Delia Municipal Library was the recipient of the Marigold Library System’s Making a Difference award for the way they pivoted to offer a unique and innovative summer camp program in 2021.
A total of 10 children between the ages of seven and 12 attended the four-day program where they got some hands-on experience learning to build and fly drones.
“We had some parents come in showing us the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs available in Calgary,” Delia Library manager Leah Hunter told the Mail.
After hearing feedback from parents about the lack of programs available for children in the village and surrounding areas, Ms. Hunter says the library got in touch with IDEA Lab Kids Calgary to discuss bringing a program to the community.
Due to gathering restrictions in place at the time, the program was limited to a total of 10 participants.
Ms. Hunter notes, while the program was initially offered to nine to 12 year olds, they did have some younger participants join the program.
Camp programs through the library are the only option available in the village, and the library has received some funding from the Starland County Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to continue offering this programming.
They are currently working on deals to possibly offer an art adventure and puppeteering program this summer.
Ms. Hunter adds they are also hoping to offer more spots this year without any gathering restrictions in place.
