The Métis Family Wellbeing Program has launched their first family scavenger hunt, and families within the Mattawa area are invited to follow the clues to family fun.
People are signing up for the adventure, explained Deanna Dillabough, a program coordinator with the Métis Nation of Ontario. “Everyone that I’ve spoken too is really excited about it.”
“This is one of many family-based activities open to the community that I’ll be hosting throughout the year,” she added.
The Métis Nation of Ontario produces the event, but one does not have to identify as Métis to take part. “We encourage all families to participate,” Dillabough said.
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The scavenger hunt was designed with Covid in mind and is an activity families can enjoy “in their own time, and within their Covid bubbles.”
It has been “a tricky year for planning” family activities, Dillabough said, and the necessity to limit gatherings and social contact provided her opportunity “to get the creative juices flowing.”
She designed the hunt to allow participants to complete the tasks without the need to congregate, mindful to choose items that are outdoors and abundant within the community.
The activity provides a way “of encouraging families to get outside, without them having to congregate inside.”
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Once signed up, Dillabough will deliver a scavenger hunt package to your door— “no contact, all PPE is worn of course”—containing the scavenger clues, items checklist, an activity book, and some gifts from the Métis Nation, including a pen, colouring pencil kit, masks, and hand sanitizer.
There is no cost to participate, and those who do will have their names entered in a draw to win a family picnic pack. The winner will be contacted on August 3.
The hunt itself is “a good way to learn about Mattawa’s history, and Métis history as well,” Dillabough said, but emphasized that “my main goal is to provide families with a fun activity that they can work on together.”
To receive a package contact Dillabough at 705-303-7833 or email her at [email protected].
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
