YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Engagement in quality recreation experiences is considered an important factor in positive youth development. Known benefits include the following: increases independence, strengthens relationships with family, reduces stress and tension, develops problem solving skills, builds stronger bodies, enhances self esteem, reduces boredom, fosters cultural sensitivity, promotes connection to ones’ community, develops team players, enhances leadership skills, promotes pro social ways to satisfy needs, facilitates connection to others with shared interests, fosters a sense of belonging, promotes active living-prevents sedentary lifestyles, enhances physical and mental wellbeing, and reduces obesity.
Certain conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These conditions are known as social determinants of health. The social determinants of health for youth include: access to income, nature of education, early childhood development, food insecurity, housing, social exclusion, social safety network, health services, gender, race, and disability. Engagement in programs provided by recreation professionals can mitigate many of these factors. With an understanding of the determinants of health and positive youth development, recreation professionals endeavour to provide services that are accessible, affordable, and benefits based thus leveling the playing field so that all can participate and reap the benefits. This often means taking such steps as providing free meal programs, arranging transportation, and reaching out to ensure that all youth feel welcome and safe in recreation settings.
Perhaps more important that at any other time in recent history, with issues such as excessive screen time, stress and anxiety, social isolation, substance abuse, over exposure to violence, focus on materialism, physical inactivity, mental health challenges, and impact of social media on social interactions, addressing the social determinants of health is of critical importance if youth have a chance at growing up as happy, healthy, adults leading balanced lifestyles.
Acadia Recreation graduates have been making a significant contribution to fostering positive youth development through their work in leadership roles with the following types of youth serving organizations throughout Canada: Me to We, Boy Scouts of Canada, Childhood Matters Coalition, Katimavik, Junior Achievement, Covent House, Between Friends, Heartwood, Boys and Girls Clubs, YM/WCAs, Partners for Youth, Youth Action Network, and MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, in addition to all the Municipal and community based recreation and sport programs already cited.
Certain conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These conditions are known as social determinants of health. The social determinants of health for youth include: access to income, nature of education, early childhood development, food insecurity, housing, social exclusion, social safety network, health services, gender, race, and disability. Engagement in programs provided by recreation professionals can mitigate many of these factors. With an understanding of the determinants of health and positive youth development, recreation professionals endeavour to provide services that are accessible, affordable, and benefits based thus leveling the playing field so that all can participate and reap the benefits. This often means taking such steps as providing free meal programs, arranging transportation, and reaching out to ensure that all youth feel welcome and safe in recreation settings.
Perhaps more important that at any other time in recent history, with issues such as excessive screen time, stress and anxiety, social isolation, substance abuse, over exposure to violence, focus on materialism, physical inactivity, mental health challenges, and impact of social media on social interactions, addressing the social determinants of health is of critical importance if youth have a chance at growing up as happy, healthy, adults leading balanced lifestyles.
Acadia Recreation graduates have been making a significant contribution to fostering positive youth development through their work in leadership roles with the following types of youth serving organizations throughout Canada: Me to We, Boy Scouts of Canada, Childhood Matters Coalition, Katimavik, Junior Achievement, Covent House, Between Friends, Heartwood, Boys and Girls Clubs, YM/WCAs, Partners for Youth, Youth Action Network, and MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, in addition to all the Municipal and community based recreation and sport programs already cited.
ALUMNAE CAREER PROFILE
Heather MacDonald ’09 began her career working with youth before she graduated university. For 4 years she spent summers working as a Leadership and Program Director for Scouts Canada. Following graduation, she worked as Supervisor for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Her next career step was into the position of Program Manager for Junior Achievement where she collaborated with 70 organizations to educate youth about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace readiness through the school system. For the past number of years, Executive Director of the MacPhee Centre for Creative learning has been her title. The Centre strives to connect with students disengaged from tradition education through arts based creative learning.