The Victoria Park Seniors Centre was turned into a games room, with card tables and cribbage boards laid out for a unique opportunity that brought seniors and students from Maranatha Christian School together for some fun.
The Card Game Connections program, which started last month and runs Friday mornings until April 19, includes grade five and six students, under the guidance of teachers Carina Bijlsma and Lydia Van Veen.
“The purpose of inter-generational programs is to foster cooperation, understanding and friendship between the generations,” explains Nora Zylstra-Savage, program coordinator.
“The program impacts the youth’s attitudes towards aging, stereotypes and understanding the past. They also promote positive feelings of community contribution and self-worth for the seniors.”
She added the fun atmosphere allows students and seniors to share personal stories in conversation.
To help foster that dialogue, each senior is matched with three students per table. Between card games, the groups are handed a list of topics to discuss, to illustrate differences of opinions and to share ideas and experiences.
Through card games, like cribbage, the students improve their math skills and the seniors get to teach them.
“Students have the reputation of being the technical wizards, but seniors are the pros at cards – bridge, euchre and cribbage,” said Zylstra-Savage.
“This is an opportunity for students to learn from the older adults of the community and for the adults to engage with the youth. They have conversations after each game and snacks. It’s a fun atmosphere.”
Senior Donna Wagenaar enjoys working with the students.
“I like it very much; it’s an experience believe me,” Wagenaar said, laughing. “Hopefully they’ll get a little bit of knowledge on how to add and play the game.”
Andrew Vis, a grade five student, prefers to learn math through a card game rather than in a classroom.
“It’s fun to learn about other people, the seniors and what they were like as kids and get to know each other too,” said Vis. “I like it when we start up the game.”
For Nicole Vander Meulen, also in grade five, it’s all about the fun.
“You get to know other people and see their tricks in cribbage. It’s fun to laugh at your mistakes,” she said.
Joanne Gardiner, a member of the seniors centre, enjoys the interaction with the students.
“It’s a lot of fun really, just playing cards with them is great,” said Gardiner.
The program is funded through the New Horizons for Seniors program, federal funding the Victoria Park Seniors Centre received in 2012-13.
For more information on the centre contact Kathryn Morgan, Centre Wellington supervisor of senior services, at 519-787-1814 or visit www.centrewellington.ca.
