Bryce skipped school today to go to a picnic at Playland... CKNW Orphans’ Fund 41st Annual Picnic at Playland!

CKNW Orphans’ Fund invites over 3,500 children with special needs from over 160 schools throughout the lower mainland for a free day at Playland that’s promised to be full of fun, games, rides, attractions, and just a day they will never forget.

For a lot of families that love someone with special needs, this is a day they will never forget either. Playland isn’t exactly the first place you think of for ‘special needs friendly’ environments for your child, but on this day, Playland is closed to the general public making lines shorter, crowds smaller, and memories made!

“This is a really important day for children. I mean, a lot of these children would never normally come to Playland. So today where they can come and experience this and just have fun and just be a kid.”
- Jen Schaeffers, Executive Director for CKNW Orphans’ Fund

The CKNW Orphan’s Fund is dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of physically, mentally challenged, and disadvantaged children in British Columbia communities. This is Bryce’s second time being invited to this event and every year it gets bigger and better. We’d like to give a huge thanks to all the donors and sponsors that have helped keep CKNW Orphans’ Fund going since 1945!

We’d also like to thank CKNW Orphans’ Fund for inviting our son and making him smile! Oh, and huge hugs back to all the volunteers (and mascots too)!

Special thanks to Bryce’s Special Education Assistant (SEA), Ms. J, for keeping Bryce safe during the trip and bravely going on the ‘big roller coaster’ with him! I’d also like to thank Ms. S, Ms. R, and Ms. F for going on the rides with Bryce too!

For some tips about going to Playland with a child with special needs (or any amusement park really) check out: An Autism Guide to Playland.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya