The City of Moose is once again offering their playground programs at select playgrounds around the city, and halfway through the summer, those programs are certainly flourishing.
The Moose Jaw Express stopped out at West End Park for a taste of what goes on during a usual day of the program, and was able to spectate a lively game of Everyone’s It — one of the kids’ favorites.
Gracie Bzdel is one of the many program coordinators helping facilitate the summer activities, and she enjoys seeing the kids play each day.
“[It’s great to see] just how excited the kids get, with doing some of the activities, and how excited they are to be here,” said Bzdel.
The program focuses on keeping the kids active throughout the day, playing games outside, doing some crafts, and even creating their own activites. Some weeks, coordinators plan a fun “field trip” for the group, where they go on an adventure someplace new — like the pool, for example.
At West End Park, the upcoming field trip is to Dairy Queen — and Ali Broome, 11, is really excited for it.
Broome has been coming to the playground program since last summer, and she says she always has a great time there. Her favorite part is seeing her friends and the days they get to play Capture the Flag, but she also enjoys when the coordinators plan themed weeks.
“I missed a bit of the first week, but I really wanted to come here,” said Broome. “This place is really fun.”
The number of kids at a playground program varies between 10 and sometimes 30, depending on the day and which park you are at, but there is no official limit on how many kids can register for the program.
Parents are encouraged to send their kids with necessities for outdoor play — a hat, sunscreen, bug spray — but everything else that goes on at the program is provided.
The playground programs run Monday through Thursday, 10am to 4pm, at 7 parks in the city. They are completely free, and parents can bring their kids down to their selected park anytime to register them for the drop-in program.
There’s also no commitment — kids can come every day, or for a few weeks, or just once.
The program will wrap up on Aug. 15, with their Grand Finale blowout. Every group from all of the playgrounds in the program will gather at Elgin Park for a last day of games, food, and fun together.
A full list of participating playgrounds, as well as more details about the program, is available on the City of Moose Jaw’s website.
