Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre (GCCC) is a neighbourhood-based organization that provides programs for children and youth and facilitates community events and volunteer opportunities for neighbours to meet, connect and get to know each other. For over 30 years, GCCC has been empowering strong community through partnerships and collaborative projects in Cambridge, Ontario.
In mid-March when the Ontario Government Public Health declared the public health pandemic and closed schools, businesses and community centres, Greenway-Chaplin staff packed up their laptops and planned to work at home for three weeks. GCCC cancelled the March Break Camp, the After School Program and all recreation and youth drop-in programs for the spring session.
In early April, Greenway-Chaplin staff shifted their spring programs to a virtual model for free! Participants would log on to Facebook and watch the live ‘Cooking with Joey’ or Family Trivia session. Girls & Boys Club, Science, Craft Corner, Mindfulness, and Coding all moved to a recorded video format and were released through the GCCC Facebook page.
In May, Greenway-Chaplin staff reviewed the Facebook analytics and evaluated the way programs were being followed and engaged with. We needed to expand the participants’ options for program access so an official Youtube channel was created.
The next question was Summer Camp. The Canada Summer Jobs Grant was confirmed in mid-May and Greenway-Chaplin staff assumed that the community use permits for the two local schools would be cancelled for July and August. Our 5 bedroom townhouse unit would be too small for 80 campers and 10 staff so again Greenway-Chaplin staff shifted and are currently planning for a virtual summer camp. In addition, families can purchase a summer camp box with supplies to give them an at home version of camp.
Here are the Greenway-Chaplin staff virtual programming tips:
- Practice, Practice, Practice! It is important to take the time to prepare a script and a detailed program plan as you transition from in person program to a virtual version. Ask for help from co-workers as you try it out. Use Facebook comments and analytics to adapt your program and its presentation.
- Choose the right virtual tool. There are a variety of tools available to help you with virtual programs so make sure you choose something that fits your participants needs. Is it accessible? Is there a fee for participants to access the content? Where will you store the recorded videos? How will participants find your programs? Is the tool easy to learn from the participant and staff perspective?
- Try it, review and adjust and try it again. Staff will struggle with new tools and you need to provide them with space to plan and try things before they perfect this new virtual programming skill. Remember, to create a 5-minute edited program requires 5 hours of preparation, planning, recording and edits before the final product is produced and ready to share.
Greenway-Chaplin’s mission is to provide affordable recreation opportunities to children and youth in our community. When we could no longer provide in-person programming, we knew we had to move quickly to still provide these opportunities to our families on another platform. Therefore, there was a lot of trial and error. And after that even more error. However, your following will understand, as this is a new reality for everyone. The most important thing is that you try to stay connected and provide opportunities for your neighbours and community members to connect and continue to have quality recreation opportunities. It is in your mistakes where you will learn and find what works best for your organization.
Greenway-Chaplin staff are now training and supporting the summer camp staff with video editing and live virtual program ideas. We continue to learn and try new things every day. Good luck and have fun!
Kelsey Orban is the Program Coordinator at Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre where she supervises the recreation staff, promotes recreation programs and develops partnerships with local nonprofits to meet the requests of our neighbourhood. Kelsey’s teaching experience has benefitted her as she mentors the next generation of staff. Kelsey loves learning and working in a team environment. Emily Jaarsma, Executive Director of Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre, has 15 years experience working in nonprofits to connect volunteers and residents to strengthen a neighbourhood. Emily enjoys gardening in her backyard and reading with her daughters in the front yard. She loves networking and getting to know her community!
Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre (GCCC) is a staff neighbourhood association in the City of Cambridge with charitable status that operates in a Region of Waterloo Townhouse unit to provide recreation and youth programs, community events and volunteer opportunities in a specific neighbourhood. GCCC responds to change by adapting and innovating to meet the needs of the community. Visit them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
