Page 21 - August 12, 2019
P. 21
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 12 MONDAY AUGUST 5, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY AUGUST 12, 2019 PAGE21
A rts - Entertainment - Events - and what’s going on
The Scene
'Edson Rocks' activity sweeps the town
by Shaylyn Thornton
Social media is often regarded as something
that can be negative. In Edson, members of the
community have been putting time and effort
into changing that.
When Rachel Ripkens, the Director of the
Early Learning and Child Care Centre, saw that
her friends from Cold Lake were participating in
a colorful new activity, she found herself
reaching out to find out more.
Ripkens learned that many communities across
Canada—from Newfoundland to
Vancouver—were participating in painting rocks
and hiding them in their community for others to
find and enjoy. Photos of the painted rocks
would then be shared to a dedicated social media
group, often with hints to where they could be
found.
As someone involved with childcare and
education, Ripkens was drawn to the idea and
took it upon herself to see what others thought.
She felt the activity helped with fine motor skills,
creativity, promoting an active lifestyle, and
giving kids the opportunity to engage with the
community.
When Ripkens brought the idea up at her place
of work, her coworkers loved it. The group then
reached out to other groups in Edson such as
ParentLink, the Friendship Centre, and the
daycares around town and everyone was
interested in getting involved.
Ripkens created a social media page called
'Edson Rocks' and she and her crew started
hosting and participating in rock painting
activities.
Soon, pictures of what they were doing started
circulating on social media, and more and more Participating in the 'Edson Rocks' movement is a fun and active activity for the whole family. Pictured are,
members of the community joined and started to from left, Kwan Yun, Virgil and Xavier Schalm, and Junio and Preya Calicoy. photo Shaylyn Thornton
create their own pieces of art. Beautiful and
interesting painted rocks began to pop up all
around town. treasure hunt every day,” she said. “I love seeing see that their rocks have been found on [social
People were encouraged to take photos of the excitement when the kids find a new one!” media], as they are to find rocks themselves.”
themselves painting, hiding, and finding rocks Though the kids definitely love participating For Ripkens, her favorite part of Edson Rocks
and to share them on the social media page for in Edson Rocks, the activity is great for adults, is seeing how excited kids are in the photos that
too. Many are enjoying painting the rocks into
others to enjoy. Photos of smiling kids, rock cool figures like Pikachu or Buzz Lightyear and are shared in the group, and that kids can
painting creativity, and families participating in participate in the finding and re-hiding aspect of
the activities filled the page. hiding them for others in the community to find. the activity for free.
Unbeknownst to Ripkens, some other members Ripkens' goal of bringing the community In all, these painted rocks have beautified our
of the community had attempted to start this together with something that fostered creativity community in more ways than one. “It's for
activity up before. Ripkens reached out and and activity has certainly been met. She notes everyone,” said Ripkens. “And it's so cool;
that although she didn't create the idea, she was
asked them to join and take part in leading the strangers bringing each other joy.”
new group, as the Edson Rocks page had gotten excited to be able to bring it to Edson and share Edson Rocks welcomes anyone and everyone
such great reception so quickly. it with her own two kids as well. to participate in whatever way they can. Even if
Since its start on July 7, the Edson Rocks page “It's really a positive participation in social it's just taking notice of the beautiful painted
had already grown to 805 members by press media,” Ripkens said. “My kids are proud of rocks that can be found all around town, you can
their rocks and they work hard to create them.
time. Ripkens credits this to the childcare groups And I've noticed that kids are equally excited to be a part of this fun and growing community.
around town committing to the project and
spreading the word.
Ripkens also found that the group received a
lot of great feedback and exposure for the
activity during the Summer Festival. Kids were
excited to see all the pretty rocks, and one of Preya Calicoy
Ripkens' favorite moments was when a child proudly displayed a
asked, “Can I take this to Niton?” rock she found in
The spread of art and activity is exactly what Kinsmen Park as
Edson Rocks is looking to do. Some rocks found part of the Edson
in Edson have even made trips to other parts of Rocks activity.
Canada, as people travelling through picked photo Shaylyn
them up to re-hide in other places. Thornton
Kristine Schalm, a parent who heard about the
activity on social media, said, “It's really for the
kids. They love to do it for fun and it is great
exercise for them.”
Danielle Cole is another parent who found out
about Edson Rocks on social media. “It's like a
PAGE 12 MONDAY AUGUST 5, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY AUGUST 12, 2019 PAGE21
A rts - Entertainment - Events - and what’s going on
The Scene
'Edson Rocks' activity sweeps the town
by Shaylyn Thornton
Social media is often regarded as something
that can be negative. In Edson, members of the
community have been putting time and effort
into changing that.
When Rachel Ripkens, the Director of the
Early Learning and Child Care Centre, saw that
her friends from Cold Lake were participating in
a colorful new activity, she found herself
reaching out to find out more.
Ripkens learned that many communities across
Canada—from Newfoundland to
Vancouver—were participating in painting rocks
and hiding them in their community for others to
find and enjoy. Photos of the painted rocks
would then be shared to a dedicated social media
group, often with hints to where they could be
found.
As someone involved with childcare and
education, Ripkens was drawn to the idea and
took it upon herself to see what others thought.
She felt the activity helped with fine motor skills,
creativity, promoting an active lifestyle, and
giving kids the opportunity to engage with the
community.
When Ripkens brought the idea up at her place
of work, her coworkers loved it. The group then
reached out to other groups in Edson such as
ParentLink, the Friendship Centre, and the
daycares around town and everyone was
interested in getting involved.
Ripkens created a social media page called
'Edson Rocks' and she and her crew started
hosting and participating in rock painting
activities.
Soon, pictures of what they were doing started
circulating on social media, and more and more Participating in the 'Edson Rocks' movement is a fun and active activity for the whole family. Pictured are,
members of the community joined and started to from left, Kwan Yun, Virgil and Xavier Schalm, and Junio and Preya Calicoy. photo Shaylyn Thornton
create their own pieces of art. Beautiful and
interesting painted rocks began to pop up all
around town. treasure hunt every day,” she said. “I love seeing see that their rocks have been found on [social
People were encouraged to take photos of the excitement when the kids find a new one!” media], as they are to find rocks themselves.”
themselves painting, hiding, and finding rocks Though the kids definitely love participating For Ripkens, her favorite part of Edson Rocks
and to share them on the social media page for in Edson Rocks, the activity is great for adults, is seeing how excited kids are in the photos that
too. Many are enjoying painting the rocks into
others to enjoy. Photos of smiling kids, rock cool figures like Pikachu or Buzz Lightyear and are shared in the group, and that kids can
painting creativity, and families participating in participate in the finding and re-hiding aspect of
the activities filled the page. hiding them for others in the community to find. the activity for free.
Unbeknownst to Ripkens, some other members Ripkens' goal of bringing the community In all, these painted rocks have beautified our
of the community had attempted to start this together with something that fostered creativity community in more ways than one. “It's for
activity up before. Ripkens reached out and and activity has certainly been met. She notes everyone,” said Ripkens. “And it's so cool;
that although she didn't create the idea, she was
asked them to join and take part in leading the strangers bringing each other joy.”
new group, as the Edson Rocks page had gotten excited to be able to bring it to Edson and share Edson Rocks welcomes anyone and everyone
such great reception so quickly. it with her own two kids as well. to participate in whatever way they can. Even if
Since its start on July 7, the Edson Rocks page “It's really a positive participation in social it's just taking notice of the beautiful painted
had already grown to 805 members by press media,” Ripkens said. “My kids are proud of rocks that can be found all around town, you can
their rocks and they work hard to create them.
time. Ripkens credits this to the childcare groups And I've noticed that kids are equally excited to be a part of this fun and growing community.
around town committing to the project and
spreading the word.
Ripkens also found that the group received a
lot of great feedback and exposure for the
activity during the Summer Festival. Kids were
excited to see all the pretty rocks, and one of Preya Calicoy
Ripkens' favorite moments was when a child proudly displayed a
asked, “Can I take this to Niton?” rock she found in
The spread of art and activity is exactly what Kinsmen Park as
Edson Rocks is looking to do. Some rocks found part of the Edson
in Edson have even made trips to other parts of Rocks activity.
Canada, as people travelling through picked photo Shaylyn
them up to re-hide in other places. Thornton
Kristine Schalm, a parent who heard about the
activity on social media, said, “It's really for the
kids. They love to do it for fun and it is great
exercise for them.”
Danielle Cole is another parent who found out
about Edson Rocks on social media. “It's like a
