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Issue 12 / December 2010
Move More!
Message from the President Believe it or not, the holiday season is already upon us - and we're pretty excited. The holidays are a great time to connect with family and friends, and reflect on the kind of year we've had together.
At ParticipACTION, we're very happy about one of the newest members of our family, Catherine Cameron. Catherine is our Active Living Ambassador, and is the face and voice of our social media. She shares her own experiences as a mom, a fitness instructor, a writer and all-around inspiration to connect our partners and the public in an effort to get Canadians moving more:
- On Facebook, our ParticipACTION Official Page offers links, commentary, photos and conversations about how to have fun and get fit.
- On Twitter, we share new research, stories, tips and partner news.
- On our blog, Catherine offers longer articles on the latest trends, information and issues facing Canadians and their health.
We love reading your comments and feedback. When someone tells us they've been inspired by Catherine to start their own walking club at work, or leave their car at home, it makes us feel great. It is a gift to be active. And it is a fantastic gift to know you've inspired someone else to do the same.
All the best for a safe, active holiday.
Warmest,
Kelly
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| ParticipACTION Update | | |
The Partnership Protocol: A new tool for not-for-profits in sport and physical activity
We are pleased to share The Partnership Protocol, which was developed in collaboration with experts from academia, government, private corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Physical inactivity is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted solution. With limited resources for solutions, collaboration and partnerships are even more critical in helping us move forward in creating a more active Canada.
The aim of The Partnership Protocol is to assist not-for-profits in the fields of sport and physical activity to find, implement and sustain effective partnerships with the private sector, while respecting their own missions and mandates. It incorporates stories, advice and best practices from over 300 stakeholders and focuses on three key areas of interest:
- Why Partnerships?
- Guiding Principles for Partnerships, and
- Approach to Effective Partnerships.
We hope you will find this tool useful in your own work. And, we ask that you share with other colleagues so that they may also benefit from the experiences of others in creating effective not-for-profit/private sector partnerships. Feel free to email it, post it on your website, discuss it with your staff or share as you see fit.
For more information regarding The Partnership Protocol, please email info@participACTION.com
The ParticipACTION Tool Kit offers FREE communication and promotional materials
To help inspire and inform Canadians, we've developed the ParticipACTION Tool Kit, which contains free communications materials that organizations can use to promote physical activity and sport participation.
Many of the materials are available to all. And if you are a ParticipACTION Partner Network (PPN) member, you can also access customizable materials.
Feel free to view and download the available materials online at the ParticipACTION Tool Kit webpage.
ParticipACTION's online movement to move more
We are thrilled to share some great responses from ParticipACTION's social media followers:
"Hi Catherine. I just wanted to let you know that I find your blog posts totally inspiring! Thanks for the awesome information and encouragement. You totally make me realize I CAN do this!!!!!!" Jennifer E., ON
- Read the ParticipACTION blog post here.
"It's good to know physical activity adds up. I have three little kids and work full time but I think some of this information can help all of us. This is a cool blog because it offers advice that seems realistic. I don't have the time or money to join a gym so learning how I can be more active with my kids in everyday life is good. Keep up the good work!" Angel
- Read the ParticipACTION blog post here.
Join us online by becoming a fan of our FACEBOOK group, following us on TWITTER or checking out our BLOG.
Join the ParticipACTION Partner Network
The ParticipACTION Partner Network (PPN) is a robust network of not-for-profit and public-sector organizations dedicated to physical activity and sport participation. ParticipACTION's belief is that the PPN will not only help support the work of individual member organizations, but will strengthen the physical activity and sport participation sector in Canada. The PPN is a formalized mechanism through which:
- ParticipACTION can marshal resources and deploy these resources to PPN members in support of the delivery of initiatives to address the physical inactivity crisis.
- PPN members can build a community of practice related to physical activity through collaboration and communication between stakeholders.
- ParticipACTION can facilitate the coordination of communications and knowledge exchange across Canada, to ensure clarity of message to the general public and to help build capacity of member organizations.
To learn more, please contact Christa Costas-Bradstreet at ccbradstreet@participACTION.com |
| Creative Corner | | |
InActivity
By John N.A. Brown
InActivity is a one of a number of different comic strips created by John N.A. Brown. His comics look at the worldwide issue of unhealthy living with the idea that we can better examine ourselves through laughter than through tears.
John is a cartoonist who creates a variety of themed comics and graphic novels. He is also a scientist, an inventor, an encyclopaedist, an amateur athlete, a coach and a life-long martial artist. He lectures on science, human factors and animation, draws all the time and writes little passages about himself.
To view more of John's cartoons, research, illustrations and writings, please visit his website. |
| Research Update | |
 Physical Activity for a Healthy Brain: Something to Think About!
General health benefits associated with regular physical activity have been well established. In addition to these known health benefits, physical activity has been shown to positively affect cerebral function as well. Increasingly, regular physical activity is being recognized as an important factor in the development and maintenance of a healthy brain, and has even been shown to prevent brain-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. In children, physical activity is associated with improved learning and memory, which may be achieved through a variety of means such as improved concentration, increased feelings of calm, improved classroom behaviour, increased self-esteem and stress relief.
For tips related to exercise and the brain, please see our Lifestyle Tips. |
| Q&A | |
Q- A parent at my child's school was arguing that access to more sports equipment alone would get the students more active. Is that really true? Dennis
A- Research shows that this is true - access to sport and physical activity equipment is associated with higher levels of physical activity. As our Active Living Ambassador says, "if you pack it, they will play." Many schools don't offer access to sports and play equipment that students need to be active at school recess and lunch breaks because they're afraid things will be lost or damaged. If your school doesn't provide balls and equipment, consider sending your child with a skipping rope, baseball glove or sidewalk chalk in a backpack, or working with other parents to get extra equipment donated. Then, let the students run with it! |
| Professional Development | | |
15th Annual Recreation Connections Manitoba Provincial Conference
Feb 16-18
Winnipeg, MBThis year's conference promises to be educational, inspirational and fun with 28 workshops to choose from. There will be keynote speakers, workshop presenters and leading experts in the field attending the conference from across the Canada, the USA and Scotland. The conference will provide something for everyone who is involved in recreation, therapeutic recreation, sport and leisure including (but not limited to) Recreation Directors, TR Practitioners, Mayors, Reeves, Councilors, Administrators, Facility Managers, Provincial Sport Organizations, recreation students and volunteers. For more information on the conference, please visit the Recreation Connections Manitoba website. Ever Active Schools & PHE CanadaShaping the Future: Health Promoting Schools ConferenceJan 27-29Kananaskis, ABThe purpose of this conference is to bring together individuals who have a vested interest in the assessment, planning and implementation of a Health Promoting Schools Approach. The focus of this two-day event is to share Promising Practices and to acquire knowledge and information by networking with colleagues from across Canada. For more information on the conference, or to sign up as a presenter, please visit the Ever Active website.
AFLCA Ever Active Adults Certification
Dec 16-17
Edmonton, AB
This in-depth certification is for group exercise leaders who wish to focus on providing fitness leadership to the older adult demographic. Course topics include:
- Physiology of Aging and Exercise Lifestyle Interventions
- Physiological Benefits of Physical Activity
- Exercise Programming for Older Adults
- Cognitive Functioning Principles of exercise prescription for Older Adults
For more information on the Ever Active Adults Certification course, please visit the Provincial Fitness Unit website.
ParticipACTION Forum - WebinarFebruary 2011NationalThe ParticipACTION Forums are designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing between organizations. The next ParticipACTION Forum will take place in February 2011 (date to be confirmed), from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST. The theme of this forum will be "Physical activity and sport participation: the relationship to preventing, treating and controlling breast cancer." If you would like to sign up to participate in this forum as a presenter or a participant, please email: forum@participACTION.com. We are looking for people to present their initiatives (programs, resources, etc.) related to physical activity/sport aimed at addressing breast cancer. If you have an upcoming professional development opportunity that you would like featured in our newsletter, please contact info@participACTION.com. |
| Highlights and Events | |
The 26th Annual Resolution Run and WalkDec 31 & Jan 1Various locations nationallyStart the New Year off on the right foot by establishing or maintaining an active lifestyle. The Running Room is proud to present the 26th Annual Resolution Run and Walk. This year's event takes place on December 31 and January 1, in locations coast-to-coast. For more information or registration details please visit The Running Room website. Kamoutik Aventure
Snowmobiling and hikingWinter monthsBorough of Charlesbourg, Quebec City, QCDiscover the fun and adventure in snowmobiling. Kamoutik Aventure packages are custom-suited to your passion for the outdoors. Whichever package you chose, you will get the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery and landscapes in and around the 1000-odd lakes and rivers in the Portneuf area. For more information on taking part in the Kamoutik Aventure, visit their website. Hoopin' 4 HaitiJan 15WorldwideHoopin' 4 Haiti is an initiative developed to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The purpose of the initiative is to obtain a Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Basketball Camp. The goals behind this initiative are to: raise awareness for the plight of the Haitian people; pledge support to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund; help Haitian-born Olden Polynice and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) build a basketball facility in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. You can help establish a new Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Basketball Camp by signing up to participate in a Hoopin' 4 Haiti Basketball Camp. If you can't find a camp near you, get a local basketball coach to sign up to be a venue. Anyone who registers before December 25, 2010, will receive a free Hoopin' 4 Haiti t-shirt. For more information on being a participant, venue, partner, sponsor or donor, please visit the Hoopin' 4 Haiti website.
The Yukon Arctic UltraFeb 6-19Whitehorse, YTThe world's coldest and toughest ultra marathon for mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and runners, with distances of 100, 300 and 430 miles. The Yukon Arctic Ultra will follow the Yukon Quest trail - the trail of the world's toughest Sled Dog Race. The deadline for entering the race is December 31, 2010. For more information on entering or volunteering for the race, please visit the Artic Ultra website. Ballroom Health GroupSpeaking engagementsYear-roundToronto, ONFor just over three years, the Ballroom Health Group has been successfully teaching groups of 40+ adults and helping them to learn the discipline and exercise benefits associated with vigorous forms of Latin and Ballroom Dancing. They believe a good combination of diet and "energetic" exercise, such as vigorous dancing, help to keep us not only in good health, but good spirits as well. In addition to teaching their students the benefits associated with dance, they have also developed an educational program offering to teach and speak at charitable venues - absolutely free of charge - about the benefits of diet and exercise. If you have a cause or charitable event in the GTA where Latin or Ballroom dance could be taught, the Ballroom Health Group would be more than happy to donate their time and services. For more information on this program please visit the Ballroom Health website or email dance@BallroomHealth.com.
Sport Nova ScotiaAfter-school programSept-June yearlyNova ScotiaIn Nova Scotia, after-school programs are delivered Monday to Friday from 3 to 5 pm to children in grades three to six. For each school, the program includes three six-week sessions with the goal of having different students in each session. Within each individual program, students and program leaders tailor the programs to offer what is of interest to the students. Students in one program may prefer basketball or dodge ball, while students in another program might choose skipping or hip-hop dance. At each school, there is also a Program Coordinator, who is often a teacher from the school, and Youth Leaders, who are local high-school students who work together with students to plan the physical activities. The Youth Leaders are motivated, energetic students who are willing to share their enthusiasm for physical activity with the younger students. Prior to joining the program, each participating high school student is required to complete a leadership training course, which is taught by Sport Nova Scotia's Sport Development Unit. For more information about the programs, contact Mark Smith, Director of Sport Development msmith@sportnovascotia.ca or visit the Sport Nova Scotia website. |
| Success Stories | |
 Students at Ecole Primaire du Grand Chene will be cycling around Quebec this year - without ever leaving their classrooms.The Pierrefonds-Roxboro school has embarked on a unique journey that began on November 16. The students will spend the rest of the school year completing a 10,000-kilometre "trip" around Quebec on 20 high-tech stationary bikes. For the 315 students at the school, it means cycling 80 kilometres a day for 125 days, or 33 kilometres per student. The school's 25 teachers and staff will complete their own 10,000-kilometre trek. The special project, which will allow the students to learn about Quebec as they cycle through it, isn't about fund-raising or supporting a cause - it's about creating healthy lifestyles. School principal Dany Tremblay, a triathlete in his spare time, came up with the idea because he wanted a project that would involve the entire school, focus on Quebec and promote physical activity. The students are excited about the project, and so are we! See the complete story in The Montreal Gazette.
View other Success Stories or submit your own on the ParticipACTION website.
If you would like to submit articles, events/programs or news to our e-newsletter, or for more information on ParticipACTION, please feel free to contact us by email at info@participACTION.com or visit our website at www.participACTION.com. |
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