TALISMAN CENTRE

The Talisman Centre is a sports complex that has been in operation for over 20 years. Equipped with 3 pools, a running track, weight training and cardio areas, and other amenities, it has become Canada’s most widely used sports and wellness facility. It is perhaps one of Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) volunteers’ favorite places to volunteer. YVC volunteers who have worked at the Centre previously, continue to volunteer at the Talisman Centre, summer after summer.

As a YVC volunteer at the Talisman Centre, we help out at the multi-sport day camps. The children at the day camp play an assortment of sports, including badminton, volleyball and basketball. Even with all of these fun sports, Stella Ella Olla, Duck Duck Goose and Dodgeball still remain some of the more favorite games for the campers to play! Volunteers and the day campers also have the opportunity to swim every day in either the teach pool or the dive tank (equipped with some really terrifying 10 meter diving platforms). A favorite among the day campers, volunteers and counselors is the 20 meter long floatable that the children can play on every Tuesday. Essentially it is a playground and obstacle course rolled into one and put on water. Another fun weekly event at the Talisman Centre is playing cricket and going swimming at Stanley Park. Volunteers also go on some fun fieldtrips such as: playing baseball with the Dawgs, using batting cages, and going to Canada Olympic Park.

YVC volunteers work alongside fun and friendly counselors to help in the supervision of children who range in ages from 4 to 14 years old. The staff are often open to new ideas and take suggestions from volunteers willingly. If a volunteer wants to lead an activity, they are encouraged to do so. The volunteers are also there to be a positive role model to the children as well as to encourage the children to participate in games (this often means that the volunteers get to play as well!).

Volunteers leave the centre not only remembering the fun they’ve had and the great kids that they’ve met. Most importantly, they leave knowing that what they did was appreciated and helpful to children in their community.

Salvation Army Centre of Hope Spotlight

Brenda Strafford Spotlight

Youthinkit Spotlight

Art Central Spotlight

Calgary Inter-faith Food Bank Spotlight

Crowfoot YMCA Spotlight