Ryley Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is holding a three-day kids morning summer program, called Summer Fun Daze, for the first time this year, partnering with the Ryley McPherson Municipal Library to provide the afternoon program.
“The FCSS program in Ryley only restarted operations in July last year. There were no regular programs operating in Ryley from May 2022 through June 2023,” said Director Mickey Wilson.
“Ryley FCSS has partnered with the McPherson Library’s summer reading program in the afternoons. A number of parents indicated interest in having something a few mornings a week as well, so we decided to run a morning program three days a week,” said Wilson.
The drop-in program began in the second week of July and is open to all ages, and is held in the Community Resource Centre, formerly the Ryley ATB branch. Running Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. – noon, kids have the opportunity to make crafts and participate in activities.
“We try to do several activities every day, and we always have a craft. We have used natural materials to make mobiles and art, painted rocks, planted beans, played with chalk, etcetera. There is something active each day, like a walk to the park, yoga or exercise, a snack, and some free play time,” said Wilson.
Wilson said they don’t know how many kids will attend the program on an average day, but said they usually see about eight.
“We have no idea how many to expect. Attendance is up and down, but usually about eight children from two to 10 years old,” he said.
The program will run eight weeks and conclude on Thursday, August 29.
“The primary program lead is our summer student, Caitlyn Quinn. She is supported in by our Community Programmer, Emily Jones. However, we have enough younger children attending that all three of us are there,” said Wilson.
“I think one of the wonderful things we are seeing is the older children have begun to support the littles in activities and play. And the parents of the very young children love the opportunity to have a little break a few days a week, even if it’s just an hour,” he said.
Kari Janzen
Staff Reporter
