GNAG

Mary Tsai
GNAG Executive Director

GNAG is innovating fun!

It was strange thinking about what to write for this month’s issue of the Glebe Report. Normally I would talk about our summer camp line-up, announce which coordinators are coming back and list the cool things they have planned.

As part of the Phase 2 of reopening Ontario, Premier Ford announced the possibility of allowing summer day camps to run. We are now waiting for approval from the City of Ottawa’s Parks and Recreation Department and Ottawa Public Health on the status of summer camp and the reopening of the Glebe Community Centre as well as health and safety guidelines.

After much consideration, we felt it is unrealistic and irresponsible to deliver the camps that were initially set out for July. To that end, we are cancelling all summer day camps offered from June 29 to July 31.

However, our team is working very hard on putting together an alternative plan. There will be options for modified recreational day camps and programs as well as for selected specialty camps to help give relief to families who are in need of childcare. We will also be offering online programming options for children and youth who are staying home. Not only will these offers be safe, they will be innovative, educational and downright fun!

My team never ceases to amaze me by how they can turn a situation of adversity into something imaginative, positive and fun. While we cannot share what we have in store yet, be assured that we do have a very cool plan brewing that your child(ren) will love.

Please look for regular updates on the GNAG website, social media and newsletters.

Decisions on the status of camps offered from August 2 to 28 will be made at a future date. Participants registered in July camps will receive a full refund. Families who wish to cancel out of camps in August can do so by notifying us as soon as possible. Please email us at info@gnag.ca.

Thank you to all the summer camp families for your understanding and support.

Glebe House Tour

This year’s Glebe House Tour fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, September 20 has been cancelled. A future date will be announced once it is safe to reinstate this wonderful event.

Many of us have been taking advantage of isolation to get some home projects completed. Are you doing or planning a renovation? There is time!

We are looking for homes to feature in future tours. If you would like to show your own home or know a home that would be ideal for the tour, please contact us at info@gnag.ca.

GNAG Summer Group Fitness

Thank you to all those who have joined, participated, burned, stretched and sweated it out in GNAG’s online fitness classes. A big shout out to all of our incredible fitness instructors, Susan Jahudka, Gitanjali Adlakha, Carol Morgan, Gabrielle Archer, Gina Grottoli and Jaqui Cadieux, for putting together all your favourite workouts. A special thank you to fitness coordinator and leader Ruth Hartanto for her tremendous work inspiring our team and our community.

Results of our recent online survey show that participants would like to continue online classes in the future as well as attending in-person classes once the GCC reopens. Our hope is to offer a combination of the two starting in the fall. For July and August Group Fitness, we will continue our online presence and will offer more options for all schedules, interests and fitness levels. More information will be posted on our website and social media platforms by mid-June.

GCC Gardens

If you walk by the Glebe Community Centre, you may notice beautiful garden beds filled with bright-coloured flowers, fresh herbs and vegetables sprouting from the ground. You are probably wondering who is responsible for all of this? We have been sworn to secrecy; however, you may have heard of the “Gardening Angels.” This dynamic duo (who would like to remain unnamed) has generously donated their expertise and time to weeding, planting, watering and maintaining the GCC garden beds. Not only have they beautified the community centre, the vegetables they’ve planted will eventually be delivered (by them) to the Ottawa Food Bank. On behalf of your friends at the Glebe Community Centre, I thank you so much! You are incredible gardeners with such big hearts!