growing wild summer camp
This summer, ACRA offered one summer camp. The Growing Wild Summer Camp was offered the last week of July. Twenty-one children between the ages of 8-12 attended. They built birdhouses, learned about horses and other livestock, discovered how to cast a fishing line, and enjoyed many crafts and gym games.
coombs fair
The 110thannual Coombs Fair was held August 12th and 13th at the Coombs Fairgrounds. This year’s theme animal was the pig, and many of the activities and décor were focused around this animal. The Fair had a comprehensive range of livestock, homesteading, gardening, and craft displays.
For two action-packed days, ACRA oversaw the Kidz Zone. Working with two summer students and a small crew of volunteers, the recreation coordinators managed three bouncy castles, offered three simple crafts, hosted an educational scavenger hunt, and facilitated a fishing game and bean bag toss. ACRA received some much-needed fundraising income for its efforts to support the Fair.
beginner AFRICAN HAND DRUMMING WITH MONICA HOFER
This fall, a group of eight drum enthusiasts signed up for Beginner African Hand Drumming. Compared to last spring’s class of fifteen, this group is smaller. Many of the drummers who signed up this fall are folks who participated in the spring session. This class is open to complete beginners, but also builds upon the material covered in the spring session.
50+ fitness at the bradley centre
CARDIO + STRENGTH
This fall, Shanan has joined the team as an instructor focused on fitness classes for those who are 50+. The Cardio + Strength class is offered on Tuesday mornings and focuses on building muscle, improving balance, and gentle stretches. Shanan believes that fitness should be welcoming to everyone, so she includes a variety of options to suit participants of all levels.
DANCEFIT
Thursday mornings at the Bradley Centre are for dancing. This new program, taught by Shana, is intended for people 50 and up. This fun, follow-along fitness class gets participants moving to the beat. The music is a blend of popular tunes through the decades, and encourages participants to get their heartrates up and the bodies moving in a fun, supportive environment. As word has spread, the class has been growing steadily.
Ongoing
Community Meetings
The recreation coordinators attended many community meetings including:
- ACRA Team Meetings
- Facilitator Meetings
- Building Learning Together Coalition Meetings
- Instructor Interviews
The recreation coordinators and Chair Janet Boley also received a tour of the new Meadowood Community Centre on September 19th. The tour helped the team better understand what activities would be suitable for the space, and the team is actively brainstorming and connecting with prospective instructors who would be a good fit.
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.
Unlike the rest of this year, this fall registration numbers have been lower. In order to see healthy registration numbers, the recreation team has had to put in extra hours to run additional ads, create email marketing campaigns, and hang extra posters.
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 Arrowsmith Agricultural Association borrowed ACRA’s traffic directing equipment and tents for Coombs Fair on August 12th and 13th.
The Errington Hall used ACRA’s traffic directing equipment, art supplies, and outdoor games equipment at “Hi Neighbour” Day on August 18th and 19th.
Close to twenty years ago, ACRA helped install three highway signs that say “Welcome to Arrowsmith” in three key locations. In mid-July, the recreation coordinators spent an afternoon repainting the legs of the Bellevue sign and reattaching vinyl letters that had peeled up. All of the signs need minor cosmetic maintenance, and that work is ongoing.
Grants
ACRA applied for three RDN Recreation Grants at the end of September to support the Coombs Community Picnic, Gym Play Programs, and Youth Week festivities.
ACRA also supported the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association in applying for funding for a new workshop series that would help children develop skills such photography, cake decorating, spinning, and gardening.
A letter of support for Errington Hall was also written regarding their request for funding to the New Horizons Grant for Seniors to support a new senior marimba program and their ongoing music bus for seniors.