Summer Fun

Another summer has come and gone in the HomeBridge Community, but the memories made will last a lifetime.  This year the young people took an especially active role in planning their activities and it made for some fun adventures and amazing experiences.  Our Recreation Therapist says it was great to watch the youth step outside of their comfort zones, and to experience themselves through the lens of recreation.

Youth Care Teams across the organization were especially innovative and supportive in helping to engage the young people to make the most of their summer.  The adventures ranged from simple walks around the neighbourhood with the Recreation Therapist’s dog to connect with their new community, to big road trips for things like a day at Magic Mountain in Moncton. They tried everything from bouldering and kayaking, to painting pottery and nature photography.  There were a lot of firsts that happened on the outings and a lot of new talents and interests discovered.  In total 290 hours of meaningful, structured programming took place with an average of 3 youth attending each outing.  There were one-on-one activities as well as large group outings, but everyone would agree, it was a very successful summer of growth and new experiences.

The biggest venture of the summer was the Youth Farmers Market.  Six young people, under the guidance of the Recreation Therapist, ran a sold out market on the front lawn of the Reigh Allen Centre.  This three-day program was funded by the Youth Development Initiative and saw the young people try their hand at entrepreneurship.  They traveled to the Annapolis Valley, harvested a variety of produce, made their sales and marketing plan and set up their one-day market in the community. They demonstrated impressive sales and customer service skills and even added in their own baked goods and art work to what they were offering.  They sold out of almost all of their produce well before the market ended and received lots of positive feedback from their customers.

Every young person in the HomeBridge Community had the opportunity to partake in outings and activities through the Summer Recreation Program.  We feel this is incredibly important so they can broaden their experience, discover talents and interests they weren’t aware they had and build positive relationships with their fellow residents and the Youth Care Team that is here to support them through this difficult time in their lives.  All of these outings and experiences also provide them with an escape from the stress and anxiety they often suffer as a result of their current circumstances.  When they are zip lining at Ontree Fun and Adventure Park or navigating a kayak through the open water, they are not worrying about what brought them to be in care.  They are simply enjoying the day and getting the opportunity to just be a kid for a little while.  And none of this would be possible without the support of our generous donors who fund this program and all of the amazing outings and experiences.