Let Them Be Kids

Let Them Be Kids is an all volunteer non-profit organization created to build community capacity on the grassroots level, while building playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada. These projects leave a legacy of community members who are inspired and better equipped to lay a strong foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Canada Day-Dotmocracy

On Canada Day, July 1st , volunteers attended 4 different celebrations in hopes of obtaining kids desires for the new playground and bringing attention to the project. In Weymouth we had a float of a playground, which was built by D.A.L.A construction students, with supplies donated by Home Hardware. The shiny new truck used to pull the float along was donated by Digby Belliveau Motors. Volunteers and their children were riding the float tossing out Kool-Aid singles to those watching the parade. The kids were excited to see that a new playground was going to be built in Digby and to get some Kool Aid drink mix for their water bottles.


In Digby, volunteers attended the Town Councilors BBQ at the Fisherman Memorial Park with hopes of getting the kids to help design the playground by holding a dotmocracy during the BBQ. Children were able to place a dot on the equipment they liked the most and in return received a Canada Day sticker and balloon animal/hat. We were greatly pleased that a young person who was attending the BBQ, offered to make a variety of balloon animals and hats for the younger children. Volunteers also attended Digby Pines Resort festivities with the dotmocracy to gain input from those who attended there as well.


In Bear River celebrations were in full swing when we asked to set up a table for the dotmocracy. Kids of all ages were excited to be asked for their help in picking out the equipment for the new playground and even more excited to be getting a balloon hat and sticker. Many parents were happy to hear of a new playground project and even asked how they could help.


Our dotmocracy was a big success during all the celebrations of Canada Day but we felt that many of the kids who helped pick equipment for the playground were of school age. So we contacted the local preschool and set up a meeting time with their students to ask them what they wanted in the playground. The younger kids were happy to offer many opinions and a few were just happy to get some stickers.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The kids had a great time helping pick out the equipment. I'm glad they were a part of the decision making.