Teenagers will storm the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) for an event geared towards breaking down the barriers between youth and community leaders.
Dubbed the C3 Event — short form for “Compete, Connect, Communicate — Together we make a difference” — the seven-hour-long activity-based event is set to begin at 2 p.m. March 21 and anticipated to wrap up around 9 p.m.
“This is an opportunity for youth to connect with leaders in our community — teachers, RCMP, parents,” said Brenda Dennis, volunteer services and community programmer with Cochrane Family and Community Support Services (FCSS). “These are the people that provide a safe environment where youth can reach their full potential.”
About 200-300 youth are expected to attend, she added.
The C3 Event is the result of the brainstorming and hard work of a crime prevention committee, a collaborative effort between local youth and a number of community stakeholders.
Dennis said the event was inspired by the Youth Engagement Task Force’s suggestion to increase youth safety by promoting positive relationships and interactions with safety-related resources, such as the RCMP.
“For me, meeting the all-important RCMP officer impacted my life,” said Const. Darren Barnes, a local RCMP officer. “Community involvement is an important part of what it means to be a police officer, especially at the youth level.”
“This is the first step on which future relationships will be built,” said Dennis. “It’s about creating momentum and growth.”
The event features a solid lineup of activities, including an introductory address from Calgary Stampeders’ fullback — and former Cochrane High School Cobra — Rob Cote.
Once registered, youth are open to venture throughout the facility to try their hand at art projects, a scavenger hunt, perusing a number of display tables, or hitting the ice surface for a skate. Members of the RCMP will be on hand to chat about recruitment or to challenge in a pickup game of basketball.
For those teens with an ear for music, a jam session will be running in the facility’s large program room from 2-6 p.m. After dinner, a DJ will have everyone up and dancing.
Attendees are advised they may need to bring their own skates, running shoes, or musical instruments.
Dennis said transportation to the SLSFSC would be provided for attendees from the Cochrane schools.
For more information on the C3 Event at SLSFSC please visit the online registration form at cochranec3event.eventbrite.ca.
