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  • Home
  • Programs
    • Classes
    • Sole Sisters
    • Gallery
  • Calendar
  • ACRA
    • About
    • Spring Highlights
    • Contact
    • Program Proposal
    • Volunteer
  • Attractions
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spring highlights: april- june 2023

YOUTH BASKETBALL AGES 11-15

 Volunteer instructor Isabella Loberiza, did an excellent job this basketball season teaching drills and coordinating scrimmages. Over the course of the nine weeks this program was offered, Isabella built an enthusiastic community of young athletes. Despite the fact that this is a drop-in program, the same crew of approximately one dozen youth came out almost every Tuesday night. Their commitment to regular attendance is a testament to how much they enjoyed a free opportunity to play in a welcoming and fun environment. Average attendance was fifteen youth per week.

YOUTH BASKETBALL AGES 16+

Under Michael Briones careful management, Thursday-night basketball continues to be one of ACRA’s most popular programs. The class maximum is twenty, and the program has been full every week that it has been offered. Often, weekly registration fills within  a couple days and carries a short waitlist. Nine sessions were offered in the Winter Basketball season and the final day of the program was April 6th. 

BEYOND BEGINNER ADULT MARIMBA

The Beyond Beginner Marimba class continued to meet every second Thursday at the Bradley Centre. This four-person group has been playing together for a few years and is committed to maintaining their skills through regular practices while their instructor is on maternity leave. Instructor Caitlin Shoring will be returning in September to teach the group one workshop per month throughout the fall.

BEGINNER AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING WITH MONICA HOFER

For the first time in a few years, Monica Hofer taught a Beginner African Hand Drumming class at the Errington Hall. Typically, beginner classes are quite small, often having no more than twelve students. The Spring 2023 beginner drumming class was the most popular beginner drumming class in ACRA’s history. A number of participants signed up late, but by the end of the season, the drum circle had welcomed eighteen regular drummers as well as a couple of drop-in students. Nine 45- minute sessions were held. At the conclusion of the program, many of the drummers expressed interest in continuing in the fall. Classes were offered from April 11th  – June 27th and will resume in September. 

intermediate AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING WITH MONICA HOFER

As always, the intermediate drummers were keen to return to the drum circle. Twenty students comprised the 60-minute Intermediate African Hand Drumming Class, and eight people participated in the 30-minute Intermediate Duns class. Both of these classes were at capacity. These students focus on complex rhythms, and it’s quite a treat to hear so many instruments working together.

pete the cat

This year’s Pete the Cat Kindergarten Readiness event was held at the Qualicum Commons on April 20th. It was the first year in that location, and everyone was pleasantly surprised by an exceptionally busy event. The recreation coordinators served free popcorn. The event was so popular, they even had to make an impromptu trip to the grocery store across the street partway through the event to stock up on kernels. 

3-on-3 youth basketball tournament

The first week of May is BC Youth Week. As is tradition, ACRA hosted a 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament at the Coombs Fairgrounds. This year’s event invited youth ages 11-15 to play. In total six teams registered. Although the tournament is intended for teams of three, most teams had a fourth teammate act as a sub. As such, a total of twenty players attended. 


While tournaments can be competitive, facilitators Michael Briones and Isabella Loberiza did a superb job of ensuring that the emphasis was on good sportsmanship and fun. The youth played their hardest, but also treated each other with tremendous kindness. An enthusiastic audience of parents, siblings, grandparents, and family were also in attendance. Many parents commented on how special it is to have a free sporting event in our area. 

coombs community picnic

Friday, June 9th marked the 32ndannual Coombs Community Picnic. Over the course of the two-hour, dinner event approximately 200 people attended. These attendance numbers are a bit lower than previous years. However, the Picnic coincided with the only day in June that had significant rainfall. 


At each Picnic, a special guest is honoured. 2023 marks ACRA’s 20th anniversary, so this year’s Picnic recognized individuals who have played a key roles in ACRA’s formation, including Bill Preston, Reg Nosworthy, Marg Alberg, Stephen and Marlene Stahley, Marilynn Simms, Kim and Randy Longmuir, and Janet Boley. 


The Picnic is a family-friendly event where free hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, popcorn, and beverages are served. A range of old-fashioned fun is provided including live music from Gerry Barnum, animal exhibits, historical displays, a model railway exhibit, and children’s games. This event has a long history of promoting community connection, and it is always gratifying to see entire families sitting around a table in the Arrowsmith Hall enjoying the festivities together. 

Sole Sisters Walking

The Sole Sisters Walking program wrapped up for the season on June 14th. In total, the group enjoyed twenty-three sessions between January and June. On average, the group comprised twenty-two walkers each week, with numbers increasing throughout the spring as the weather warmed up. This program relies on the generous leadership of seven volunteer leaders who ensure the group stays together on the trail. Ever eager to blaze new trails, the leaders introduced two new trails this spring. 

recreation team

June saw the return of Recreation Coordinator Tracy Cargo-White. Tracy had been on maternity leave for the past year. Recreation Coordinator Kristine Stephenson and the ACRA Board were delighted to welcome her back just in time for an action-packed summer. 

Ongoing

Community Meetings

The recreation coordinators attended many community meetings including: 

  •  ACRA Team Meetings 
  •  Facilitator Meetings 
  •  Building Learning Together Coalition Meetings
  •  YouthLINK Meetings
  • Active Aging Week Planning Meeting 
  • Errington Hall Rec Night Planning Meeting  

Promotion and Registration

The recreation coordinators are responsible for maintaining the ACRA website and events calendar, Facebook page, and Instagram account as well as promotion for programs. The recreation coordinators receive and reply to phone calls and emails regularly and manage all of the registration for programs independently. 

Community Cupboard

ACRA manages a community lending cupboard where other non-profit organizations and hobbyist groups can borrow equipment on a by-donation basis. 


Allison Shaw continues to use the ukuleles and a band-in-a-box for the children’s music programs at Errington War Memorial Hall. The programs started in October and continued into the spring. 


The Arrowsmith Agricultural Association borrowed ACRA’s traffic directing equipment and tents for their first ever Pet Expo. The Expo featured all sorts of animal fun including a dog and owner look-alike contest, paintings done by dogs, and a costume contest. Money raised went towards 4-H. 

Grants

No grants were applied for in this period. 

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