 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Growing kids programs in Chester First summer day camp a big hit with younger setDarrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, Oct 10, 2012
Chester held its first summer day camp during the months of July and August for youths aged five to 12, and plans are already in motion for additional programming. Hamlet SAO Elwood Johnston said Chester's inaugural summer day camp was a big success. He said the camp averaged about 30 to 35 kids per day, and would sometimes reach as high as 50. "We were able to offer activities like boating, soccer, swimming, walks on the land, elder storytelling, roasting marshmallows, picking mussels, making pinatas, playing games and making different crafts," said Johnston. "Because of my past experience, I felt a summer day camp would go over well in the community and it did. "We had six summer students and two elders involved and my wife, Lynda, helped because her background is in early childhood education and recreation. "Our co-ordinator (Kevin Issaluk) and the students used an iPad to conference with Lynda, who was in Ryley, Alta., at the time, so she could go over event planning, scheduling daily activities, and preparing a menu for lunches and snacks with them. "She also bought a few-thousand-dollars worth of supplies I had to haul back and the program went from there." It can be pretty scary for an SAO to be receiving compliments during a council meeting, quipped Johnston. He said although he appreciated the pat on the back, knowing the kids enjoyed the camp was the true reward. "At the end of it all, the kids had a great time and that's what really matters. "The community is getting ready to start an I Wanna Club, as in I wanna go to the club, on Thursday nights. "It's a Christian-based club for kids up to Grade 6 to go and play games, do crafts, etc. "Lynda's here in town now and is involved with that, as well as helping to co-ordinate getting Chester's first Moms and Tots program up and running."
|
