Bear Bags Program for Kids

Bear Bags Program for Kids

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Vegreville is loaded with free programs for children where many even give away products to encourage family literacy. The Community Association for Lasting Success (CALS) in partnership with Vegreville Centennial Library offered their brand-new Bear Bags program where the first session was held on October 28 at the library.

A group of enthusiastic youngsters participated in this program which had songs, stories, activities, and crafts. Participants also enjoyed the fact that each session closed with a snack.

What makes this program special is they do a bear bag at the beginning of the program (at the first session) where children get a bag they can take home that includes a stuffed bear and the kids create their own ID badge for their stuffed animal. Each week in this bag, there are different activities the children can do at home which focus on literacy. For the first session, the activity they could do at home was for parents (caregiver) and children to share a story together. The caregiver then takes a photo and they e-mail this to the facilitators of this program. As well, the caregivers write a page in the journal and bring it back and at the end of the program, the facilitators tape and bind the journal together.