Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter

Smoky River Family and Community Support Services is proud to announce its Teddy Bear Picnic being hosted on Sept. 17.

FCSS has changed its Parents and Tots group to a newly anointed Bumble Buddies, and this will be the first-ever event for the group. The Teddy Bear Picnic will cater to children preschool aged and will allow them to bring their favourite stuffie to have a lunch with them at the Falher Library.

“Children will have a chance to build upon their social skills through interacting with other children in their age range,” says community programmer Nycailah Belsher.

“The Teddy Bear Picnic will encourage the use of imagination, it will include educational components as well,” she adds.

Participants will be invited to do some fun crafts, play games, read stories, and have a lunch provided by FCSS. Belsher explains all of the elements of the picnic will be Teddy bear themed.

“FCSS community programmers will be planning the games and Falher Library staff will be picking out books to be read,” notes Belsher.

“We hope children will make new friends and create new memories.”

The Teddy Bear Picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will be of no cost to families who want to attend.

“Young children and their parents and caregivers are invited to participate,” says Belsher, adding that the event is being planned with infants to age five in mind.

“We ask that parents stay during the picnic, as it is a time for them to interact with their children in a new and exciting way,” she adds.

Deadline to register for the event is Sept. 13. Interested parents can call the FCSS office at (780) 837-2220.

Bumble Buddies will also be meeting each Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. starting on Monday, Sept. 30.

The organizers ask you to watch the FCSS Facebook page for more information.