Youth group forms to create more recreational fun for kids

Ken Johnston
editorial@RainyRiverRecord.com

There is a new group of movers and shakers in Rainy River and all of them are under the age of 17.
In early September Rainy River Recreation Board Programmer Monique Gall surveyed a number of the town’s young people to see what recreational opportunities they would be interested in. “They suggested a youth group be formed.”
On September 17, 2001 the Rainy River Youth Group held its inaugural meeting and identified activities and goals it would like to attain. The list included volleyball, floor hockey, skating, crafts, karoake contests, ping pong, silly olympics, ice fishing derby, puppet show, talent contest, dances, dunk tank, family ball tournament, strong kid competition and a bike-a-thon.
On Friday they held their first big event, with the members of the RR Youth Group hosting a halloween party for kids 10 and under. About 35 kids turned up in costume. Afterwards they had a dance. That was followed by a dance for the 11-16 year old youth group members.
Gall said that the kids, lead by Chad Armstrong, Joel Ashworth, Corrissa Hansen and Britany Jasper have really taken ownership in their recreational activities. For their Friday night dance they themselves went out and asked for donations of prizes from the local business community.
They have also been working closely with Gall to pick activities to do at their weekly meetings. Until now they have been meeting on Mondays and most weeks there have been 20-27 kids from ages 11-16 attending.
They have gone over to the elementary school and had sporting activities.
Last Monday they hosted Constable Cameron Howard who did a presentation on drugs that included showing the kids what different illegal drugs look like.
Howard was huge hit especially when he let the kids try out his hand-cuffs.
Gall is very pleased that the youth of Rainy River is taking ownership of its recreational activities and facilities. She noted that Julie Tiboni, an adult, is helping supervise the program.
The group is also planning fundraising activities and hopes to go on a wilderness adventure camping trip next summer. As the winter sets in and activities have to be indoors, they also hope to have activities that are not just sports oriented. Crafts and perhaps a first aid program are ideas being worked on.
All kids 11-16 are welcome and meetings are free of charge every Monday evening. For more information call Monique at 852-4446.