Waterloo celebrates Healthy Kids Community Challenge

(Waterloo, Ont. – Oct. 3, 2018) The City of Waterloo applauds and thanks the community for participating in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, a four-year region-wide initiative that promotes physical activity and healthy eating. 

Waterloo is a very active community – thousands of people enjoy our recreation facilities and active transportation network every day – and we are thankful for the opportunity to engage children and their caregivers in hopes of instilling good habits and skills to last a lifetime. 

Theme 1: Run. Jump Play. Every Day.

a)    Swim to Survive – In just five free classes, 71 individuals learned the skills necessary to be safe in and around water.

b)    Active Play Days – In a 12-week period, 415 individuals played for free in different gymnasiums across Waterloo.

c)    Active and Safe Routes to School – Eight elementary schools made walking to and from school fun and easy for about 1,000 students, with signage and painted sidewalks.

d)    Pingstreet – About 3,000 individuals used the recreation tile on this mobile app to locate parks, outdoor basketball courts, etc., to enjoy free physical activity.

Theme 2: Water Does Wonders

a)    Hydration stations – 23 hydration stations were installed in elementary schools, child care centres and recreation spaces across Waterloo to promote water as a safe and healthy alternative to sugary drinks.

Theme 3: Choose to Boost Veggies and Fruit

a)    Garden builds – Garden programming for children and caregivers at Sunnydale Community Centre was expanded, and three local elementary schools participated in a Seeds of Diversity food garden build.

b)    Live theatre performances – About 337 elementary students took in some ‘edutainment’ style performances that emphasized the benefits of eating vegetables or fruit at each meal and snack.

Theme 4: Power Off and Play!

a)    Power Off and Play! Challenge – On June 1, 65 families pledged to power off their devices and play and 14 families won gift cards to purchase equipment to support play opportunities.

b)    Park signs – 20 signs will soon be installed at parks and trails across Waterloo to promote long-term Healthy Kids messaging.

e)    Swim to Survive – An additional 37 individuals participated in swim classes to learn the skills necessary to be safe in and around water.

c)    School skate program – About 195 children from local schools participated in free skate lessons and 150 helmets were donated to children participating in this program.

The final event in Waterloo’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge took place on Sept. 21.  Seventy-seven families pledged to power off their devices and play and 10 families won gift cards to purchase equipment to support play opportunities. 

The goals of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge are to support the wellbeing of children and to help create opportunities for children and their caregivers to lead healthier lives. Now that the region-wide challenge has ended, parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit healthykidswr.ca for tips and resources to maintain that healthier lifestyle. 

Waterloo Region is one of 45 communities across Ontario that took part in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The Healthy Kids Community Challenge was funded for four years by the Province of Ontario and delivered as a partnership through all seven municipalities in Waterloo Region. 

For more information about the City of Waterloo’s involvement, please visit waterloo.ca/healthykids.

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Media contact:

Shelly Reed
Communications specialist
519-747-8515
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
shelly.reed@waterloo.ca