Paige Pierce, summer programs co-ordinator with the City of Moose Jaw’s Parks and Recreation department, gives the scoop on three Notorious types of programming — paid Yara Centre Day camps, free Playground Programs, and a free Youth Activity Centre.
“It’s going to be a very fun summer, we’re excited. And we’d love for people to start registering for the Yara Centre day camps, registration is open for those now, and registration opens on June 20th for the rest,” Pierce said. Pierce has been working with the summer programs since 2019 and loves working with kids.
“I love these programs, you get to work in every part of the city and it’s nice being part of the community that way,” she said. “When I’m at Sidewalk Days, or the farmer’s markets, or something like that, I recognize so many kids, and they recognize me, too. It’s fun.”
Paid Yara Centre day camps
The Yara Centre day camps are now open for registration through MooseJaw.ca, with the camps themselves running from July 4 to August 25.
There are two different age group options: The junior group is for ages 4 to 7, and the senior group is for ages 8 to 12. There are 30 spots per group.
“These are paid camps, and they run a little longer,” Pierce said. “Drop off starts at 7:45 a.m. and goes to 9 a.m., and then there’s planned programming from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
Pick-up time for the Yara Centre day camps is from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
“We have themes for each week at the day camps, so, for example, we have a mad scientist-themed week, a beach bash, a ‘got talent?’ theme where we do a talent show at the end of the week, survivor island, things like that,” Pierce explained.
Yara Centre day camp participants also take one field trip a week to various cool places in Moose Jaw.
Free Playground program — registration opens June 20
The 2023 Playground Program is a free drop-off program for children aged 6 to 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, held at six parks throughout Moose Jaw:
- 1996 Summer Games Playground: 16th Ave SW (Spray Park)
- Elgin Park: 1000 block 8th Ave NW (Spray Park)
- Kinsmen East End Park 9th Ave. N.E. & Ominica St. E (Coop Spray Park)
- Optimist Park: 5th Ave SW & Lillooet St W
- Sunningdale Park: Daffodil Drive (off of Dogwood Road)
- West End Park: 10th Ave NW and Athabasca St W
Registration for the playground programs opens June 20, with the program itself running July 5 through August 23. Parents and caregivers can register children through MooseJaw.ca, using the City of Moose Jaw app, or in person on the first day of attendance.
“For that one, we are doing two crafts a day, a blow-up pool if there isn’t a spray park at that location, a variety of active games along with some slower ones, and various activities,” Pierce said.
The playground programs all have shade, a place for children to put their things, trained and certified staff supervision, and guest activity leaders throughout the summer.
Children can bring their own lunches, or go home for lunch.
Free Youth Activity Centre
“The Youth Activity Centre is for 13-to-17-year-olds, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it alternates between the gyms at Riverview and Prince Arthur,” Pierce said. “And then on Fridays, they go on field trips and do special events, like swimming, or we’re trying to see if we can get them out paddling or going kayaking, for example.”
The Youth Activity Centre is sponsored by Sask Lotteries and the Community Initiative Fund and will run July 4 to August 23. Youth will be at Riverview Collegiate on Mondays and Wednesdays, and at Prince Arthur Elementary School on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Summer Fun Bash
The Summer Fun Bash on August 24 at Elgin Park is the end-of-summer party. It’s a festival-style event that anyone can attend.
There will be various groups attending for display and demonstration, food trucks, games, and activities.
More details on the Summer Fun Bash will be available as the date approaches.
