Community Recreation Programme
Most people recognize the importance of health and recreation activities as an important part of pro-social development for all young people. Some may even be aware of the fact that a healthy, active lifestyle can also act as a preventative measure for youth at-risk of becoming involved with the justice system.
Not as well known is the fact that many youth do not have the opportunity or funds to access the traditional recreational activities that do exist in our community.
The John Howard Society of Peterborough wanted to do something about this and was fortunate enough to receive $11,600 in funding from the Provincial Ministry of Health Promotion's Communities In Action Fund (CIAF) to deliver our Community Recreation Programme.
What We Did
With the intent of offering recreational activities to youth, who would not otherwise be physically active on a regular basis, the Community Recreation Programme offered a series of outreach activities across the City and County of Peterborough. Our goal was to bring an opportunity to be physically active right into the neighbourhoods where the kids lived and to expose them to activities that were low cost in terms of equipment and could be learned fairly quickly and by almost anyone.
Who Took Part
With a focus on tennis and squash, as well as other physical activities over 240 young people took part in the Community Recreation Programme between June and December of 2009. Of those who took part in the programme, 206 were under the age of 18 years old.
What Did They Think
Here are some actual comments from some of the young people involved in our programme:
"I am going to ask my mom if I can get a squash membership. I stink at all sports. I can't believe how much fun this is."
"I have never played tennis before and I have a court near my house. Tennis seemed so fast on tv. It looks like a rich person's sport. I think I have a pretty good serve."
"I thought I needed to be a jock to play sports; this is the highlight of my summer."
We could not have said it better ourselves.
For more information on the Communities In Action Fund, check it out at www.mhp.gov.on.ca
