A group of North Vancouver kids in the Seymour area have used what might be the strangest spring break in history to create what might be the longest hopscotch course in history.
“We all came up with this idea to go farther than the usual hopscotch and we never knew where to stop,” said Pippa Sturm, 11.
Over two days last week, a group of kids from Chapman Way drew up almost 1,600 hopscotch squares around the block, totaling about 400 metres.
No one can say how long it takes to make the full circuit because no one, so far, has been able to complete it, said Pippa
“I actually can’t hop all the way because my legs get so tired in the middle of it,” she said.
Pippa said the act of guerrilla urbanism took two-and-a-half boxes of sidewalk chalk.
From her window, Pippa’s mother Amanda Butler said she’s seen a few kids, adults and dog walkers incorporate the game into their passage through the neighbourhood.
“They do a few. They remember their childhood, because it's a something most people haven't seen for many years,” she said.
Pippa said it made her and her siblings proud to see others making use of their work.
So far, she’s been “pretty chill” during the COVID-19 lockdown because she’s had lots of activities to do, Pippa said.
Her mother, however, said she expects things will get more difficult as the rules for social distancing become more severe.
“One of the hard things is not knowing exactly what you're supposed to do and not do. So I feel like the messaging is a little bit inconsistent,” she said. “I think they will struggle with not having any interactions but we're doing our part. It is all outside.”
Screens can only hold kids for so long, Butler said, so her family has been relying on more “old-fashioned” pass times, like puzzles and walks, and looking out for folks in the neighbourhood.
“I think the really important thing is that neighbours look out for each other and do their best to stay friendly and happy during this time,” she said.
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