UNICEF recently released a discussion paper, entitled: 'The Necessity of Urban Green Space for Children's Optimal Development', in which the authors state that all urban children should live within walking distance of a safe and welcoming public green space. The paper begins with a definition of green space, how promoting access to green spaces for children is...
In 2020 the Lawson Foundation published a report and position on increasing outdoor play in early learning child care environments in the context of COVID-19. With input from OPC Leadership Group member Frank Welsh, the Lawson Foundation recently revisited the guidelines and published an update through First Policy Response. Read the updated report, 'Outdoor early learning helps kids....
On July 12, 2021, ParticipACTION is celebrating 50 years of inspiring and supporting Canadians to get active! As part of the celebration, ParticipACTION invited Canadians to take a trip down memory lane and remember some of their most iconic commercials (BodyBreak anyone?). Check out these commercials and more on the ParticipACTION website....
Outdoor Play Canada (OPC) and Sask in motion are thrilled to announce the transfer of Sask in motion’s Active Toy Guide and Adventure Calendar to OPC. OPC hopes to uphold the creativity and playfulness of these legacy projects and expand both projects to be national in scope and reach, to help OPC in its mission...
On Friday, June 18th, OPC's Dr. Louise de Lannoy presented at the 2021 Virtual Play Conference, an annual educational conference held by the US Play Coalition. This year, due to pandemic restrictions, the conference was held online from April 1st to June 30th, 2021 with weekly networking events and presentations, recorded and available for viewing...
You are invited to complete an anonymous survey on the major priorities and actions for the Canadian outdoor play sector (e.g., outdoor play oriented education, research, policy, organizations, community & youth programs) moving forward over the next five years. This survey is being done as part of a larger Outdoor Play in Canada State of the Sector Report, which will serve as an account...
On April 29th, 2021, OPC's Research Manager, Dr. Louise de Lannoy, presented on the importance of promoting, protecting, and preserving access to outdoor play at the Alberta Recreation & Parks Association Summit Monthly Meeting. Cynthia Watson from ActiveCity Collective also gave a presentation, in which she discussed the ActiveCity Collective initiative and their holistic approach...
Thank you to Josh Fullan, Director of Maximum City, a national engagement and education firm, for providing this post. In the second spring of what feels like an interminable coronavirus pandemic, nobody would blame kids and parents for surrendering to a just-gotta-get-to-summer feeling. Hope is hard to come by in the third wave of a plague...
On Thursday, April 22nd, 2021, Families Canada will host Active for Life in a new webinar highlighting findings from a recent study in childcare centres on the benefit of active play and physical literacy for helping children cope with stress, build resilience, and engage in a healthy lifestyle. This webinar is designed for practitioners. Learn more...
On Friday, April 16th at 12pm EST, Outdoor Play Canada will be hosting their next townhall. At this meeting, we will discuss the equity, diversity, and inclusion process among outdoor-oriented organizations. We aim to have an open conversation about this process. We aim to listen and learn, share interesting thoughts and ideas, and gather informational stories...
