It may be freezing temperatures and snow-covered in Stratford, but as many parents know now is the time to start planning for summer vacation.
Luckily this year, one particular event meant to streamline that planning process.
On Jan. 26, Mindful Kids Inc., an organization that is focused on helping kids find calmness and happiness through meditation, hosted its second annual Stratford and Area Summer Camp Info Fair, inviting parents and kids to the Stratford Country Club to learn a little more about what’s on tap this summer break in the region.
Founder Melissa McIntosh said that with teenagers herself, finding summer plans during the year was a hectic rabbit hole on the internet or lineup registration. The idea for this event was to try and take all the stress and anxiety out of figuring out which organization would be best for a family’s summer vacation plans – all in one space.
“I just wanted to create a space where parents and families have a fun event to do in the wintertime, to maybe come out of the cold,” McIntosh said. “They can come for the day and they can plan however much of the summer they need.”
Seventeen organizations held information booths with interactive activities for kids and documentation for parents to get acquainted with the programs available at the session, from local rock-climbing gym Pursuit Climbing to Playmakers! Theatre School.
McIntosh said that this year was a huge success, due in part to social media and word of mouth.
“The focus for the parents is come plan your summer,” McIntosh said. “From a vendor perspective, we focus on community, collaboration, and connection.”
Additionally, just prior to the fair opening its doors, a job fair was hosted for teenagers and young adults, where they could connect with camp operators and inquire about employment during the summer.
McIntosh thanked the 15 sponsors of the event, saying that without them it wouldn’t have been possible.
For anyone who missed the event, McIntosh said they can visit Mindful Kids’ website, at https://www.mindfulkids.ca/thestratford-area-summer-camp-info-fair, to find a list of the vendors. All of which have websites with further information on what they are offering this summer.
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