A new pilot neighbourhood program is getting children back into the outdoors this summer.
The City of Red Deer is encouraging parents to register their children, six to 12-year-olds, in Activ Kidz — a week-long camp that promotes active living and sports, natural outdoor spaces, artistic expression and building connections in the community.
Neighbourhood community development co-ordinator Pauline Mousseau said about 20 years ago, kids could go to their local park and for programming that was run by the city.
“So we are seeing if there is interest in that again,” she said.
The city received some funding from the province to run Activ Kidz programs that will happen at six locations in Red Deer.
“It is a refresher on how to play in the neighbourhood and it is a real combination of things,” Mousseau said.
The city has hired staff as part of its Recreation Department to run the programs.
The first camp kicked off on Monday at the Morrisroe Activity Centre and goes until Friday.
More Activ Kidz sites will be at the Downtown Recreation Centre, Riverside Meadows Activity Centre, Oriole Park Activity Centre, West Park Activity Centre and the Clearview Activity Centre.
Children can only be registered in one program this summer at one location. The camps go from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost for Activ Kidz is $25 per week or $5 per day for drop in.
For more information, including session dates, visit www.reddeer.ca/activkidz.