LEADERS IN…… Youth Friendly Communities and Physical Activity.

LEADERS IN……

Youth Friendly Communities

and

Physical Activity

Play – it isn’t all fun and gamesYouth has been cancelled until further

noticeThen there came the…

Youth Friendly CommunitiesOntario, 2005

City of BurlingtonCity of Peterborough

City of PickeringMunicipality of Chatham-Kent

Municipality of Port HopeMunicipality of South Huron

Town of AjaxTown of Aurora

Town of Markham

Youth Friendly Criteria

Youth have options for play in their community

Youth are formally connected to the community

Facilities are dedicated to youth play

Youth Friendly Criteria

It is easy for youth to find information about play activities in the community

The community supports public youth events

The community celebrates and recognizes its youth

Youth Friendly Criteria

The community commits funding for youth play

The community supports positive youth development

The community supports youth volunteerism and leadership development

Youth Friendly Criteria

The community has effective community partnerships

Youth activism and advocacy for play is nurtured

Youth feel comfortable in their own community

Youth Friendly Criteria

Youth can get to the play programs that are offered

Schools support the youth friendly

approach

Adults champion the need for youth play

Good Practices

What are they?

and

How do I not sabotage myself?

Good Practice – Criteria #1

Program listing

Activity card dollars

Sponsored recreation programs

Good Practice – Criteria #2

Youth and business committee

Multi-level engagement

Youth councils

Good Practice – Criteria #3

Velocity….A Place for Youth

Skate parks

Youth friendly zone

Good Practice – Criteria #4

Transit ads

Youth-led website

Pocket-sized card list services

Good Practice – Criteria #5

Youth and Business luncheon

Artfest with local Arts Council

Youthfest

Good Practice – Criteria #6

Optimist Club 5 awards

Night of 1000 Stars

Poetry Contest

Good Practice – Criteria #7

CARE Fund

Youth Development Workers

Free programs

Good Practice – Criteria #8

Youth as Customers

?

?

Good Practice – Criteria #9

Teen Library Council

Volunteer ‘exchange’ program

Free bus passes

Good Practice – Criteria #10

Integrated partnerships

Knowing the community

It’s not all about money

Good Practice – Criteria #11

Youth surveys

?

?

Good Practice – Criteria #12

?

?

?

Good Practice – Criteria #13

Youth on transit committees

Dial-a-bus evening service

Mobility busses for special needs

Good Practice – Criteria #14

Point of contact for information

Service exchange

?

Good Practice – Criteria #15

Mayors take on youth

Paid youth development staff

?

Some Final Thoughts

What the applications told us

What needs to be worked on

Youth Friendly works!

Next applications are out in late February, deadline is end of May 2006

Marion E. Price, CAE

Play Works Partnership and

Parks and Recreation Ontario406 – 1185 Eglinton Avenue East

Toronto, ON M3C 3C6416-416-7065

[email protected] [email protected]

www.playworkspartnership.ca www.prontario.org

Physical Activity

Some Examples….

PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE RESULTS

The New You - Drop In Program

After school program

Rural areas

Choice of a mix of sports, arts and crafts

Fun Fit – Public School Kids

Recess and classroom activities

Eases organizational pressure on teachers

Remove barriers and stimulates interest in sport participation

Child, Youth Action Team

Community team of professionals Health Unit Children’s Centers School Boards Early Years Center

Promote healthy living and more physical activity in the community

Teacher Kit

A walking kit developed focusing on walking games and activities

Activities targeted for recess – to and from school

Support Sport Resource Centre

A sport resource centre in library

Unique partnership with Parks and Recreation, library and community sport groups

Great Girls Gathering

A “try it” program

Physical activity space and counselling services

Partnership between parks and recreation and the YMCA

Introduction To Fitness

Targeted to low income youth

Short term membership to wellness centre

Access to personal trainer and instruction on fitness programs and using free weights

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

One day event for ages 10-16

Partnership of Parks and Recreation, Health Unit, Library & Family Resource Centre

Girls and Sport Day A program to introduce grade 8

schoolgirls to a variety of sports

Leaders were girls in grades 11 &12

As follow up to program, leaders will be sent to a Sport Leadership symposium focusing on role modelling sponsored by the University of Ottawa

Bop and Hoppers

Program targeted to public school aged girls

Focuses on rope skipping – fun approach to skill and routine development

Mother Daughter Program

8 week program for school aged children and mothers

Opportunity to participate in “skills and drills” of a variety of indoor sports

Co-ed Learn To Skate

Indoor arena program for school aged children from low income areas

Learn to skate program for school-aged boys and girls

David A. Clark

David A. Clark Consulting Inc.

3034 Greenwood Lane, RR#1

Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0

705-657-9443

[email protected]