January 18, 2008

One of our mandates is to form a "Team Yukon" every two years to participate in the Canada 55+ Games. We are currently in the planning stages for the August 26 - 31, 2008 Games in Dieppe, NB (information enclosed). You will note that the deadline for sending in an "I Might Go" form is fast approaching for the end of February. Any playoffs required will be in April or May, 2008. Membership in ERA is mandatory to go to the Games. 2008 membership is $ 10.00 (application form enclosed).

Our Yukon Games, held twice a year, coincide with our Annual and/or Semi-Annual General Meetings, usually in May and October. These are usually a two day event, with meeting on the Friday morning; games/activities Friday afternoon, and supper at the Golden Age Society on Friday evening. We have games on the Saturday at the Canada Games Center; which usually include carpet bowling, floor shuffleboard, washer toss, rattlesnake and new for 2008 AGM will be indoor lawn bowling. Members can apply for a travel allowance as specified in our Travel Subsidy policy (copy enclosed). Some years we are able to offer a room allowance as well.

Over the past year, with the assistance of a financial grant from New Horizons, we have been able to develop a website that includes four Yukon Senior groups.

 www.yukon-seniors-and-elders.org

We have, over the past few years, been able to subsidize the placement of carpet bowling equipment in those communities that were interested, an we try to sponsor at least one carpet bowling tournament per year, when we invite teams from the communities to travel to Whitehorse and have a friendly competition against each other. As well, teams from Whitehorse have travelled to other areas to have a friendly social tournament with people there.

We have recently reviewed the "Survey of Active Living, Seniors and Elders in Yukon Communities", and discovered that many communities would like to have Tai Chi instruction. As a result we are sponsoring a seminar so supply basic training for Tai Chi instructors on March 1^st and 2^nd, 2008. Details of this are being sent to all communities separately.

For more information please contact Bill Simpson at (867) 633 - 5010, wgsimpson@klondiker.com or ElderActive Recreation Association, 4061 4^th Avenue, Whitehorse, Y1A 1H1.