Being displaced and far from home is difficult, but thanks to Ehrlo Sport Venture, children from the evacuated Ontario reserve of Pikangikum First Nation had an opportunity to put that trouble behind them for an afternoon.

Working with other organizations who have been involved with the wildfire evacuated residents, Sport Venture quickly put together an afternoon of arts and sports activities for the youth who are staying at the University of Regina until it is safe for them to return home. Many of the youth have never been to an urban centre, making an already stressful situation even more uncertain.

But for a few hours at least, all was forgotten as the kids played with water balloons and guns, rode a slip and slide, and played soccer and kickball. For those more into arts and crafts than sports, there was sidewalk chalk to create art and the opportunity to make magic wands.

“The water activities were a huge hit with these kids, as they’d experienced a decade of boil-water advisories that was only very recently lifted,” said Sport Venture manager Amanda McConnell.

“This is an important role that Sport Venture can and does play in our community – to be able to quickly bring sport and recreation to groups, individuals, or communities in need,” she continued.

“We had a wonderful turnout of kids and we're so grateful to help foster an afternoon of kids doing what kids do best – playing, laughing, and having fun.”