Will Teens Keep ‘Dropping-In’ In Spite Of Strict Scheduling?

Written by admin on 13 July 2011

Brandon Gaspar (right) attempts to block a shot by Cameron McLeod during a 2009 Basketball Tourney at the Manitouwadge Drop-In. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Community Programmer Shawna Patterson has made alot of changes to programs being offered by the Township of Manitouwadge since beginning in her position a year ago and for the most part, these have been very well received. The jury’s still out on the most recent however and only time will tell whether teens will warm up to her very formal and structured approach to summer Drop-In at the Recreation Centre.

Drop-In has, for decades, been a place for teens to socialize with each other while enjoying the freedom to use sports and other equipment of their choice… Many times one group would be playing basketball while a couple others would be dueling it out at the ping pong tables while others would enjoy video games (or back in my day cards). This summer however Patterson has decided to put a schedule in place where she has decided what they will play when and only one activity/evening will be available, something that seems quite contradictory to the concept of ‘Drop-In’ but she hopes will assist with some decline in numbers.

So far she has said numbers in the pre-teen drop-in continue to be down though Patterson believes this is due in large part to the free swimming at the Oasis Pool saying that the pre-teens seem to be opting for a splash rather than hang out at the Rec Arena. For those interested, the Drop-In Schedule is as currently (subject to change without notice though OntarioNewsNorth.com will post any changes immediately as received from the township) as follows: