The Okotoks Public Library (okotokslibrary.ca) offers a large resource base for children. In addition to books, magazines, computer access and media, homeschooled children can enroll in various programs. The Dog Tales program is ideal for children who struggle with reading or do not enjoy it. On Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. children 8 to 12 years of age can sit down with a dog and read a book. Volunteers bring in their dogs for the program. The Teen Zone is for kids aged 12 and older. They have access to fiction and non-fiction novels, magazines, audio books and DVDs. The library is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Okotoks Public Library
7 Riverside Drive West
Okotoks, AB, Canada T1S 1A6
403-938-2220
okotokslibrary.ca
Okotoks Art Gallery (okotoksculture.ca) is hosted in the city's former railway station. Homeschooled children have the opportunity to view fine art outside of a textbook. The gallery has hosted past art exhibits focusing on the Group of Seven, Egypt, and Life on the Prairies. For children who want to explore their creativity, there is a family program known as the OKAY club for children aged 6 to 12. Children and their parents will receive a tour of the gallery and do a craft one Saturday out of each month, from September to June. The gallery's hours from September to May are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From late May to early September, the gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 12 to 5 p.m.
Okotoks Art Gallery at the Station
53 North Railway Street
Okotoks, AB, Canada T1S 1J3
403-938-3204
okotoksculture.ca
Children who are homeschooled in Okotoks can benefit from an excursion to the Okotoks Museum and Archives (okotoksculture.ca). Here, they can learn the history of the city, how it got its name, early industry and how the city has changed. The museum is set in the home of a past Okotoks mayor who served from 1918 to 1921 and again from 1923 to 1926. Exhibits at the museum focus on the area's history and highlights the historic MacLeod Trail and early industry. Children can also view the archival collection of photos, maps and historical newspapers. Homeschooled children may find this museum a valuable resource if they are ever required to do a project on the history of Okotoks.
Okotoks Museum and Archives
49 North Railway Street
Okotoks, AB, Canada T1S 1K1
403-938-8969
okotoksculture.ca
The Okotoks Recreation Centre (okotoks.ca) provides recreational opportunity for homeschooled children whose parents may want them to play sports or learn a variety of new skills. The Aquatics Center offers $1 and $2 swims, either family or public. Family swims are more ideal for homeschool activity since there is a more relaxed atmosphere for parents and children, but they are only offered at night and on weekends. Public swims are also available in the afternoon or evening.
Shane's Home Gymnasium provides a variety of sports and fitness programs. Public drop-in times at the gym are available for basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer and floor hockey.
For a refreshing break from studies, homeschooled children can play with their parents at Waterspray Park, open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the warmer months.
Okotoks Recreation Centre
99 Okotoks Drive
Okotoks, AB, Canada T1S 1E6
403-938-8954
okotoks.ca
As an alternative to indoor recreation, Okotoks offers more than several miles of hiking and biking trails that pass by Sheep River, parks and mountainous regions. Bear Lake, an out-and-back walking trail, is accessible from March to November. It is just over a mile in length. Pocaterra Ridge is a three-mile-long hiking trail. Parents and children may find hiking to be a delightful interactive educational experience. Children can view and learn about various plants, trees, birds and mammals.