Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Judi Koski
CKLU 96.7 FM radio, located on the Laurentian University campus, in association with Science North and the Art Gallery of Sudbury launched Canada's first Best Friends Forever (BFF) radio workshops for kids.
"This is the first college radio station that is reaching out to kids, and the concept was created here," said Deborah Frankel, CKLU general manager.
"This initiative is putting campus radio into the role of educator. It makes perfect sense for college radio to expand its role in the community as an education resource."
The purpose of these workshops is to get kids making radio programming for and by kids. The children, aged seven to 12, who enrol in the program will be live on-air each Saturday.
"One of the workshops main goals is to get the kids working in teams," said Christine Catt, marketing specialist, media and communications at Science North.
The kids can sign up in pairs as best friends forever, or be assigned to a partner. Either way, there will be four teams per session with eight kids total.
"Each team will begin by scripting, recording and producing a radio ad for our sponsors Science North and The Art Gallery of Sudbury. Each team will have 20 minutes live on-air every Saturday from 3 to 4:20 p.m., having used the earlier part of the day to prepare for their segment."
All participants will graduate from CKLU 96.7 FM BFF Radio Workshop for Kids knowing the basics of radio programming and broadcasting; including safety rules and the responsibilities of working in a studio; and being live on air.
Each session will be held between 9:45 a.m and 4:30 p.m. as follows:
Session One: Jan. 10 - Feb. 7.
Session Two: Feb. 14 - Mar. 14.
Session Three: Mar. 21 - Apr. 18.
Session Four: Apr. 25 - May 23.
Session Five: May 30 - Jun. 27.
There are only eight spots per session. Cost is $200 per child, and participants are asked to bring lunch and one snack each day.
CKLU general manager Deborah Frankel and CKLU program director Carrie Graham will instruct the workshops. People are urged to register now as the first session begins January 10. For more information call 673-6538 ext. 2.
