ASSINIBOIA - The Town of Assiniboia will provide a Summer Day Camp program thanks to funds received from the Community Initiatives Fund Grant. The funding will help offset costs of running the program for children in Assiniboia this summer.
Steph VanDeSype, Assiniboia’s Recreation and Community Wellness Manager, told the Assiniboia Times, “The program has successfully run for many years in Assiniboia, thanks to CIF funding.”
The CIF website www.difsask.org provides details on this valuable funding opportunity and states, “The Communities Initiative Fund makes knowledgeable and effective investments in community-based initiatives throughout Saskatchewan that strengthen the capacity of communities.”
The day camp includes full supervision, swimming lessons, arts, crafts, outdoor and indoor organized and casual play, theme days, snacks as well as guided hikes and adventures for participants. Day trips to the local library and museum are also part of the programming that is offered.
“Participation ranges from 20-30 children per week. The children learn how to play together in a constructive and healthy environment that stimulates learning, sharing, fair play, and physical wellness. Assiniboia has extremely limited childcare spaces and this program provides parents with a safe and productive option for children between the ages of four and 11 years old,” adds VanDeSype.
Assiniboia’s Summer Day Camp takes place at the prime location of the Kin Hut, which is situated adjacent to the outdoor pool complex, spray park, Centennial Park and campgrounds. This location makes all of these options within easy walking distance meaning that at no time do children have to cross any roads to access these places and spaces.
Assiniboia’s Recreation and Community Wellness Manager also stated, “Day Camps have a higher staffing requirement than other recreation program types which drives the cost of the program up. These funds will enable us to hire five staff members to assist in the direct delivery of the program, without having to increase the overall cost of the program to the community.”
Child minding options are served by this program and the Summer Day Camp addresses the need in Assiniboia, as it supplies families with a viable option for children during the summer months.
VanDeSype acknowledged that program affordability is key to rural Saskatchewan, especially now when funds seem to be tight for all families. With the help of the CIF grant, the town can offer this program at a very reasonable cost.
“The program also assesses the need of many working parents to also enroll the children in swimming lessons as well as the day camp programming including themes, arts, crafts, and physical activity. The Aquatic Centre and Kin Hut are fully accessible.”
Registration is now open on www.assiniboiarecreation.com. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the option of day camp staff taking the kids to their swimming lessons.
Assiniboia’s commitment to families and offering affordable options for recreation and wellness for families continues to be both appreciated by those who live there and is one of the attraction factors for those thinking of relocation to this community.
