ACTIVITIES (WORKSHOPS)

Week One: Registration and Informational Day

• Register for the 10 week program of young fathers and child(ren) services; a maximum of 25 fathers per session. There will be 2 sessions; one session will run from 9am-12pm and 4pm-7pm each Saturday.
• Each week/session will include a different activity at the community centre and food will be provided each week. 
• A field trip will be offered once throughout this 10 week program (usually held on the last week of this program) where both sessions will be combined to a full day event. Free transportation will be available funded by 'Jump Start' Canadian Tire, food will be provided throughout the day and admission is covered by Jump Start funding as well.   
• A 3 week sign up with the young fathers and their child(ren) is mandatory in order to receive a membership to the community centre's amenities. 
• Information desks will be set up which will include pamphlets, poster boards, etc. which will have all the information needed within the service of this program.
• This day is also a great day to get to know the staff that you will be working with as well as for each of the fathers and children to get to know one another.

Week Two: Let's Get Creative Through Strong Bonds and Emotional Ties

• Emotional development enhancement opportunity (creative arts and music and movement)
• Three different centre's are included within this weeks workshop (2 hour session); 

1. Creative arts (painting with loose open ended artistic parts), 
2. Music and movement (making own instruments through a variety of open ended and naturalistic materials and exploration)
3. Make your own story book (materials will be provided)

• Food is provided and set out for children and Dad's to encounter when they are hungry
• Last hour will be dedicated to skating (skates and safety equipment are provided if families do not have)

Week Three: Communication is Key!

• Two centre's are included in this weeks workshop

1. Pretend and Imaginative Play - an opportunity to create a skit and present it to the other’s at the end of this duration of play. 
2. Cultural Music - families have the opportunity to bring in their own cultural music and are able to share it with the rest. A world map will be provided and the families will have the opportunity to mark the area’s in which they recognize where the music is from. 

• Food is provided and set out for children and Dad’s to encounter whenever they are hungry.
• Last hour will be dedicated to swimming (Life guard will be on duty and safety equipment will be available for use).

Week Four: Gymnastic Time!

• This week’s session will be a 2 and a half hour free play time in the gymnastics room.
• There will be professional instructors to guide Dad’s and their child(ren) as they explore. 
• There will be a half hour break in-between to allow the children to rest and have a snack. 

Week Five: Picnic & Splash Pad Fun!

• Dad’s and their child(ren) are encouraged to bring in any type of food that will be shared amongst the families during this fun day. 
• It will be a 5-10 minute walk to the splash pad which is just across the street from the community centre.
• Dad’s and their child(ren) will have the opportunity to enjoy the given at the splash pad and also taste all the treats that everyone has brought in. 

Week Six: Using Our Senses!

• Three centres will be included in this weeks workshop

1. Play Dough - Dad’s and their child(ren) will have the opportunity to experiment with the materials need to make play dough from scratch. (no-cook method) 
2. Goop - This is a socially interactive experiment for Dad’s and their child(ren) to participate in because there are specific measurements to follow and steps to take. 
3. 3D Painting (shaving cream) - this is an opportunity for Dad’s and the child(ren) to explore something new and experiment with shaving cream while painting.

• Food is provided and set out for children and Dad’s to encounter whenever they are hungry. 
• Last hour will be dedicated to swimming (Life guard will be on duty and safety equipment will be available for use). 

Week Seven: Obstacle Madness!

• There will be 10 different rotations during this obstacle madness of this weeks workshop. 
• Half way through the workshop there will be a cool down time. This is when Dad’s and their child(ren) will have the opportunity to enjoy snack’s and drinks and reenergize. 
• Volunteers and staff will be at each of the rotation obstacles to guide and explain to the Dad’s and child(ren). 

Week Eight: Game Day!

• Dad’s and child(ren) will have the opportunity to explore many fun and interactive games throughout this workshop. 
• Games may include: Bingo, Jenga, Board Games, Connect 4, Charades, musical chairs

Week Nine: Make Your Own Pizza!

• This will be a workshop that is funded and organized by pizza nova. 
• There will be professional pizza makers from Pizza Nova who will be there to talk to the families and answer any questions that they have.
• Dad’s and their child(ren) will have the opportunity to make their own pizza’s using the variety of toppings given. (within an hour and 15 minute time) 
• Staff will take the pizza’s and use the community centre’s kitchen to cook them all. 
• While the pizza’s are being made the Dad’s and their child(ren) can go to the library and explore reading books together. (within an hour time)
• Last 45 minutes will be dedicated to Dad’s and their child(ren) enjoying the pizza’s that they have made together.

Week Ten: Let’s Play Ball! 

• This will be a day adventure to watch the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Game. 
• Both sessions will be merged into one and depending on the time of the baseball game, that is when the session will be held. 
• Transportation, admission and food will be provided by specific funders for this fun event. 
• Food will be will be funded by Pizza Nova.
• Transportation and admission fees will be funded by Jumpstart (Canadian Tire).