The Boys and Girls Clubs of The Battlefords new free summer drop in programming will be available through support from the City of North Battleford. (Supplied photo/Nicole Combres) 

By Angela Brown

City Support

City grant to help Boys and Girls Clubs of The Battlefords new summer drop-in programs

Jun 29, 2020 | 5:17 PM

Children and youth will have more options for activities this summer now that the Boys and Girls Clubs of The Battlefords has received a grant from the City of North Battleford for $27,000.

The funds will be used for two additional free children’s drop in programs this year, to run July and August. The programs will be held at two locations – Kinsmen and Centennial Parks. The earliest they may start is July 6.

“We are really excited about the idea of children in the community being able to go and play in a safe and supervised environment at our city’s playgrounds, and to have structured play and nutrition as well,” Mayor Ryan Bater said.

He said because of timing this year the city was not able to run its own usual summer playground program, so this proposal from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Battlefords will help fill the gap.

According to city administration, the grant requested by the organization will help provide services to all children, including those who cannot typically afford summer camp programs.

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The goal of the drop in program is to make sure all children and youth in the community have access to nutrition, fun enriching activities, and caring adults who support them, through the summer months, according to the report.

“With children who have experienced months of COVID shut-downs, this type of program is more useful than ever,” the report stated.

The local Boys and Girls Clubs executive director Nicole Combres said the organization did not offer drop-in summer programming previously at the two parks, so this is all new.

The program will run Mondays to Fridays, excluding statutory holidays and weather-permitting, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children and youth. Participants should be between the ages of five to 14. The $5 annual membership fee will be waived for this program.

The drop in program is not related to the organization’s separate Summer Adventure Day Camps.

Combres notes in the drop-in program, spots are not guaranteed. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We will have to follow all guidelines and restrictions as laid out by the Chief Medical Health Officer and the Government of Saskatchewan,” she said.

The regulations will also determine the maximum capacity permitted for the program at each location.

“We are taking the COVID-19 situation very seriously and we are making sure we have a number of precautionary measures in place,” Combres said.

She added the organization will also be responsible for ensuring all disinfecting procedures are followed.

Combres said children taking part in the program at each of the locations will be able to participate in various supervised games and activities, including fun at the Spray Parks, and also enjoy a hardy snack as well.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow