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Ukrainian children learn about Canadian life at Tiffin Centre

August 5, 2022   ·   0 Comments

A group of Ukrainian children who arrived in Canada after being displaced from their homes due to the Russian invasion, will learn about life here while visiting the Tiffin Centre for Conservation.

Thirteen children were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Barrie to attend the camp.

This is the fifth year that the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has hosted a camp for new Canadians.

Previous camps have focused on children from around the world, but staff decided to support Ukrainian children this year due to the upheaval in their lives and the fact that they had to relocated half way around the world due to the war.

“The Rotary Club of Barrie is a community service organization that takes great pleasure in supporting all projects big and small,” said Dave Mills, a member of the Rotary Club of Barrie. “The New Canadian Camp at Tiffin is an important initiative that assists with integration and the learning of new skills for children.”

At the camp, the children experienced activities like canoeing and hiking. Most importantly, it allowed them to be with other children from the same culture using the same language and got them back to doing what they should be doing – being kids, playing, and making friends.

“The long-standing partnership between the Simcoe County District School Board and the Tiffin Centre has allowed the opportunity to offer this learning experience for newcomer students,” said Tatiana Khrystynko, International Student Coordinator at the Simcoe County District School Board. “The Ukrainian children learned about nature and life in Simcoe County, and will be able to share this experience with their peers upon returning to school in September, which will support their integration into their new country and schools”

To honour Ukrainian families, NVCA is flying the Ukrainian flag at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation for the duration of the children’s stay.

By Brian Lockhart

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