Recreation NS

Since the early 1970s, the Nova Scotian government has mandated itself, through various departments, to create, maintain and develop recreation opportunities across the province. Currently, the Department of Health Promotion and Protection oversees this activity.
 
Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to start such a program, says Brenda Robertson, president of Recreation Nova Scotia.
 
“It’s been well-documented that certain forms of physically active recreation can foster positive health benefits and that lack of physical activity can result in a myriad of health-related issues that are costly to the Nova Scotia taxpayer,” says Robertson, who also teaches at the School of Recreation Management and Kinesiology at Acadia University in Wolfville. “Music, theatre, reading and hobbies have also been shown to enhance mental health and contribute to the wellbeing of individuals.”
 
Availability of, and access to, recreation pursuits help combat social problems, such as addiction, crime and childhood obesity. Recreation plays a role in fostering cohesive communities and helps attract businesses (employers who want to offer the best lifestyles to their employees) to the region, says Robertson.
 
“The full extent of the economic benefit associated with expenditures in the recreation sector has not been realized by government at any level. The economic benefits extend far beyond saving in health care resulting from physical inactivity,” she says.
 
Created in 1998, when three separate not-for-profit organizations merged, Recreation Nova Scotia is made up of a network of volunteers and professionals who deliver recreation benefits in this province.
 
Meeting with the newly elected NDP premier of Nova Scotia, Darrel Dexter, members of his cabinet and government tops the agenda. “We look forward to discussing the important connection between recreation and many provincial departments, along with health promotion and protection,” says Robertson.
 
She lists community services, education, economic and rural development, justice, seniors and tourism, culture, and heritage as just a few that departments that can link to, and benefit from, strong connections to the recreation sector.  
 
“Often recreation is not considered an essential service when in fact it’s central to all of our lifestyles and wellbeing,” Robertson says.
 
Another major agenda item and opportunity to promote recreation resources and activities: the annual conference and trade show. This year, Rediscover Recreation – Make Time to Play takes place this fall, October 14 to 17, at Oak Island Resort in Lunenburg County.
 
Among keynote speakers, paddler Adam Van Koeverden, the three-time Olympic medalist who raced in Dartmouth on Lake Banook during Canoe ’09, returns to Nova Scotia. Dr. Margaret Wheatley, an internationally renowned author, speaker and expert on leadership also addresses the conference crowd.
 
Even with the scenic surroundings and the celebratory mood of the event, conference-goers still get down to business. “The annual conference provides the opportunity for diverse groups to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest and concern,” says Robertson.
 
A cross-section of the province comes together for the annual event: municipal leaders, facility managers, youth programmers, community developers, entrepreneurs, parks administrators, educators, urban planners, consultants, sport animators and wellness coordinators.
 
They participate in professional development sessions, where current issues and best practices in the field are discussed. A symposium features the very latest research being carried around Nova Scotia. The trade show exposes delegates to product advancements. Even lunch offers a chance to connect with peers as a series of networking lunches take place.
 
One big brainstorm, the conference “serves to remind delegates of the true meaning of life in a time when our wellbeing is being compromised by the stresses of everyday living,” says Robertson.
 
In its 10-year existence, RNS has helped develop and deliver a full slate of programs and initiatives. For example, the organization runs Take the Roof Off Winter, to encourage people across the province to participate in outdoor activity during the cold weather. Through SOGO Active, young people learn to develop and follow their own personal activity plan. The pathwaysforpeople.ca website “provides a place for interested parties to share information on the hot button-issue of active transportation.”
 
Of course, this is only a part of what RNS does in the course of a year. There’s always a major, large-scale project in the works too.
 
“This past year, RNS launched a charitable foundation called Recreation for ALL (active leisure lifestyles),” says Robertson. “It supports research, capacity-building and community-based interventions aimed at barriers to Nova Scotians’ participation in recreation.”
 
Those barriers include poverty, distance, disability, the built environment and culture. Three funding programs are being run by the foundation: The Improving Access Fund, The Education Program Fund and The Research Fund. Further information on the Recreation For All Foundation and other RNS programs is available at the RNS website, www.recreationns.ns.ca.
 
Nova Scotia is a place of tradition. It’s the Nova Scotian way to give people a chance to get active, to play, to enjoy a good life.