We are transplanted Albertans who chose to enjoy our retirement back at my roots, so we returned to the Okanagan.
We live on the west side of Okanagan Lake and each summer, we have a vacation Bible school at our community hall.
The staff are all seniors (except one who is the son of a senior). I am the baby of the group and I have already reached freedom 55. Our games leaders are in their 80s. One of our craft helpers is over 85. This is his first year as a helper. Before this, he was the leader.
This is not a ho-hum program but a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, wa-hoo, week that the kids absolutely love as they learn about God. We have ranch helpers that have grown up in the summer program and just wanted to come back one more year, so, we put them to work.
Sometimes seniors feel they have been left on the back burner and no one needs them anymore. No one told the staff of Avalanche Ranch at Killiney Beach Community Hall that.
I asked them why they keep doing this. “We do it for the kids,” they replied, as they galloped off with their little ranch crew.
Seniors still loving little ones, erasing the generation differences, laughing with enthusiasm and gusto is definitely good news.
Naomi Pearson
Vernon
