Spring Break
Literature & Art Camps
Full Day Camps: Ages 5 to 14
March 16th to 27th, 2026
Our spring break camps are warm and welcoming spaces where storytelling and art merge into dream spaces. At the Lyceum, a "staycation" in Vancouver becomes an opportunity for literary travel to destinations near and far.
May be you found the map in a mysterious-looking trunk in your great aunt’s attic. Maybe a wizard knocked on your door one evening and gave it to you. Maybe you inherited it from an elderly uncle you always suspected was a pirate. However you got it, it’s yellow and faded.
You squint in the dim light, trying to read its markings. The words that reveal themselves are familiar - The Hidden Garden, The Island in Northern Waters, Thneedville, Panem, and beside each a large black X. You also find instructions to pick up a passport to which you can affix limited edition badges for each destination you visit, Collect one or collect them all!
Treasure awaits!
At the Lyceum, we believe that every book contains treasure. Whether it’s an unforgettable character who feels like a new friend, or an idea you never would have thought of on your own, stories glitter with riches.
During our Spring Break programs, we’ll be treating classic works of literature as the exciting locations of this buried treasure, adventuring into them to find jumping off points for exciting artistic creations. Children don’t need to have read these books before attending the Lyceum. Each camp is designed to work both as an introduction for newcomers, and a celebration for those who know the book well.
Our program schedule is customizable. Your child can come for a day or two of our programming, join us for a week, or adventure with us for the entire two weeks. Each day stands alone, but also links thematically to all the other days. This makes it easy to drop in for a day of the Hidden Garden or Panem, but it also means that those joining us for longer benefit from a rich and layered experience.
Each camper will receive a passport to affix limited edition pins. Each program yields an exclusive pin, collect one or collect all eleven!
Programs
Day Camps
Ages: 5 to 14
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost:
One day: $155 + GST
(Some classes may include an additional $5 materials fee to cover unique supply needs.)
Sleepover: $180 + GST
Register for 4 camps and get the 5th at half price! (a savings of $80)
Register for 9 camps and get the 10th one free! (a savings of $160)
TO REGISTER or for more information:
please email us at lyceum@christiannehayward.com
give us a call at 604 733 1356
or visit us at 4433 West 10th Avenue!
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Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
MONDAY, MARCH 16th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: Thneedville
Book: The Landry News by Andrew Clements
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: Denton Elementary School
Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
MONDAY, MARCH 20th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$160 + GST
Destination: The Land of Wild Things
Book: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare
TUESDAY, MARCH 24th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: The forest outside Athens
Book: The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
THURSDAY, MARCH 26th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: An island in northern waters
Novel & Movie: Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
FRIDAY, MARCH 20th TO SATURDAY, MARCH 21st
5:30 PM TO 11:30 AM
AGES 9 TO 14
$180 + GST
Destination: Panem
Book: The Twits by Roald Dahl
TUESDAY, MARCH 17th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: The Town of Triperot
Book: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
THURSDAY, MARCH 19th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: Plainview
Book: The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Monday, MARCH 23rd
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: The Countryside
Book: The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
$155 + GST
Destination: Bear Island
Storyteller: Christianne
FRIDAY, MARCH 27th
9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
AGES 5 TO 14
*$160 + GST
Destination: The Lyceum Faerie Garden
Program Details
Monday, March 16th
Destination: Thneedville
Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The stories created by Dr. Seuss are like portals into another dimension where kindness and wonderment reign. Seuss’s rhythmic lines skip right along with readers as they learn important lessons about how we can best move through the world.
We’ll explore classics from Horton Hears a Who, to The Sneetches and finish the day with The Lorax, which we’ll use as inspiration for our day’s craft.
Each student will use a hand-stained wooden treasure box as their canvas, building on its lid an intricately patterned glass tile mosaic reminiscent of the Lorax’s Truffula trees. An Allium bulb will be nestled inside amidst colourful pom poms, ready for us to nurture and grow into our very own ‘Truffula tree’. We’ll ensure each child has comprehensive care-taking instructions, beautified with their own illustrations.
We’ll take care to preserve the true meaning of the story by encouraging discussions across the day around the importance of environmental stewardship as we celebrate the true raw beauty of our natural world.
Tuesday, March 17th
Destination: The Town of Triperot
Book: The Twits by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is less an author and more a literary institution. The pictures he paints through pattern and rhyme permeate the psyche of our childhood, creating rhythmic memories intrinsically linked to the stories they tell. From the ‘modern’ interpretation of Cinderella’s struggles, to Charlie’s quest for that coveted golden ticket, there are references in pop culture today that came directly from these tales.
On this particular day, we’ll dive into the weird and wonderful world of Mr. and Mrs. Twit. United by trickery, the mischievous Twits mistreat the animals in their care. In true Dahl style, the animals come together and use their differences as strengths to outsmart the nasty couple and find freedom.
Roald Dahl’s stories and Quentin Blake’s illustrations are so linked that you’ll seldom find one without the other. Quentin's organic line drawings give a sense of motion that is hard to replicate, but we’ll do our best to study his methods and use his work as inspiration as we create a collection of our own black ink and watercolour sketches.
Wednesday, March 18th
Destination: Denton Elementary School
Book: The Landry News by Andrew Clements
One of our silent auction winners, Alex Garcia Vinas, had the opportunity to design a unique Spring Break camp focussed around a novel of his choice. He has chosen The Landry News as he is an avid reporter and the protagonist of the story created a class newspaper that used honest reporting to bring about social change in her community.
More than 25 years after its publication, The Landry News by Andrew Clements still feels strikingly relevant, capturing a deep and enduring passion for protecting freedom of speech and the right to publish.
Students will spend the day contributing to a Lyceum News Bulletin through a variety of formats that will be organized by editor Alex. The group will have unlimited access to computers and quality art materials to put together newsworthy items. Campers will not only bring home their own physical newspaper, but a renewed optimism that honest journalism has a true impact on the world.
Of course we can’t forget Alex’s favourite snack, the “Tim Tam Slam” challenge. (Look it up!)
Thursday, March 19th
Destination: Plainview
Book: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
The complexities of academic life are tough for anyone to navigate, and it’s never been more important (especially in our digitized age) to have meaningful conversations around these challenges.
Through his novel, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney not only snapshots a moment in time, but produces something that timelessly captures school experience. In the form of an illustrated journal we follow Greg Heffley on his quest for popularity. The images are both meaningful and emotive and for this camp, we’ll guide you through creating a comic book of your own.
After Christianne brings the group up to speed on the series (no prior knowledge required), we’ll begin practicing our illustration skills in a variety of pre-printed cells. Students can choose a comic event in theirs or someone else’s life, or imagine a fictional one.
Once (optional) colour has been added, staff will coil bind these creations so they won’t look out of place on any library shelf.
Friday, March 20th
Destination: The Land of Wild Things
Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
This title is a true embodiment of the saying “never judge a book by its cover”. Even though it's categorized as a picture book, Where the Wild Things Are captures themes that are important, no matter your age. Maurice Sendak has the ability to bottle child-like wonder, showing us how using our imagination to explore new worlds and unchartered territory will always keep us dreaming big.
We’ll start with the lore around why this story has survived generations, before looking at some of Sendak’s other literary adventures. From Down in the Dumps, to Dear Mili, these lesser known picture books are culturally relevant, and will be available for students to leaf through for inspiration across the day.
Each student will create a shadow box showcasing what their own “wild things” world might look like. They’ll craft everything from the intricate landscape to an impression of their own sculpey self in “wild thing” costume to nestle somewhere amongst the magic. On the background wall they will include a ‘stand-out’ multi-media quote from one of the studied texts.
Not forgetting sustenance, we’ll take a break halfway through to nourish our creative souls and watch excerpts of the Where the Wild Things Are movie adaptation.
Monday, March 23rd
Destination: The Countryside
Book: The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
The magic of this book has its roots firmly planted in our natural world. Born from a gulf that was emerging between new generations and old, Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris set out to return lost words of the world to their rightful place in our language. In the Oxford Junior Dictionary, every day terms from acorn to heron, and dandelion to willow were replaced with blog, broadband, bullet-point and voice-mail.
Harnessing their untethered passion for connecting humankind with the landscape we inhabit, both author and illustrator capture their reader with immediate effect.
The illustrations are breathtaking and draw you in as if you’re standing in a wooded area surrounded by flitting hummingbirds and delicately swaying bluebells.
Christianne will guide the group through this metaphorical woodland walk, before we conjure up images of artistic greatness with the day’s craft. Each child will create shrink art images of the lost words that have been preserved by Macfarlane and Morris and hang them from wood crosspieces as a mobile.Your child will return home, with a renewed sense of social stewardship. Not bad for a day’s work!
Tuesday, March 24th
Destination: The forest outside Athens
Book: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare
One of Shakespeare’s more whimsical plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream chronicles the misfortune of four Athenian friends who flee into the forest, becoming entangled in the mischief of the forest fae. At the start of the day, Christianne will share animated readings of key excerpts, opening the floor to questions and making sure that no one is left behind.
Students will get the chance to make faerie nets using crystals, gemstone beads, and flowers. Your child will get lost in the art as they embellish to their heart’s desire. After stopping to refuel with either hot chocolate or tea, we’ll then move on to make a players’ guidebook using images from the Coville and Nolan’s edition for younger audiences; of course welcoming any original additions students would like to add.
So many people believe that elements of Shakespeare remain inaccessible, but we're here to prove them wrong. With expert insight, engaging discourse and unique crafting, we'll be sending home many young and passionate fans of this historical literary figure.
Wednesday, March 25th
Destination: Bear Island
Book: The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
Being in the Pacific North West, our connection to the land runs generations deep. Polar bears in particular hold "significant cultural, spiritual, and economic value for northern indigenous peoples". All of this to say that their conservation should be at the forefront of our fight against today's climate crisis; Hannah Gold tackles this head on in her captivating story of The Last Bear.
Given that Canada is home to two-thirds of the world's polar bear population, it seemed fitting to dedicate a day during Spring Break to celebrating their majestic beauty. We'll start the day with a reading from Christianne, as well as setting aside time to look through the illustrations in depth before moving on to an epic craft.
Staff will guide the group through the intricacies of lino-cut print making. From carving out their polar bear stamps from blocks of rubber, to selecting the perfect colour for printing on their painted polar landscape; the pieces that go home will be worthy of a place in the most prestigious of home galleries.
We’ll pause for an arctic-themed snack and remind ourselves of the main character’s inspirational sacrifice to make sure that these beautiful creatures are around for as long as humans continue to walk the earth.
Thursday, March 26th
Destination: An island in northern waters
Book: The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
Children and adults alike were enchanted by the 2024 screen adaptation of The Wild Robot. A heartwarming tale of just how important it is to show compassion, even when you feel lost yourself, we'll spend the day exploring the third offering in this series from Peter Brown.
We'll rejoin Roz (the marooned robot from earlier books) on her quest to save the island she loves by seeking to understand how various ecosystems intersect and work together. In this installment, there is something sinister taking hold as a poison tide forces the animals inland "to fight over dwindling resources." Being created from waterproof materials, Roz will organize a large-scale underwater operation to find the source of the toxins and render it inoperable. Christianne will lead the group through key parts of the text before initiating a lively discussion around the importance of keeping our oceans healthy.
For the craft, we think this might just be one of our best yet. Students will spend the day creating a fully articulated corrugated cardboard whale, nestled gracefully in its own frame for display on any surface. We’ll affix each section of the whale at different heights for maximum animation, on a turning wire mechanism and then paint and embellish with shells.
Keep as a family treasure or pass on to a loved one for a truly spectacular gift.
Friday, March 27th
Destination: The Lyceum Faerie Garden
Storyteller: Christianne
When we’re immersed in the depths of winter, it can sometimes feel impossible to believe that brighter days lie ahead. The Spring Equinox marks the return of longer, lighter evenings, new growth and a sense of limitless renewal. At the Lyceum we like to celebrate the traditions that focus on new beginnings; welcoming back creative endeavours that needn’t be rushed.
A staple in every holiday roster, this Spring Break we’ll carve out time to catch up on the comings and goings of our resident faerie clan. Christianne will of course begin the day by regaling the group with festive updates from the garden while we sip tea, snack on faerie morsels and follow her tales using garden photo maps.
We’ll then move on making miniature faerie gardens fit to burst with trinkets and treasures. Each student will get an earthy pot so that their local fae have a permanent dwelling; we’ll include seasonal bulbs that will grow as the weather warms. Students will create unique twinkly abodes replete with cozy furniture and feeding vessels.
We’ll celebrate our day of magical deep dives with a mini tea fit for faerie royalty, and one you’ll hear about for weeks to come.
Friday, March 20th to Saturday, March 21th (sleepover)
5:30 PM to 11:30 AM
Destination: Panem
Novel & Movie: Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
This is an equally magical, if slightly less wizarding, weekend offering. Fans of the Hunger Games series are just as committed to spreading the word about this entrancing dystopia, as Potterheads are about the history of Hogwarts.
Campers can come dressed in character, the more detailed the better, or wear their comfiest clothes and use materials from the Lyceum stores to embellish themselves. After reading the opening chapters of the prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, we will fill up on pizza before making our very own tribute tokens. Campers will have access to shrink art and wire as well as gems, crystals and beads for a creation that we can guarantee no one else will own.
We'll then delve into one of the three feats of cinematic brilliance inspired by this series, though campers can nod off as they are ready. If any (or all) make it to the stroke of 12, they'll get the chance to make a midnight exploding volcano, and create sparkler magic before snuggling up again to sleep.
Parents can pick up their survivors at 11:00 AM the next morning after we enjoy a sustaining breakfast of waffles, berries and lashings of maple syrup. A list of “indoor camping” supplies will be circulated to registrants.
Programs
Day Camps
Ages: 5 to 14
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost:
One day: $155 + GST
(Some classes may include an additional $5 materials fee to cover unique supply needs.)
Sleepover: $180 + GST
Register for 4 camps and get the 5th at half price! (a savings of $80)
Register for 9 camps and get the 10th one free! (a savings of $160)
TO REGISTER or for more information:
please email us at lyceum@christiannehayward.com
give us a call at 604 733 1356
or visit us at 4433 West 10th Avenue!
