WEYBURN – Inclusion Weyburn recognized the City and the Family Place for their role in ensuring all children had the ability to take part in summer programs.
Three representatives of Inclusion Weyburn, Jada Messer, Kim Neithercut and Jackie Wilson made the award presentations on Friday afternoon.
Awards were presented to Ryan Dale, director of leisure services, and Tina Clay of the Weyburn Leisure Centre, to recognize their role in cooperating with Inclusion Weyburn to allow children to take part in their summer recreation and art programs over the summer.
An award was also presented to the Family Place, accepted by Judy Lumb, for making sure Inclusion children could be a part of the Sunny Scholars summer program.
“People in Weyburn have been so supportive of us at Inclusion Weyburn, and these two (Dale and Clay) have ben a huge part of that,” said Wilson, noting that Clay was one of the first people who helped arrange for children to take part in the summer recreation program at the Leisure Centre.
It grew from around three or four initially to 10 this past summer, to the point that Inclusion even had to turn away some families as they didn’t have the capacity to take them all, said Wilson.
“It’s been so wonderful to help us make it happen,” she added, noting the awards are important to let the community know about the help they have received from people.
“Jackie came to us with an idea of an inclusive camp. We do run a camp with typical campers, and we do one-on-one staffing with the Inclusion kids, and they are mostly integrated into our programming,” said Clay.
She noted when they had a sensory room set up, she walked by one day and saw children just hanging out and relaxing there, and having a really good time.
“I thought, ‘this is why we do these camps,’” she said, noting it wasn’t just Inclusion kids who used the sensory room.
Dale noted for the Spark Centre, they have an art and recreation camp that runs through the summer, and gave tribute to the many staff members who help make sure all kids are accepted and can take part in the programs.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Inclusion Weyburn to provide children with the opportunity to take part. Some of these kids may not have had the chance to get into a camp before,” he said.
Lumb said they have been able to have some Inclusion children join with the Sunny Scholars summer program for preschool children.
“We feel it’s very important to have that inclusion with our children as well. They just come and hang out with us, and participate in the same outings. We don’t treat them any differently,” said Lumb.
Wilson said the plan is to recognize a person or a group every month for what they do to help Inclusion Weyburn provide opportunities for their children.
