December 2006 GET UP, GET OUT, GET ACTIVE! INSIDE INPUT Come on Ontario...It’s Time to Get Moving! Get Up, Get Out, Get Active! ...... 1 Message from the President ...... 2 And winter is the ideal time to do it! Announcements ...... 2 SnoFun ...... 3 During the cold winter months, we tend physical activity campaign helps Just Add Snow: Snowy Games for to hibernate indoors accepting Canadians get more physically Winter Days ...... 4 inactivity as a fact of winter. active in the winter months! Snow Fun Playday ...... 4 With excuses like "it's too Running from January 15 – Mini Winter Carnival ...... 5 cold" or "it's too snowy” February 23, 2007 the goals Winter Comfort ...... 5 we need to find fun ways of the campaign include Outdoor Club ...... 6 to get moving – even if spreading the message When Is Cold Too Cold? ...... 6 it is frosty outside. that active living, healthy Kicksled ...... 7 eating and living smoke- Canada's NEW annual, six CIRA Ontario Outstanding Intramural free are all key parts of a Recreation Achievement Awards ...... 8 week community- based healthy lifestyle! CIRA Ontario Conference “Be The Difference” ...... 8 20 07 CIRA ONTARIO CONFERENCE “BE THE DIFFERENCE” BMO Centre Toronto York College, PA April 13 & 14, 2007 See page 8 for details. www.winteractive.org

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.ciraontario.com phone: 905- 575-2083 fax: 905- 575-2202

c/o Mohawk College PO Box 2034 Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3T2 A Message from the President

CIRA Ontario Executive This fall we at CIRA Ontario have led workshops and displayed our books at a lot of workshops and conferences. It is exciting to be at President: John Byl these sessions. We get charged up seeing teachers and recreation Vice President: Andy Raithby leaders wanting to make a difference. Just this morning I ran across Vice President: Herwig Baldauf the following line, “If they don't learn the way you teach, teach the Vice President: Myra Stephen way they learn.” I think that is why many of us go to workshops and Vice President: Kirstin Schwass conferences, because we want to make a difference in the lives of children, and everyone’s ideas help us in that process. Vice President: Alf Grigg To help us all make a difference, CIRA Ontario is hosting a conference this coming Vice President: Grachella Garcia April at the Bank of Montreal Learning Centre in north east Toronto. The workshops Staff: Pat Doyle will be amazing as always. The conference site demonstrates making a difference on Office Assistant: Kelly Hare your life as you enjoy the meeting rooms, relaxing in the hot tub, dining on delightful foods, or networking over a pool table. Help us make a difference in your life as you make a difference in other’s lives by attending this year’s CIRA Ontario conference. It will be an amazing experience! .John Byl, CIRA Ontario President

INPUT is a quarterly publication produced by CIRA Ontario. Editor: Michelle Harkness ANNOUNCEMENTS CIRA Ontario PO Box 2034 Don’t be disappointed. Register early for Valley Learning Conference, Can-Fit-Pro, Hamilton, ON April’s CIRA Ontario Conference . The Early Chatham-Kent Public Health, Ontario Christian L8N 3T2 Bird registration deadline is January 31/07. Teachers Association and Let’s Get Moving. OPHEA’s conference in October sold out early. Phone: 905-575-2083 John Byl attended the Ontario Government’s Fax: 905-575-2202 Best wishes and good luck to Jodie Lavell who first conference on Healthy Eating and Active E-Mail: [email protected] has left the CIRA Ontario office to complete Living on November 29-30, 2007. The conference Web Site: has four main themes: Healthy Communities, www.ciraontario.com her studies at McMaster University. Not only did Jodie help out with the day to day work in Public Policy, Children and Youth and Public the office but she also edited the French Awareness and Engagement. The conference Ideas, activities and articles version of You’re It…Tag, Tag and More Tag supports Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy are needed for future INPUT which was recently published. Thanks Jodie!! Eating and Active Living. issues. If you have any ideas, McMaster University will be the host of the An International Conference on Child- suggestions, special events, 2007 CIRA Ontario Post Secondary Student hood Obesity will be held in Toronto on etc., please send them to the Leadership Conference on Friday, January June 24-27, 2007. The conference will be CIRA Ontario office at the 19, 2007. The theme is “Building Beyond organized by the same group that hosted the address above. Basics” and will feature three streams – 1988 and 1992 Physical Activity, Fitness and intramurals/ recreation, fitness and facilities. Health Conference and the Whistler 2001 The new $30M David Braley Athletic Centre Communicating Physical Activity and Health will be the location for the conference. For Messages. more information contact Debbie Marinoff CIRA Ontario acknowledges the efforts of the Shupe at (905) 525-9140, ext 24640 - Central West Public Health Physical [email protected] Activity Promotion Network (Brant, Attention Post Secondary members. Do you Haldmiand-Norfolk, Hamilton, Waterloo, and know someone very deserving in your Campus Niagara) and the Hastings and Prince Recreation Program? Nominations are being Edward Counties Health Unit for their accepted until January 5, 2007 for the CIRA efforts in promoting WinterActive. Ontario Post Secondary Student Leadership An Elementary school in south Boston has Award . Visit www.ciraontario.com or contact banned recess games such as tag as they are the CIRA Ontario Office. considered too rough and the school could be Applications for the 7th Annual CIRA held liable for injuries. In the past few years Ontario Outstanding Intramural Recreation dodgeball, touchfootball, British Bulldog and Achievements Awards are being accepted snowballs have been banned at various until February 28, 2007. Awards will be presented schools in Canada, the US and Britain. at the CIRA Ontario Conference in April. Advocates of letting kids be kids, argue that children need more freedom to play and say This fall CIRA Ontario folks were busy that minor injuries, winning and losing at making presentations at over 15 conferences games are all part of growing up. CBC News and workshops including OPHEA, Think, Act, (Thu 19 Oct 2006) Be…Fit 2006, Charles Sturt University, Thames

2 INPUT—A Publication of CIRA Ontario SnoFun CIRA Ontario Post Secondary Most outdoor summer activities can be easily adapted to be played Student Leadership in the snow. Consider organizing a campus wide winter sports Conference competition playing only traditional summer activities such as touch football, frisbee, 3-pitch, volleyball and soccer, etc. BUILDING BEYOND BASICS January 19, 2007

McMaster University [email protected]

Snow Soccer

CIRA Ontario Post Secondary STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Nominations Open Snow Pitch Deadline: January 5, 2007 l l a b y e l l o V

w o n S I am Canadian and I am ready for Winter!

Snow Frisbee

INPUT– A Publication of CIRA Ontario 3 RESOURCE file JUST ADD SNOW: KEEP KIDS Snowy Games for Winter Days WINTERACTIVE

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit Snow Hurdles ten feet or so and use the frozen jugs to • 50 Ways to Leave Your Sofa Lightly pack a bunch of basketball-size knock down the “bowling pins”. • WinterActive Fitness Tip of snowballs and then use them to build a the Day course of hurdles to jump over in a Flag in a Snow Stack • Tips for Winter Safety round of follow the leader. Tie a white cloth to the end of a short • Winter Scavenger Hunt Get on a Roll stick or around the bowl of a wooden • Here's Where We Get spoon. Then give each child a chance to Canadian, eh? Pair up for a contest in which the hide it anywhere within a predetermined • Snow Games and More object is to finish with the biggest set of boundaries. Keep track of how long Snow Fun! – two pages of snowball. The contest ends when the winter activity ideas it takes the group to find it. Whoever hid teams can no longer roll their entries the flag that takes the longest time to spot www.hpechu.on.ca/SchoolSupp or when you run out of snow. ort/winteractive.p hp wins the game.

Ice Bowling Ice Cube Scavenger Hunt Fill ten (or more) plastic litre bottles Hide several trays of different coloured ice and several bleach type jugs with water cubes in the snow on a frosty day. Send and let them freeze. To play, set up the your students on a treasure hunt to find litre bottles as bowling pins, back up an ice cube of each colour. GET WINTERACTIVE AND CHASE AWAY THE WINTER BLUES

• WinterActive Activity Ideas • Wintery Themes SNOW FUN PLAYDAY • Safety Information

www.cd.gov.ab.ca/asrpwf/progr Arrange students into groups of five or six and have them perform the following activities: ams/active/Winteractive/Winter Active_Ideas_Safety_ information.pdf Snow Pile Fill It Up Each team has five minutes to build the Teams fill a bucket full of snow using highest snow pile. a scoop. See which team can fill the bucket the fastest or see which team Dog Race has the most snow in their bucket after a certain period of time. Students (drivers) take turns being pulled by their teams (dogs) around a marked course on a toboggan. Spoon Balls Each team is given a spoon and a snow- ball. One at a time, each member puts the snowball on the spoon and runs around a marker. Variation: Students continue taking Introducing children 5-10 turns for a specified amount of time years old to the wonderful instead of stopping after each student joys of their favorite part of has gone once. the day – RECESS! VIsit www.gacpc.com for more information. Source: www.activedmonton.ca 4 INPUT—A Publication of CIRA Ontario MINI WINTER CARNIVAL RESOURCE file Establish a series of stations where Snowman Building WINTERACTIVE children compete doing different Who can build the biggest/best snowman FREEZER KIT activities. Here are some ideas: (or build one the fastest)? Central West Public Health Physical Activity Promotion Snow Snakes Races Snowball Rolling Network Build the track the night before using a Teams of two or more start with a • Tips for Winter Safety narrow shovel, your hands or even cross- snowball and roll it towards the finish • Snow Games country . The track should be a few line. As it gets bigger and bigger, it's harder inches lower than the surrounding snow to roll and control. The first team to cross • Don’t Hibernate Calendar so there are banks on either side or can the finish line wins. If the snowball falls • Winter Active Booklist be elevated by building an incline at the apart, teams must start again from the • 50 Ways to Leave the Sofa start. Pack the snow down and spray beginning. with a little water. Let it freeze overnight. http://www.lin.ca/resource/htm Children make their snow snakes using l/winteractive_kit_complete.pdf sticks or cut down broom handles they Snowball Throwing decorate to personalize. The object of the Who can throw a snowball the farthest? race is to see who can slide their snake the farthest. Seal Races Racers lie flat on their stomachs and can only pull themselves forward using their flippers (arms). First one across the finish line wins.

Targets Children aim snowballs at tin cans piled in a pyramid and sitting on top of a snow Winter Green is a national Go for Green program that mound. The one who knocks down the encourages outdoor physical most cans in one shot is the winner. activity during winter while protecting, enhancing or Source: www.treehousetv.com restoring the environment.

• A Warm Winter's Welcome! WINTER COMFORT • Winteractive Tools • Resources and Contacts Just the words “wind chill factor” is enough to make you want to stay indoors. But • Cool Ideas wind chill is simply a combination of temperature and wind conditions and does not always have to be interpreted into doom and gloom weather forecast. Use this guide www.goforgreen.ca/winter_ green/index.htm to help decide how to dress for winter outdoor activities.

Wind Chill Comfort Factor +4°c to -12°c Very Comfortable Outdoor Conditions -12°c to -20°c Comfortable outdoor conditions with dry adequately insulated WEB RESOURCES – WINTER FUN AND OUTDOOR clothing ACTIVITIES -20°c to -25°c Comfortable Outdoor Conditions require activity and quality www.k-3learningpages.net/ outdoor clothing web%20winter%20fun%20out door%20activities.htm -25°c to -50°c Shortened outdoor activity with warming breaks. Cover all skin. -50°c Outdoor activity should be kept to a minimum

Reprinted with permission from the Canadian Council’s Media Kit 1996

INPUT—A Publication of CIRA Ontario 5 OUTDOOR CLUB

At Bayview Community Promotion and Protection School in Mahone Bay, helped with the purchase of Nova Scotia, physical the equipment. WINTER THEMES education teacher Selena Davidson, along The curling rink was built on the infield of the baseball Take the Roof Off Winter with her students, started an Outdoor diamond by Grade 9 students. The rink was not to full- Let It Snow Club to promote active living and fun scale, but scaled down (10’ x 25’) with hockey pucks for Frosty Fridays throughout the winter season. curling stones and tempura paint for the “house”. Snowtastic The first task for the Club was to fundraise Grade 9 students at Bayview Snowflake Shuffle and purchase a help with the operation of complete class set of the club by providing Snug in the Snow snow- shoes and supervision, instruction and equipment needed to build an outdoor mentorship for the Grade 5 students at Chill Out curling rink! The school has a small the school. Congratulations to the nature trail in the back of the property, students and staff of Bayview Community Ice Capades allowing quick exploratory walks School for initiating such a creative, through the wooded area and a large engaging and successful outdoor activity Just Add Snow playing field where students can develop program… one surely worthy of their snowshoeing skills. A Physical showcasing! Extra Frosty Activity Grant from N.S. Health

The Big Chill

Snow Ball

Iced Out

Don’t Hiberate....Participate!

An Ice Time for Games

Do it On Snow

Crispy Capers

Make Friends with Winter

There’s No People Like Snow People

Bring on the Cold

Snow Much Fun

Take It Outside WHEN IS COLD TOO COLD? • Children should play indoors if the temperature falls below -25C (-13F), regardless of the wind chill factor. Get Winter Active • Children should play indoors, regardless of the temperature, if the wind and Chase Away chill factor is reported as -28 C (-15F) or greater (This is the temperature at the Winter Blues! which exposed skin freezes in a few minutes). Source: www.safekidscanada.ca

6 INPUT— A Publication of CIRA Ontario KICKSLED

Kicksled is a The kicksled is translation of driven forward by the Swedish and the driver Norwegian standing on one "sparkstötting", runner, and SNOWBALL BIATHLON commonly kicking backwards For cross country skiers, called "spark". on the ground and even runners. The kicksled is a with the other Design a course using an existing loop or open field. At small sled foot, thus the selected locations around the consisting of a name. The loop identify target stations. chair mounted flexibility of the Participants must complete the on a pair of runners allows loop as quickly as possible stopping at each station to flexible metal the driver to steer make a snowball and hit a runners which the kicksled by target. Targets can be painted extend twisting the circles, hula hoops, boxes, backward to handlebars. One trees etc. about twice the chair's length. There is a can have a passenger or luggage on the handlebar attached to the top of the chair chair seat. back. The kicksled is a great way to have The cost of a kicksled is similar to the cost fun on snow and ice and a terrific way to of ski equipment and is sold in a variety stay in shape. It is also a great alternative of different sizes. ICEMAN COMPETITION to cross-country skiing. Organize a multi discipline A kicksled can only be used on hard, event that includes cross- country skiing, skating, slippery surfaces like ice or hardpacked running, snowshoeing etc. snow. The kicksled is popular in Norway, Organize your students in Sweden and as a winter substitute FROSTY DAY! teams and get each participant for the especially where roads are to compete in one or all of the competitions. not sanded or salted. It is also an A day dedicated to excellent means of travelling over frozen lakes to go ice fishing. Frosty the Snowman

• Show the movie

• Sell Root Beer in a frosted glass INSTANT SNOWBALL MAKER • Hold a Snowman making contest and run a relay to dress the snowmen Makes snowballs in a flash!! (hat, carrot nose, scarf and coal eyes) • Rent a snowman costume and take pictures

Kicksledding is fun for all ages!

INPUT—A Publication of CIRA Ontario 7 CIRA ONTARIO OUTSTANDING INTRAMURAL RECREATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Applications for the 7th Annual CIRA Ontario • Applicants are encouraged to attach additional Outstanding Intramural Recreation Achievement information that will enhance their application Award will be accepted until February 28, 2007. (e.g., student testimonials, program plans, Again this year a select number of CIRA Ontario promotional flyers etc). members will be recognized for their • All applications received or post marked by outstanding intramural/recreation programs. February 28, 2007 will be considered. Programs must offer a varied line up of activities, promote fun, active participation, fair play and • All school-based applications must include a involve students in a leadership capacity. Last principal’s signature. All other applications year 51 award winners were presented with must have a supervisor’s signature. recognition banners, including three five time • Pictures promoting your program, either as a winners. hard copy or in JPG form. These may be used Application Procedure: in future Inputs. • Applicants must be current CIRA Ontario members. Applications are available at www.ciraontario.com • Complete application form and mail or fax it or by contacting the CIRA Ontario Office at to the CIRA Ontario office. 905-575-2083.

Keynote Speaker: Gordon Cressy – Canadian Tire Foundation for Families "Dreaming and Doing: Bold Dreams for Kids" 20 07 Registration: Members: Early Bird (before Jan 31/07) $245 Full / $150 Day Late Bird (after Jan 31/07) $275 Full / $175 Day CIRA Non-Members: Add $25 to all prices ONTARIO Registration includes one nights accommodation, three meals CONFERENCE and all workshops. Registration begins at 12:00pm on Friday. A pre-conference “BE THE workshop will be held on Friday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. DIFFERENCE” Conference concludes Saturday at 4:00pm The Conference Committee is assembling a group of dynamic speakers to cover a broad spectrum of subjects relating to BMO Centre intramurals, recreation, and daily physical activity. The conference Toronto is ideally suited for teachers, health promoters, intramural co- ordinators and recreation professionals. April 13 & 14, 2007 Session topics include: Note new dates & location! • Daily Physical Activity • 50 Games with 50 Tennis Balls • Organizing Tournaments • Activities from Heaven • Inuit Games • Survival Intramurals • Rock Paper Scissors • Flag Rugby • Everybody Move • Chickens, Balls + Noodles • Dodgeball • Design for Wellness

For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact the CIRA Ontario office or visit 8 www.ciraontario.com

INPUT—A Publication of CIRA Ontario