Families have new books to enjoy at Western Manitoba Regional Library rural branches thanks to a generous grant from Winnipeg Foundation’s Literacy for Life Grant program. New board books and picture books were purchased for the Carberry/North Cypress, Glenboro/South Cypress, Hartney, and Neepawa Public Libraries for use in their Storytime and Baby Storytime programs, as well as for families to borrow and read at home. Having a selection of diverse picture books where children and their families see familiar images encourages further engagement with our libraries and our reading programs. “These new books increase the inclusivity of our story books at our branches and provide an opportunity to attract a more diverse segment of the population to our programs because they will see themselves and their families in the books and programs,” said Erika Martin, Director of Library Services. “All of our branches have experience hosting family literacy programs and children’s programming is an essential part of promoting and nurturing literacy in young children.” In addition to the books, this grant enabled the branches to purchase craft supplies to use with the programs. Each Storytime program includes time for making crafts which are chosen to enhance fine motor skills and encourage individual creativity. The Winnipeg Foundation is an endowment-based organization that makes community grants to charitable organizations in support of many areas, including family literacy. Western Manitoba Regional Library is the second largest regional library system in Manitoba by population with branches in Brandon, Carberry, Glenboro, Hartney, and Neepawa. Our mission is to enrich lives and strengthen communities by providing universal access to broad and diverse collections of resources relevant and responsive to community needs. For more information about the Winnipeg Foundation, find them at wpgfdn.org For more information about Western Manitoba Regional Library and our programs, see wmrl.ca.

Get ready for an unforgettable summer adventure that will ignite your child's imagination and fuel their passion for learning! We are thrilled to announce our immersive LEGO WeDo 2.0 Summer Camp, where creativity, building, and coding come together to create an educational experience like no other. The LEGO WeDo 2.0 Summer Camp offers an exciting and hands-on experience for children aged 8-12. This educational camp combines building with LEGO bricks and coding to teach STEM concepts in a fun and interactive way.  During the camp, your child will have the opportunity to:  Build: Using LEGO bricks, motors, and sensors, children will create various models under the guidance of experienced instructors. Step-by-step instructions will be provided, allowing them to build animals, vehicles, and machines. Their creativity will shine as they customize and modify their models.  Code: Once the models are built, children will bring them to life by coding using a visual programming language. With the help of a computer or tablet, they will learn to use the drag-and-drop interface to select programming blocks and arrange them in a sequence. This will enable their models to perform different actions, such as moving, making sounds, or responding to their surroundings.  Learn: The LEGO WeDo 2.0 Summer Camp provides a dynamic learning environment. Children will explore STEM principles, including gears, levers, pulleys, and sensors, while actively engaging in problem-solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. Instructors will guide them through the process, encouraging experimentation and collaboration with fellow campers.  The camp will be conducted in person, ensuring an immersive experience for your child. They will have the opportunity to interact with instructors and peers, fostering social connections and teamwork.  Join us at the LEGO WeDo 2.0 Summer Camp to ignite your child's imagination, develop their STEM skills, and create lasting memories. Limited spots are available, so secure your child's place today! To register or find out more information, please call 204-727-4669 or email ldambdn@mymts.net to register by July 02/23.  Prepare to witness your child's digital dreams turn into reality as they embark on this thrilling coding adventure. Join us for a summer of exploration, creativity, and limitless possibilities!

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services, along with community supporters, is inviting all residents to join us for our second Annual National Garden Day Celebration! This event takes place on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at Stanley Park (15th Street & Princess Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. This FREE event features: plant giveaways while supplies last hot dog BBQ while supplies last live music First Peoples gardening exhibition community booths Pickleball, Pétanque, and Lawn bowling kids' entertainment including a bouncy slide, spray park, and more! Join us in celebrating National Garden Day and highlighting the hobby of gardening. For updates, follow the City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services on Facebook and Instagram.

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is excited to announce the opening of their outdoor water facilities on the following dates: Spray Parks & Paddle Pools will open Thursday, June 8, 2023* Kinsmen Pool has a tentative opening date of Thursday, June 15, 2023** Spray Parks and Paddle Pools All Spray Parks will be open from June 8 to September 2, 2023. Stanley, Kin Park, and Valleyview Spray Parks will be unsupervised this season Both Rideau and Westridge Spray Parks and Paddle Pools will be supervised If assistance is required at an unsupervised park, signage will be in place indicating contact information. All five spray parks and paddle pools are FREE to use on a first-come, first-served basis.  Kinsmen Pool Kinsmen Pool will be open from June 15 to September 2, 2023.  All children under the age of 7 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or guardian 13 years or older. Kinsmen Pool Rates ******CASH ONLY****** Infant       Under 2 yrs. Child 2-12 yrs. Youth/Senior 13-17 yrs. & 55+ Adult    18 – 54 yrs. Family 2 adults & up to 5 children  FREE $4 $5 $6 $14 The City of Brandon’s Parks & Recreation Services Department welcomes members of the public to take advantage of these facilities throughout the summer months. *Locations and hours of operation for Brandon’s outdoor pools and spray parks can be found on the City of Brandon website at brandon.ca/summer-recreation/spray-parks-paddle-pools.  **Stay tuned to brandon.ca or follow the City of Brandon’s Parks & Recreation Services Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates.

The annual Westman Dreams For Kids Children’s Country Fair took place earlier today at the Riverbank Discovery Centre and Scramble Studio was onsite to capture the following images. This year's event featured inflatable bouncers, petting zoo, games, face decorating, crafts, hayrides, BPS, Brandon Fire, Shriners, performances and more.