety.

It is okay to slow down…turn off the outside world and focus on yourself and your family. It is more important to increase connection and foster safety (especially with children) than to try to live a perfect normal life at home immediately.

We can find safety in the present:

Decide right now whether being on social media or watching the news is helping you or spiraling you.

  •  Limit how many times a day you are going to consume news
  •  Limit your time online in general

Instead of social distancing, practice “social media distancing” and find other ways to connect with others. It is great to see someone over Face Time, or hear someone’s voice knowing we have to be apart right now.

Connect with friends, family, and coworkers by phone, email, or video chat.

  • Be honest about how you are feeling.
  • Check-in regularly.
  • Be silly or be serious. Either is okay.

Choose one activity to do daily to foster gratitude:

  1. Write 3 things that you are thankful for when you wake up in the morning.
  2. Talk with your partner/family about what you are each thankful for today.
  3. Complete acts of kindness for yourself or others.
  4. Support a cause in the community (as long as it is within your means to do so).
  5. Remember the saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” if you are feeling guilty about taking time for you.

Be kind to yourself.

  • There are going to be hard days and bad days right now and that is okay.
  • All feelings are normal, that makes us human.
  • It is okay to pause and start over with kids, and our partners.
  • We are all in this together.
  • It may take trial and error to figure out what activities work best for you during this time.
  • Everyone is different. What may work for your partner, may not work for you. What works for another family, may not work for your family – that is okay.

Establish a routine at home.

  • Choose a daily structure that works for everyone.
  • Choose one activity that would help you feel less stressed at home:
    •  Time outside
    • Clean house
    • Exercise
    • Read a book
    • Take a shower
  • Debrief with a trusted other about how you are feeling right now.
  • Journal daily about your experience, or things that are overwhelming you.

Be creative.

  • Decide on a personal way to document your experience during this unique time in history.
  • Create a family project to document this experience.
  • Take part in the “Hearts of Prince George” project and put some hearts in your window.
  • Start your own way to connect with others in the community.

Play to your strengths.

  • While it may be tempting to take advantage of all the free online courses and learn a new skill, be honest with yourself; is this really what you need right now?
  • Sometimes it just feels good to do what we are good at.
  • If trying something new is a helpful distraction – go for it!

Please be mindful of the amount of time you spend accessing online resources.

Online Resources

Mindfulness:

Mindful.org
Mindful Snack
Mindfulness – The Basics

Child and Youth Mental Health Resources:

Foundry BC
Kelty Mental Health

Free mental health support for children, teens and young adults:

Foundry Phone & Online Support

YMCA at Home: Free YMCA Programs Anytime, Anywhere!

 At the YMCA, we are committed to supporting you and your family’s health and wellness. That’s why we are excited to introduce YMCA at Home! YWell is now available. Enjoy free YMCA content to keep your mind healthy and strong!

Jane’s Wellness Picks

Wellness Reads

05/28/20 – My goal moving forward is to be kinder to myself on “flat spot” days…or weeks. Living in the Flat Spot

05/27/20 – Pandemic time is an opportunity to slow down and reflect inward on things that are truly important in your life. This article from Mindful.org is a glimpse of how aligning your values and daily living can lead to feeling more fulfilled.

If you aren’t sure if you are living in line with your values, here are some tips to do a check-in with yourself:

How to Tell if You Are Misaligned With Your Purpose
– by Rich Fernandez
When you find yourself feeling drained or unhappy in your work, it’s important to ask yourself whether you’re experiencing the normal growing pains of career growth or if your discomfort is actually revealing something deeper.

As you move towards greater alignment with your purpose, it’s important to remember that this is an ongoing process and that moving through difficult experiences is part of the journey.

Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Take some time to explore these three clarifying ways to help shed some light on the path to living your purpose.

1. Distinguish between learning and undue suffering

There is no doubt that it is important to experience challenges and overcome struggles in order to learn. The great social reformer and writer Fredrick Douglass famously said, “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

Be clear, however, when a challenge causes excessive or undue suffering that no longer promotes learning. Some suffering is to be expected during challenging times. Ongoing suffering may indicate that you may need to move on.

2. Keep an energy journal

Track the experience of being drained versus being energized. If your work or life situation leaves you feeling predominantly drained with little to no experience of enjoyment, inspiration, or positive energy, that may be a clear sign that you are misaligned.

Are you consistently very stressed? Are you predominantly in a bad state of mind or negative-feeling state when engaged in your life or work activities? Consider what actions it would take to move from being drained to being energized and experiencing vibrancy in your situation.

3. Recognize when you are disconnected from your values

Simply stated, your values are the qualities in life that you consider most important to you. If your situation takes you further away from rather than closer to your values, that is a sure sign you are misaligned. Have you ever written down what’s most important to you?

Take some time to think about that so you can actively seek congruence between your values and your everyday life. In this way you can begin to ensure you are living and working true to your purpose.

05/26/20 –

I am definitely not the pinterest Virgo depicted here, but the part about the silky robe and reading about historical pandemics are 100% true… Self Isolation Zodiac Signs

05/25/20 – Cool read! Forbes Facebook Post

05/04/20 – For anyone in a relationship, I hope you find this validating: For Better or For Worse – Conflict and Connecting in Crisis.

05/01/20 – Processing through play has always been important for brain development, but especially now during this pandemic play is arguably the most important activity to allow time for: Why Play is Vital During Coronavirus

04/29/20 – We all do it, and we all feel awful about it. Being stuck together in the same house makes it inevitable some days. Here are some helpful tips for minimizing its occurrence: Proven Ways to Finally Stop Yelling at Your Kids

04/28/20 –

Age-by-age guide to the best educational apps for kids

04/27/20 – If you read one thing today, let it be this. Our school posted this to everyone on their Facebook page. Go easy on yourself and your kids. I have to read it everyday in order to save myself from overwhelming guilt. Since stepping back from the pressure of trying to teach at home we are a much more harmonious household.

04/24/20 – While the weather may have improved our moods in the short term, there will be grieving still bubbling under the surface, especially for teens. Taking a drive with your teen is a great opportunity for space from others in the house, and a chance to practice your listening and validation skills. Teen Depression Expert Advice

04/23/20 – My kids haven’t asked yet, but I’m sure it is swirling around in their minds: How To Answer Your Kid’s Coronavirus Question, ‘When Will This Be Over?’

04/22/20 –

What Is COVID-19? And How Does It Relate to Child Development?

04/21/20 – A simple check-in to see where your mindset is.

04/20/20 –

Rethinking Our Self-Care During the Pandemic

04/17/20 – With the increase in online interaction and less physical interaction, folks can actually feel more comfortable sharing intimate details such as mental health status. If our relationships and friendships don’t typically include these details, it is completely normal to feel at a loss for words. I hope this graphic can help everyone form compassionate responses. Remember, this is brand new territory, but also an opportunity to go deeper in our relationships.

04/16/20 – Two thoughts for today. We had a tough start to the week in our house. My son is definitely wanting to numb out with Netflix and Nintendo in response to zoom school.

Today’s article has some really practical ideas for limiting the exhaustion we can feel from having interactions online, either professional or personal.

04/15/20 – I needed this article yesterday. Zoom school left my five year old feeling weird and overwhelmed, my two year old tried to join my teams meeting at the same time, but felt ignored all morning. None of us felt okay by lunch time. This article was a good reminder of what truly matters right now as my son’s incomplete worksheets pile up.

04/09/20 – Living Apart With Love

04/08/20 – It is okay if you are not okay. It is also okay if you are doing okay. For parents who are really feeling the crunch and the struggle, this article is hugely validating: Parents Are Not OK.

04/07/20 – The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women

04/06/20 – There are a lot of these guides and checklists out there, but I absolutely love the compassion and approach of this one. At the bottom of the article there is also a great list of resources for kids and teens: Emotional Survival Guide for Covid-19

04/03/20 – It is completely normal to feel like you are living in an Instapot lately. Certain conversations or experiences cause all of the pressure I feel on myself to either release or intensify. I like this acronym because it is short and sweet, and can help you let difficult thoughts and feelings move on without attaching to them and allowing them to impact your entire day.

04/02/20 – Two articles today! One about work, and one for fun!

I am huge Harry Potter fan and this one grabbed me on my feed today.
As many people are likely experiencing, work has moved completely online. This article reviews some of the top applications for communicating with coworkers and clients. Personally I use Slack and Zoom. I really like them both so far, but I am not really in a position to be picky right now either! 27 Tools That Make Working Remotely a Breeze

04/01/20 -This one hit home for me. I am such an advocate of living life, working and trying to parent in a way that is trauma-informed, but this crisis has really helped me realize what this actually means.

*Warning: some may find some topics in this article triggering*

03/27/20 – Just some laughs for a Friday!! https://www.scarymommy.com/best-jokes-for-kids/

03/26/20 – I picked this one especially for all of our folks working in childcare. It would be fun to save the photos and print into temporary books. www.facebook.com/instituteofchildpsychology/

This one is a more complicated read, but has helpful tips. I am all about neuroplasticity and changing the brain, even in times like this: blogs.psychcentral.com/savvy-shrink/
03/24/20 – I came across this article yesterday, and it really resonated with me. Everyone will be feeling some form of grief during this time and that’s okay, we need to start processing it. Acceptance and meaning can be found through this experience: That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
05/28/20 – Depending on what your experiences were prior to the pandemic, you may have a huge change in your window of tolerance. If you have kids, you can almost expect there is/was a huge shift in theirs.

05/27/20 – Someone please make this and tell me how amazing it is… Brownie Batter Dip
05/26/20 –

05/25/20 – It’s Monday. Let’s all take a deep breath…and look at this idea for next weekend: S’mores Cookie Cups.

05/04/20 – A free colouring book for kids ages 8-12. Get excited about the brain!

04/30/20 – Wondering how to make yourself feel better? Physiological needs and feeling safe should be our main focus right now. What is one thing you could do right now that would help you meet one of those?  

04/29/20 – Are you juggling too much right now? Just a friendly reminder to keep it simple, and close those life tabs as best you can! You don’t need to and can’t do it all right now.

04/28/20 – A brief mindfulness activity for today. Slow down, take a deep breath, and keep it simple. I keep this one visible for myself everyday to use as a morning mantra.

04/27/20 – Lego ideas – if you are short on imagination energy, or just need an idea to give your kids so they can go play independently while you zoom – this is a great read! These can go beyond Lego! It can be through art, dress-up, dramatic play, interactive play… Use what you have and let your kids create the rest!

04/24/20 – Art is a great way to help anyone (of any age) to process their experiences during this unique time.  Art activities also activates many different parts of the brain! If you are worried about your kids being behind on school, art can be a great activity in lieu.

04/23/20 – This graphic has some great ready-made statements to use with your kids if you are struggling to find calm words of reassurance. They are geared for younger, but I find to be helpful for all ages, including  speaking compassion towards yourself.

04/22/20 – Make a list of things you have enjoyed about this time so far or things you have learned about yourself. If making a list of the frustrating things can help you focus on the positives, that works too!  There are many things to be thankful for, but believe me, I do grow tired some days of being told to always look on the bright side of this pandemic. Vent away! It is important to acknowledge the difficulties if you are feeling them. Yes, someone may be worse off than you, but that does not make your feelings invalid. 

For example: 

  1. I learned I really, REALLY love tacos and really can eat them everyday.
  2. I have a new perspective on weekends and how to be present and truly in the moment during that time. 
  3. I want to carry the simplicity of pandemic life forward. I truly believe some of the adaptations to life recently have taught me that I don’t want to return to some habits.

04/21/20 – A Body Scan Practice: The Calm Reminder

This practice can expand or contract depending on the amount of time and attention you have—from just a few minutes, up to ten or fifteen. Start by finding a comfortable position to stand, sit, or lie down. Allow your eyes to close if you feel comfortable. Begin with a few expanded breaths, allowing your body to relax as you extend the out-breath.

C – Chest

After a few breaths, bring your awareness to your chest and torso area. First scan your chest, opening and lifting it, creating enough room for your lungs and belly to fully expand. Bring your awareness to any sensations there.

Is your breath shallow and short, or slow and even? As you regulate your breath, you regulate your body and brain, and in turn your emotions, impulses, and attention. Is your heart beating fast or slow? Is there any tightness or tension in your chest?

Allow your breath to expand your chest, releasing any tension there. Lastly, tense all the muscles throughout your chest and torso, hold for a count of three as you notice what tension feels like, then allow your muscles to relax and feel the tension flow away and relaxation flow in with the next few breaths

A – Arms

Shift your awareness into your arms, from your shoulders down to your fingers. Lift and drop your shoulders once and let your arms fall to your sides or into your lap. Now scan your awareness upward from your hands through the forearms and upper arms.

Are they shaking or still? Can you just allow them to settle if they are shaking? Are they tensed partly into fists? If so, just release that tension. Are your hands sweaty or clammy?
Scan up your arms to your shoulders, continuing to notice any other sensations that might give you a clue as to your emotional state.

Lastly, squeeze your fists, tense your arms all the way up to your shoulders and hold for three breaths, feeling the tension, and then just release the physical and emotional tension, and let your arms relax completely. Take three more breaths, enjoying the relaxation you feel in your arms.

L – Legs

On the next breath, direct your attention down to your legs, from your hips down through your toes, allowing your attention and breath to flow through your thighs, calves, and feet. Often our legs can be shaking with anxiety, or hold tension and stress. Notice if your legs are communicating anything in this moment, and just allow them to become still if they are.

Then, gently begin to squeeze the muscles in your feet, up through your legs and around your waist, holding that tension for three breaths, noting the sensations, and then release. Take three more breaths as you feel the tension flowing out of your legs.

M – Mouth

Lastly, shift your awareness to your mouth and jaw, a place where many of us hold tension and clench our muscles without realizing it.

What expression is your mouth communicating inwardly and outwardly—stress, anxiety, anger? Notice this and any other sensations in your mouth and even the rest of your head and neck. Now clench your mouth and other muscles around it, holding for three breaths and release.

As you let go of the tension, allow your mouth to relax into a small smile to yourself and to the world around you. Take a few more moments to enjoy the sensations of relaxation and smiling.

As you come to the end of your practice, you might take time to reflect on where in your body you tend to hold emotions and tension, and adjust or breathe into those areas before finishing your practice. Remember too that at any point in your busy day you might choose to check in with your body and relax yourself. Perhaps before or during tense moments at work, after you read the news, with a partner or your family, or even before bed, you can CALM yourself down with this simple acronym.

04/20/20 – A mindfulness activity from Mindful.org
 

Create a venting-hour. Just like some families have adopted a “happy hour,” we’ve adopted a “venting hour.” It sometimes only lasts five minutes but being that we are all stuck together in close quarters for the next few weeks or months, we make sure that there is an “airing of grievances,” (just like in Seinfeld’s fictitious holiday, Festivus), so that nobody keeps anything inside. I found that it reduces the build-up of tension and makes sure that there is no resentment, which is possible for even the kindest amongst us.

04/17/20 – A mindfulness activity from Mindful.org

A Practice for Resilience
Hand on Heart is a practice that can help you respond skillfully to distressing events. You can do it quickly, many times a day if need be, to bring calm and awareness to your experiences.

  1. Place your hand over your heart so that you feel the warm touch of your hand on your chest.
  2. Begin to breathe more slowly, more gently, more deeply, into your heart center.
  3. Recall a moment when you felt safe, loved, and cherished by another human being. Not the entire relationship, just one moment. This could be a moment with a spouse, parent, child, friend, therapist, or teacher—even a beloved pet.
  4. Let the warmth of this moment wash through your body as you remember; savor this feeling for 30 seconds.
  5. When you are ready, reflect on any shift you felt in your body from this practice.

04/16/20 – This is designed for kids, but could be for any age! For me, it is a gentle way to start moving and motivates me to do some more moderate physical activity.

04/15/20 – Pandemic Positivity

04/09/20 – Scavenger hunts can be a great break up in school work, and can be completed inside or outside.

04/08/20 – Mail a hug (or drop off a hug).

04/07/20 – Salt Dough!

Make a creation to keep a permanent memory of this time. Dough can be dried in the oven or microwave and then painted later. I am all about having Christmas ornaments for memories; I will be make something silly to remember Covid-19 on the tree each year.

Find the recipe for dough here: All Recipes – Salt Dough

04/06/20 – What’s in the box!?

  1. Find a container or box that is not see-through.
  2. Each person take turns picking some random objects from around the house to put in the box without others seeing.
  3. See how many objects people can identify by just using their hands.
  4. Set a timer to make it more challenging. Enjoy 🙂

04/03/20 – Movie/TV show review:

In our house we are trying to balance screen time with free play and school curriculum. This activity was recommended to me by my counselor as a way to feel less guilt about the amount of screen time my kids are getting, and also get some learning and fun in too.
Everyday make a review card for what you are watching:
  • What are you watching?
  • Why did you choose to watch this?
  • What did you like about it?
  • What is your favourite part or quote?
  • What would you rate this show/movie as from a 1-10?
  • Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
You can post it to Facebook, so it shows up in your memories down the road. Use index cards, or have your kids draw pictures to go with them. You can adapt this activity for most ages. My kids are little, so I am hoping to put whatever we create in an envelope for their baby memory boxes. Also, don’t force it. If your kids are resisting, it probably isn’t a good fit. There is nothing wrong with doing it just for yourself either as a form of routine.

For us, we are watching Frozen 2 at least once a day, and over the last few weeks it was sometimes twice a day to help all of us feel safe and consistent. My kids are quoting the movie, we know all the songs, and it is bringing them a lot of silliness in play through out the day. Screen time doesn’t just have to be about getting a break, or zoning out. There can be connection in it.

04/02/20 – No activity today – just a friendly reminder to be kind to yourself!

04/01/20 – Find your quarantine song.

Do it for your whole family or even friends! Line up a play list and enjoy! Mine is the “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) – beat that! haha.

03/27/20 – Home wellness activity:

With this dreary rainy weather – embrace the cozy. Build a fort/tent! Use it to watch movies or read books in with kids; they can have imaginative play all day. The mess is worth it, trust me!

03/26/20 – Home wellness activity:

Tune in to CCRR Circle Time: CCRR Circle Time

03/25/20 – Home activity:

Frozen 2 is getting us through feelings during this pandemic. Here is a Frozen themed Yoga video for kids: Frozen Yoga

03/24/20 – Start a gratitude jar

Write at least one thing that you are thankful for today on a sheet of paper.
  1. Place the notes in a container that is visible in your main living space.
  2. Repeat daily in the morning or evening.
  3. Fill the jar!
  4. Review when this experience is over.

My silly youtube video or meme pick of the day. It is okay to laugh right now, too!

05/28/20 – Meme:
Funny Video: It’s Thursday… I’m fine… When Someone Asks How Your Quarantine is Going
05/27/20 – The Chinchilla brush has returned! Go Animals: Brushing Chinchilla

05/26/20 –

05/25/20 – Today’s meme brought to you by my toddler deciding 4:30am is wake-up time: Mine say it all:

🙄😑😍😊😂🤷‍♀️

05/04/20 – Every Star Wars fan’s favourite day! (May the fourth be with you!) I am delighted to be able to share with you my favourite Star Wars meme.

04/30/20 – I don’t have dogs…maybe that is why I find this video so darn hilarious and satisfying! The Pet Collective

This crystal meme had me laughing so hard I was crying. Lately my Facebook algorithms have me 100% figured out. If you have seen my desk, it is surrounded by different crystals and agates. I can’t even with this one! As weird as this time is, the internet is killing it right now!

04/29/20 – There are some pretty amazing Disney Covid parody videos out there, but this one takes the cake for me! It definitely cheers me up when I find myself in a funk at the end of the day.  https://www.facebook.com/WaltLife/videos/2483054452008186/

04/28/20 – My face every time I have to do a supply run.

04/27/20 – No Monday morning meme is truer than this one for me! My kids are on top of me, inches from my face, speaking a mile a minute before I have even had my coffee most mornings!

04/24/20 -I may actually print this one as a door meme for when we get back into office. Some of this will make great memories one day!
04/23/20 – It’s Thursday “choose your house” day! A resounding YES! to house #3 for me. You can email me if you want me to explain all my science geek loves for those 4 people! DREAM HOUSE, WOW!

04/22/20 – Admittedly, I have been every single cat over the last 40 days. If I am being completely honest, some days I cycle through 1-9 on repeat.

04/21/20 – I was delighted when this video showed up on my feed. It is extra special for me as I used to live in Japan and Onsen became a part of my regular mindfulness practice.
What is onsen? Learn about it here.

04/17/20 – Happy Friday to all my fellow Princess Bride fans!

04/16/20 – I am at a stand still trying to choose between 2 and 4! I live in house 1 and while initially it was a comforting escape, hasn’t been doing me any mental health favors!

04/15/20 – We have been going on a lot of walks, and attempting to have some walks with bikes, etc. Some have ended up exactly like this…me herding my tired littles like cats, and carrying their ride on toys. Somehow the walk home is always a complete disaster for us.

04/09/20 – I have two memes to share today that made me nod and “lol”.

04/08/20 – What is your work from home space? Early on, I did consider using our walk in closet, but I have since considered staying where everyone can see me, and where I can see sunshine; so technically I am this meme right now, haha. Heart is with my family, brain is plugged into noise cancelling headphones.

04/07/20 – Chewbacca seems very fitting for me. My hair is out of control!

04/06/20 – Today’s meme: The joys of working from home and trying to complete calls and zoom meetings. Even noise cancelling headphones aren’t enough to drown out the shenanigans at my place this morning!

04/03/20 – Meme for today: Day 5, indeed!

04/02/20 – This one is personal. For my husband’s birthday (yesterday), a long time friend made a bunch of  timely memes of Covid-19 pick up lines with a photo from their younger days…

04/01/20 –Today’s meme is a reminder to try and look for all that is good and worth being thankful for right now.

03/27/20 – Meme of the day

03/26/20 – Fox cuddles: https://www.facebook.com/Juniperfoxx/videos/

Silly photo today: Can you name the pun?

03/25/20 – Another combo: Find it here!

03/24/20 – This one is a meme-video combo: To have a laugh, click here!

Body

YTHRIVE HOME: YMCA Workouts Any Time, Anywhere! 

At the YMCA, we are committed to helping you stay active and connected while also ensuring a healthy and safe environment for everyone. That’s why we are excited to announce the launch of YThrive Home, our new YMCA virtual workout program. Enjoy a great YMCA workout from the comfort of your home or wherever you are! 

YThrive Home is a series of online video content designed to ensure you can still have your daily dose of the Y while practicing social distancing. These instructional videos will walk you through a variety of different workouts you can do in your living room. 

YMCA 360

Another great resource for working out from home is free virtual fitness classes on YouTube from the YMCAs of USA.

Spirit

Virtual Fieldtrips

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ever been? Doesn’t matter because you get to go again … for free! Take a look at a collection of live streams from various galleries in the aquarium.

Google Arts & Culture
Warning, you might find yourself spending hours on this site! Google has curated an amazing series of virtual tours and guides of museums and historic sites from across the world.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Explore a series of live camera feeds from the Monterey Bay Aquarium located in Monterey, California. There are some amazing animals to look at here!

Virtual School Activities
A collection of sites to live webcams, virtual tours/trips, and other miscellaneous fun educational sites. This site is updated every few days!

The Exploration Place
The Exploration Place’s online exhibits allow you to explore your local history!

Local Connections

Join The Heart Hunt – #heartsofpg

Created by local Bailey Grose to encourage our community to come together is this fun, city wide “Heart Hunt”! All you have to do to participate is put a heart in your window. That’s it! Color it, paint it, cut it out, print it from the printer, whatever.

Then can get outside, walk around or drive and see how many hearts you can find! “It’s easy. No human contact. Get fresh air. Don’t buy toilet paper. Just put a heart in your window 💜 ”

Follow #heartsofpg on Facebook and Instagram.

Take A Walk

While you should stay home as much as possible, it’s also a good idea to get some fresh air. This is why we’re so lucky to live in the north – where an abundance of natural beauty and lower populations means you can get outside and explore your local area, as long as you’re not in quarantine or self-isolation! Just remember to keep you distance from others while on the trails.

If you are located in Prince George, we have 120 parks of all shapes and sizes within city limits. You can access a full list of our city trails here: City Parks & Trails

Support Local Businesses

Social distancing has led to many businesses closing their doors – but many are finding creative ways to remain in operation while taking to measures to protect our health and the spread of illness. Because local business is such an essential part of our community, the Prince George Chamber of commerce has put together a list of local businesses that are open for business and what methods they are currently using to operate. They remind us that if you are leaving your home to visit a business to “practice good hygiene and protect the most vulnerable by washing your hands for no less than 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer, and ensuring you are distancing yourself by leaving six feet between yourself and other shoppers”.

Find the complete list here!

Not from Prince George? Check out what how local businesses are operating near you by checking local social media pages and websites!

For the Kids

Staying home with the kids all day presents it’s own set of challenges! That’s why we’ve compiled these super lists of activity guides and ideas, sure to keep the kids occupied and happy.

 At the YMCA, we are committed to supporting you and your family’s health and wellness. That’s why we are excited to introduce YMCA at Home! YPlay is now available! Enjoy free YMCA video content for kids and the whole family.

Art:

 Science:

Math:

Literacy:

Busy Bags & Quiet Time:

Outside Activities:

Other:

Websites:

Learning4kids.net

SteveSpangler.com

Fromabcstoacts.com

Grabandgoreviews.com

Science:

>> Long Term:

Math:

Literacy:

Art:

>>Art Activities to Do with Items at Home:

Outdoor or Group Games:

Indoor  Games:

Drama Games

Baking & Cooking:

>> Toaster Oven Recipes:

Others:

Printable Worksheets:

Websites for Online Learning

Websites for Dealing with Kids and Covid – 19

Activity Websites:

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