Children, Seniors and Social Development
June 2, 2017
Recreation Month Encourages Active Participation in Recreation
Today, the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, recognized June as Recreation Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Celebrated annually, Recreation Month highlights the importance of actively participating in recreation and promotes the benefits of recreation to individuals, families and communities.
Active forms of recreation provide opportunities for regular physical activity, build social connections and foster personal development. Recreation also helps build and support communities by providing opportunities for civic engagement, volunteerism, social interaction and capacity building.
As noted in The Way Forward, the Provincial Government set a target to increase physical activity rates by seven per cent by the year 2025. Government will continue to support initiatives that help increase awareness and engage individuals and communities to take actions to support healthy active living. Schools play an important role in communities and provide environments for children to be healthy and active. The Way Forward committed that, by 2017, government will expand funding for up to 100 schools to action initiatives identified through the Healthy School Planner tool which helps create healthier learning environments for students. Since June 2016, 73 schools have completed the Healthy School Planner and are moving to action physical activity projects.
Communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will be celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary through various special events and recreation events. The ParticipACTION 150 Play List is a nationwide challenge to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday and has events taking place across Canada to get Canadians moving and participating in 150 different forms of activity. The Provincial Government’s partnership with ParticipACTION will bring active recreation celebrations to three communities in August, including August 23 in St. John’s, August 25 in Terra Nova National Park, and August 26 at Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park. Additional information on the Canada 150 Playlist and to register visit www.participaction.com/150
Quotes
“Teaching children and youth the importance of healthy active living, and encouraging them to make physical activity a part of their daily lives, is key to a healthy future. We encourage residents of all ages in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to check out the Canada 150 Playlist activities and challenge each other to complete many of the 150 activities, while also having fun.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“By dedicating June as Recreation Month we hope to bring public attention to the important benefits and values of recreation to individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities. We are encouraging everyone to get involved and inspire others to do the same. It’s a provincial initiative that benefits us all.”
Tina Auchinleck-Ryan
President, Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn More
Recreation Month - www.recreationnl.com/programs-events/recreation-month-campaign/
ParticipACTION 150 Play List - www.participaction.com/en-ca/programs/participaction-150-play-list
Healthy Living, Sport and Recreation - www.cssd.gov.nl.ca/recreation/
Follow on Twitter: @GovNL
, @CSSD_GovNL
, @Rec_NL
and @ParticipACTION
Media contacts
Krista Dalton
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca
Gary Milley
Executive Director, Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3892
garymilley@recreationnl.com
2017 06 02 1:45 p.m.