Owynn Christianson celebrates the end of the school year at the Be Youth Centre (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Gates Guarin

End of school year celebrated at Be Youth Centre

Jun 29, 2022 | 4:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – School’s out for the summer, and that has kids at the Be Youth Centre in a celebratory mood. On the first full day without any classes, some teens were eager to let off some steam during an end of school year party.

Owynn Christianson, fresh off his Grade 8 year, is a regular at the centre and has been coming almost every day this month. He says the centre is like a second home to him.

“It gets me out of the house, it gets me active, they get me away from my electronics at certain times of the day,” Christianson says. “It’s fun down here, it’s a good place.”

Christianson is one of several kids gearing up for summer, and staff at the centre have several activities planned once the calendar flips to July.

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Brittanie Bruder is one of the summer supervisors, and says it’s key to keep the kids who drop in involved.

“I think it’s really important to give the kids the sense of community that they may not get over the summer that they do in school and just to keep their relationships going from what they’ve built in school,” says Bruder.

Kids will get the opportunity to continue to strengthen their bonds through activities such as cooking competitions, mini-golf and trips outside of the city.

Madison Thurott, another summer supervisor, says she wants more kids to drop in and take advantage of what the centre has planned.

“We’re hoping for numbers to be higher,” Thurott says.

The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for the centre, which would only see a handful of kids drop-in after school. Supervisors are hopeful the summer weather gets more kids out.

For Christianson, he’s looking to continue to celebrate after a long school year.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the day because we’re going to have fun,” Christianson says.