Kids run through neighborhood searching for bears

BY Kelly Lopez

Several Canyon Lake families put stuffed bears in their window sills and outside their front doors last week so that children in the neighborhood could have their own “bear hunt”.

The concept is based on the children’s book, We’re Going On a Bear Hunt. In the book a father and his young children go for a walk and repeat the saying, “We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re gonna catch a big one. What a beautiful day. We’re not scared.” They encounter obstacles on their walk and discover at each obstacle that they cannot avoid continuing on and must “go through” the mud, forest, tall grass, etc.

Canyon Lake children went for their own bear hunt last week as they walked or drove through Canyon Lake with their parents looking for stuffed bears that residents had “hidden”. Dozens of houses throughout the community were participating, from Continental all the way to Big Range. Similarly, children can walk through Canyon Lake and be reassured that even though it is a time when things are dIfferent and maybe scary, they can be brave like the children in the book. They can even have a fun and safe adventure with their family, learning along the way what the social distancing they’ve been hearing about means.

The “bear hunt” activity is gaining popularity throughout the country. Many towns and cities are decorating with bears in order to give something fun for the kids in their area to do. Tara Avila saw the idea for a bear hunt on a friend’s Facebook page. She then reposted it on Canyon Lake Community’s Facebook page.

“I got so many responses from others who were participating,” Tara said. “My daughters and I went looking for bears around the neighborhood, and they counted more than 40!”

Heather Carroll also helped promote the hunt. Heather reposted Tara’s original bear hunt post on Facebook and many Canyon Lakers participated by hiding bears in their window sills and right outside their houses. Participating houses posted on which street they were located so that bear hunters knew where to look. Heather made a list of the streets that were participating and she went with her husband and two kids on a bear hunt right here in Canyon Lake.

“The four of us had so much fun,” Heather said. “The kids would get so excited every time we would find a bear. Even my husband and I would get excited.”

Heather and her family have also enjoyed hearing families pass by their house finding bears that they have hidden. “It brings a smile to my face each time I hear ‘I see bears!’” from people passing by, she said.

The plan was to continue the fun, but with the stay home emergency regulation issued early Wednesday by the city, it will have to wait until children can safely run about the neighborhood.