This year, our weekly Parent & Toddler Group has grown into something truly special for our community. What began as a small gathering has become a place where families can connect, children can play and explore together, and parents can build friendships and a support network during a stage of life when finding community can be challenging.
We have welcomed up to 19 children at a single event, and through the support of this grant, we were able to open our group more publicly and reach more families. This season, six new families joined us, along with two expectant mothers who have begun building their own community and support network with us before their babies arrive.
Much of our time together is spent outdoors, taking advantage of the beautiful natural environment around Wasa. We have explored the shoreline of our lake, caught tadpoles, and learned about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that surround us. These simple experiences give children the opportunity to learn through curiosity and hands-on exploration while developing a connection to the place they call home.
We have also enjoyed special seasonal activities together. Our spring Easter egg hunt in the park continues to be a favourite and brings out a wonderful turnout of local families. For Canada Day, the children explored science by making colourful “fireworks” in jars and created their own paper Canadian flags. Every gathering also includes a healthy, delicious snack, giving children the opportunity to try new foods and learn that nutritious food can be fun and enjoyable.
Our community faced some difficult moments this year, particularly during the local wildfire and evacuation. During the worst of the summer smoke, we moved our group indoors to the community hall. This gave the children a huge space to move, play, and interact freely together while allowing families to avoid unnecessary smoke exposure. After the fire and evacuation, the children worked together to create a banner thanking the firefighters for their incredible work. Presenting it to them was a joyful and meaningful moment, and a wonderful way for the children to recognize the people who had worked so hard to protect our community.
The value of this group has gone far beyond weekly playdates. Many of the children who attend are homeschooled or live in a remote community where opportunities to regularly socialize with peers can be limited. The group gives them a place to play, learn from one another, and develop friendships. For parents, it provides something equally important: people to talk to, share experiences with, and lean on.
The wildfire especially showed us the strength of the network we have created. Families reached out to one another with practical help, encouragement, and support when our community needed it most.
This project has reminded us that building a strong community often starts with something very simple: creating a place where people can come together. We are proud of what this group has become and excited to continue growing it alongside the families of our community.
