Summer programming keeps the Family Resource Centre (FRC) busy year-round, with opportunities to learn, engage, and play in our community.
FRC Program Director Peter Thiessen says one of their monthly programs, 'Super Dads, Super Kids,' got its start in Portage through a resource they have within Canada.
"I've been trying to do programs for dads for a few years now. It's a program that's based out of Dads Central, which is from Ontario. That's where the name comes from. It's their program, but we run it monthly. So, one Saturday a month, we'll get the centre opened up and dads and kids can come and play."
Thiessen adds that this year, the program has run more frequently than usual.
"The last year or two, we've taken a break for the summer just because people are busy. There's lots going on, and it's tough to find free Saturdays. But I decided I would just keep going through the summer this year and try to do some different things. Especially using our great weather and our fabulous outdoor spaces."
The change has allowed them to add a new event to the program, which Thiessen outlines.
"The Fabulous Father Challenge, which is coming up on August 16th, is an Amazing Race-style challenge. No TV crews or anything, so it's a little more low-key. The idea is that dads or Father figures will come with their kids and complete a series of challenges. Kind of race around, seeing if they can work together and get it all done."
The program normally caters to kids between the ages of one and five years old, but the new challenge will feature challenges for a more diverse age range.
"We got some feedback from some of the dads who used to come to our regular program that it felt like they were aging out of our typical play program in the centre. So, I thought 'Well, with summer and the opportunity to be outside, this could be a great chance to expand the age range.'" Thiessen explains. "So, we're going to have two sets of challenges. There's gonna be one that will be for the one-to-five-year-old range, and then there are going to be some bigger challenges for ages 6 to 12."
Thiessen also adds that, because it won't be hosted in the centre, there is essentially no cap for attendance.
"We're hosting at Island Park now, the home base is going to be the Kinsman Duck Pond Shelter, which is nice because there's lots of parking there. But then we'll we'll kind of move around the island, especially for the older kids. They'll get to stretch their legs."
Registration can be done on the FRC's website, frcportage.ca.