Families flock to White Point for kid-friendly ‘staycations

Year-round trips ‘all about making people happy’

By Heather Laura Clarke, Custom Content Editor, Chronicle Herald/Saltwire
March 9, 2019
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When families drive along the tree-lined path that leads to White Point Beach Resort, there’s something magical that seems to put everyone into vacation mode — whether it’s a hot afternoon in July or a chilly morning in March.

“It’s like time slows down,” explains Darlene Norman, recreation/special events manager at White Point Beach Resort. “We’re not too far away from home, but you still get to feel like you’re leaving your day-to-day routine behind to just relax together, even reconnect, as a family.”

White Point Beach Resort is no more than a 90-minute drive from most spots in the province, making it an easy road trip for parents with young children.

Once again, they’ve planned a 10-day lineup of locally infused activities for Nova Scotia’s March Break (March 15-24), including yoga, swimming, movies, hikes, concerts, karaoke dances, putting practice, wooden toy making, fishing, crafts, face-painting, chocolate-making, even teen paint nights and fibre art classes. Parks Canada is hosting wilderness activities like camping with tents and there’s an outdoor survival skills workshop for teens too. For those who haven’t tried winter surfing, there’s even a two-hour class available.

White Point’s beloved wild bunnies make it a popular spot for spending Easter, so they’re planning a family Easter egg hunt along the coast as well as a popular new tradition for teens, a glow-in-the-dark egg hunt. In May, the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby will cast off for the fifth year.

“Nova Scotia families looking to get away — without going away — love coming to White Point. We’re the destination of choice by many for their family ‘staycations,’” says Joanne Veinotte, White Point’s General Manager. “Our goal is always to ensure everyone that joins us has a great time, making memories they’ll remember for decades to come.”

During the summer months, families love swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, canoeing, paddle-boating, biking, building sandcastles and playing lawn games, but there’s also plenty to do during the winter months — “lobster season” as it’s known around these parts.

Complimentary programs are offered daily in July and August and scheduled for every weekend and holiday during the school year, like arts & crafts at 9:30 a.m., face-painting at 11 a.m. and a beachside bonfire with marshmallow roast at 7 p.m. There’s a dedicated Kids’ Zone for families, a games room with a pool table and foosball, and plenty of board games and books to enjoy during quieter moments. The indoor pool is always popular attraction, of course — especially in the winter.

“It’s all about making sure our guests have a great day,” says Norman. “I rarely hear kids upset. They’re just so happy to be here, until they have to leave that is!”

In fact, if you ask the toddlers about their favourite part of White Point, don’t be surprised if you hear them rave about the “tiny toilet” in the family locker room.

Generations of kids have grown-up at White Point, and Norman says it continues to be a place for multi-generational family fun.

“A lot of our guests used to come here as children, and now they come with their own children,” says Norman. “We also see kids come with Grandma and Grandpa while Mom and Dad enjoy a weekend home alone, and sometimes it’s a divorced parent bringing their children and maybe their own mom, too.”

Years ago, Norman says parents would inquire about babysitting services so they could ‘escape’ their kids and go out on their own, but that’s no longer the case. She’s noticed today’s young families are all about spending quality time together, whether they’re going for a stroll to collect sun-baked stones, or making a silly craft together in the Kids’ Zone.

“It really is about digital- and distraction-free ‘Facetime.’”

Leif Helmer and his family live in Petite Rivière, about 45 minutes from White Point, and they’ve been frequent visitors for 20 years. His 11-year-old son loves participating in the nature programs, while his daughters, eight and 11 years old, love the chocolate creation sessions with White Point’s Executive Chef, Alan Crosby.

Helmer says winter is one of their favourite times to explore White Point because they enjoy the cozy “unplugged” time they spend together.

“We try to leave the devices behind and spend time reading books together on the couches around the fire,” says Helmer. “We’ll play a board game or go for a swim together, and just enjoy each other’s company. It’s been a very special place for the five of us.”

For more information about family fun at White Point, during March Break and year-round, please visit https://www.whitepoint.com/events/ .

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