Family Wellness Guide An activity guide for families at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… pg 3 Morning Activities Coffee Hour…………………………………….……………………………… pg 4 Adult Swim……………………………………………………………………… pg 4 Drop in Play room…………………………………………………………… pg 4 Open Gym ………………………………………………………………………… pg 5 Afternoon Activities Family Swim……………………………………………………………………… pg 5 Adult Swim ……….…………………………………………………………… pg 5 Inpatient Drop in Play room………………………………………… pg 5 Art Program…………………………………………………………………… pg 5 Story with Christina……………………………………………………… pg 6 Topsy Turvy Tales………………………………………………………… pg 6 Face painting…………………………………………………………………… pg 6 Evening Activities Family Swim…………………………………………………………………… pg 7 Adult Swim ……….…………………………………………………………… pg 7 Movie Night…………………………………………………………………… pg 7 Craft with Amelia………………………………………………………… pg 7 Bingo………………………………………………………………………………… pg 7 Pet Night with PALS…………………………………………………… pg 7 Laughing Families…………………………………………………………… pg 8 Scrap Booking………………………………………………………………… pg 8 Origami…………………………………………………………………………… pg 8 Tickle Trunk Thursdays………………………………………………… pg 8 Gaming Night…………………………………………………………………… pg 8 Anytime Activities Indoor……………………………………………………………… pg 9, 10, 11, 12 Outdoor……………………………………………………………pg 13, 14, 15, 16 Schedule at a Glance ………………………………………………………pg 17 Calgary Attractions………………………………………………………… pg 18 Family Liaison Council……………………………………………………… pg 19 -2- The Family Wellness Guide is a resource for families during their child’s stay at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Our hope is that this guide will provide families with information about various activities that the Hospital and other local community organizations have to offer. This guide is designed for easy reference. It includes a weekly calendar of activities in the back that is perfect for deciding what to do at a glance, along with various maps to help guide your way. Additionally, the activities are organized by time of day: Morning, Afternoon and Evening, and they are color coded to indicate which organization and/or department are hosting that activity: Red: The Family & Community Resource Centre (FCRC), 403-955-3272, 2nd floor of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Green:Alberta Children’s Hospital Child Life,403-955-2593 Located throughout the Hospital Yellow: Ronald McDonald House, 403-240-3000 111 West Campus Place NW (kitty-corner to Hospital) Blue: Vocational Rehabilitation & Research Institute (VRRI), 403-284-1121, 3304-33rd street NW The VRRI is a public facility that provides recreation and leisure opportunities to people of all ages and abilities. It is fully accessible and is home to a heated salt water therapeutic pool, full sized gymnasium, and aerobic studio. Questions? Connect with the Family Support Specialists in the Family & Community Resource Centre, located on the 2nd floor, or call 403-955-3272 or toll free at 1-877-943-3272. -3- Morning What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: Coffee Hour Monday through Friday, 930-1030am Family & Community Resource Centre, 2nd floor Have a break and join us for a coffee and some conversation (tea, decaf and juice also available) Adult Swim Monday through Friday, 630-755am Saturday and Sunday, 730-855am VRRI, walking map on page 13 Why not? An early morning swim in a warm salt water pool- Good way to start the day! Drop-in Unit 2 Playroom, *INPATIENTS and SIBLINGS only* Monday through Friday, 900-1100am Inpatient unit on the 2nd floor - playroom Get out of your room and play with other kids. -4- What: When: Where: Why: Open Gym Monday, Wednesday 9-noon & Fridays 9am-1pm VRRI, walking map on page 13 Shoot some hoops or play tag on a rainy day; large area with wood sprung floors and access to all equipment! Afternoon What: When: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: Family Swim Monday through Friday, 11-1155am Saturday and Sunday, 200-525pm Adult Swim Monday through Friday, noon – 125pm VRRI, walking map on page 13 Swim in Calgary’s warmest salt water pool. Drop-in Unit 4 Playroom,*INPATIENTS ONLY* Tuesday and Wednesday, 130-300pm Inpatient unit on the 4th floor - playroom Get out of your room and play with other kids. Wednesdays *SPARKLE* the clown face paints! Art Program Tuesday and Thursday, 130-330pm 4th floor Art Studio A chance for school age kids, patients and siblings, to get their hands dirty and their creative juices flowing! RED: FCRC, GREEN: Child Life, YELLOW: Ronald McDonald House, BLUE: VRRI -5- Afternoon Cont’d What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: Story with Christina Tuesdays, 330-430pm Ronald McDonald House Join Christina (Ronald McDonald House Teacher) for an afternoon story. Topsy Turvy Tales with *SPARKLE* or ~JUMPA~ and Miss Patsy! Tuesday 3-4pm Family & Community Resource Centre, 2nd floor Make a new friend at story time. There is always a craft afterwards. Face Painting with *SPARKLE* or ~JUMPA~ Thursday, 3-4pm Family & Community Resource Centre, 2nd floor Why not be a tiger or a princess for the day!? ~Jumpa~ and *Sparkle* RED: FCRC, GREEN: Child Life, YELLOW: Ronald McDonald House, BLUE: VRRI -6- Evening What: When: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: Family Swim Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 630-755pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 700-825pm Adult Swim Tuesday & Thursday, 830-925pm VRRI, walking map on page 12 What better way to relax at the end of a hard day? Movie Night Monday, 615-800pm 4th floor Kinsmen Learning Centre Auditorium Free popcorn and a movie on the big screen! Craft with Amelia Monday, 7pm until You finish your craft. Ronald McDonald House Get out and do something different Bingo Tuesday, 630-730pm Main Gathering Space (cafeteria) Meet new friends and win awesome prizes! Pet Night with PALS (Pet Access League Society) Wednesday, 630-730pm 4th Floor Kinsmen Learning Centre, Auditorium Come and get some love from some furry friends. Did you know you can bring your pet into the Hospital for a visit!? Call 403-955-2593 for more information. -7- Evening Cont’d What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: What: When: Where: Why: Laughing Families First Thursday of each Month, 600-800pm B2-200, 2nd floor near main elevators and FCRC Get the giggles and forget your worries! Scrapbooking 2nd & 4th Thursday of each Month, 600-800pm In the FCRC, or in B2-200 when Origami is running. Create lasting memories; bring you and your ideas! Origami with ~Jumpa~ and Friends! Once every 2nd Month, in conjunction with Scrapbooking. See advertisements for dates. B2-200, 2nd floor near main elevators and FCRC Take on a new challenge for your fingers. Tickle Trunk Thursdays Thursdays, 600-730pm 4th floor art studio unless otherwise advertised Come and experience a variety of fun and creative activities! Gaming Night Friday, 500-730pm B2-200, 2nd floor, Near main elevators and FCRC Play awesome video games on the BIG SCREEN!! RED: FCRC, GREEN: Child Life, YELLOW: Ronald McDonald House, BLUE: VRRI -8- It’s important to think of yourself during stressful times. *Physical activity is a well known stress reliever!* Anytime Activities There are plenty of ways to get exercise while at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Below are various ways and/or places to get some fresh air and exercise, outside and inside. Indoor If the weather is not agreeable, one can always do stairs or walk the length of the Hospital! From one end of the Hospital to the other is 200 meters. Do that 5 times and you’ve walked a kilometre! -9- The Family & Community Resource Centre (FCRC) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; staff is available Monday to Friday, from 8am-8pm. There is a lending library, a kids play area, computers for internet access, a printer and a fax machine. Near the FCRC on the 2nd floor, there are two more spaces open to families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: the Sacred Space and the Family Centre. The Sacred Space is a quiet and comfortable place to get away from the stresses of hospital life, and to allow for meditation and prayer. All faith groups are welcome, and it can also be reserved for special religious occasions such as a baptism or sweet grass ceremony. There are Chaplains on site, weekdays from 8am-4pm (if you would like to see a Chaplain please call the switchboard at 403-955-7211.) The Family Centre is a lounge area for both inpatient and outpatient families. It is a great place to have lunch, play a game, or just relax. The Family Centre has books, magazines and games, a TV, a nutrition area equipped with a fridge and microwave, and laundry facilities. We envision this space as a place where families can get away from the bustle, make connections with other families, and always get a free cup of tea. This is a - 10 - shared space and we expect that families will treat it, and others using the space, with respect. If you have any questions about the Family Centre, please contact the Family Support Specialists in the FCRC. The Ronald McDonald House is support for out of town families in need of accommodation (speak to a Family Support Specialists if you need a referral). It is also open to families needing of a change of scenery; Calgary families using the Hospital over extended periods of time, or out of town families using the Hospital for the day. The House has four large TV lounges, a library, a fully equipped kitchen and gym, and evening activities. Just call the house, at 403240-3000 (ext 0) with any questions or to let them know that you would like to come and use their facilities. Did you know the Family & Community Resource Centre’s Community Education Service offers free education sessions on a variety of child health topics? Come by the FCRC or check out www.fcrc.sacyhn.ca for an education calendar, to register, or to view past sessions. There are numerous fitness centres and arenas in the City of Calgary located close to us. Nearest to us is: o Shouldice Arena and Athletic Park 1515 Home Road, NW o Father David Bauer/Norma Bush Arena 2424 University Drive NW o Foothills Aquatic Centre 2915-24ave NW o Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre 1520 Northmount Drive NW - 11 - The Alberta Children’s Hospital is neighbours with the University of Calgary. Only walking distance away, the U of C is home to the Nickle Arts Museum. Hours of Operation, September 1 - April 30 Monday to Friday: 10am - 5pm, except Thursdays: 10am - 9pm Saturdays: 1pm - 5pm, closed long weekends Hours of Operation, May 1 - August 31 Monday to Friday, 10am -5pm Cost: Children under 6 are free, seniors: $2, ages 7-64: $5 Tuesday is FREE admission day! Call 403-220-7234 for more information. - 12 - Outdoor The Alberta Children’s Hospital also has two outdoor walking routes. A short route (indicated in purple) begins on the main floor, exit out the staff door by ICU, and follow the paved path to the left. The path goes around the outside of the inpatient area, through the backyard garden and leads to the Gordon Townsend entrance. The long route (indicated in red) starts at the main entrance, take a right at the foot of the driveway, around to the back via 24th ave., follow the paved pathways sandwiched between Children’s Way and the steep hill down to Shaganappi Trail, and take a right on West Campus Drive back to the main entrance of the hospital. *Please be aware of limited access in certain entrances/exits which may lock after hours.* - 13 - Calgary’s River Valley offers numerous walking and hiking trails, parks and playgrounds, picnic areas and water access. The Alberta Children’s Hospital is situated within driving distance of three regional parks that are open 5am-11pm in the summer and 8am-10pm in the winter: o Bowness Park is located at 8900-48ave NW. It features a spray pool, BBQ pits, mini golf and boat rentals, café and lagoon ice skating. For more information call Parkside Café at 403-286-8668. o Edworthy Park is located at 5050 Spruce Drive SW, just off of Bow Trail. You can access the park two ways: from the north (parking lot at the bottom of Shaganappi Trail) and walk across the bridge, or from the south at Spruce Drive and 45th St. SW. The park is mainly used by family picnickers (there's park and barbeque area), cyclists and rollerbladers (extensive concrete trail), and hikers (on trails that stretch throughout the woodland). o Shouldice Athletic Park is located at 56th St. NW and Bowness Road. It is situated along the banks of the Bow River near the TransCanada Highway. The park features nine softball diamonds, numerous soccer fields, football fields, tennis courts, and one Big League diamond. Privately operated batting cages are available onsite as well as a concession stand that is open during major tournaments. - 14 - Below is a list of local parks that are within walking distance of the Hospital. They are located in our neighbouring NW communities of Varsity (to the North), and University Heights (to the south). Below is a map that will help you get to these. 1. 3834 40 Avenue 2. 3725 36 Street 3. 3931 Vardell Road 4. 25 Varsville Place 5. 4120-37 Street 6. 2320 Usher Road 7. 2032 Ungava Road There is also a wading pool park near the Hospital; Canmore Park, and is located at 19 St. & Chicoutimi Dr. N.W. - 15 - Did you know you The Alberta Children’s Hospital is home to the longest picnic table in North America! Make history by having a picnic there!! The Ronald McDonald House also has adult and children’s bikes to borrow, a fenced playground area, 2 BBQ’s and a large deck with patio furniture. Please just call in advance and talk to the staff about the availability. The Alberta Children’s Hospital Child Life runs a Healing Garden Program in the backyard, which offers a combination of art and horticultural therapy. Just outside the Gordon Townsend School on the lower level, there is a green house and some accessible planter boxes. If you and/or your child would like to be involved with the Healing Gardens please call Sandy Baggott at 403-955-2593. Emily’s Backyard (EBY) is a play area at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, located just inside the main entrance. Both outpatient and inpatient families may access this free service for patients and siblings. Professional staff and volunteers engage children in fun activities in a safe and caring environment. EBY is designed for short term stays (max of 1.5hours) and parents must remain onsite. You can register up to two weeks in advance by calling 403-9552500, or by emailing eby@calgaryhealthregion.ca. Hours: Monday to Thursday 830-4pm, Friday 830-3pm This Program is funded by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation - 16 - *Please come to the FCRC for a larger version of this* - 17 - Calgary is a city with tonnes of leisure and recreational opportunities. Beyond Alberta Children’s Hospital and the ideas in this booklet, there are lots other places one can explore. For free City of Calgary activities check out their website at www.calgary.ca/recreation, or call 403-268-3800, option 1. Calgary Attractions Calgary Zoo http://www.calgaryzoo.org/ Calaway Park http://www.calawaypark.com Heritage Park http://www.heritagepark.ca Telus World of Science http://www.calgaryscience.ca Aero Space Museum http://www.asmac.ab.ca/ Calgary Tower http://www.calgarytower.com Fort Calgary http://www.fortcalgary.com/ Glenbow Museum http://www.glenbow.org/ Calgary Olympic Park http://www.canadaolympicpark.ca/Summer.asp Calgary Spaceport http://www.calgaryspaceport.com/ The Military Museum http://www.themilitarymuseums.com Before heading out check out www.calgaryattractions.com/ as there is great savings for the listed attractions. Questions? withwith a Family in the FCRC, you Connect need helps anySupport of this Specialist information! nd located on the 2 floor, or call 403-955-3272. - 18 - Family Liaison Council “The voice of Children and Families at Alberta Children’s Hospital” Who are they? They are a parent advisory committee that represents families who use the Alberta Children’s Hospital. They support, promote and advance high quality, family centered care. They represent parents in reflecting the family perspective on many hospital and community health committees, such as ACH Child Health Advisory Committee, Multicultural Committee, Ethics Education & Support Committee, Environmental Care Committee, Inpatient Advisory Committee, Family Centered Care Committee and many more! What is Family Centered Care? Family Centered Care is a philosophy, an attitude and an approach to the care of children and their families. Family Centered Care recognizes the family as the constant in a child’s life while the service systems and the people within these systems change. For more information visit www.familycenteredcare.org The Family Liaison Council meets the third Monday of the month, Sept-June, at the hospital. You can join or bring up an issue by calling 403-955-7097, or emailing family.liaisoncouncil@calgaryhealthregion.ca - 19 - The Family Wellness Guide was compiled by Jillian Coulas (BCR), practicum student for The Family & Community Resource Centre, and completed by Monica Hudj (BCR, Family Support Specialist) In partnership with Sean French, the Director of Development of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Research Institute (VRRI), Sandy Baggott, Special Program Coordinator of Child Life, and Tara Kowalchuk, Family Recreation Coordinator of the Ronald McDonald House. PLEASE RECYCLE ME OR SHARE ME WITH ANOTHER FAMILY! - 20 -