The Penhold Youth Club is trying to raise enough money for the group to go to West Edmonton Mall at the end of June by hosting a family barbecue and carnival on May 25.
“Our goal is $1,000,” said Amanda Hoffer, Penhold's youth director. She said the group has already raised half the funds needed, leaving just under $500 to go.
“Here's hoping we get the rest,” Hoffer said. Anything that exceeds the $1,000 mark for the trip will be used for maintenance on the Penhold Youth Club's space, which Hoffer said is badly in need of an update as it used to be an old office.
The club has programming for youth aged 10 to 15. Hoffer said after a few years of only getting funding every six months, the club now has three years of funding through Family and Community Support Services.
“It's made it more stable,” Hoffer said, noting the club has gone through a few youth directors because of the instability of the job. “Actually having a stable staff is really key.”
About 20 kids participate in the 10-12 age group and about seven to 10 in the 13-15-year old group.
The club members themselves picked their destination.
“It was the kids' idea. They wanted to go somewhere different,” Hoffer said, adding several club members have never been to West Edmonton Mall. The excursion is planned for June 29, the day after school ends.
The youth are behind the organization of the carnival, where they're in charge of the different games people can play. Hoffer said tickets are 25 cents each and each game will cost a different number of tickets. Little prizes will be available for winning the games.
The barbecue portion of the day has a hot dog meal deal for $5 or a burger deal for $6.
The May 25 event takes place at the Penhold Youth Club, which is on the south side of Memorial Hall on Fleming Ave. The family barbecue and carnival runs from 4-7 p.m.
