Kids ‘Jumpstart’ at chance to try new games

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About 160 youngsters descended on the Uxbridge arena last Friday to take part in the annual Jumpstart games.

The Toronto Raptor's mascot and Carleton the Bear, mascot for the Toronto Maple Leafs, made a special appearance at the Jumpstart Games, held at the Uxbridge Arena last Friday. Submitted photo

Circulating through a series of stations, the children - aged five to 13 and wearing a rainbow of colourful T-shirts - could take part in familiar activities and try their hand at games many hadn't tried before. The kids were given about 30 minutes at each station to try out the activity.

Local event organizer Chris Gilmour said most of the children at the Uxbridge event were members of the township's summer camps program, but non-campers were invited to enrol in the free program. However, only about 20 children took advantage of the offer.

For those in attendance, there was a chance to try, among other things, pickleball, dodgeball, water games, skipping, hula hoops, badminton and wheelchair basketball. A slew of special sport wheelchairs were provided by ParaSport Ontario. Special guests included the Toronto Raptors mascot and Carleton the Bear of the Toronto Maple Leafs (pictured here).

All the activity led to hungry kids, and a free barbecue was provided by Zehrs. At the end of the five-hour day, every child received a swag-bag containing a T-shirt, water bottle, packet of chalk and Jumpstart shoelaces.

Founded in 2005, Jumpstart helps children overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities. Canadian Tire Corporation, which covers all of Jumpstart's general and administrative expenses, dedicates 100 per cent of donations to help youngsters access sport and play.

Alex Turnbull, an event planner with the Jumpstart program, said Jumpstart games are held across the country and have been running "at least 20 years." She said Canadian Tire has been the major sponsor for 19 years.