Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Smoky River region youths are being invited to attend a fun excursion to Grande Prairie on Aug. 15 with Smoky River Family and Community Support Services.
“FCSS organizes youth trips to encourage youth to socialize with their peers and to get to try an activity they haven’t tried before,” says FCSS community programmer Nycailah Belsher.
“Youth trips are a program offering unique to FCSS.”
Belsher says the trip has a cost of $35 that will help fund some of the expenses of the activities and the bus ride to Grande Prairie, with all additional costs funded by FCSS. She adds they can accommodate up to 16 youth who want to attend the youth trips. Two supervisors will also be in attendance.
This year’s Grande Prairie trip will feature a stop at both the Fun Park and Ace of War, two outings that Belsher says help to provide something unique for youth to participate in this summer.
“The Fun Park is an indoor trampoline park with a dunk zone, foam pit, dodgeball, battle beam, and an indoor playground,” Belsher explains.
“Ace of War is a laser tag arena, where kids will learn teamwork and it will allow them to get all of their energy out,” she adds.
Belsher says children over the age of 10 years are welcome to attend the trip, with pick-up locations available at Providence School in McLennan, the FCSS office in Falher, and Girouxville village office.
“Kids will get to see friends they may not have seen yet this summer or other kids they may not have met yet,” she says.
“Attending youth trips allows kids to build confidence in themselves, they learn to speak up for themselves.”
Belsher says the earliest pick up will be in McLennan at 7:45 a.m. with the final drop off after the day expected to take place at 6 p.m.
“We will be taking the Smoky River Transportation bus,” says Belsher. “A packed lunch is required as lunch will not be provided.”
The registration deadline is Aug. 8. If you would like to register your child for the excursion, please phone the FCSS office at (780) 837-2220.