KIDS ON TRACK ASSOCIATION OF EDMONTON

Family Programs

Celebrations – Key Family Celebrations throughout the year provide families with the opportunity to celebrate at significant times of the year with other families. This is particularly meaningful for families who cannot afford the cost that comes with attending events or hosting celebrations. They include a Family Picnic, Family Thanksgiving Dinner, Family Christmas Pizza Party and Blacklight Show, a Winter Carnival, a Mom’s Celebration. Due to COVID restrictions, we were only able to host the Family Picnic, Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Party in 2021. There was a total of 723 people registered for these events in 2021.

Family Connect – Throughout the year families gather to build connections with other families in the community. Educational and fun activities are held for all age groups. Parents participate in a Parent’s Café, designed to support positive parenting strategies in a relaxed environment. Kids and youth engage with positive mentors while participating in hands on character education activities. These take place through the creative use of puppets, drama, science, games, and music. Due to COVID, this program was on hold through 2021 and is resuming in 2022 if restrictions permit.

HomeBuilders – HomeBuilders is an 11-week support group for children who have experienced separation, divorce, or a death of a primary care giver. An experiential learning curriculum designed by our own professionals gives children the tools to process their emotions and gives parents practical ideas to support their children at home. This program also runs in partnership with community sites where Kids On Track trains a group of facilitators to run the program in their community. Due to COVID, we were only able to run one partner site in 2021, however we took the time to record and edit training videos to be able to expand the program in 2022.

Active Families – Once a month families gather to get active and to learn new skills. Parents and children enjoy playing together while trying new recreational pursuits. Barriers such as transportation, equipment, and instruction are all addressed making the program as accessible and inclusive as possible. This is free program is especially valuable for new Canadian families and those who cannot afford the expense of ongoing classes or recreational programs. In 2021 we held 12 events with a total of 74 individual parent/guardian participants and a total of 112 child/youth participants.

Kids Programs

Character Clubs – Character Clubs are a unique 1.5 hour after-school or out-of-school-time club that pairs physical literacy with character education. No bored kids here - we are learning and moving! Affirming leaders create an atmosphere of learning and support. The clubs focus on building resiliency for kids coping with various life challenges. In 2019, clubs were held in 14 high–needs elementary schools, with an enrollment of 328. Pre-COVID, we were hosting these clubs in school gyms directly after school, intentionally targeting schools who have early dismissals. Due to COVID restrictions, we are currently unable to access school rentals, so we sought out alternative community sites for this program. We currently have two community leagues and a church site who have partnered with us. We have a current total enrollment of 56 children.

Kids Day Camps – Kids get active throughout the summer while making friends and connecting with caring adults and youth from the LITE program. The 7 weeks of low-cost and no-cost day camp programs are delivered at various high needs community sites. The program combines hands-on character education with daily field trips and activities. Highlights have been biking through the Edmonton River Valley, trips to the zoo, wall climbing, laser tag, and the Royal Alberta Museum. We had 210 individual child participants who filled a total of 342 spots in the program in 2021.

Youth Programs

SHIFT Youth (Youth Outreach) – Shift Youth Program offers community youth exciting social and recreational pursuits. Youth are given an opportunity to hang out with friends in a safe and fun way, explore life's questions with relevant mentors, and get active with their peers. We offer weekly youth drop-in, out-of-school time days, and interest groups where youth can explore different activities that interest them. These are often youth initiated and currently include a girl’s hiking group and a table-top gaming group. In summer, Shift Youth ramps up with programming provided for four days a week for 6 weeks. Additionally, our staff take youth to Jasper for an outdoor adventure camping experience and our Hike Like A Girl program empowers girls to conquer more intensive hikes in an outback experience. Last year, 179 youth participated in this the school-year portion of the program and 109 participated in the summer portion.

Leaders In Training Experience (LITE) – If a youth can do it, it’s time for the adult to step back. That’s the motto of the Leaders In Training Experience (L.I.T.E.) Program. Youth are empowered and equipped to be leaders and positive role models using mentoring, leadership skill development, and community service. The LITE program provides hands-on opportunities to learn to lead, mentor others, and grow in their personal development. It develops effective and ethical young leaders which is critical to initiating positive change in our communities. An extension of the L.I.T.E. Program, the F.L.I.T.E. Program (Focused Leaders In Training Experience) is available for grades 10-12 when youth are ready to take their leadership development to the next level. They receive intensive mentoring and training, as well as assist in peer mentoring and training in the L.I.T.E. Program. There were 34 active LITES last year.