The Ponoka Youth Centre (PYC) welcomed children back into the building on June 15, for the first time in three months, although it was a smaller group than they’re used to seeing.
The centre opened for school’s out days (S.O.D.) for school-aged children on Monday, with children of parents who are both working receiving the first priority.
Many new procedures and restrictions are in place, and several changes needed to be made to the building in order to accommodate smaller groups, with one “cohort” or adult supervisor, per group. There were so many changes, in fact, that executive director Beth Reitz says the list is “pretty endless.”
A wall was put up to divide a room, a new commercial dishwasher was brought in to disinfect toys and hard-to-wash cloth items were removed, just to name a few.
Children are asked several health-check questions when they arrive and parents are not allowed past the entrances.
“We’re really thankful for parents being patient with us,” said Reitz, saying people have been pretty understanding overall.
“We want kids back, so of course, we do what we need to do.”
Although she isn’t able to be in the same room as the children throughout the day, Reitz says that judging by all the laughter she heard coming from the rooms, that things went very well on the first day.
With the start of Phase II, the youth centre is now able to accept additional registrations for the June 15 to 25 S.O.D. days.
The Ponoka Youth Centre is going ahead with its summer programming as well, which will be from June 29 to Aug. 21. General registration opened up this week.
The camp is for children aged five to 12 and runs from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, at a cost of $32 per day. Exciting themes each week include Cool Creations, Fun with Fitness, Full Steam Ahead, Blast to the Past, Around the World, and Sunshine and Adrenaline.
The PYC is also offering its first-ever virtual summer camp with activities hosted via Zoom.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or check our their website at www.ponokayouthcentre.com.
To inquire about space in the S.O.D. days or the 2020 summer camp, call 403-783-3112 or email admin@ponokayouthcentre.com.