SUMMER2016
MOUNTAINLIFEBLUEMOUNTAINS
59
OUTDOORSFORALL
But some say this outdoor playtime isn’t happening nearly enough. The biggest risk is keeping
kids indoors: that’s the message of the most recent ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity
for Children and Youth. This long-running ranking system has been giving Canadian children
some dismal marks for physical activity in recent years but in 2015, ParticipACTIONwent even
further, offering a position statement onActive Outdoor Play. “Access to active play in nature and
outdoors—with its risks—is essential for healthy child development. We recommend increasing
children’s opportunities for self-directed play outdoors in all settings—at home, at school, in
child care, the community and nature,” states the Report. “It means giving children the freedom
to decide how high to climb, to explore the woods, get dirty, play hide ‘n seek, wander in their
neighbourhoods, balance, tumble and rough-house, especially outdoors, so they can be active, build
confidence, autonomy and resilience, develop skills, solve problems and learn their own limits,” the
Report adds. “It’s letting kids be kids—healthier, more active kids.”
As you face the universal summer challenge of getting your youngsters outside, here are some local
adventures—aka, solutions—to help build their confidence and reach their potential.
“Hegot toaccomplish
something thatmadehim feel
awesomewhilestill respecting
hisownboundaries.”
CHALLENGE
My youngster needs a confidence boost
SOLUTION
Test their limits at Blue’s summer camps
BlueMountain’s variety of summer camps
offer immersive experiences where kids
will surprise themselves and their parents.
“We had a young camper, maybe 12 years
old, at the Beachside Camp last year,”
recalls Kids at Blue’s Lesley Ciarletti. “He
hadn’t really been successful at camp
before and had some low self-esteem
about this. At the end of his week, his
aunt checked inwithme and she was in
tears. She said the camp had changed
his life.” The camp’s combination of
high adventure yet low risk activities
was perfect for this camper. “He got to
accomplish something that made him feel
awesome while still respecting his own
boundaries,” Ciarletti adds.
