Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

UNPLUG AND PLAY

ABC Family Literacy Day returns to Kamloops after a two-year hiatus

Jan 23, 2023 | 4:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Saturday (Jan. 21), a family favourite event made a triumphant return to the city. ABC Family Literacy Day took place at the Henry Grube Centre, after a two-year hiatus.

“This is our first time back after COVID, and it’s really an opportunity for us to celebrate literacy together,” Crystal Murgatroyd, one of the organizers, explains. “We want to celebrate connection, we want to celebrate unplugging and playing together, and we want to celebrate literacy in all its forms.”

It seems families were ready to reconnect, as well. The turnout was great, right from the get-go, and included lots of first-timers like Henry and Finn.

“I think it was playing a lot,” Henry answered when asked about his favourite part of the event. “The beanbags.”

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For his brother Finn, playing was also the top priority. His favourite area?

“The Play-Doh,” Finn says.

Organizers were thrilled with the response from community organizations who took part in the event,

Kids could cruise around the Henry Grube Centre, collecting stamps at each activity station. Once they got all the necessary stamps, they could collect a prize on the way out — a shiny, new (to them) book.

Henry and Finn held judgment until they could see what books were available. However, Mofe had a specific type of book in mind.

“A Thomas Edison book,” he says. “We don’t have any of those at home or at school.”

Once the dust settled, the event was a great chance for families with young kids to gather, reconnect and share some fun together. Which was the important takeaway for these kids.

“Do you think you learned anything here today?”

“No, but I’m still having fun,” Mofe says.