LAC LA BICHE - Students across Lac La Biche County got to participate in a free fun day of sporting activities at the Bold Center during the extra-long family day weekend that began the last week. On Feb. 17 and 18, over 60 kids ranging from 6 to 15 years old got to learn some new skills with their peers in the facility’s field house.
“We had a total of 63 kids signed up for the two days. Most participants indicated they really enjoyed the program, some were reluctant to leave,” said Kristina Oberg, Lac La Biche County’s Community Recreation Supervisor.
The event was split into two days starting with the 'Be Bold Boy’ event on the first day; and ‘Go girls’ on the second day. The activities included a half-day of basketball, pickleball and floor hockey games with drills led by Bold Center staff.
The events focused on two, four-hour-long sessions each day jam-packed with crafted games like ‘red-light, green light’, practicing basketball dribbling and shooting skills and much more. The first half of each day was for 6 to10-year-olds; and the latter half for 11 to 15-year-olds, she said.
“We generally group kids by age for many programs as they have similar ability levels,” she says in order to encourage participation and create age-appropriate programming.
Through community partnerships, the facility, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) were able to run the event free of charge for all the kids thanks to a sponsorship from Lac La Biche Kidsport—an organization that aims to cover registration costs and support access to youth sports, said Oberg.
Supporting youth activities is vital to their development, she says and with the support from local organizations it’s possible to include programs that kids can both enjoy and stay active with which is ultimately a part of the county’s wellness initiatives, she said.
“This program was offered to support kids' physical, emotional and social wellness through being active, trying new things, and a goal-setting activity. It is a part of the County’s strategic goals to offer accessible and affordable recreational activities and to help children and youth develop positively.”
