RRC to host Global Cardboard Challenge

For Immediate Release: 10 October 2014

WINNIPEG, MB – Today, Red River College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program in partnership with IKEA Winnipeg join with children’s organizations around the world for the 2014 Global Cardboard Challenge — an event that encourages kids to harness their imagination and creativity while turning everyday household items into treasures.

Inspired by Caine’s Arcade — a short film about a young boy whose cardboard creations triggered a worldwide movement celebrating the “power of play” — the event is organized globally by the Imagination Foundation, a not-for-profit dedicated to raising the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

“IKEA is a key corporate partner for this community event,” says Louise Gordon, dean, Health Sciences and Community Services, Red River College. “Their willingness to provide supplies, staff, and expertise is vital to making this cardboard challenge a reality and Red River College is grateful for their support.”

Red River College will host 60 children participating from four local childcare centres, one Aboriginal Head Start program, and one Winnipeg school. Each group of children will be paired with a team of adults comprised of one IKEA staff member and two second-year ECE students.

“The idea to plan a Global Cardboard Challenge event was conceived in the classroom after ECE students viewed Caine’s Arcade,” says ECE instructor Karen Riediger. “Over the last few weeks, participating preschool and grade 5 children have already been busy discussing, imagining, sketching, measuring and experimenting with tape and cardboard. When they arrive at RRC they will be able to put all of that effort and imagination into action right away!”

Media are invited to attend today’s cardboard challenge, meet the participants and get a first hand look at their creations.

Participants will be arriving anytime after 9am and the event will start to wind down at 11:30 with the final participants wrapping up by noon. The challenge is taking place in RRC’s South Gym.

-30-

For more information contact: Conor Lloyd, (204)795-2864, clloyd@rrc.ca