Watery finale for Open Doors
Packed programming comes to a close for Fort Simpson youth
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 16, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Open Doors Society celebrated the end of its summer programming with a splash on July 10 with a Bouncy Castle and water fight outside Bompas Elementary School.
Sahtle Tsetso, left, and William Tanche-Hanna duke it out with a hose and water gun during the Open Doors Society's last event of the summer. - April Hudson/NNSL photos
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Children and supervisors gathered in the afternoon for the celebration, which included tasty treats and fun for all.
Florine Lawrence, whose son Stellan is two and a half years old, has lived in the area for a little less than a year and said the programming was great.
"It's very good for new people in the area who have young kids," she said.
"It's great this exists. Stellan has already gotten to know some of his peers; programming like this makes a big difference."
The Open Doors Society will pick up its programming again when the 2015-16 school year begins.
From June 29 to July 10, the society's summer program ran every day except for weekends, when the society was partnering with other events in the community to give little ones a place to play.
Those in the program enjoyed games and physical activity and were given the opportunity to participate in the Canada Day festivities by decorating bikes and a float.
Open Doors also partnered with Dezoa Gogha on July 11 to establish a play area for little ones during the Open Sky Festival.
Alex Roche, who has worked with the Open Doors Society since November 2014, said the society has been very busy this year, organizing everything from Halloween and Christmas dances to a daily Active After School program.
"We've done so much," he said.
Between 15 and 25 youth attended every day for Active After School, which gave them the opportunity to do crafts and play sports.
The Open Doors Society also ran an evening program that involved game nights and sociable activities.
"The year was really awesome. I learned a lot," Roche said.
"For one, I learned I really like working with kids."
Because of his exposure to the Open Doors Society, Roche is planning to go back to school and pursue a Bachelor of Education.
But first, he plans to spend one more year with the Open Doors Society.
He said, "It's great work."
