Summer program kicks off at Yellowhead
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- Published on Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Photo by Eoin Devereux. Activities programmer Katie Kidd is in charge of organizing the Yellowhead Centre’s new summer sports program.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
The Yellowhead Centre (YHC) has launched a new summer drop-in program. The project, which is aimed at teaching youngsters a variety of sports and activities, will formally begin in early July, though it will kick off with a sign up evening scheduled for June 23 at 6:30 pm at the YHC. Parents will have the opportunity to fill out consent forms and pay the $25 fee for their children to attend the activity days.
The initiative is being coordinated by Katie Kidd, who has been hired through support from the Canada Jobs Program. Kidd said this is the first time the Yellowhead has done something of this magnitude.
“Since this is the first time we’ve done something like this, we don’t know what the response is going to be. We’re hopeful though that the community will take advantage of this opportunity and it’s something that could become an annual program,” noted Kidd. “My responsibilities will include planning programs for kids, that’ll be geared around introducing them to a whole bunch of different and fun activities. Things like ball hockey, for example, or lacrosse. It’s just going to be something new that [The Yellowhead Centre] tries to engage.”
YHC director of operations Anne Kuharski said she’s pleased to have Kidd on board this summer to operate the program. Kuharski added that she’s hopeful this will establish the Yellowhead as more than a seasonal destination.
“We thought it was something that was needed. There are many programs that go on in the community already for a variety of sports, but none that fill this particular niche,” said Kuharski. “This also opens up to the facility to being more than just a gathering place for families over the winter months.”
As for the schedule for the summer program, it will be offered to two different age groups. Children between four to seven years old will assemble on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, while youngsters between eight and 12 years of age will meet on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm and Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Kidd added that the Yellowhead will also host activities and sports for older teenagers and adults two nights a week. The girls 14 years and older programs will occur on Tuesdays, starting on July 5, while boys 14 plus will be scheduled on Wednesdays beginning July 6.
