ACRA
ACRA
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Classes
    • Sole Sisters
    • Gallery
  • Calendar
  • ACRA
    • About
    • Winter Highlights
    • Contact
    • Program Proposal
    • Volunteer
    • Newsletter
  • Attractions
    • Parks & Trails
    • Directory
  • More
    • Home
    • Programs
      • Classes
      • Sole Sisters
      • Gallery
    • Calendar
    • ACRA
      • About
      • Winter Highlights
      • Contact
      • Program Proposal
      • Volunteer
      • Newsletter
    • Attractions
      • Parks & Trails
      • Directory
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Classes
    • Sole Sisters
    • Gallery
  • Calendar
  • ACRA
    • About
    • Winter Highlights
    • Contact
    • Program Proposal
    • Volunteer
    • Newsletter
  • Attractions
    • Parks & Trails
    • Directory

Summer Highlights: July - September, 2026

Summer Fun Challenge

ACRA’s annual Summer Fun Bingo Challenge inspires families in the area to get creative and enjoy some low cost, unplugged activities on their own time. It is a bingo-style challenge and once the child fills in a line on the bingo card, they are entered in a prize draw. This year, there were many returning families as well as a few new families too.

Growing Wild

Growing Wild Summer Camp was filled again this year. There were many younger (8- and 9-year-old) first-time participants. Many previous campers had aged out of the program. The children were kept very busy with woodworking projects, needle felting, water games, gym games and crafts throughout the week. One highlight was when three horses came to visit, giving the children a chance to ask experienced horse owners questions. The Arrowsmith Naturalists also returned this year to share their knowledge about plants and animals in our local area. 

Storybook Village

ACRA joined OBLT at Storybook Village in Qualicum Beach once again for two mornings this summer. It is always a treat to see the young children enjoying this fun local resource. Parents also enjoy watching their kids play at the little buildings, race on ride-on toys and stop for crafts with members of the ACRA team. 

Blast From the past Car show

ACRA’s annual concession fundraiser at the Blast from the Past Car Show had a solid turnout. The 28th annual event was organized by the Oceanside Idlers and held on Saturday July 25th with over 200 vintage cars and trucks ranging from the 1930s to the 2000s, including hot rods and custom street rods proudly on display. ACRA ran the concession and while it may have been slightly slower than last year, it was still a success raising over $1300! 

Strength & Balance

Typically, ACRA does not offer programs over the summer. It tends to be the case that attendance is inconsistent. However, following a number of requests for summer fitness classes, the Recreation Team decided to pilot an outdoor drop-in Strength & Balance program through the month of July. It was held on the Lower Lawn at the Coombs Fairgrounds and was open to all adults. Parents were invited to bring their young children. The children proved to be a hit with our senior participants, making this a truly multi-generational program. However, due to the heat, the program moved inside on days when there were heat warnings. Ultimately, numbers were lower than spring sessions which is likely due to people’s summer schedules and holidays.


In September, Strength & Balance went back to its usual format of being for adults only and inside the Arrowsmith Hall. Both pre-registration and drop-in options were available. 


In addition to the popular Wednesday morning time slot, a Monday-evening class was added to accommodate those who work during the day. The evening class has been slow to start, but the team is hoping it will become more popular as word spreads.

Camp Wildwood

ACRA offered its first ever Camp Wildwood in Meadowood this year. The camp was originally planned for children aged 8 -13, but after many requests for younger children, the ages were adjusted to 6 – 10 years old. The new age range was a success, and the camp was full with fifteen children. Classes are often smaller in Meadowood, so a full class was a real delight! The campers were very energetic and had the opportunity to sample a variety of active games and activities. A morning of gymnastics, led by our certified gymnastics coach was well received by the children and gave Casey, ACRA’s student teacher, a chance for physical education mentorship. The children enjoyed a variety of activities from baking to woodworking, team building games, crafts and musical instruments. 

Coombs Fair Kids: Farm to table series

In partnership with the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association, a new youth cooking class was offered at the Coombs Fairgrounds. Monica Bradbury is leading this program. Youth ages 8-12 learn where their food comes from and how to prepare an entire meal, including dessert, from scratch.

ESSENTRICS® STETCH & TONE

As one of ACRA’s most popular classes, this program was once again full with a waitlist. Raylene’s professional instruction has a loyal following of participants eager to enjoy her easy-to-follow classes that offer an array of health benefits. The first day had a room full of participants excited to be back in class with Raylene. 


Sole Sisters walking group

As is tradition, the Sole Sisters began in September at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. A group of twenty-five enthusiastic walkers were once again greeted with a beautiful sunny start to the Sole Sisters season. Seven volunteer leaders returned, to continue to support this awesome program and the start of season schedule included walks at Lighthouse Nile Creek Half-Loop and Boulder City Trails. 

Intermediate Marimba

In Caitlin’s Intermediate Marimba class in Coombs, a group of five participants came together to further their mastery of the instrument. This welcoming and engaging group of familiar faces enjoys practicing together and developing their skills along the way. 

Floor Hockey

Floor hockey is running as a completely drop-in program this fall. This gives those with busy or unpredictable schedules a chance to participate when they can. The first class of the season was the final Sunday in September, and it started out with strong numbers. Once again, this program is proving to be a diverse and multi-generational program, with people of abilities and genders participating. 

African Hand Drumming

Beyond Beginner and Intermediate African Hand Drumming continue to be popular Errington programs with many returning participants. Monica Hofer is a very experienced and professional facilitator that participants thoroughly enjoy. Participants were happy to return this fall to their drumming community.

Events In The Community

Blast From the Past Car Show

ACRA’s annual concession fundraiser at the Blast from the Past Car Show had a solid turnout. The 28th annual event was organized by the Oceanside Idlers and held on Saturday July 25th with over 200 vintage cars and trucks ranging from the 1930s to the 2000s, including hot rods and custom street rods proudly on display. ACRA ran the concession and while it may have been slightly slower than last year, it was still a success raising over $1300! 


Coombs Fair

ACRA once again ran the concession at this year’s Coombs Fair on August 8thand 9th. This year, a new menu was offered. It included beef on a bun, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken Caesar wraps. It was a very busy start on Saturday and a calmer Sunday. ACRA was grateful to the fabulous volunteers who turned out to support this year’s event and enjoyed all the smiling faces of happy participants at the fair. 

  

Hi Neighbour Day

ACRA staff enjoy helping at the Hi Neighbour Day Zucchini Races each summer. This year, there was an increase in the amount of zucchini racers, so much so, that the number of racers were limited by the number of available wheels for the cars. 

Ongoing

Community Meetings

The recreation coordinators attended many community meetings including: 

· ACRA Team Meetings 

· Facilitator Meetings 

· Building Learning Together Coalition Meetings

· YouthLINK Meetings

· French Creek Community School Committee Meetings 

· Coombs Candy Walk Committee Planning Meetings

ACRA’s AGM was held on August 5th. All eight board members were keen to continue being on the board in their current positions, and were pleased with the work ACRA has accomplished in the past year.


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.

On August 15th, ACRA launched the fall issue of its quarterly newsletter. The goal of this email newsletter is to share information about upcoming programs, events and volunteer opportunities. The fall issue focused on upcoming classes.

 

Community Cupboard

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

The Arrowsmith Agricultural Association used ACRA’s traffic directing equipment and a number of tents for both days of the Coombs Fair. 

The Errington War Memorial Hall Society used ACRA’s traffic directing equipment for their Hi Neighbour Day event, and a number of marimbas were rented by participants of Errington Hall’s marimba program.


Grants

RDN Recreation grants were submitted on September 4th to support youth week activities in both Meadowood and Coombs.

An application for Mom + Tot yoga and strength training was submitted to Qualicum Beach Rotary in mid-July, but ACRA’s application was not successful. 

Recreation Coordinator Kristine Stephenson also provided a letter of support for the Errington War Memorial Hall’s application to the TD MusiCounts Program to support the return of the Youth World Music Camp, which had been extremely popular.


Copyright © 2018 ACRA - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

Newsletter Sign Up!

Hear about upcoming programs, events and volunteer opportunities in our quarterly newsletter.

Sign Up!