No summer camp? No worries. Kitchener has a free summer drop-in program at 3 parks
Play in the Park starts July 2 and will offer games, crafts and science experiments
School is out and the sun is too!
Children still looking for activities to take part in this summer can look forward to a new pilot program by the city of Kitchener.
Play in the Park is a free drop-in program for children aged four to 12. It will take place at three parks from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday to Friday. It requires no pre-registration and runs from July 2 through to Aug. 22. There will be no camp on Aug. 4.
Though, unlike summer camp, children participating in Play in the Park cannot be left unsupervised and will need a parent or a guardian to stay with them through the whole program, unless they are deemed old enough to be outside by themselves.
"Some of the best childhood memories come from exploring the outdoors in the summer and discovering new things with friends," said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic in a city press release.
The parks chosen for the program are Wilson Park in Kingsdale, Morgan Park in Centreville-Chicopee, and Gzowski Park in Victoria Hills.
The daily programming is contingent on good weather.
There will be outdoor games, crafts and activities led by summer staff. Participants are asked to bring water, hats, sunscreen, comfortable clothing and running shoes.
Lori Palubeski, the city's manager of program and resource services, said the idea for this drop-in was partly due to the scramble for summer camp sign up. Parents usually have to decide on camps in January or February, and programs fill up quickly, sometimes within minutes of opening for registration.
"We also know that there's a very long waiting list, especially around this age group," she said, adding that Play in the Park is a result of community consultations.
Palubeski said parents who were polled urged the city to set up a program because "children are staying at home by themselves, staying indoors, playing video games. It would be a great opportunity to encourage children to come out and play in the parks."
The neighbourhoods and parks that are a part of the program were selected because they are densely populated areas with many children and youth.
Daily programs will include activities such as sports, crafts, science experiments and more. The events are intended to be fairly self-directed and participants are welcome to play with others and stay for as long or as little as they'd like.
"We are trying to encourage use of our parks and in a way that maybe we've gotten away from over the years," Palubeski said.
Palubeski said Play in the Park provides flexibility for families who didn't have the the time, resources or money available to book all summer activities in advance.
If the program runs well this summer, she says the team would approach city council to bring the program back next year.
"Then we would also look to expand to other neighbourhoods because we do know that... other communities could use this type of free outdoor-based programming."
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With files from Ieva Lucs