The Montérégie West Community Network’s (MWCN) wellness centre in Huntingdon was busy this summer.
The community organization held a series of fun and creative activities for local children and adults including rock painting, pin and string art, bracelet making, and tie-dye workshops.
“We wanted to be able to offer something within the Valley for kids and grandparents or parents, since many of the organizations and schools were closed over the summer,” says Nadya Kovacs, an outreach and program coordinator with the MWCN.
“We tried a few activities during March break that worked very well, and then our summer student came up with a few other activities,” adds Kovacs.
“Some of the activities were things that I had already done and thought would be a good fit for kids because I enjoyed doing them,” says Hallie McLean, who has been working as an activities coordinator with the MWCN for the summer.
She says she decided to apply for the summer position after participating in one of the workshops when she was younger.
McLean says the turnout for the different activities was good, and the feedback has been positive.
“The activities were fun because we got to go and do things that were creative,” says one ten-year-old participant who took part in several of the workshops.
“I wanted to keep going back because they explained everything really well and showed us how to do everything and it was easy to learn,” she adds, noting her tie-dyed sweatshirt won first place at the Huntingdon Fair.
Kovacs says the MWCN hopes to bring some of the workshops back during March break so even more kids can participate in the activities.
*This article was produced during a writing workshop for young people held in partnership with the Montérégie West Community Network.