Campfire Connections: Building Community, Peer Connections, and Family Engagement in Shawnessy

The Shawnessy Community Coalition launched the Campfire Connection series in 2024, and it continues to bring people together into 2025. Between May 2024 and October 2025, Planet Youth Calgary and Cardel Rec South hosted 15 free events for community members to gather, connect, and engage in shared experiences.

Campfire Connections offers activities designed to spark youth interest and foster protective factors across multiple Planet Youth domains. Youth and families can try new sports with Future Stars Cricket Academy, enjoy indoor skating with equipment provided by KidSport Skate Shack, or celebrate Indigenous culture through traditional games — promoting leisure and recreation, peer connections, and cultural learning. Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire creates informal opportunities for relaxed social interaction, strengthening community environment and family engagement.

Community members also volunteer at each event, providing leadership and teamwork opportunities and modeling positive social involvement for youth. On average, nearly 100 people attend each gathering, highlighting the series’ success in fostering belonging, connection, and community pride.

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