Bear hunters take to the streets in Bristol and Warren

These are dark days; this makes them brighter.”

Kim Sumner

Inspired by the Michael Rosen book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” and motivated by the need for something — anything — to do with restless little ones who do not understand why their playdates and playground visits have been cancelled, bears (and other creatures) have been popping up in windows across America and beyond.

Here in Bristol and Warren, the Bear Hunt was made official by Kim Sumner, a Warren resident who is a native of Somerset.

Ms. Sumner provides home-based therapy for an autistic boy, and one of her friends from Somerset sent her some information on where to find bears there, thinking it would be a fun activity that they could do while social distancing.

“He was so excited to see all the bears, and count them,” said Ms. Sumner. “And it was something to do while still staying safe.”

She noticed that there was a Rhode Island Bear Hunt page, but the locations were mostly scattered around the West Bay and northern Rhode Island — and of course Rhode Islanders are well-known for their aversion to long drives — even pre-pandemic.

“I am not driving all over the state to look for these bears,” she said, giving voice to what we all think.

So Ms. Sumner decided to start her own hyper-local Bear Hunt, just for Bristol and Warren.

It’s called Bear Hunt 2020 Bristol/Warren Community, and can be found on Facebook. In a matter of weeks, it’s amassed 865 members, and bears have popped up on some 210 local streets.

Participating is easy — put a bear (or a gorilla, or a zebra, or any animal — even a drawing of one) in your window, then go on the Facebook site to add your street to the list.

“It’s uplifting. Kids love it,” said Ms. Sumner. “And it’s something to do.”

She has also added little extras to the page, like Bear Hunt-themed craft and recipe ideas and other activities.

One family that took their bear hunting to a new level is the O’Brien family of Warren. When dad Robert decides to make a project for his kids (he and wife Christina have five little ones in addition to three adult children), he goes big — like with a full-sized play pirate ship and a Thomas the Tank Engine train with several attached cars. 

“He’s nuts,” laughed Christina, but she is grateful they have the train for the Bear Hunt, among other fun adventures. Two of their adopted children have mobility issues. “This isn’t a walking thing for us.”

Last week, Thomas (and Robert) came to the rescue.

“They loved it,” said Christina, of her little bear hunters. Some of the bears weren’t as easy to see from the road, but that made it all the more challenging. “It’s fun when they really have to look for them,” she said.

Ms. Sumner is looking forward to adding more special activities to the page, and special Bear Hunt days, once the weather gets a little better.

“I just wanted to do something to bring the community together, young and old,” she said.

“These are dark days; this makes them brighter.”

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