Submitted by Grand Forks and District Recreation Staff
It is important to be educated and skilled in a variety of topics and activities. Head knowledge is valuable but putting what you “know” into action takes physical literacy.
Physical and Health Education Canada (PEH Canada) believe “Individuals who are physically literate move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person.”
Physical Literacy can be described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. (International Physical Literacy Assoc. 2014)
With the ever-increasing invasion of smartphones and devices in the lives of young children and youth the desire to engage in movement decreases dramatically. Domination of sedentary and isolating activities has a lingering effect on the physical and mental health of our kids and society as a whole.
GFREC wants to keep our youth active and ready to take on the world. We provide swim and water safety programs that progress from being comfortable in water to being able to save lives in and around bodies of water. Both physical and knowledge based learning are applied.
Red Cross swim lessons are being offered this summer. Three sessions are available running in one week blocks. Registration is being taken for July 3 to 7, July 17 to 21 and Aug. 14 to 18. All levels of Preschool lessons ages three to five years and Red Cross Swim Kids ages six and up are being offered during the sessions.
For those youth eight to 15 years who would like a challenge the Canadian Swim Patrol Camp will be held July 24 to 28. Swim Patrol is a three-award program offering challenging learning activities that introduces kids to leadership training through skills, drills and team games.
If you are 16 years and older, have completed your Bronze Cross award and have a current CPR C and Standard First Aid it’s time to register for the National Lifeguard Award. NL is the final step to becoming a certified Lifeguard. The knowledge and skills learned during the six-day course will equip individuals to seek exciting and challenging career opportunities.
Mind and body work together. Keep your children and teens active this summer. Enroll them in programs that will spur growth both physically and mentally.
Give GFREC a call for more information on our summer programs. Please contact us by calling 250-442-2202 or by email at gfplay@rdkb.com.