The Alberta Prairie C.O.W. bus travels to communities across Alberta to promote family literacy and bring fun activities to rural and urban communities.
The program:
The bus accommodates group literacy activities such as stories, puppet plays, and songs and has individual centres for families to explore together.
Each community, working with staff from the Centre for Family Literacy, develops programs and a theme around the buses’ visit that uniquely fits their needs. Activities that have been used are varied and have included a Teddy Bear's Picnic, story-telling, crafts, magic shows, Play-Doh stations, puzzles and snacks.
During the visit the staff from the Centre for Family Literacy present a Legacy Library that remains with the community.
The Benefits:
Raises public awareness of family literacy
Raises the profile of rural literacy programs
Introduces new ideas for family literacy activities
Increases the services and support offered to rural programs
Increases reading material for families across
Alberta
Alberta
Prairie C.O.W. Bus Schedule
2010
Lacombe and area - February 16-19
Westlock - March 19 & 20
Vulcan and area - March 29 - April 1
Coronation and area (Halkirk, Consort, Brownfield, Castor) - April 12-16
Fairview - April 21
Grimshaw - April 22
Spirit River - April 23
Grande Prairie and area (Elmworth, Wembley, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla, Laglace, Sexsmith) - May 3-7
Smoky Lake and area - May 17-21
Mountainview County (Olds) - May 25 - 27
Swan Hills - June 17 & 18
Sherwood Park - June 21 & 22
Darwell - July 22
Hay Lakes - August 11
Leduc - August 19
Wildwood & Niton Junction - August 24 & 25
Elk Point/ Northern Lights Library Division - September 15-18
Flagstaff County - September 22 & 23
Hanna and area - September 27 - October 1
High River, Black Diamond & Okotoks - October 4-8
Rocky Mountain House and area - October 12-15
Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement - October 25 - 28
Three Hills and area (Carbon and Linden) - November 3 & 4
Stoney Nakoda Nation - November 15-19
Click here to view the Alberta Prairie C.O.W Bus Schedule and Photo Archive
AlbertaPrairie C.O.W. Bus is funded by: Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Community Partnerships and Literacy
United Way “Working together in Alberta”
Petro-Canada
For more information on this project, please call (780) 421-7323 or e-mail info@famlit.ca
What parents and participants have said about the program
“Thanks so much. Your bus is filled with so many new ideas that I can use with my son."
"My young kids loved everything about it. We had a lovely family time together aboard the bus. Thank You!"
From a town councilor -
"This is a great asset to have pass through the community. I learned something about literacy today."
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