The Town of Banff’s recreation programs for kids are proving extremely popular and needed.
A recent survey rated the Town’s youth and children’s programs, and program staff, anywhere from above average to exceptional, with more than half of the 75 respondents wanting to see expanded specialty camp, pre-school and youth summer programming.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said it is important to note that the recreation programs overseen by Banff’s Community Services Department are something the municipality chooses to offer the community.
“We are not mandated to do this, but these numbers support what we’re doing,” she said of the 299 kids aged 14 and under who took part in the programs last July and August.
Cheryl Borecky, the Town of Banff’s acting children-youth programmer, said recreation at one time was viewed as something nice to do when the municipality had the time.
“This perception has undergone significant change as individuals and communities have realized the broad reaching benefits of recreation and active living,” she said in a report to council.
“Regular physical activity provides young people with important physical, mental and social health benefits.”
The programs include a drop-in playground program for three- to five-year-olds at the Middle Springs Cabin, Summer Fun day camps with planned activities, and Summer Fun specialty camps, which are five-day expert instructor-led camps.
As well, there are youth camps catering to Grades 7 to 9, which include two five-day paddle trips, and four and five-day camps taking kids on day trips, such as paint balling, high roping and go-carting.
In considering children and youth programming in the future, Borecky said it is also interesting to note that birthrates peaked in Banff in 2007 at 124 babies.
“A third kindergarten class has also been added this year at Banff Elementary School,” she said, noting there was an increase of 16 kids in kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year.
The entire children/youth programs service area generates $131,671 through registration fees, federal/provincial employment grants and provincial funding. There’s a total of $282,357 in expenses.
Overall, Borecky said, this service area is recovering just over 46 per cent of its operating expenses.
“It is the goal of the department to achieve 50 per cent or greater level of recovery over the next three years through increased partnerships and sponsorships,” she said.
Research has shown that:
Regular practice of physical activity helps children and young people to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints;
Helps control body weight, helps reduce fat and develop efficient function of the heart and lungs;
Contributes to the development of movement and coordination and helps prevent and control feelings of anxiety and depression;
Studies show that among adolescents, the more often they participate in physical activity, the less likely they are to use tobacco;
Children who are more physically active showed higher academic performances;
Team games and play promote positive social integration and facilitate the development of social skills in young children;
Starting physical activity during childhood and adolescence is more likely to be maintained throughout life, thus providing the basis for active and healthy life.
