Spring programs offered

Grand Bend Youth Centre

Posted By BY LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY

Posted 1 day ago

It should be a great spring and summer for area youth and new program organizer Jesse O'Reilly.

A graduate of Niagara College for Recreation and Leisure services, the Grand Bend Youth Centre offers just the challenge O'Reilly is looking for.

She graduated in 2006 and worked at the YWCA in St. Thomas and did a stint in Aylmer in a before and after youth engagement program. She moved to Goderich where her fiance was working and saw her future when the ad for the GBYC came

about. She got the job and began her journey in January.

Although O'Reilly appreciates the value of a drop-in

at the youth centre, she feels the kids need programs where they can learn skills and knowledge.

The spring line-up which consists of six week programs in most cases includes junior golf with a pro, a cooking club where O'Reilly introduces youth to cooking healthy snacks, learning about the Canada Food Guide and kitchen safety while also learning about kitchen utensils and what they are used for.

There will be a dance program with Shauntell Schwartz. This program is split in two age categories; 4-6 and 7-12.

Allie Baillie, a certified national lifeguard and Lifesaving Society instructor will teach pre-school to bronze swimming lessons at the Pinedale Motor Inn. There is a $2 dollar per visit charge for this.

Saturday mornings for the month of May youth can play flag football. And Friday May 29th there will be a movie night for kids aged 5-12. This event is free.

O'Reilly is inviting youth to join Acoustic Sundays. Every other Sunday in May the GBYC is opening the garage so the musically inclined can show off their skills. This program is noon until 3 p.m. In between he music you can play some foot bag, also known as hacky sack.