Scavenger hunt finds connection between seniors and children

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 31, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Yvonne Wilson and sisters Greer and Millie Oczkowski solve scavenger hunt clues and questions at Chinook Park.

Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre with Family Services Lethbridge held a youth and seniors scavenger hunt on a recent sunny afternoon on the north of the city at Chinook Park.

The event partnered kids up with seniors to explore the area and find clues while learning more about each other and sparking generational friendships.

“The goal is children and seniors creating connections during a treasure hunt style scavenger event,” said Ashley Kern, program coordinator at Nord-Bridge. “We’re hoping to create some new friendships between generations. The seniors are going to know the children and learn patience with younger minds. While the children are learning empathy as well as patience with not rushing and taking things slowly. Good life skills for all. There’s a bunch of clues around the lake that they have to find. They have questions on the back asking them about themselves. It prompts them to talk to each other and get to know one another a little bit more. They have an hour to do it, coming back to the meeting spot and we have a bunch of prizes at the end.”

Seniors learned more about the kids while teaching about their heritage and history, enjoying a nice walk around the park. Yvonne Wilson and her partners Millie and Greer Oczkowski, sisters, learned more about each other on the excursion.

“She was born in Pincher Creek,” said Millie.

“The same place as your dad,” added Wilson, expanding on the learning experience and gaining more knowledge about her partners along the way.

Others in the community have used Nord-Bridge’s youth and senior connection programs to create lasting friendships for kids and seniors.

“We started doing the Family Center and Nord-Bridge partnerships this summer. The kids go around and they play board games, and parachutes. One of the kids in my day-home has found his best friend at them. They’re partners in crime, they like to play parachute and get into trouble because they don’t pay attention,” said Tiffany Garrett, who operates a day-home in Lethbridge. “The other day we were late. I was telling them ‘We have to go see our seniors,’ and all five of my kids had their shoes on in two minutes, super excited. They love to do the activities with the seniors.”

The lasting connections help enhance a friendship that bridges a generation. For many seniors it is a way to connect when their grandkids that live far away and can’t visit often, while youth learn more about an experienced life with a rich heritage and stories to tell.

“What’s your favourite part of this last week?” Greer asked Wilson, from one of the cards found around the park.

“Well, just being able to spend my time with you kids has been really the best,” said Wilson.