Clear skies and plenty of outdoor activities provided the perfect setting for the Dove Centre's third annual Christmas carnival at Cowboy Town.
École des Beaux-Lacs Grade 2 and 3 students teamed up with clients with disabilities from the Dove Centre last Tuesday to take part in a variety of activities, which included finding the nutcracker in the haystack, playing hockey with the Pontiacs, tasting maple candy, preparing ginger bread cookies, and cozying up next to a bonfire.
Dove Centre CEO Christi Neahr said the carnival gives young students an opportunity to learn about developmental disabilities early on and allows a close-knit community to become more inclusive.
“It allows for more opportunities and more connections to the community and these kids will grow up and they'll know these individuals and they'll see them out in the community and they'll talk to them more often and ask them how they're doing and stuff and that's the whole goal – to not have them shuttered away like they used to be.”
Participants took part in a scavenger hunt, with each team receiving a scroll containing a list of activities taking place at the carnival, allowing them to have the full experience.
“Having the kids and our individuals together really brings in a good group atmosphere, so they get to share a little bit of who they are with each other and the kids are very funny and full of energy and I think that matches well with some of our clients,” said Amberly Gooler of the Dove Centre.
Employees started planning for the carnival in November and, despite the lack of snow, they were able to maintain a Christmas theme.
“Our individuals look forward to this every year and they talk about it for along time afterwards and after we're done we usually make scrapbooks,” Gooler noted, adding that the scrapbooks are then sent to the school to share memories from the carnival down the road.
As a testament to the popularity of the carnival, many students and Dove Centre clients returned to the farm this year to take part in the festivities again.
“I like it,” said Darlene Dunkin, a Dove Centre client who returned this year for the maple candy and horse rides, adding that she plans to return next year too.
Beaux-Lacs teachers have been educating their students about developmental disabilities and the importance fostering inclusiveness in the community.
“At school we're all talking about inclusion and everyone, not only the cultures, but just that there are different people in the community,” said Nicole Jodoin, a teacher at Beaux-Lacs. “They know some of the kids from camp, from school, and they want to be with the individuals and just hang out with them and have fun.”
Grade 3 student Brielle Sylvestre returned this year and made plenty of gingerbread houses and played hockey with the Pontiacs, while getting to know her team partners from the Dove Centre.
“A girl in our group is really funny and I met a really nice girl that's helping that girl,” Sylvestre said of a Dove Centre client and an employee assisting her in the team.
Six Pontiacs stopped by to play ball hockey with the participants. Team members recognized the important of participating in community events, especially around Christmas time.
“I think it's good for us to get out with the kids and show them what we do and how involved we are in the community and just put some smiles on their faces,” said Garrett Jenkins, a Pontiacs forward. “It means a great deal to us, it means we get to interact with some people we don't usually get to interact with, and it just shows everyone how far our commitment can go.”
The carnival wrapped up with a hotdog and hamburger lunch for all participants.
