Kids Excited by Helicopter Visit at Oakville Learning Centre

Children at Oakville Early Learning Centre gazed up in delight this week as a Canadian Armed Forces helicopter landed for the centre’s summer Community Connections program.

This visit was part of several hands-on learning experiences organized during the summer to familiarize kids with the people, vehicles, and services that support their community.

Emily Hillier, director of Oakville Early Learning Centre, mentioned that the program was designed to enhance the centre’s connection with the community while providing children with unforgettable experiences over the summer.

Building connections through summer activities

Hillier explained that the Community Connections program has invited parents and local service providers to share what they do and discuss how their tools and equipment assist them in their roles.

“We kicked off a summer program for Community Connections,” Hillier said. “It’s different ways that people serve in the community, and parents were involved as a way to engage families and learn about each other and learn about the different services that are a part of our community that we live in.”

The program has been well-received by the children, with various visitors stopping by throughout the summer.

Emergency services have played a significant role in this initiative, with paramedics bringing an ambulance and police officers coming with their vehicles and a police dog. Children also got to see a combine up close, and more guests are scheduled before summer wraps up.

Hillier stated that introducing kids to emergency responders in a friendly environment can provide benefits beyond just immediate excitement.

“Now they’ve at least been exposed,” she said, explaining that if children ever meet emergency services during a stressful moment, it won’t be their first encounter with those vehicles or individuals who operate them.

Jovi Plette one of the centre’s summer students sits in the helicopter with Captain Ian Robertson. Photo/Portage Online Brittany Boschman

Helicopter visit generates enthusiasm

This week’s arrival from the Canadian Armed Forces was among the biggest highlights of the summer.

As soon as the helicopter flew overhead before landing, Hillier noted how quickly children reacted.

“When the helicopter first flew over, they had the kids running from side to side following it in the air,” she said. “They were very excited, and it was a lot of fun.”

Although some children hesitated initially when approaching the aircraft, once they realized they could explore it at their own pace, their curiosity took charge.

They were able to ask questions, see everything up close, and even sit in the pilot’s seat.

Captain Ian Robertson, a rotary-wing qualified flying instructor with 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at Southport, shared that this visit followed an invitation from a contractor linked to his school who helped coordinate this event.

The aircraft was a Bell 206 B3 Jet Ranger which Robertson and his team flew to Oakville for this occasion.

“It’s great,” Robertson said. “It’s a beautiful day; perfect time of year to come visit. It’s nice that daycare was happy to invite us out and provide a safe place for us to land.”

He expressed joy at spending time with kids while answering their queries about helicopters.

Staff and children explore and ask questions about the helicopter that visited the centre on Tuesday. Photo/Portage Online Brittany Boschman

More interactive learning ahead

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The Community Connections program still has more planned events ahead.

Hillier mentioned one upcoming visit she’s particularly looking forward to will focus on canola-one of Manitoba’s key agricultural products.

A parent is set to bring canola into the centre to teach the kids about its many uses in daily life.

Hillier emphasized how this will help children understand canola goes beyond just being those bright yellow flowers seen growing across fields in Manitoba.

“They can see it’s not just that beautiful yellow flower,” she said. “It’s plants. It’s how it can be used in so many different ways in your everyday life.”

The centre’s summer students have also contributed by teaching kids line dancing moves like the Cupid Shuffle.

Eagerly anticipating September

<p With less than a month left before school starts again,
Hillier mentioned they’ll soon shift from summer activities back into routines for September.


This means saying goodbye to kids moving on to Grade 1 while welcoming new families into the center.

“As much as we miss them,
we also enjoy welcoming new little ones into our organization,” Hillier remarked.

She added watching children’s growth during their time at Oakville Early Learning Centre along with encouraging them as they progress is one of her favorite aspects of working there.

For now,
there are still more Community Connections experiences left for kids before summer ends,
creating memories while learning more about various people and industries within their Manitoba community.

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