Pirate Life Ottawa (COVID style)

Kids wearing masks in front of the Pirate Life ship

We’re exploring the city and many of its attractions during this pandemic summer and sharing what we’re experiencing. Last week we visited Pirate Life which is located by Mooney’s Bay via Hogs Back road and the kids and I enjoyed our hour-long boat ride with the pirates!

COVID-19 precautions

Pirate Life is taking COVID-19 precautions seriously and are currently keeping the maximum amount of participants on every boat ride to 10 people. Each family/group is kept apart in one of four colour zones, including specific seating and water canons to use. The seating didn’t keep us 6 feet apart at all times as we were back to back from another family, but it felt safe. Everyone on the boat wore a mask at all times, including the kids (I did think the pirates might be wearing pirate style masks but they were colourful instead). This was the longest my kids had worn masks (and for one, the first time) and they all did fine wearing them for the length of the cruise. Another family had on disposable masks for the kids and the kids all had drawn pirate moustaches and beards on to the masks which I thought was a great idea. They sanitize between trips and I watched the staff wiping down the entire boat as soon as we got back to shore.

Sailing down the river

I hadn’t taken part in Pirate Life pre-CoOVID, but I’m told many of the experiences are the same. They sang songs, they did dances, there was a treasure map and we had to try to find things on the ship as well as in the water and on the shore.

At ages 11 and 13, my kids were amused by the entire experience but this may be better suited to younger kids (I think my kids (who are drama fans) all want to be pirates as their summer jobs as soon as possible!).

Water canons - a big hit

The water canons were a big hit and folks in the river seemed to really enjoy getting involved with the tour. Kayakers, people on SUPs and on Seadoos all came in close enough to get shot by the water canons, some even dramatically throwing themselves into the water.

As we came back towards docking, another pirate appeared in a small motor boat and circled the pirate ship while everyone got to attempt shooting them with their water canons, which was a lot of fun for everyone.

Then everyone got to go on a short hunt for some treasure and take home their jewels and coins as a souvenir.

A few more bits of info on how it works

The Pirate Life ship runs four times a day, twice in English and twice in French and costs $25/person.

When I went there was construction on the road that my map told me to take ( 588 Hog’s Back Road) and I wasn’t sure if I should be driving down it. The answer was yes, I should and there was a parking lot at the bottom of the road right by the ship. The parking lot does have a pay machine but it wasn’t functioning at the time I was there so you may or may not have to pay for parking if you go.

At 10 guests at a time it felt very safe and checking it out is a fun family activity and surely will be helping to keep this small business afloat, literally, this summer.

Is seasonal campground camping for you?

Before kids came along, my husband and I enjoyed camping once or twice a summer with our group of friends at a provincial park. We really enjoyed sitting around by the campfire, relaxing with a book in a hammock, and swimming at the beach. We enjoyed some of the other things less - like the planning, packing, setting up and taking down of our site that accompanied each camping trip.  Once kids came around, our camping days ended. As much as I liked the idea of introducing camping to the kids, in reality it was just too overwhelming. I imagined changing diapers in a tent, and the even larger amount of packing required for a weekend away with kids in tow.  It was hardly worth the effort. Tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, coolers full of food, dishes, life jackets, and a copious amount of water toys to keep my kids entertained likely meant that there wouldn't be much room left in the van for the kids at all!

Camping was off the table completely up until about 6 years ago when a friend of my daughter’s invited us to visit her at her campground. We sat on her deck overlooking the river, enjoying a drink while the kids played. She had everything she needed in her RV, it wasn’t too far from home (just over an hour from her house), and it seemed like the perfect way to enjoy camping again with kids. I was hooked. 

We spent the following year looking online at RVs and different campgrounds around the city of Ottawa. We had shopped for camping gear before, but shopping for an RV was a completely new experience for us. After talking to some friends who were seasonal campers at Cedar Shade Campground in Alfred, it made most sense for us to purchase an RV on an already established lot. It really was an ideal set up, for an affordable price, which included the seasonal camping fees. We purchased the RV from a family whose teenage kids had part time jobs which made it difficult to spend weekends away. The package included the RV, deck, shed, gazebo, bbq, fire pit and everything else inside the RV that we needed to enjoy our camping experience! 

My kids have really enjoyed our summers at Cedar Shade, and it has been so wonderful having a place outside of the city to escape to.  There are many activities planned every weekend throughout the summer (on hold now due to Covid), like crafts, wagon rides, summer olympics, Canada day fireworks, Christmas and Halloween celebrations and ball hockey tournaments. There are activities for younger kids and teenagers alike, although the teenagers mostly hang out near the front office where they can get free wifi!

There are also plenty of activities for adults like Bingo, washer toss leagues and golf cart rallies. The kids have the choice of two pools and a man-made lake to swim in. Adults have their own adults-only pool plus hot tubs. Plus there are several parks, with trampolines and a jumping pillow and even a dog park! The kids are kept busy outside, and the parents can relax. It really is a win-win for everyone! But that said, RV camping at a seasonal campground may not be for everyone. 

Pros

• Having an RV at a seasonal campground is an affordable way to have a summer vacation home! 

• You can leave everything you need at your site. No need to transport pool toys, life jackets, kayaks or other camping necessities back and forth. You can even leave essentials in your fridge and pantry. 

• If your kids are social, there are always kids around to play with. 

• If you are social, there are lots of adults to socialize with. 

• You can invite friends to come up for the day or stay overnight (in your RV or on a tent on your site.)

• Some campgrounds stay open until mid to late October, which means you can enjoy camping right into the fall. 

• Although many seasonal campers choose to get an internet connection, some use their camping weekends as an opportunity to disconnect. 

• Camping during the week is very quiet.

• RVs are air conditioned.

Cons

• Seasonal fees can range from $2500-$4000 depending on the campground. A deposit is required at the end of the season to guarantee your lot for the following year. 

• There are a lot of people around. If you prefer the quiet solitude of camping, you likely won’t find it in a seasonal campground. 

• You're surrounded by neighbours. If your neighbours decide to stay up late and have a noisy campfire with friends, you will hear everything. If your neighbours have young kids who get up early, you’ll hear that too. 

• Weekends get very busy, and long weekends are even busier. 

• Packing up for a camping weekend with kids can still be a lot of work. There is still the cooler to pack, kids clothing, towels and laundry etc. 

• Closing the RV at the end of the season is a lot of work and usually takes a full day. 

There are some things to consider about seasonal camping: 

• How far away are you willing to drive? There are several campgrounds around Ottawa, but keep in mind the rush hour traffic on Fridays after work. If you live in the East and are heading to a campground in the west, you have to account for extra time spent in traffic to get there. We liked Cedar Shade because it was an hour East of Ottawa and that meant we weren’t driving through rush hour traffic. 

• Are you taking over someone’s site, or bringing in your own RV? Some campgrounds have restrictions on the age of the RV you can bring into the campground as a seasonal camper. The bonus of taking over someone’s site is that often the site is turn key and includes a deck, shed or even patio furniture. You won’t have to spend your weekends setting up your site. The downside is that you are taking over someone else’s trailer, and it may or may not have everything you need or are looking for in an RV.  

• Is the campground set up with underground sewer lines? Some campgrounds do not have this service and instead you need to pay to have your black tank pumped out.

• How old are your kids? We purchased our RV when the kids were 8, 6 and 2. We have had 5 amazing summers camping, but now my older two are less interested in going. They no longer want to take part in the activities, and tend to stay inside the RV doing their own thing than going off with friends. 

Seasonal camping isn’t for everyone but it’s a great alternative for someone who is thinking they might like a cottage but want a more affordable and more social experience. Many great friendships and experiences have been made in camp grounds - maybe it’s the right fit for you and your family too!

If you’re intrigued, here’s a trailer that’s for sale now!

Vicky is a mom of three and a teacher who has been writing for KIC for 10 years.

Diefenbunker Museum: Canada’s Cold War Museum

Despite living nearby, I had never brought my daughter to the Diefenbunker Museum until this summer. It had been on our to-do list for a long time, and I am so glad we finally got to visit. Not only were we looking for an escape from the summer heat, I wanted her to see for herself why this underground museum is so unique.

The Diefenbunker, located in Carp, Ontario, is a massive four-story underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War, top officials were to take shelter here in the event of a nuclear war. It was active as Canadian Forces Station Carp until 1994. Today, it operates as a not-for-profit, charitable museum.

Visiting the Diefenbunker is not only an engaging way to teach older kids about the Cold War, but a place preserved in time that will show kids and adults alike what it was like to live in the 1960s and what it’s like to live in an underground military station (especially with there replica Canex canteen from 1977). Adult visitors will love seeing telephones and computers from their youth and, if you’re with kids, they may enjoy teasing you about it (something my daughter really enjoyed). 

There are many ways to tour the Diefenbunker Museum. You can book a guided tour, explore on your own or you can download their audio guide from their website.

The museum is well organized, clean and every exhibit has a written explanation of what you’re looking at (and the description is just the right length that you have enough time to read it before your kids move on to the next exhibit). 

If your kids are really young, this probably isn’t the museum for you. They don’t want children running around and the exhibits are not as hands on as in other museums, but there is a lot to see, do and learn. If you have a child who is into history, learning about the military or wars, or is into learning about technology then they will love this museum. My daughter enjoyed seeing how far technology has come over the years as well as how some of the technology used forty years ago is still in use today.

She also loved learning about the construction of the Diefenbunker and seeing the rooms of where the Prime Minister would have stayed and worked. She also loved seeing how the CBC Radio had its own space in the Diefenbunker, learning who would be allowed into the bunker and who would not be allowed, and touring a huge bank vault that once housed a lot of gold. 

A few years ago Lara brought her children, who at the time were 5 and 8 years old to the museum, and she shared her experience here. Needless to say, they had fun!

If you’re looking for a different kind of museum that takes you underground and transports you to a completely different time, then the Diefenbunker Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon.

At the time of writing this blog post, the Museum was open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Parking is free and admission was: Adults: $17.50, seniors: $16.50, students: $13.00 , youth: $11.00, family rate: $48.50, and children 5 and under are free.

You can buy tickets online or in person. The museum is underground and the entrance to the museum consists of three (3) ground barriers at each doorway. For more information on museum accessibility, please click here. There are bathrooms onsite, a gift shop, and although there was no food available onsite at the time of our visit, Carp offers some great restaurants including Alice’s Village Café, Ridge Rock and The Carp Custom Creamery.

Family Friendly Campgrounds Close to Ottawa

Summer 2020 is the year of camping for many families. Lara shared how her kids love backyard camping, which is a lot of fun, but if you’re also looking to get away and out of urban (or suburban) Ottawa, check out these family-friendly campgrounds close to Ottawa. Some are provincial parks and some are privately owned. Before you book a site or visit, check what facilities/activities are available and continue to follow public health advice, including physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others, wearing a face-covering when physical distancing may be challenging or not possible, washing hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Cardinal KOA 
609 Pittston Road
Cardinal, ON K0E 1E0
Phone: (613) 657-4536

Located an hour away from downtown Ottawa, this family-friendly campground has amenities for kids including a heated pool, a splash pad, kids climbing wall, a big bouncer, a mini-golf and a pirate ship playground (please note: at the time of writing this, these were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions). Activities also include hayrides on Saturdays and movies under the stars on Saturdays evenings. Summer Saturdays also include activities such as arts and crafts sessions, soccer and bike races.

Cedar Cove Resorts
100 Cedar Cove Road
White Lake, Ontario K0A 3L0
Phone: (613) 623-3133

Located about 45-minutes from Kanata in White Lake (just past Arnprior, Ontario), Cedar Cove offers seasonal sites and weekend camping. There is also a grocery store, pool, sandy beach, restaurant, volleyball courts, a playground (please note: at the time of writing this, the playground was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions). and more. White Lake offers fantastic fishing too and they sell worms and tackle on-site!

Murphy’s Point
2243 Elmgrove Road, R.R. 5
Perth, Ontario K7H 3C7
Phone: (613) 267-5060

 Located on Big Rideau Lake, Murphy’s offers a sandy beach, walking trails, weekend activities as well as an early 1900s mica mine you can book free tours of, as well as family-friendly interpretive programming from June to Labour Day weekend. You can also rent canoes and kayaks for an additional fee (please note: at the time of writing this, these were unavailable to rent due to COVID-19 restrictions) and there is a small general store that sells ice cream and popsicles. If you’re lucky, Chuck Commanda will be onsite building a birch bark canoe (hopefully he’ll be back in 2021). 

Lac Phillippe Campground
300, Lake Philippe Road, La Pêche (Ste-Cécile-de-Masham),
Québec
613-239-5000

The largest camping sector in Gatineau Park with a family atmosphere, located 3 kilometres from the registration kiosk, and close to services, amenities and beaches. 206 campsites, wooded and semi-wooded. Close to Wakefield and offering many trails and beautiful views of the lake, this is one of our favourite campgrounds. 

Rideau River
2680 Donnelly Drive
Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0
613 258-2740

Located on the historic Rideau Waterway, this is a nice family campground with shaded campsites. It’s only 40 minutes away from Ottawa and surrounded by many small towns that are also worth exploring. You can rent canoes and kayaks for an additional fee (please note: at the time of writing this, these were unavailable to rent due to COVID-19 restrictions), which is a great way to explore the waters of the Rideau – or if you have a motorboat, you can fish for muskie or bass. 

Wesley Clover Campgrounds
411 Corkstown Rd
Ottawa, ON. K2K 0J5
613-828-6632

Open from June to mid-October, Wesley Clover offers family-friendly camping without travelling very far! Just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa in a tree-filled setting, this campground is the perfect urban getaway – especially if you are new to camping or have young kids and want to try camping someplace closer to home. There are beautiful urban trails, places to bike and a fire put. There is no water to swim or fish in, but if you’re looking for a night outdoors in a rural setting, Wesley Clover is the perfect campground for that.

Voyageur Provincial Park Campground
1313 Front Road, Box 130
Chute-à-Blondeau
K0B 1B0 613-674-2825

With four beaches on the Ottawa River, Voyageur offers lots of space for families to relax and swim. They also offer a summer nature interpretation program and great fishing right from shore! There are also walking trails and many picnic areas. Great for a day or a weekend stay.

What campgrounds are your family’s favourites?

Bonding over video games

If you asked me if I would have spent an enormous amount of my time this spring and summer playing a game called Animal Crossing, I definitely wouldn’t have thought the answer would be yes.

But several months ago, my teen asked me if I wanted to play, and when I said yes, we proceeded to spend more time talking and having something in common to bond over then we have in a long time.

Animal Crossing

Photo of Nintendo Switch with Animal Crossing Game

Animal Crossing has a lot of fun ways that you can have special moments with folks. If you’re playing with people on a different island, you can go for visits and you can mail them presents. If you’re in the same family/playing on the same Nintendo Switch you can also send mail or do what I do and drop off gifts in front of the kids’ houses.

We’ve been able to plan out parts of the islands and figure out how to create hybrid flowers together, making for lots of opportunities for great conversations and time spent together.

It’s not really about the game

The thing is, the video game was the topic, but it’s really about meeting them where they’re at. We don’t have a lot we both want to do any more. Animal Crossing turned out to be a blessing because I really do enjoy the game. And since then I’ve been introduced to quite a few other games (most of which I am not particularly interested in ) and the kids get really invested in trying to show me how to play or being amused at just how many times I can NOT land that jump in Celeste or at how confused I am about what I’m supposed to be doing in Paper Mario or trying to get me to take on my Rhythm Heaven Fever challenges with them. ;)

It works beyond video games too

My husband has been watching a lot of anime with our teen lately on Crunchyroll (and Netflix has many of the Studio Ghibli films available). He enjoys Anime but hasn’t really spent time watching any since he was in his twenties. This gives them something that is for them and gives them a reason to hang out together.

I have another friend who chooses and watches a show regularly with their teen - it’s not always a show they particularly want to watch, but it’s really not about that, and we need to remember that when saying yay or nay.

Next time you see an opportunity to connect on something, even if it wouldn’t be YOUR choice of things, it may make for the perfect chance to bond with a kid who seems more inclined to hang out by themselves in their room than with you any more.

In case you’re here for the Animal Crossing part, I want to share a few of my tips for the game ;):

• There is a money rock on your island every day. Hit it with your shovel (not your axe) as fast as you can after creating a way to not bounce away (I dig holes or bounce against a flat surface) and you’ll get more bells (this works for getting more resources too - you can get up to eight).

• Save all the fish and bugs in your storage for the days that Flick and CJ come to buy them from you. You’ll get more bells that way.

• You can catch the wasps almost every time if you’re holding your net when you’re shaking a tree, facing the tree from the front and immediately turn in the directly the nest falls and swing. The wasps are worth at least 2500 bells so it’s worth it.

• There is at least one item hiding in a tree on your island every day, sometimes more. I like to shake the trees looking for items and wasps.