VERMILION RESERVATION- Over 100 volunteers are needed Oct. 6-8 to help build the new playground at the Boys and Girls Club at Vermilion Reservation. The playground has been donated thanks to a grant to KABOOM! from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota tribe. It is one of five playground projects being funded through the grant.
Volunteers can sign up for one, two, or three days through a link on the Facebook page for Boys and Girls Club- Nett Lake and Vermilion or at https://volunteer.kaboom.org/ (type in Bois Forte and 55790 in the search bar).
KABOOM! is a nonprofit that helps fund and build community playgrounds nationwide. They are overseeing the playground project in Minnesota.
Back in July, KABOOM! hosted two listening sessions at Vermilion, the first with youth from the Boys and Girls Club, the second with adults. The current playground at Vermilion is aging, though the swings are still in good shape, said Eunice Cho, who is working on the playground project with KABOOM!
The Boys and Girls Club was scouted out by KABOOM! last year, said club director Travis Vake.
“We did an assessment and they completed a report which showed the need,” he said. “Then the project was approved.”
The new playground will be larger than the existing setup and has been designed using input from the young members of the Boys and Girls Club.
KABOOM! worked with a playground design company that developed a few options for Vermilion that were then shared with stakeholders. Then the local group chose one of the designs.
“We will have food and music,” said Cho. “And we need community members to show up to help get the playground built. This is a way to bring the community together.”
Volunteers are needed at all ability levels. Gloves and other safety materials will be provided, as well as breakfast, lunch, and water. The build will take place rain or shine. Close-toe shoes are required. Youth are invited but will not be permitted to participate in the actual construction. There will be activities for youth set up nearby.
Construction week will culminate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a job. This short ceremony will take place on Thursday Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. Ribbon cutting time may be subject to change based on project completion.