Community groups organizing an event and looking for some kids’ activities now have access to some fun in a box, courtesy of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo. The organization’s Youth Grand Trunk offers games, crafts, athletic equipment, and craft supplies for children from three to 15, and is available free of charge to any community group. The Social Planning Council is a not-for-profit organization that provides free community information to all citizens within Waterloo Region.
“The program is available to anyone in the region. As long as someone is willing to travel to our offices on 151 Fredrick St. in Kitchener, they can pick up the games and supplies to use,” said Valerie Manica administrative co-ordinator at the Social Planning Council of KW. “It’s an ideal resource to add fun to any event. It has games for all ages, craft materials, even instructions to help beginners who’ve never organized an event before.”
Originally developed for the Festival of Neighbourhoods program, the Youth Grand Trunk program supports existing neighbourhood events, as well as new events within the community.
“We wanted to give neighbourhoods resources to use, especially for children coming to the different events and we have collect different games, face paint, and anything that might occupy kids at different events,” said Manica. “We offer this trunk with these supplies to anyone who may have a need for them.”
The program is targeted to community service organizations such as churches, recreation centres and child-centred programs.
A group or individual interested in using the material completes a Booking Form and an Inventory Request Form, indicating which resources from the trunk they want for their event. The available categories include general games, ball games, ropes, costumes, young children items, music items and craft supplies. Included in the fun box are board games, a giant chess set, Twister, a giant parachute and some ball hockey games.
At the conclusion of the event, clients are asked to indicate the quantity returned and to make a note of any supplies that were used up.
“The Youth Grand Trunk aims to provide access to the resources necessary to run community events such as street parties, athletic programs for children or educational programs,” said Manica. “The goal of the project echoes that of the Social Planning Council. We are looking to increase communication, participation and community involvement. Improving the quantity and quality of gatherings within neighbourhood helps us to accomplish these goals.”
For more information about the Youth Grand Trunk, contact Allison Dunning at (519) 579-1096.
