Rotarians Active in Winterfest

Posted by Ed Iskra 
on Feb 08, 2012
 

Winterfest2
Dryden is putting on a show with its third annual Winter Festival on the Family Day weekend, February 18 - 20.  Hosting 27 recreation and leisure activities, this celebration is becoming a great attraction for the community.   Organizer, Andi Kidd spoke to fellow Rotarians at their February 8th luncheon describing events happening on each of the three days.   

 Sleigh RideWinter Festival opens on Saturday, Feb 18, highlighting the Cops and Dogs hockey challenge where proceeds go to the Dryden Neighbourhood Legacy Project. 

One of the key events is Snowarama, an event dear to Rotary and organized by the local Power Toboggan Club, which last year raised $5000 towards Easter Seals Kids.  From snow kiting to sleigh rides to cha-cha dancing there are lots of activities for kids, parents and grandparents.

 Meanwhile, not far from Dryden, 100 youth representing 7 First Nations communities from Grand Council Treaty # 3 will be gathering for the 3-day Right to Play Winter Games and Mini-Olympics at Camp of the Woods on Troutfly Lake.  Ranging in ages from 9 to 16, these boys and girls were selected on the basis of being active participants in Right to Play’s Youth Leadership Program. Staff and volunteers will organize events such as snow sculpture, tubing, Eskimo kick, crafts and many indoor activities.

 On Saturday night, Right to Play kids will join Dryden’s Annual Winter Festival by attending the D.A.R.E. Dance for Teens and return Sunday for swimming, basketball, skating and tennis. 

Andi Kidd Andi explained that Right to Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.  Right To Play builds local capacity by training community leaders as coaches  Founded in 2000, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto and has national offices in Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States. The national offices raise funds, build awareness for Right To Play programs and advocate for Sport for Development.

 With support from Ontario, First Nations and supporting organizations, Right to Play developed an initiative called Promoting Life Skills for Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) aimed at building youth leadership skills, The program helps youth build leadership skills, increase their self-esteem and confidence, and improve their ability to set goals and create plans for the future.