Families with young children in Kenora have been able to enjoy playtime on Saturdays at the Early Years Open Gym at St. Louis School in January and Pope John Paul II School in February.
Marnie Buffett, Early Years Coordinator for Kenora Catholic, talks about the program. “There has been such an amazing turnout every week. The kids are having a blast, and parents are having fun with their children and really connecting as families.”
Hundreds of children aged 0-6, took part, coming out of the cold for a few hours of fun activity, creating a community each Saturday.
“It’s like a little village,” says Buffett. “It has run for a few weeks now, and people have come to know the other families and the children are all playing together. The kids are going to different parents to have their needs met if they need help getting a snack. I think it’s delightful, and there has been such positive feedback from the families.”
Brian Vroomen has been attending every week with his two-year-old son Sasha. “It’s a great place for our son to mingle and play,” he says. “As parents, there aren’t a lot of places we can be social with our children and other children and families. It gets him out, and it gets us out, and it’s been a great opportunity. We’d like to see it continue next year.”
Sara Burt attended with her young family and said it’s a great opportunity. “I love that we have a space for young families to come and enjoy an indoor opportunity to just get some steam off. There are different developmentally appropriate activities for all age groups. I’ve also had a chance to meet up with other families that I haven’t seen in a little while. It’s a great way to get out on the weekend with my children.”
The program started in 2019 as a joint initiative with area organizations to offer a free space where parents and their children can have fun and be active together inside during the winter. The school gyms were available, as well as plenty of equipment, toys, snacks and refreshments.
FIREFLY’S EarlyON Center was the lead organization bringing this project forward from the Community Planning Table as a need identified by families. The committee plans to offer the opportunity again in 2020.
