Who better than our employee “play pros” to know the best ways to unleash it? When not monkeying around in our own trees, here are five ways we enjoy a little more South Vancouver Island playtime.

1. Sydney goes for: Fresh-air Fitness
   > Mount Douglas Park (Saanich)
   “Beyond the beauty of ‘Mount Doug’, I love to visit this park over and over again because I can always find a new route to hike to the peak. It’s a great way to spend time soaking in fresh air and chatting with my sister or girlfriends – or even just me time (with my ipod to keep me company).”
   Current playlist: “Right now, Jay-Z stars in my rotation.”

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2. Eddie goes for: Restful Refuges
   > Movie Night (Victoria)
   “Sometimes letting my mind wander is all I need to unleash it. There’s no better place for me to dive into another world than at SilverCity theatre (my favourite for the most variety of films). A couple of hours away from the phone, computer, house renos, and all the distractions of my day is enough to reset my clock.”
   Favourite movie-going treat: “I’m a sucker for Smarties (especially Chocolate-orange flavoured…alas they’re only sold in England)."

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3. Colleen goes for: Water Activities
   > Elk Lake Park (Saanich)
   “Sometimes we swim, sometimes we fish, and lots of times we paddle along the surface of Elk Lake Park just outside Victoria. The kids love to splash around in the lake, or try to catch dinner (usually yummy bass, or if you’re lucky a trout) from the fishing pier."
   Best-looking activity to try next: “The horseback rides and water bikes look super fun!”

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4. Andrew goes for: Sand and Sun
   > Pachena Bay Beach (Bamfield)
   “Why is Pachena an awesome place to play? You can name it. I go for the camping, sun (and sunsets), hiking, reading, solitude, and opportunity to ‘veg-out’ – all off the beaten path. The 2km stretch of sand is nestled within a huge rocky basin at the northern trailhead for the West Coast Trail."
   Reading list: "I like to get lost in the playtimes of the past with a good history text – especially political, and economic military narratives from other countries (such as Europe and Asia)."

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5. Heather goes for: Scenes on Stage
   > Victoria Operatic Society (Victoria & Beyond)
   “Southern Vancouver Island is a true playground for theatre-buffs – the Belfry, Intrepid Fringe Festival, and Chemainus Theatre are all top notch destinations. As a musical-lover, one of my can’t-miss-it favourites is the Victoria Operatic Society for their Broadway-esque performances. Each season features a professional, lively production of an applause-worthy show."
   See this on stage: “Wicked sits at the top of my list for the best Broadway musical.”

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There you have it! Five of our favourite ways to play in the South Vancouver Island region, we hope you enjoy.
What are your top picks? We're always looking for more playtime ideas!