Have fun – virtually – this weekend

Jan. 16, 2021 10:00 a.m.
​New programs and activities continue to be introduced and enhanced throughout the pandemic

While the provincial stay-at-home order remains in effect, the City of Vaughan is reminding citizens that everyone has a role to play in protecting the community from further transmission of COVID-19. Plus, staying at home can be fun! Vaughan’s Recreation Services department and Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) continue to introduce and enhance online resources, programs and activities for all ages and skill levels to participate in from the comfort of home.
 
RECREATION SERVICES
As an alternative to in-person recreational programs, the department continues to livestream popular recreation programs for all ages and abilities via Zoom. Virtual winter programs are currently underway and include: cooking, dance, musical theatre, health and wellness, science and technology, plus educational series for preschoolers and individuals with special needs. Registration for most winter programs is now closed. For regular updates on recreation programs visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
New virtual P.A. Day programs are continuously planned for ages five to 12. Fun activities include arts and crafts, games, science experiments, dance, karate and fitness. Programs are one hour in length and cost $15. Instruction occurs remotely, via Zoom and pre-registration is required at vaughan.ca/RecOnline.
 
New virtual recreation resources are also shared on the Recreation Services webpage on an ongoing basis, including arts and crafts, Vaughan Playschool educational worksheets, and Vaughan Playhouse Academy drama activities. To keep the community engaged and entertained, the department also runs fun, family-friendly social media contests. For regular updates on recreation programs visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
Currently, fitness classes are available via Zoom, free to Vaughan Fitness Members. Classes include yoga, total body conditioning, barre, HIIT circuit training, and Zumba. Pre-registration is required at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. FREE, full-length fitness classes (40 to 60 minutes long) are also streamed Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. on the recvaughan YouTube channel. For more information on virtual fitness offerings visit vaughan.ca/fitness.
 
The department also continues to offer fitness equipment packages for loan to current Vaughan Fitness members over the age of 18 for the duration of the facility closures. Members can choose between a light or heavy package (while quantities last, limit of one package per household) and the program is free of charge – all that is required at the time of booking is a security deposit. Registration for the program is underway and available through reconline.ca. For more information or to obtain a member barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan by calling 905-832-2281 or TTY at 1-866-543-0545 or by emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. 
 
VAUGHAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
While all branches remain closed, Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) is offering a fully digital public library service to engage and educate residents of all ages. The web hub – vaughanpl.info/vpl_at_home –  features a variety of free online resources, including: 
  • eBooks and audiobooks – such as novels, animated picture books, non-fiction and graphic novels – available through platforms like Hoopla, Overdrive and Tumblebooks.
  • films and television programs available for instant streaming or temporary download through Hoopla and Kanopy.
  • music streaming services for more than 150,000 albums of classical, opera, jazz and world music with Naxos Music Library.
  • online learning courses like Lynda.com – teaching technology, software development, business skills, project management and video editing – and the Transparent Language app to learn a new language.
  • digital databases, such as Creativebug, to support business research, academic projects or independent learning. 
These online services can be accessed with a VPL library card. Obtain a temporary digital card for free by visiting vaughanpl.info/online_registration and clicking on ‘Apply Now.’
 
For additional virtual fun at home, explore the online programming guide for daily activities and follow VPL’s  Instagram and Facebook pages for content such as:
  • a livestream of Storytime every day at 10:30 a.m.
  • STEAM activity videos on VPL’s Instagram TV every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • French-language programs on VPL’s Instagram TV every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
  • online book clubs.
  • other special content and videos, including DIY projects, scavenger hunts, colouring pages, science experiments, songwriting contests and coding classes.  
In addition to virtual offerings, VPL has extended public Wi-Fi to reach the parking lot of Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library. This allows those who need it to connect to Wi-Fi from the comfort of their car for free. To learn more, visit vaughanpl.info. 
 
The entire library collection is also still available through the Curbside Pickup Program, which has been extended to every library in Vaughan to provide customers with quick and convenient access. Reserve books and arrange a pickup date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.
 
OTHER PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS
Many services continue to be offered online or via telephone, including:
  • kid-friendly pollinator activities, such as butterfly origami, crossword puzzle and a Whose Home? interactive game available at vaughan.ca/environment.
  • the City’s digital art gallery – the Art Integration Collection – on Flickr, which features the 77 art acquisitions by local and GTA-based artists housed permanently in the collection.
  • the “explore online now, visit later” visitvaughan.ca website, developed in partnership with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation and Central Counties Tourism, which features museum tours, cooking lessons, educational webinars, roller-coaster rides and more about all there is to do and see in Vaughan. 
PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES
To keep the community safe and help curb the spread of COVID-19, York Region is asking residents to:
  • Stay home as much as possible and limit close contact to those in your immediate household
  • Practise physical distancing with anyone outside of your household by staying two metres away from everyone else
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often
  • Practise respiratory etiquette
  • Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
  • Wear a face mask or covering when inside public places and when physical distancing cannot be maintained
  • Clean high-touch surfaces often
  • Download the COVID-Alert app 
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Residents can also visit:
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