‘Quality time together’: Thousands take in Family Day activities in Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge’s Play Day has become a tradition for many on this annual Family Day holiday.

“Our lives are so busy right now,” said Heather Spiess, enjoying Play Day with her family.

“We have four kids spread out in ages, and to have the chance to come together and just spend a day together free of other commitments, free of work, free of sports—that quality time together means a lot to us.”

The Spiess family was one of a few thousand to brave the cold and take in the free event.

“We come every year,” said Janelle Harris.

“My kids love playing here. They say it’s their second-favourite day of the year next to Christmas. This is their favourite activity.”

There were sporting activities like swimming, basketball and rock climbing, as well as arts and crafts, science demonstrations and cardboard fort making.

“The activities on campus today invite children to learn through play, which is really important here on campus,” said Kali McKay, director of alumni and community relations at the U of L.

“Organizations and departments like destination exploration, we have our psychology department, we have chess for life and we also have a variety of physical activities that allow children to explore their creativity and have some fun.”

While the day is geared toward family fun, it’s also a chance for the U of L to show off its campus to a younger generation.

“We are part of the community, and we want to work with the community so that the community feels that it is their university and they can help make sure that all of the children who are growing up not only in Lethbridge but surrounding southern Alberta see the university as their university and the benefit they would directly have coming to the University of Lethbridge,” said Digvir Jayas, president and vice-chancellor of the U of L.

This year’s bug-themed event included faculty, students and alumni from across campus helping to put on the event for more than 3,500.

“We have more than a dozen departments involved, and we have about 150 volunteers that range from students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as community members who choose to spend their Family Day with us making sure this event goes off without a hitch,” McKay said.

While many enjoyed the activities, others said the time together is most important.

“Quality time as a family is so important to us to keep those relationships strong,” Spiess said.

The U of L wasn’t the only place hosting Family Day activities.

Events and programming were held at CASA and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

“Family Day is a wonderful opportunity to get outside and enjoy time together in the river valley,” says Jessica Deacon-Rogers with the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

The nature centre hosted a variety of indoor and outdoor activities throughout Monday as well as its Choose Your Own Adventure along the trails of the nature reserve.

Two exhibits were on display—the Water Ways and the Power of Play.

Deacon-Rogers said the Water Ways is a hands-on exhibit designed to teach residents about the city’s watershed, rivers, reservoirs and how people’s choices can impact water at both a local and global level.

She says the Power of Play exhibit encourages people to add a little more play to their day outside along the trails of the nature reserve.

“We teach people,” Deacon-Rogers said.

“We’re here to educate people and connect people to the river valley itself. We live in such a beautiful city and we really, highly value making sure people are learning through play, through spending time outside and through coming down and experiencing our exhibits and things like that.

“So, discovering this place—connecting to it in different ways—is really important.”

With children out of school, the nature centre will continue to host its activities throughout the week, including its Nature Play Pop-up on Friday.