Trevor Yatlo is pretty much in tune with what's going on in kids' lives these days.
For the past two years, as a program leader and recreation instruction with the city of Coquitlam, he's been hearing plenty of chatter about their friends and family, what sports and arts activities they're involved in and what's their general outlook.
He's also gotten an earful about what's cool, too.
Last season, all the rage was the new Star Wars flick Episode VII - The Force Awakens.
As a fan of the franchise — his favourite is the 1977 original, A New Hope — Yatlo could relate to their hype as the kids glowed about light sabres, droids, space attacks and good versus evil forces.
And their enthusiasm sparked an idea.
Yatlo and his co-workers decided to package the elements of Star Wars to turn them into a new after-school Jedi Training Camp for children aged five to 10.
"It was a perfect way to combine pop culture with fitness, craft making, friendship and confidence building and science," he said at the Poirier community centre in Coquitlam, where the program will take place starting April 15.
Yatlo, who has his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and blue belt in Karate, envisions his young participants rising through the ranks from Padawans (trainees) to Jedi knights (masters).
But to progress, kids must take part in a series of challenges such as running and jumping, partner carrying, making light sabres, building costumes and learning about the solar system, for example.
There will also be a Jedi food component (organizing a snack) as well as individual and team work. "Our aim is to make this a fun and exciting experience," Yatlo said.
Besides the goals, Yatlo hopes the Star Wars theme will help to bond social kids with those who tend to sit on the sidelines. After all, he said, being a Jedi means being both a teacher and a student — one who gives through charity, citizenship, volunteerism and good deeds.
• Jedi Training Camp runs on Friday afternoons, starting on April 15 at the Poirier community centre (630 Poirier St., Coquitlam). To register, call 604-927-4386 or visit www.coquitlam.ca/registration.
