We did it!! What a great day it was!!

We had over 200 volunteers come out and over a hundred kids take part in our Build Day on Saturday!

We have so many positive feelings about the day, it is hard to put it into words....Many thoughts and images remain.... the kids working hard alongside their parents and peers; Milli's ever-faithful assistant, Kaela; the guy who just moved to Canmore on Friday heaving mulch for the nature trail; Ken and the devoted volunteers working for hours on Thursday and Friday in the pouring rain and cold (including the part-time residents from New Orleans in their shorts!); Kevin Van Vliet swearing incessantly as he battled it out with the tamper; May Riva with a huge smile on her face as she gave Nancy a great big bear hug; the SUN, the rain, the SUN again; crazy Larry and his abundant enthusiasm; six of us trying to get a ridiculously wet Bouncy Castle back into its bag; people just helping each other out; Brian Callaghan sweating buckets moving pea gravel and coming close to tears; the kids' faces just before they rushed the playground; three teenage boys who coolly approached the playground after the crowd had left, leaping onto the new structure and trying to stifle their smiles; Tanya devotedly tracking down every last wheelbarrow; and above all, simply connecting on a new level with so many people.

We hope everyone who came out had an equally positive day - and that it brought you some joy and hope!

For those who could not make it, please join us in celebrating the new playground, and help us in keeping it clean and safe. Take a moment to visit the rejuvenated Nature Trail and Memorial Garden - it is beautiful!

Thanks to all who donated and contributed to make it such a special day!

Schedule for Build Day!

7am:  Set-up.

8am:  Registration opens. Registration tables will be set up in the Grade 1 Entrance area. There you will sign your waiver, get your T-shirt and wristband, and be directed to a specific area. All volunteers must check in at the registration tables! Any tools/equipment can also be dropped off at the entrance. Please sign up at the school or on this website before the day!

8am – 2:30pm:  Building new play structures, Memorial Garden Beautification, Landscaping of Slope, Re-Naturalization area, Nature Trail, Outdoor classroom Beautification, and more!

9 am:  National Let Them Be Kids Live Web Broadcast begins (http://www.ltbk.ca/). Tell your friends & relatives who can't be with us so they can watch the excitement too!

9am:  Refreshments & snacks available (set up near Grade 1 Entrance). Don’t forget to bring your re-usable mugs & water bottles!

10am–11:30am:   Kids’ activities! Face-painting, scavenger hunt with Big Fun Team & Friends of K-country activities! Right from the Start team will also be leading different grade levels on specific projects… Kids should check in at the Kids’ Activity table on the field (Boston Pizza tent) to get their fun ‘Passport’.

11:30am–1pm:  LUNCH will be served, on a rotating basis. Vegetarian options available. We encourage you to bring your own re-usable plate/cutlery.

1pm–2:30pm:  Kids’ activities continued! Activities led by Big Fun, CAUSE, KidSport, and Friends of K-Country, Face Painting & Bouncy Castle.

2:45pm(approx):  We will gather for GROUP PHOTO in front of new play structure.

3pm (approx):  Dedication & Opening Ceremony!

3:30pm–5pm:  Clean-up & tear down…playtime for the kids on the new playground!

Check out the latest article in the Leader...

Two Wolves - a big thanks to all!

Two Wolves Trading Company raised $250 with the help of the community and decided to triple it to make it $750!!

A big thanks to them and a huge thank you to everyone who dropped off their bottles, cartons and jugs and met them everywhere with their bags in hand to donate and also to their neighbours Starbucks for adding to the pile!

Old wooden play toy comes out...

Time to say goodbye to an old friend....

22 days from now we will be coming together as a community to build our new friend!!! Our new playground will provide a safer, more stimulating place for our kids to play. Hopefully the sun will be back out by then!!

Our kids are awesome!

It is truly AMAZING to see how are our kids have been modelling citizenship throughout this project!

Last week students suggested a Penny Drive for the playground, and we agree that this is a great idea! If you have jars or tins of pennies collecting dust in your closets and drawers this is a good opportunity to clear out some space and at the same time support a worthy cause. We will be collecting pennies in the office until Monday, May 31.

A group of grade 4 students also raised a concern about the trees being cut down. The principal, Nancy Crosley, had a good discussion with them about saving trees vs. safety and what they can do. They were encouraged to sign up for landscaping on build day. They want to know that at least 9 new trees will be planted somewhere to replace the 9 that are to be cut down. One little girl is going to give a tree to the landscaping crew!

Come see us at Children's Festival - Sat May 22

On Saturday May 22nd, a few of us will be at the Canmore Children's Festival, stationed at an info table near the Big Bouncy Castle. Festival runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Make a donation or sign up to volunteer and you will be entered for a draw to win 2 lift tickets for Lake Louise!