A popular Friday morning activity series known as Fun in the Sun has local families basking in its rays once again this summer.
The program is provided by Powell River Family Place and geared toward children from zero to six.
Summer students Yvonne Webb and Jeremy Hopper have risen to the challenge, organizing a host of social activities with a different theme each week.
The first of four Fridays kicked off at Willingdon Beach on July 21 with a Hawaiian Luau extravaganza, complete with hula hoops, volcanoes and even a little unexpected rain.
“The next is Under the Sea, so we’re going to have the coast guard come and bring their boat and actually let the kids walk on it,” said Webb, “and then for August 4 we’re having a circus theme and we’re getting a bouncy castle.”
The last Willingdon installment, set to take place on August 11, will be devoted to wildlife and will feature demonstrations from Wildlife BC.
After that, the program will move to Larry Gouthro Park for one final Friday of the season on August 18, where attendees will join in a celebration of all things science.
Regardless of theme, Fun in the Sun always ends with a snack and a story, presented with the support of Powell River Public Library, Powell River Literacy Council and Safeway.
Since its inception in 2004, the free event has catered to all families in the community, but especially those in low-income situations.
“Overall, it’s usually around 60 families that come out,” said Webb, adding that as many as 100 have shown up on sunnier days in the past.
According to Alena Devlin, who brought sons Alex and Patrick to the July 21 event, Fun in the Sun fills a void for children’s activities during the summer, when many of the regular programs in the community have gone on hiatus.
“It’s really awesome, because we get used to going to Strong Start and other programs in the wintertime, and then all of the sudden the summertime comes and you wonder what to do with your kids,” said Devlin. “Between Family Place and Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services, there is something for little kids every single day of the week.”
The wide assortment of structured activities is another thing that keeps Devlin and her boys coming back to Fun in the Sun.
“They love to go to the parks and everything, but it’s nice for them to get social interaction and play,” she said.
In Webb’s short time as program coordinator, she said she has seen firsthand the effect Fun in the Sun has on the community. Parents will often call Family Place asking for bubble recipes or activity lists, based on something their child has done the previous Friday.
“This program inspires them to do other little projects with their kids,” said Webb. “A lot of parents are wanting to recreate a lot of the things we do at the event, so that’s great.”
Fun in the Sun runs every Friday at Willingdon Beach from 10:30 am to 12 pm, until August 11, before moving to Larry Gouthro Park on August 18. For more information, call 604.485.2706 or visit prepsociety.org/familyplace.
