Five Counties Makes All-o-ween Out of Halloween
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Five Counties Children’s Centre will make trick-or-treating more accessible and less scary for kids with a Cobourg event they’re calling All-o-ween.
From 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 29, local Five Counties kids and their families and siblings – both those currently receiving treatment and those on a wait list for services – will be welcomed at the Five Counties office (800 Division St., Unit 2) for what they’re describing as “an accessible, inclusive and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience.”
While almost any child will consider Halloween one of the best days of the year, Client and Family Experience Lead Hayley Hodges said in the announcement, “for some children who are disabled or neurodiverse, getting into the fall festivities can be a challenge.”
All-o-ween is meant to break down these barriers with an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience for all ages and abilities, along with food, kids’ crafts and a storyteller sharing a fall festive tale. Kids can dress up in a costume, wear orange and black, or just come as they are.
“In our everyday work at Five Counties, we support children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs with the aim of enriching their independence and quality of life,” Hodges said.
“Halloween is one of those days or festivities that children of every ability should have the chance to experience and enjoy. And by organizing All-o-ween, we want to ensure everyone participates and no one gets left behind.”
Five Counties is also planning All-o-ween events on Oct, 28 in Peterborough and on Oct. 30 in Lindsay.
Pre-registration is required for All-o-ween – call 1-888-779-9916 ext. 215 or visit www.fivecounties.on.ca/alloween
