The Canadian Tire Jumpstart I Love To Skate Program kicks off Saturday at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie. It's the second set of sessions this winter, which aim to teach youth how to skate, while also providing access to skates and helmets for those who need them. The program's coordinated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage la Prairie and Recreation Opportunities for Children, and ROC Recreation Supervisor Lynne Parker says it's always great to see the kids going out and having fun.

While the sessions run each Saturday between 11 am and noon, Parker says the program provides more than just entertainment for the children one day a week.

"They tell me that they all went skating at the BDO Centre or the PCU Centre, and the other part is now with the outdoor rinks, the one by La Verendrye and the one coming to North Memorial. They're grabbing their skates, getting active, which is great. They're doing something that's positive and possibly keeping them away from some of those not so positive activities."

She says it's always exciting to see the family come out and enjoy the sessions, noting you don't necessarily need to know how to skate to come down.

"Some parents, like myself, don't know how to skate but they just come out and watch. That's so important for the kids too, just knowing there's mom, dad, grandma or grandpa, whoever, are out there sitting on those bleachers to watch them, clap for them and giving them high-fives or thumbs up. That's so instrumental in helping the self-esteem of those kids."

She notes last year saw skates and helmets provided to 119 kids, and they're already seeing no shortage of interest in the initiative this time around.