FREE SUMMER CAMP – Questions and completed registrations can be sent to Megan at info@youthcentresofcalgary.com or dropped off at either of the centres. The correct email is noted on the attached flyers as well. Printed registration forms will also be available at the centres.

To the families of the amazing kids of YCC Ogden and YCC Forest Lawn,

Spring is here and we are finally able to spend most of our time outside in the parks! Your kids are arriving after school ready for action, and have been busy with outdoor games and sports, music, art and lots of healthy delicious food. Please feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to talk about our programs!

Just a few updates on what’s happening!

Free Summer Camp registration is now open at both centres for kids aged 8-15. I’ve attached a form and flyers (one for Ogden and one for Forest Lawn) to this email so that you can print, complete and return the forms to the centres if you’d like your child(ren) to attend the free camps in either Forest Lawn or Ogden. Anyone can attend, even if they are not our year-long registered kids. Camps will take place from July 2nd to August 29th, from 11am – 3pm Monday to Friday. All you need to do is register and they can show up! We will have weekly off-site trips for some of the kids, and organized activities, including outdoor games, art, gardening, and indoor games, reading, music and fun. Please register early!! We can’t wait to see the kids in full summer mode!

Every kid needs to be registered to attend YCC. Please tell your friends that they can come for a day to try it out, but after that, we need the forms filled out and signed. Paperwork!

The Shania Twain Foundation has been a great supporter of YCC and this year YCC will be one of the recipients of the funds raised. It would be great for you to spread the word about the Centra Cares & Shania Twain Stampede Raffle and help raise funds by directing people to: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/ycc We would be so proud to have our families participate in the selling of the tickets. The money earned is spent on food, sports equipment and the running of the houses!! And Shania’s foundation is so appreciative of your contributions.

Some important things to keep in mind:

Please remind your kids to follow the rules of the centres. They are reasonable (be kind, mindful of the staff), when kids don’t abide by the rules, we must send them home! Sad but true. They can come back the next day, in most cases. Sometimes, longer.

Bullying has been issue outside the centres for some time. We are always watching for bullying behaviour and stop it when we see it. The kids know that our centre is meant to be a safe place for everyone, where they can come and expect to be treated kindly by everyone. And when the kids don’t get along, they are required to leave it all behind when they come to the centres. YCC is a place where kids are focused on having fun and relaxing, doing activities and not worried about anything that isn’t about “just being kids together”. Please remind them of that. And while we are aware that kids are struggling with their relationships with others, our centres are not places where we are responsible for resolving conflict between kids and their school mates, parents and kids and parents/parents. We are not the kids’ parents, but we are friends, trained and focused on giving kids a place to be themselves, accepted for who they are, learning new things and making new friends and given 3 hours of play and learning. YCC staff will however always help kids by talking to them about how to be a good friend and community member, reminding them of the importance of respect and kindness. Do not contact staff personally to talk about the community issues amongst kids and parents.

If there is a safety risk or information that we need to have to operate effectively, and only then, please contact me. If there is an issue that you would like to discuss with someone at the centre, please contact me. Do not attend the centre for a discussion during the program because we are happy vibes only.

Our garden boxes at both centres are becoming a focus for your kids and the community. One group of families and friends have stepped forward to fill the boxes with plants and vegetables for our daily snacks. This is a very generous commitment of their time. Our kids will help with the planting, ongoing care and maintenance and ultimately the harvesting of the garden. Community involvement is key to our success and sets a great example for our kids. If you have an idea of how you might want to become involved please let us know.

If you want someone else to get this email, please reply with their email address!

More to say in June!! Every one of you is appreciated for the support you give to your incredible kids and to YCC!

Jane 💚

Jane Wachowich
Executive Director
403.850.7884 | jane@youthcentresofcalgary.com