Okotoks stuffed with teddy bear fun

Children and teddies of all ages and sizes took to the community for the first-ever Teddy Bear Hunt on July 9.

The event was a physically-distanced version of the annual Teddy Bear Picnic, which typically runs at the Okotoks Recreation Centre or Pason Centennial Arena, with agencies and organizations providing information, snacks and activities for children and their stuffed friends.

“We had to step outside the box a bit,” said Laura Padget, specialist with the Okotoks Family Resource Centre, which co-ordinates the event. “I think people were happy there was still something to do, but maybe were missing the picnic a little bit.

“We’re happy we did it.”

She said more than 60 people had come out to the Okotoks Recreation Centre outdoor booth by noon during the event, which was a good number considering there were more than 20 agencies located throughout Okotoks.

Some newcomers to town checked out the event as a way to familiarize themselves with the community, she said.

“We had four or five new families that just moved here, who are using it as a way to tour the town and get to know what’s available, so that’s been really interesting,” said Padget.

Foothills Community Immigrant Services (FCIS), which caters to newcomers to the country, was set up on McRae Street with a jungle safari that had youngsters searching through trees to spot various national flags and a number of stuffed animals – including Winnie the Pooh perched with a United Kingdom flag.

The fun activity was intended to engage children and bring awareness of FCIS to the community, said Mariah Nadeau, volunteer co-ordinator for the organization.

“We thought it was a fun, different idea and a good way to get kids out and about and interacting and learning about different cultures and diversity and people in the community,” said Nadeau.

Though FCIS is not predominantly child-centric, it focuses on serving the family as a whole, it can help families register for school with interpretation services.

“While it’s not specifically children’s wellness, we’re still interacting with them and helping them settle that way,” said Nadeau.

It was the first time the Home Care Adult Day Program had a presence at the event, and recreation therapist program liaison Sherryl Gehring said they were excited to showcase their inter-generational programming in the community with their grandparent bears in rocking chairs reading stories to baby bears.

The Adult Day Program operates out of the Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre three days per week and the seniors who visit often interact with little ones who come to various programs with public health, which is important for both age groups, she said.

“A lot of young people don’t always have an older person who is an influence in their life,” she said. “They may not live near their grandparents or have a relationship with them. And a lot of the seniors don’t have their grandchildren around, either, so it gives them an opportunity to mix with younger people.”

The effect of children on the older generation is clear, she said. Often clients with dementia or who are struggling with other conditions will light up at the sight of a child entering the room.

“There’s a recognition and awareness and sometimes it’s reminiscence,” said Gehring. “We see a lot of value.”

Flashing lights drew families to the Southridge Emergency Services building, where Okotoks RCMP, Okotoks Municipal Enforcement and the Okotoks Fire Department were on-hand with stickers, tattoos and other fun giveaways, and a few teddy bears sitting in vehicles.

It was a great way to interact with the community while practicing physical distancing measures, said municipal enforcement officer Trevor LaDuke.

“It just gives people a way to bring out the kids and do something with the family,” he said. “And the weather co-operated, which is awesome.”

Parents like Meghan Braunwarth were appreciative of the opportunity to get out and do something new with their children.

“It’s great,” she said. “I’m really impressed with the businesses and everyone putting these displays together.”

She attended the traditional Teddy Bear Picnic with her children in 2019 and said while the Teddy Bear Hunt was definitely not the same, both events were enjoyable.

“I feel like there’s more interaction with the kids at the other one, but this, now that the kids are a little older, they’re enjoying going on the hunt,” said Braunwarth.

Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca

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