by Michelle Varem
Does the summer heat have you feeling beat? Are the kids already saying they’re bored with one more month left till school? Has your staycation been a lot of binge-watching The Office for the twelfth time? Good news – there are some great summer programs and initiatives going on in and around our community. Even better news – many of them are free.
The City of Calgary has great summer programs for community members of all ages. The ever-popular Park and Play programs have been taking place through July and will continue through August. These are unparented day camps for kids six to twelve and are drop-in each day, on a first-come first-served basis. There is also a parented Stay and Play program for three- to five-year-olds that operates in a similar way. Both programs take place August 6 to 9 at Griffith Woods School field.
For adults there is a Fit Park program, where certified trainers guide participants through using the outdoor park fitness equipment throughout the city. Springbank Hill residents can hop in their cars for a short drive over to Edworthy Park to enjoy this drop-in program at the Point Mckay equipment on various dates throughout August. Check out www.calgary.ca/free for dates for these programs and more information on other offerings throughout the city.
If you aren’t much for outdoor activities and prefer something a bit more bookish, the Calgary Public Library is running their Ultimate Summer Challenge again this year for readers of all ages. Readers can visit a branch or print off a map and track their reading through the summer starting anytime and running until August 31. If you aren’t much for the printed word, rest assured, audiobooks count as well. There are some great prizes to be won at the end of the summer, you can find more information at www.calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/ultimate-summer-challenge/. The library also offers in person programming throughout the summer, information on these can be found on their website as well.
Last but not least Westside Recreation Centre borders our neighbourhood and has a variety of summer programs available for members and non-members at reasonable prices. Day camps are ongoing and many of the programs have been filled but there are still some August sessions and drop-in programs with availability. Registration for fall programs will be opening up midway through August for anyone already looking ahead to September and beyond.
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