Walnut Park Elementary Hosts Exploration Summer Camps

Walnut Park Elementary used a $5,000 Explorations grant to offer an arts, sport and recreation camp to 31 students, aged seven to 12, in 2005. Parents in Telkwa and Smithers were keen to see their children develop artistic and athletic abilities over the summer. Grant money enabled low-income and Aboriginal students to participate. The guitar and soccer camp allowed each participant to have his or her own guitar for the week. Students wrote their own song, performing for family on the final day. Soccer attendees practiced skills, learning how to apply them during game situations, with the last day comprising a World Cup of Soccer tournament.

Explorations provided students in kindergarten to Grade 7 with opportunities to explore arts, sport and recreation in summer camp settings. The program, which ran from 2005-2008, served students who were otherwise unable to attend summer camps due to location, local resources or financial limitations. Explorations was supported by the Province of British Columbia.