The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Bringing smiles and fun in the sun is Kayleigh Smith's job this summer as she is the new supervisor for Summer in the Parks. With her extensive background in planning and organizing summer events for children, City of Flin Flon Director of Recreation Brenda Russell felt Smith was the perfect fit for the job. "With her background with summer camps, we just thought it was the opportunity to gather some new ideas to offer to the kids of the community," says Russell. Smith, who recently moved from Saskatoon, has already starting to put her creative ideas into the summer program. With the themes of the week as well as the overall program planned out, the only thing left is the children. Make Believe Ð this year's summer theme Ð will give the children a chance to dress up, act out of character and even learn a few things. "I love it and I think the kids are going to love it," says Russell. "It provides the opportunity to introduce theme weeks with one overall theme. "Kids like make believe and dressing up and fairy tales and super heroes." With the themes for each week set in place, Smith has already lined up a few activities for the children Ð like visiting the fire hall to see everyday heroes. Adding something new this year, Smith is incorporating a music element to the program. "With her background," says Russell, noting she is working on a bachelor of music, "she has the obvious skills to teach the kids and introduce them to new and different music." With the music component in place, Smith hopes to bring in Kyle Whitehead Ð the music teacher at Ruth Betts School Ð to show the children a few instruments as well as have some fun games and contests. The music has never really been there, says Smith, but she hopes to be able to introduce things like simple camp songs as well as drama. "She's not only encouraging fun," says Russell, "but there is going to be some learning as well." One of the week's themes is pirates and Russell says at the end of the week there will be a section on safe boating and water safety. "The learning element is (still) fun," she says. "It's a wonderful combination and very creative." As another season of Summer in the Parks gets ready to go, Russell says while there are changes this year, the camp is still similar in many ways. "Summer in the Parks has always been a very well run program and quite successful in the community," says Russell. "We are proud to be able to offer the program with a few new components." As well this year, the City will be offering a Youth Leadership Base Camp for children ages 10 to 12. "It's to touch on leadership development," says Russell, noting that some elements include public speaking in a fun environment. As well, the campers would spend time with the Summer in the Parks children and taking day trips.
