Three new summer programs for young children are the result of Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services addressing public feedback. Little Bugs Club, Tikes and Trikes and Brunch ‘n’ Break are free programs starting in July for kids and their parents.
“What the community wanted was a free place where families can come with their kids and have a little bit of programming, and a place to hang out and get a snack and do some fun things throughout the summer,” explains PRCYFSS special projects manager Erin Bradley, “so that is what we are going to do.”
Little Bugs Club will run Tuesdays 10 am-12 pm from July 12 to August 9 and feature fun activities, story time and snacks for children ages two to four and their families.
“Little Bugs Club is more like a circle time with a story, theme and activities,” says Erin, “and then always followed by some fun play and a snack.”
For a more physical activity, Tikes and Trikes is a summertime wheels and motion program for kids ages two to six and their families. Parents are encouraged to bring their children’s favourite bikes, trikes, push cars, skateboards or scooters for this weekly outdoor activity.
Tikes and Trikes will run every Thursdays 10 am-12 pm from July 14 to August 11 and all children are welcome, whether they have wheels or not.
“Tikes and Trikes is going to be held outside in our huge parking lot in the back,” says Erin. “There will be outside activities planned for kids and there will be programming around that. We are going to have obstacle courses and fun activities, and we wouldn’t want people to not come because they don’t have a bike.”
The third new PRCYFSS program is Brunch ‘n’ Break, a weekly drop-in for young parents and their children on Wednesdays from 11 am-1 pm, starting July 6. Run by coordinator Debbie van Dok, the program includes fun activities, yummy food, interactive play time for the kids and opportunities for young parents to relax, connect with other young parents and get support or information.
“We will have a baby/toddler-friendly room set up so parents can come with their kids and socialize, have an activity and get some food,” says Erin.
All three programs take place at Oceanview Education Centre (7105 Nootka Street) and are free of charge. Parents and their children are invited to drop-in and no registration is required.
In addition to the new programs for young children and their parents, PRCYFSS recently started a Youth, Recreation and Sport program for youth ages 12-18. The drop-in program takes place throughout the summer Wednesdays 4-6 pm at Youth Resource Centre inside Oceanview.
Funded by a community grant from First Credit Union, the new youth program is open to anyone going into grade eight and up to 18 years old.
“It is different activities, floor hockey, for example, and they always have some sort of snack or meal at the end,” says Erin. “One of the thing we really want the community to know is that it is supervised. We have two-plus workers and they are awesome.”
PRCYFSS also has a Parenting Centre and Library onsite at Oceanview and its recently expanded hours will not change during the summer. The Parenting Centre and Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 am-1 pm and Thursday from 9 am-5 pm.
Erin says up to 100 participants pass through the centre each month and PRCYFSS is happy to finally be offering summer programming.
“This is the first year a summer drop-in has been offered and we have one summer student and a practicum student here this year,” says Erin.
PRCYFSS is a non-profit charitable organization that exists to support the community’s families and youth with a variety of programs and resources. PRCYFSS is celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving children, youth and families this year.
For more information, call 604.485.3090 extension 6301, email admin@prcyfss.com or go to prcyfss.com.
