Sensory Celebration a Kickoff to Summer

Surrey, BC – The Museum of Surrey celebrated inclusion and diversity in the community with a free family friendly event last Saturday (June 25) called SENSES – Family Kickoff to Summer.

Around 500 visitors of all ages and abilities attended the celebration, which included hands-on fun and engagement inside and out, with activities hosted onsite by community partners, including Canucks Autism Network, City of Surrey Accessibility, Historic Stewart Farm, Surrey Nature Centre, Surrey United Soccer, TD Bank Group and more.

From a special appearance by museum mascot Raj the Raccoon and a caricaturist to a bubble station, crafts and games galore, there was something everyone to enjoy – even a Sensory Friendly room where visitors could borrow a Sensory Kit and have fun with beach-themed sensory bins.

This event was a partnership with the City of Surrey’s Accessibility Services Team and Museum of Surrey.

“We are proud to hear of the community connectedness that came from the inaugural SENSES event,” said Manvir Aujla, Community Services Assistant with the Universal Design and Accessibility Services team. “We hope that events and other initiatives like these continue to promote an inclusive city where people of all abilities are living to their full potential.”

This event was a partnership with the City of Surrey’s Accessibility Services Team and Museum of Surrey.

In 2019 Museum of Surrey launched a new sensory-friendly initiative. In partnership with the Canucks Autism Network (CAN), the museum began offering sensory-friendly hours from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Sunday of each month, providing an opportunity to tour the museum with reduced lighting and sound. Visitors can borrow complimentary noise-cancelling headphones — which are available from the front desk at any time, not just during the sensory-friendly hours — and can access the permanent, sensory-friendly space on the museum’s second floor. The next Sensory Sunday event is on July 3.

The Museum of Surrey is located at 17710 56A Avenue. For more information, call 604-592-6956 or visit surrey.ca/museum.