Nakusp and Area Youth Network took a trip to Atlantis this month.
Not the real Atlantis deep in the sea where magical things live, but the waterslide park near Vernon.
At 7:30 a.m. full van of 10 youth along with chaperons Kiara McLean, Skye Cunningham and Andrea Myhal drove the 3½ hours to the waterslides. With stops for car sickness and the Lumby Bakery to buy apple fritters, the group made it at about 11 a.m. The place was already busy after only being open for an hour.
Once everyone was unloaded and had a stretch from the long drive, the task of getting tickets and setting up camp was next on the agenda. Luckily they had a generous group rate and easily found a spot with a picnic table right near the concession stand. This served as the rendezvous spot for the youth. Everyone picks a buddy or two to spend the day with and off the youth went into the kid-packed, loud, water-filled fun afternoon.
On this hot August day, the youth knew the place would be packed with people and lots of activity. To the group’s advantage, the van got to the waterslides fairly early and the lineups were still short. With the temperature reaching 33 degrees, the shade tent, water and ice cream after lunch was refreshing. The grass was green, the water was cold and the wasps were abundant. All in all, the day turned out to be fantastic.
Slides at the park vary from kiddy-size and slow moving to fast-moving tube-riding adult-sized slides. With lifeguards stationed at each slide, the youth are free to explore the park with their buddy. A favourite is the tube-riding slide.
Meeting at the picnic table for lunch and again to pack up at 2:45 p.m. was a breeze. All the youth on the trip were friends from school and made new ones along the way.
Having a parking spot at the top of the hill that Atlantis Waterslides is built on was one of the highlights of the day. Driving a bus entitles your group to some luxuries.
On the ride home, everyone was sweaty. No matter how many windows we opened or how fast we went, the Okanagan sun would not give the youth a break. By the time the van reached the Needles ferry, everyone onboard had to get out and breath some fresh air. Other than the sweltering sunny day, the Atlantis Waterslides are always a huge hit and Nakusp and Area Youth Network hopes to go back sometime in the future. Keep an eye out for other events like this. Visit us on Facebook at Nakusp and Area Youth Network – NAYN or on Instagram @nakuspyc.