Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, industry mentorship and additional partner support to help them launch their new tourism idea.

In 2022, the program’s inaugural year, successful ideas included camping equipment rentals, a busker festival, outdoor culinary experiences, a bunkie resort, Indigenous experiences and an immersive maple syrup experience.

“We are inspired by the creativity, passion and innovative spirit of our past Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program winners, and are excited to foster and support new tourism ideas and entrepreneurs in the region,” said Justin Lafontaine, program lead at Tourism Innovation Lab.

Entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Feb. 14 to March 20. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough. The goal of the program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in the market and motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits to the region.

“We are really excited to offer this opportunity again this year for tourism businesses in this region to develop and launch new products or experiences” said Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “This successful collaboration in innovative tourism development supports sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses through experiential product development.”

For more information and to register for an upcoming information session visit the website.

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Local Boy has Imagination Soar Through Mentorship Program

The sky is the limit for Kenner student Alex Ouimet’s imagination as he and volunteer Thomas Jenkins from Big Brothers of Peterborough use it to connect with art and nature.

Ouimet, 14, and Jenkins have been meeting every Saturday for the last three years through a Big Brothers mentorship doing weekly activities and learning life skills.

Alex Ouimet (left) and Thomas Jenkins (right) met through the Big Brothers program where Jenkins was a substitute Big Brother for Ouimet during a Toronto Blue Jays game. Photo courtesy of Thomas Jenkins

A common activity is outdoor hiking involving forest explorations, walking through trails and exploring everything outdoors. During all activities, the two engage in conversation to let Ouimet unwind and express himself.

"This is about giving time and attention to your Little, it's not about the fancy things you do," said Jenkins. “It’s an escape. You get to develop a relationship outside of the family that can provide a different perspective.”

Alex Ouimet (pictured) has explored the outdoors from The Gut Conservation Area in Apsley, Ontario to the Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview, Ontario. Photo courtesy of Thomas Jenkins

Physical health and proper dieting are other skill Ouimet learns through the Big Brothers program. Before the pandemic, the pair would often make healthy meals with workouts.

Big Brothers allows their matches to have a safe space for emotional control, a place to vent and develop social skills according to Jenkins.

“It's all about Alex. That’s the most important thing about this is Alex's time during the week where he can be himself and do what he wants to do,” said Jenkins. “We do that and all the positive reinforcement and building confidence such as talking about what his week was.”

One way Ouimet likes to express himself is through professional wrestling. It is not the violence that appeals to him but as a form of expression through music, visual and dramatic arts.

"We make a lot of wrestling characters, we've made shirts and we draw some of our characters,” said Ouimet. “They're actually all from my brain."

Alex Ouimet (pictured) has created over 30 different wresters each with their own backstory and persona with Jenkins. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Fictional wrestlers are brought to life from drawings, t-shirt designs and composing music that all stem from Ouimet’s ideas.

“The wrestlers are the vehicle to get to the creative things,” said Jenkins. “It happens to be about wrestling but it’s learning things about music production, drawing, costume design for acting.”

Thomas Jenkins (left) composing entrance music for Alex Ouimet’s (right) created wrestlers in a jam session. Jenkins has music studio that contains guitars, a keyboard, audio mixer and microphones. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Ouimet says he is always eager for every Saturday to spend time with Jenkins as they both consider each other to be “brothers’ because of their close bond.

“He makes me feel relieved with less anxiety and less depression,” said Ouimet. ‘There’s less stress.”

Lyric composition and vocals are some of the musical expressions both participate in as several artistic activities. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Jenkins notes that developing a relationship with another person takes time and trust compared to a quick fly-by of a motivational speech.

“The only way to get there is by developing strong long-term relationships,” said Jenkins. “It has to be this thing that takes a long time and building a lot of trust.”

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An 8-Year-Old Rep Goalie Mentored A Player With Special Needs In Peterborough Learning The Position & It Was Awesome

Brody Brown is an 8-year-old goalie for the Peterborough Petes Novice AAA with a heart of gold.

See, Brody wanted to help out the Electric City Maroon & White, a special needs hockey team in town. On Saturday (November 11th) during an Electric City practice at Norwood Arena near Peterborough, he came and mentored 11-year-old goalie Jacob Craft who is learning the position.

This is Brody (at left) helping Jacob...

Coach Chris J-Boy Williams says Brody is a wonderful kind, young man that is already making a difference by working with special needs players.

"Brody's mom originally reached out to me a couple of months ago to let me know he has asked anyone coming to his birthday that in lieu of presents, to give cash which he wanted to donate to our team," Coach Williams tells PTBOCanada. "He came out to one of our practices recently and donated $200 which was an extremely kind thing to do. We have a brand new Junior goalie, Jacob, and I asked him if he would like to come out on the ice and work with Jacob which he did today. Super nice little guy that just wants to help out."

Brody (at left) giving advice to Jacob about goaltending

Brody tells PTBOCanada of his gesture: “I love playing hockey and want to help others play too."

Here is Brody pictured with Coach Williams, delivering the donation to the team...

Brody's gesture of time and money had an impact that Coach Williams, Jacob and the rest of the team won't forget.

"This is so much more than hockey," Coach Williams tells PTBOCanada. "Children and adults with special needs are often left feeling isolated with few friends and having Brody on the ice, welcoming Jacob to the Electric City family, is important to my players."

Brody, Jacob and Coach Williams

Coach Williams adds: "Special needs kids want to be able to show the world that they are hockey players and that they have dreams and goals just like everyone else. It was important for Brody not only to mentor Jacob but to learn about him as a person off the ice—what school he goes to, his favourite movies and the music he listens too. As parents, we need to teach our children acceptance and from acts of kindness we see amazing results."

Brody demonstrated a huge example of that on Saturday, and that impact he had may well have forged a bond to last a lifetime.

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