London & Area Extracurricular Enrichment Activities

We are compiling a list of Enrichment activities in and around the London area that are appealing to bright and gifted kids. If you have suggestions please send them to abclondonchapter@hotmail.com .

Many of these programs are geared to elementary students; high school students might also consider getting involved with those activities that interest them as a volunteer.

You may also want to check out ABC Ontario's Resource Directory for more camps and programs, including residential summer camps, in other regions.

Activities for Bright Children and Youth

ABC Ontario - London Chapter, May 2010

Please note that ABC, London Chapter does not officially endorse any of the listings, nor is ABC, London Chapter responsible for out of date listings. This information is provided only as a resource for activities for children, youth and families

Various Summer Activities

1. Cooking classes, Superstore, various start dates and classes, Ages 3- 16 http://www.pccookingschool.ca/LCLOnline/cookingSchool_home.jsp?province=ON&city=London
2. Junior Achievement Business Basics summer camp ages 8-13 http://info.london.on.ca/details.asp?id=1452
3. Chess club-Matthews hall http://www.matthewshall.on.ca/activities.swf. Contact to check dates.
4. Museum of Ontario Archeology ages 6- 16  http://www.uwo.ca/museum/camps.html
5. Velodrome-watch bike racing, introductory recreational and competitive programs ages 7-18, http://www.forestcityvelodrome.ca/
6. UWO-summer science and technology camps, grades 2-8, www.discoverywestern.com
7. YMCA many themed camps including water sports, the natural worlds, creative focused themes, aquatics and adventure http://www.ymcawo.ca/DAYCAMP/camp.html
8. City of London home page lists city events. Check the  many city Parks and Recreation programs  www.london.ca  Look for the Spectrum Interactive link

Outdoors

1. Nature trails http://www.thamesvalleytrail.org/
2. Fanshawe Conservation Area http://www.thamesriver.on.ca/Parks/Fanshawe_Lake_Trail.htm
3. London walking trails http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Parks_and_Natural_Areas/default.htm
4. Geocaching http://www.geocaching.com/ An international activity. Under-the-radar scavenger hunting. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.
5. Naturalist program http://www.mcilwraith.ca/index.php Various events

Family Activities

1. Children’s Festival, June 3-5 2010 http://www.londonchildfest.com/
2. Star gazing at the University, all ages, http://www.astro.uwo.ca/exploringthestars
3. Multicultural music, food and crafts, all ages,  http://www.sunfest.on.ca/
4. Grand Theatre, various productions. Check for listings http://www.grandtheatre.com/mcmanus.php?sid=115
5. Orchestra London, occasional geared-to-family performances http://www.orchestralondon.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=53&Itemid=78
6. London Public Library http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/programs. Many programs for all ages throughout the city. Some drop-in, some require registration. Check into the summer reading club.
7. City of London family events listings  http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/City_Life/kidsguide.htm

Arts

1. Original Kids Theatre Ages 5-18  http://www.oktc.ca/
2. http://www.eaglearts.ca/ summer arts camp
3. London Firefighters Pipe band , drumming and bagpipes- Free lessons http://www.execulink.com/~lffpb/public/Piping_%26_Drumming_School.html
4. Kids Pottery -http://www.londonpottersguild.org/offer/summer_2010_camp.html
5. Pearson summer arts camp ages JK and up  http://www.tvdsb.ca/Pearson.cfm?subpage=89256
6. Amabile choir http://www.amabile.com/join-sing/
7. Check here for various city arts events http://www.londonarts.ca/Default.aspx?Select=Events
8. London museum, Ages 2 and up http://www.museumlondon.ca/d.aspx?s=/main/families_kids.htm
9. London Camera Club, Youth/teen, age not specified. Call first to inquire.   http://www.londoncameraclub.on.ca/info/join
10. Music for Young Children -- this is a franchised program with many service providers in the London area. One option for inspiring young musicians and stimulating young minds. http://www.myc.com/ The general website at this link can help you "find a Teacher" in your neighbourhood.

Local History (all ages)

1. Royal Canadian Regiment Museum, London http://www.theroyalcanadianregiment.ca/thercrmuseum/thercrmuseum.htm

2. Lucan-the Donnelley Museum http://www.donnellymuseum.com/
3. Pioneer Village, London http://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca/
4. Banting House, London http://www.diabetes.ca/about-us/who/banting-house/banting-square/
5. Eldon House, London http://www.eldonhouse.ca/
6. Secrets of Radar Museum, London www.secretsofradar.com
7. Medical hall of fame, London http://www.cdnmedhall.org/
8. Ontario Archeological Museum -- another unique resource that London has to offer. http://www.uwo.ca/museum/

Physical Activities

1. London Fencing club, age 9 and up, http://www.londonfencing.ca/lessons.htm
2. Track and field, grades 1 and up http://www.londonlegiontrack.ca/Elementary_Programs.php
3. Family Karate Centres, preschool and up, http://www.familykarate.on.ca/locations.php
4. Fanshawe Sailing Club, lessons http://www.fyc.on.ca/sailing_school/youth_programs/
5. Children’s Garden Yoga and Reiki, ages 2 and up to teens, adulthttp://childrensgardenyoga.weebly.com/
6.  The Little Gym, ages preschool  http://www.thelittlegym.com/londonon/pages/default.aspx

Social Advocacy and Non-Profit Organizations

1. Youth volunteer opportunities, ages 14 and up http://www.pillarv.com/index.php?rp=sch

2. London Food bank, Families with young children and youth http://web.ca/~londonfb/LFB-contact.htm
3. www.mindyourmind.ca 14 and up volunteering to promote positive mental health
4. Check into this grant for a youth-led project through the  “Acorn Fund” to improve the community in London http://www.lcf.on.ca/grant_seekers/acorn_fund_for_youth.php
5. London Youth Council ages 13 and up http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/YouthWeb/LYSP.htm#London_Youth_Council_–_mission_statement

Some Other Year-Round Suggestions: 

1. University Lab School -- a unique option for pre-school for any child; space is limited. http://www.thelabschool.uwo.ca/welcome.htm
2. Math Challenge at Western -- math enrichment for grades 4-5 (or possibly younger if they can focus on the class and know their math facts) to end of high school   http://www.math.uwo.ca/math-challenge/
3. CAGIS science club for girls:
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~cagis/London/london.htm
4. Discovery Western science programs
   http://www.eng.uwo.ca/DW/
5. WISE at Western for Secondary Students -- Did you know that secondary students may be eligible to earn 1 univeristy credit for free at UWO through dual enrollment during their final year of secondary school? http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/cfns/WISE.cfm
6. London Regional Children's Museum: http://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/
7. London Public Central Library --You probably make good use of your local library, but have you introduced your young researcher to the wealth of resources to be discovered at London's three story central library? Did you know that some library systems in the surrounding area (such as Thames Centre) have reciprocal agreements with LPL that entitle you to a free LPL library card? Even without borrowing privileges, in-library research can be well worth a trip. http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/
8. Outgrown public libraries? Seek out an employee or alumuni of UWO that may be able to help you arrange a visit to browse at one of Western's libraries.