Earlier this year, Xavier and his two children moved to Calgary from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. He was looking for activities to help them settle into their new life in Calgary when he learned about our Mobile Adventure Playgrounds (MAP).MAP is a free, outdoor drop-in program that provides inclusive and active recreation opportunities in communities across Calgary. The program facilitates social connection and uses loose parts and natural materials to inspire creative outdoor play. For Xavier, this was the ideal program for his children, offering them both valuable social interactions and the opportunity to enjoy a high-quality summer program.“I want my kids to socialize because we are new to the city. I want them to be able to make new friends and learn English,” Xavier told us. During a recent visit, Xavier’s daughter was exploring a fort made from a parachute and playing golf using buckets. At the same time, his son was playing soccer with a group of children and one of the leaders, using soccer nets made from loose parts.Grace, a Recreation Programmer with Recreation & Social Programs (R&SP), elaborated on how they allow children to explore their own ideas.“Mobile Adventure Playground is specifically designed to be a program that’s not structured; it’s free play. It allows kids to use their imagination and creativity. The leaders are not here to tell them what to do, but rather, help them do what they want to do,” Grace explained.MAP has had over 1,000 participants so far this summer, a testament to its success in providing free, valuable programming to Calgarians. Grace highlighted the program’s adaptability, noting that staff are always ready to adjust the program based on the personalities, interests and abilities of those who attend. “We have lots of variety in both our equipment and our leaders,” said Grace. “We rotate equipment weekly to adapt the program and create the best possible experience for kids like Xavier’s.”MAP is a vital resource for many Calgarians like Xavier and his family, offering a welcoming space for children to play and socialize.Check out all of our free summer activities for children, youth and families at calgary.ca/free.