Being from Northern Saskatchewan I’m a bit of a snob about what constitutes as a beach. I was always surprised when my students who have lived their entire lives in the South East were flabbergasted to learn that three quarters of our province is made up of green forests and clear lakes. I miss those lakes but have begun my journey to embrace the beaches of the South East including Boundary Dam. Though I still struggle to enter the water there I do suggest this week that you make use of the sand!

This summer I feel many days that I in fact live on the beach as sand daily makes it’s way onto my kitchen floor (always after I’ve just swept), trails along my carpet and nestles into the crevices of my couch. It also cascades from my son’s shorts and diaper when I change him! He is obsessed with the sandbox. Lately we’ve started taking him to the dam to play in the wet sand and allow him to create with this medium.

This week why not take a little trip to the dam and create temporary masterpieces of sand. You could collaborate as an entire family or break into teams to each create a piece. When I think of sandcastle building I immediately start to pack pails and shovels but while researching for this article I learned that pail molds actually don’t work very well as the sand at the top can’t be packed firm enough to give a strong foundation. They actually suggest bring rulers or credit cards to use as carving tools.

The experts all agree that the best way to make a really great sand sculpture is to take partially wet sand (that’s found where the tide or waves come in but don’t stay) and bring it to your sculpture area creating a large firmly packed pile of sand. Once you have it packed and smoothed over, begin carving your sculpture using the rulers and credit cards. You can even sculpt below the beach level and just scoop out the sand around your creation. Make sure to take a picture because it won’t last long!