Summer Fun In the Park

I was so glad to be a part of the Thompson Community Centre Summer Fun in the Park Event for the first time! The Thompson Community Centre once again reached out to me to help out. The preparation I did this time was a lot more minimal in comparison to the reopening event. I just chose some very simple origami designs (including the jumping frogs, owl design, and frog rings) and simply printed them off. This time I didn't bring any of my own designs but I thought what I picked out would be easier for children to try especially with their families.

I got to enjoy the background music again, and the children were exceptionally friendly. There were so many fun people that I got to meet, and having one-on-one time with the children was especially heart-warming as there were moments when they would look in awe at the origami and ask for me to teach them. In these settings, I felt like a mentor and someone to look up to. I got excited by the kid's engagement as it allowed me to feel that I was accomplishing something through Project Bloom.

Sometimes I wonder since I don't look my age if it's easier for the kids to approach me and have conversations about online video games. If that is the case I am grateful as it makes it easier for me to connect with them and for them to want to learn from me. Those moments when they stuck around and made their own origami creations were the most precious. It proved to me that they now had skills that they were proud of and wanted to share with those around them. Project Bloom in these scenarios served as a vessel to share passion and creativity, spreading seeds of joy.

Photo of my booth