During the month of June, we collected great program ideas from different communities across Ontario. Here are some of the most successful programs hosted by communities to attract new participants and to energize regulars.
You can continue to submit your great idea here!
City of Greater Sudbury
Program: Step It Up!
Program Description:A step challenge was created for the residents of the City of Greater Sudbury as part of JRPM. We’re hoping it will help get people moving, using City parks, trails and facilities. They can brag about it on Twitter using the hashtag #sudfit. We will feature some of the participants on our website and Leisure Guide.
How this program helped the community become more active:
It’s our first year. No results yet!
Step It Up!.
City of Temiskaming Shores
Program: Active After School Program
Program Description:The Active After School Program takes place one day a week and it consists of 90 minutes of play time. A healthy snack is provided. It is marketed towards elementary school children from 4 to 14. The program is free of charge and takes place in a gymnasium.
How this program helped the community become more active:
We have 50 kids who come and have free time play then we do a team building game or activity. After that there is a healthy snack time and another free time play then parents come and pick up the kids and take them home.
The kids are running and moving from the time they get there to the time to leave and the parents like it because they are not home on the computer or in front of the TV.
Temiskamming Shores
City of Vaughan
Program:Play every day’ during Recreation and Parks Month
Program Description: The City of Vaughan will offer more than 50 free leisure activities and events for all ages and abilities to enjoy, including:
• Preschoolers and parents: open gym featuring sportsarama, taekwondo, toddler run and fun, soccer, hockey and a fitness obstacle course
• Children and youth: basketball, archery, badminton, ball hockey and games rooms, featuring air hockey, ping pong, foosball, Wii, Xbox and more
• Adults: ball hockey, pickle ball, volleyball and a nutrition workshop
• Older adults: arthritis fitness, aquafitness, archery, badminton, gentle yoga, muscle conditioning and ping pong
Vaughan Fitness Centres will offer a free guest day for those aged 13 years and older. This includes access to fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, Zumba and power cycling. Recreational swimming and aquafitness will be available at select pools for all ages. Maple Community Centre will feature family bowling in its four-lane, five-pin glow-in-the-dark bowling alley.
Residents can also enjoy the outdoors. Vaughan’s annual Concerts in the Park series launches June 10 featuring The St. Royals, followed by a June 17 tribute to Taylor Swift. Thornhill Outdoor Pool officially opens for the summer on June 27 and will offer a retro-themed leisure swim, water games and pricing in honour of its 65th anniversary.
Activity schedules are available at Vaughan community centres, online at vaughan.ca/recreation and on the free award-winning Recreation and Culture app. For more information, please call 905-832-8500 or email [email protected].
Vaughan’s JRPM Activity Guide.
Town of Marathon
Program: Healthy Kids Community Challenge
Program Description: Over the next four years, Marathon will deliver local programs and activities to promote children’s health focusing on healthy eating, physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices, such as the importance of getting adequate sleep.The Town of Marathon will begin implementing local programs and activities in winter 2015.
Ministry of Ontario Proclamation
Town of Saugeen Shores
Program: Junior Lacrosse
Program Description: 3 levels of coed minor lacrosse for children ages 5-12. Max. 30 children per age group, with 6-8 coaches per group. Lessons are twice a week for 8wks. 1st lesson of week is skills building 2nd lesson is game play, to keep the kids interested and moving. The low cost of this program made it very accessible for the community $100 per child.
How this program helped the community become more active:
We were shocked at how quickly this low cost highly active program filled up! Out of the 90 possible registrations for the entire program (3 age categories with a max of 30 in a class) we filled 85 spaces. Parents were thrilled to have a low cost and high energy program locally run, instead of having to drive long distances for programs in other communities, which made this type of program prohibitive.
Saugeen Shores.
Town of Saugeen Shores
Program: PLAY in Bruce/Grey
Program Description: Saugeen Shores is focused on increasing the activity levels of the community by promoting opportunities for PLAY in their community. By providing education and awareness, offering opportunities for skill building, supporting neighbourhood collaborations, facilitating supportive play environments, advocating for community support for play. A variety of events have been created to assist with the concepts: Huron Shore Fun Run for kids, Kite nights on the beach during the summer, connecting with existing events (Bruce Power Picnic)and assisting with family game / activity centres. Hosting of free swims, and skates throughout the year etc. Our mandate is that these activities are FREE.
How this program helped the community become more active:
The specific goals of the PLAY program within Saugeen Shores are as follows:
1. Increase physical activity levels in Saugeen Shores
2. Educate residents about the health benefits of physical exercise
3. Raise awareness of the PLAY program while hosting events that will encourage active involvement of participants
4. Create strategies and opportunities for collaborative community physical activity in Saugeen Shores.
PLAY in Bruce/Grey or Saugeen Shores.