ESTEVAN - The Estevan Family Resource Centre (EFRC) has been doing its part to keep local youths entertained during the summer months.
The EFRC has been offering summer programs that started on July 5 and will continue until Aug. 27. Under the direction of two long-time friends, Kishi Rioferio and Frances (Hapi) Aceron, the camps have a different theme each week, with hands-on activities such as crafts and artwork.
This week, for example, is Olympics Week, in honour of the recently-completed Tokyo Summer Games.
“Every day we do different sports, and we teach them how to play the sport. We thought of sports that they like, that they play, and we do different types of activities every single day to proceed with the theme of the week,” said Rioferio.
The last camp was called the Super Summer Camp Challenge, which had obstacle courses in which the kids were split into teams.
“They would also come up with the activities if we couldn’t come up with anything at the moment, and that’s what makes it fun,” Rioferio said.
The camps also allow kids to participate in activities they normally wouldn’t enjoy.
Most camps have two sessions a day: a morning class for those ages six to eight, and an afternoon one for those nine to 12 years old.
Kids typically sign up for just two different weeks, but they have been allowed to come back as often as they like this summer. The maximum number of kids they can accommodate is 12, and a normal week is 10 participants.
Sometimes they will have one theme for the younger kids and another for the older youths.
Aceron loves seeing how some kids will come out of their shell over the course of the week. After the past 17 months, some of the kids are shy, and are hesitant to play with their peers.
“Seeing some kids be able to have fun and experience and learn stuff with their friends and play with them was great,” said Aceron.
And the kids have been eager to get outside during the summer months. The family centre has been using an area where they can play games.
The camps have several benefits, they said. The children get a chance to unwind, make new friends and interact with others.
And the bonus is they get to work with each other.
“It’s definitely so much easier, and we’re just able to brainstorm ideas that much faster. Working together with the kids, it’s a lot of fun, because being young ourselves, we’re able to make that connection with the kids. At the same time, they have fun and we have fun,” said Aceron.
Rioferio and Aceron said the kids have been eager to get out, especially the little kids, who enjoy such activities as Art Smarts and Around the World.
“I love seeing the kids come out and have a good time,” said Aceron.
