Town offers fun summer programs for Crossfield youth

In an effort to keep local youth active and outdoors this summer the Town of Crossfield is planning a variety of activities in the next two months.

Nearly every weekday from now until Aug. 24, children can take part in paintball, laser tag, waterslides, swimming, wall climbing, trail riding and mountain biking trips, as well as special activities such as cooking camps, craft days and a free drive-in movie.

“We like to put on these programs for local kids because they create a sense of community, allow them to grow and gives children something to do while they’re out for the summer,” said Brandi Metzger, recreation coordinator for the Town. “It also keeps them active and gives them the opportunity to make new friends. It’s a productive, fun way to spend their summer.”

Participants will also be able to venture outside of the community as some of the activities will allow the youth to visit other towns, cities and the countryside.

“We wanted to offer them something they can’t do within their own community,” said Metzger.

Every Thursday throughout July and August, children ages seven and older can meet at the Pete Knight Arena at 1 p.m. for a trip to Genesis Place in Airdrie, where they will work on perfecting their strokes, enjoy the slides and relax in the lazy river.

On Tuesday afternoons, children of all ages can take part in free drop-in soccer and floor hockey at the arena from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Players are encouraged to bring their own floor hockey sticks.

On July 18 at 10 a.m., the bus will depart from the arena for an hour of horseback riding at the Red Lodge Guest Ranch near Bowden. The ride will be followed by games, and parents are encouraged to pack a bike helmet, jeans, running shoes, shorts, and a T-shirt for their little ones ages 10 and older.

A second trail-riding excursion to Anderson Valley Ranch will be held on Aug. 8, with the bus departing at 9:45 a.m. and returning to town at 3:30 p.m.

“This is the fourth year we’ve been doing rides at Anderson Valley Ranch,” said Metzger. “It’s a great place. The workers and staff are great and teach the kids these skills and just let them have fun. The kids have always loved it. It’s a great place, so we keep going back.”

On July 20, children ages 12 and older are invited to ride their mountain bikes at Canadian Olympic Park (COP) in Calgary, followed by a game of mini golf. The bus will leave Crossfield at 9 a.m. and return at 3 p.m., and participants must bring their own bike, water, bagged lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, running shoes and comfortable clothes.

On the evening of July 23, families can enjoy a roller skating night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the arena at a cost of $2 a person. Rentals are available, but sizes and quantities are limited.

On July 25, children ages 12 and older will devise their plan of attack and defend their castle at Weekend Warriors Paintball, located between Didsbury and Olds. The bus will leave town from the arena at 10 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. A cost of $30 will get each participant 250 paintballs, unlimited playing time, a helmet, coveralls and a hotdog lunch.

On Aug. 1, youth will have the opportunity to take part in go-kart racing, mini golf, laser tag and rock climbing at Shakers Family Fun Centre near Calgary. The bus will depart from the arena at 10 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m.

Video game enthusiasts will enjoy a free games day on Aug. 13 at the Community Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. A variety of Xbox Kinect games, board games and bowling will be offered.

A wet and wild excursion to the Wild Rapids Waterslide Park in Sylvan Lake will entertain children ages 10 and older on Aug. 15, with the bus departing from the arena at 9:15 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m.

In addition, children can take part in a trip to Calaway Park on Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Aug. 22 will be a busy day of laser tag and swimming at the Southland Leisure Centre in Calgary, with the bus leaving from the arena at 11 a.m. and returning around 5:15 p.m. A pizza lunch will be included, but participants are encouraged to bring money for arcade games and snacks.

On Aug. 23, community members of all ages are invited to park their car in the Community Hall parking lot for a free outdoor screening of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, beginning at roughly 8:45 p.m. A concession will be available.

The final outing of the summer will be a trip to the COP activities centre on Aug. 24 for mini golf, rock climbing, and trampoline activities from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Finally, the Town will also be offering a cooking camp from July 16 to 20, where children between the ages of eight and 12 can learn basic cooking skills, nutrition and meal planning. The cost is $150 per child including supplies and registration is limited.

“We offer so many recreation-focused programs and activities, and we wanted to give kids who maybe that isn’t their thing an opportunity to have some fun and learn as well,” said Metzger. “Kids that are into cooking can learn skills that they can carry on for the rest of their life.”

For more information on any of these programs, contact the Town office at 403-946-5565 or visit www.crossfieldalberta.com

In an effort to keep local youth active and outdoors this summer the Town of Crossfield is planning a variety of activities in the next two months.

Nearly every weekday from now until Aug. 24, children can take part in paintball, laser tag, waterslides, swimming, wall climbing, trail riding and mountain biking trips, as well as special activities such as cooking camps, craft days and a free drive-in movie.

“We like to put on these programs for local kids because they create a sense of community, allow them to grow and gives children something to do while they’re out for the summer,” said Brandi Metzger, recreation coordinator for the Town.

“It also keeps them active and gives them the opportunity to make new friends. It’s a productive, fun way to spend their summer.”

Participants will also be able to venture outside of the community as some of the activities will allow the youth to visit other towns, cities and the countryside.

“We wanted to offer them something they can’t do within their own community,” said Metzger.

Every Thursday throughout July and August, children ages seven and older can meet at the Pete Knight Arena at 1 p.m. for a trip to Genesis Place in Airdrie, where they will work on perfecting their strokes, enjoy the slides and relax in the lazy river.

On Tuesday afternoons, children of all ages can take part in free drop-in soccer and floor hockey at the arena from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Players are encouraged to bring their own floor hockey sticks.

On July 18 at 10 a.m., the bus will depart from the arena for an hour of horseback riding at the Red Lodge Guest Ranch near Bowden.

A second trail-riding excursion to Anderson Valley Ranch will be held on Aug. 8, with the bus departing at 9:45 a.m. and returning to town at 3:30 p.m.

“This is the fourth year we’ve been doing rides at Anderson Valley Ranch,” said Metzger. “It’s a great place. The workers and staff are great and teach the kids these skills and just let them have fun. The kids have always loved it. It’s a great place, so we keep going back.”

On July 20, children ages 12 and older are invited to ride their mountain bikes at Canadian Olympic Park (COP) in Calgary, followed by a game of mini golf.

On the evening of July 23, families can enjoy a roller skating night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the arena at a cost of $2 a person.

On July 25, children ages 12 and older will devise their plan of attack and defend their castle at Weekend Warriors Paintball, located between Didsbury and Olds. The bus will leave town from the arena at 10 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. A cost of $30 will get each participant 250 paintballs, unlimited playing time, a helmet, coveralls and a hotdog lunch.

On Aug. 1, youth will have the opportunity to take part in go-kart racing, mini golf, laser tag and rock climbing at Shakers Family Fun Centre near Calgary.

Video game enthusiasts will enjoy a free games day on Aug. 13 at the Community Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. A variety of Xbox Kinect games, board games and bowling will be offered.

A wet and wild excursion to the Wild Rapids Waterslide Park in Sylvan Lake will entertain children ages 10 and older on Aug. 15, with the bus departing from the arena at 9:15 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m.

In addition, children can take part in a trip to Calaway Park on Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Aug. 22 will be a busy day of laser tag and swimming at the Southland Leisure Centre in Calgary, with the bus leaving from the arena at 11 a.m. and returning around 5:15 p.m.

On Aug. 23, community members of all ages are invited to park their car in the Community Hall parking lot for a free outdoor screening of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, beginning at roughly 8:45 p.m. A concession will be available.

The final outing of the summer will be a trip to the COP activities centre on Aug. 24 for mini golf, rock climbing, and trampoline activities from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Finally, the Town will also be offering a cooking camp from July 16 to 20, where children between the ages of eight and 12 can learn basic cooking skills, nutrition and meal planning. The cost is $150 per child including supplies and registration is limited.

“We offer so many recreation-focused programs and activities, and we wanted to give kids who maybe that isn’t their thing an opportunity to have some fun and learn as well,” said Metzger.

“Kids that are into cooking can learn skills that they can carry on for the rest of their life.”

For more information on any of these programs, contact the Town office at 403-946-5565 or visit www.crossfieldalberta.com

To register for programs, contact the Town office or come out to the Farmer’s Market every Thursday evening.