The printed version of this story incorrectly identified Waed Dakkak as Debbie Hagel, who is still currently the executive director of Southeast Newcomer Services. The Mercury apologizes for the error
Southeast Newcomer Services' newly appointed program coordinator Waed Dakkak, hasn't been camping before and neither have a lot of Newcomer clients, but that's about to change.
"A lot of newcomers don't know anything about it," Dakkak said. "But there was a lot of interest."
That is why Newcomers is hosting a Learn to Camp seminar at the Estevan Library on July 9, at 6 p.m., and another one in Weyburn on July 23. Members of Saskatchewan Parks will be on hand to spearhead the discussions and go over basic camping requirements.
"We thought it would be a nice experience for people who have arrived in Saskatchewan to get taste of camping and see if they like it," she said.
The process won't stop there. If the interest in camping grows after the information session at the library, Dakkak said newcomers will have the opportunity to sign up for an actual camping trip, which will take place free of charge, at one of three participating provincial parks. Details have yet to be finalized, but a half-day, full-day or potentially overnight camping session are on the table.
Dakkak said participants who decide camping isn't an activity they want to pursue could still benefit from visiting the parks, noting their beauty alone is worth the time commitment.
Information services advisor Jhaldair Roye, who is another relatively new face at Southeast Newcomer Services, and Hagel said various community-oriented activities will take place throughout the summer.
On July 11, Newcomer clients will have the opportunity to pick fresh Saskatoon berries from Prairie Toons Orchard in Bienfait and the Taylor Family Farm in Glen Ewen. The berry picking will take place on July 11, in Bienfait and on July 18 in Glen Ewen. An introduction to soccer will also be available on Aug. 8 at Cactus Park. Registration is required for both events.
Newcomers has also organized an information session on Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), which will take place at the Southeast Regional College on Aug. 13.
Dakkak noted she is striving to have an event planned every week throughout the summer.
"Next year we might try and organize some week-long camps for children, but because I just arrived, and a lot of our clients don't have any vacation time available, we're just planning smaller events that everyone can attend," Dakkak said.
She also encourages people to assist with some of the events, noting anyone who volunteers will benefit greatly from the interaction with a diverse group of people.
Above all else, Roye and Dakkak said they hope these activities will lead to more interaction among long-time Estevanites and newcomers.
"We want to see more integration between newcomers and people who have lived in the community for a long time," she said, adding it would be nice to have the two "harmonize" and have everyone's personal interests combined, resulting in a unique cultural hub in Estevan where both the familiar and the new are welcomed with open arms.
"We don't want Estevan to be a place where people just pass by," she said. All members of the community, Dakkak noted, play a big part in how the community is shaped.
