Feel free to also check out this fantastic resource for Matches and Families with online art lessons, music classes, virtual museum tours and more here!

Feel free to also check out the Houseparty App https://houseparty.com/, which allows matches to be on a video call while playing games such as Houseparty Heads Up! and trivia at the same time.

As a way to support matches we will also be sending an email at the beginning of each week with three different activity ideas. We hope that these ideas will inspire you to stay connected virtually. If you have any ideas of activities, we would be happy to add them in the future weeks.

Check this out! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa (BBBSO) hosts the #bigfunchallenge on their Facebook channel ( https://www.facebook.com/BBBSO ) every Wednesday at 7 pm EST (4 pm PST). The goal is for Bigs, Littles, families and followers to engage in some fun and safe creative ways virtually through BBBSO. They have extended the invitation out to Bigs & Littles from all agencies across the country as well, as there are some interesting and interactive sessions coming up that they may enjoy. This week (Wednesday June 17th) join a live Q & A with singer and songwriter Tara Shannon.

This week we are challenging our matches to try one of the following ideas:

  1. As the weather gets nicer, think about planning a Picnic with your mentee! Meet at each other’s house or a park nearby where you can each enjoy your own individual lunches, together! Bring colouring pages, a soccer ball, or other game ideas to be able to connect and have fun while at a safe distance!
  2. Is your mentee out of school right now and has homework and other learning activities that need to be completed? Offer to help, ask questions, run cue-cards – there are even some awesome online resources you can use for free > for example https://www.abcya.com/.
  3. Have a special talent or skill you want to share with your mentee? Host an online or in person socially distanced Talent Show! You can play an instrument, share a magic trick, share a special skill, create a dance routine, or do a comedy show.
  4. Do you or your mentee speak or want to learn another language? You can teach each other or start a course to learn a new language! A great resource for this is the app duolingo which is free and can be downloaded from the application store or access online at https://www.duolingo.com.

Volunteers! If you have not yet completed the COVID-19 training, please take a moment to sign up for a session that works with your schedule or email Alexia (Alexia.Gilbertson@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca) if you have any questions or need to arrange an alternative time. Follow this link to sign up for a session: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/big-brothers-big-sisters-covid-19-training-tickets-103202732150?aff=BBBSMentors

Friendly Reminder: As some of our social distancing restrictions open, all activities must comply with the guidelines set out by BC Health and Worksafe BC. If you or your mentee do not already have a mask and would like one, please let your MC know. BBBS will have a limited supply of masks available for pick up, in both adult and child sizes. Please consider continuing with virtual visits if you or someone you care for is considered high risk, or if any member has displayed symptoms in the last 14 days. It is recommended that individuals are only expanding their social circle by 2-6 people at this time. Please reach out to your Mentoring Coordinator if you have any specific questions, or refer to the links below for more information:

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation

Mentoring Matters

According to the Search Institute, one element of a positive developmental relationship with a young person is…

Expand Possibilities: Connect me with people and places that broaden my world.

What does this look like?

Inspire— Inspire me to see possibilities for my future.

Broaden horizons— Expose me to new ideas, experiences, and places.

Connect— Introduce me to people who can help me grow.

When young people seem curious about an activity, topic, or issue, ask questions such as “what strikes you about this?” Expanding possibilities for mentees involves building connections with people beyond our immediate family and friends—those who are closest to us and most like us. These broader connections, sometimes called “loose ties,” are different from the “close ties” with family and close friends, but they are also important for growing up and being part of community.

For more information: www.search-institute.org/developmental-relationships/

Reflection Ridge:

How have you seen your relationship with your mentee be impacted by the above areas?

What can you do this week to expand your Mentee’s possibilities?

Magic Moments:

“Make a collage!” Choose a theme like: “What do I want in my future?” Or “What I want to be”, and find pictures and words in old magazines and glue them on paper.

Introduce your mentee to a wide range of people, places, ideas, cultures, and vocations. Start with ones they’re curious about.

Tell your mentee about a crisis or difficult experience you went through when you were young and share how that crisis or experience shaper who you are today.

Ask your mentee to use the Web and social media to explore how young people very different from them around the country or around the world are experiencing the response to COVID-19.

Create opportunities for your mentee to evaluate how authorities at the local, provincial, and national level are responding to the crisis and to consider what they would do differently if they were in power.

 

Resources – Please be advised that some of these events may be affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Chatterblock Victoria – Find what events are happening around Victoria! Filter search by “free”, “kids”, “teen” and more. Visit chatterblock.com/events. Also available as an easy to use app.

CRD Events – Visit crd.bc.ca/about/events for upcoming nature outings and more! Also, check out the seasonal CRD Nature Outings and Events brochure which you can access via the CRD website.

Trails and Parks – Visit victoriatrails.com/trails or the CRD website for a list of hikes, and webvictoria.com/parks for a long list of local parks.

Groupon – If you are thinking of go-karting, mini golfing or some other paid event, check out Groupon to see if there is a deal available! Visit groupon.com/local/Victoria. Also available as an easy to use app.

Times Colonist Online – Visit http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/go to find the TC’s weekly events calendar.

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Discounts

Royal BC Museum and Imax – Pick up the Museum pass at the BBBS office. Free admission for you and your Little with pass, and 20% off at the IMAX!

Interactivity Board Game Café – 2 for 1 discount. Bring your BBBS ID Card.

Flying Squirrel – “The World’s Largest Indoor Trampoline Fun Park.” 50% Discount. Bring your BBBS ID Card.

Esquimalt, Oak Bay & Westshore Rec Centres  – 2 for 1 discount. For drop-in activities only.  Bring your BBBS ID Card.

All Saanich Rec Centres – 2 for 1 discount. For drop-in activities only.  Bring your BBBS ID Card.

Crystal Pool – Pick up free admission passes from your MC. 2 for 1 discount. For drop-in activities only. Bring your BBBS ID Card.

YMCA – 2 for 1 discount. For drop-in activities only. Both Little and Big must present their BBBS ID Card.

Crag X Rock Climbing – Only pay one youth admission between the two of you, and equipment rental is free. Requires Big to pass Crag X belay test prior. Talk to Mentoring Coordinator for details. Bring your BBBS ID Card.

Pacifica Paddle Sports – Certain discounts may apply. Talk to your Mentoring Coordinator for specifics.

WildPlay – 2 for 1 discount. Walk in, or book ahead. Bring your BBBS ID Card.

Peacocks Billiards – $6/hour/table before 8pm every day. Identify yourself before renting the table. Bring BBBS ID Card.

BBBS Matchzone – If you are interested in using the Fairfield Community Centre to make use of the art supplies, air hockey, foosball tables, gaming systems, movies, musical instruments, sports equipment and board games, please contact your MC or recreation@fairfieldcommunity.ca.

 

If you would like us to look into a discount somewhere else please let your MC know.