Take The Lead

NEW: TAKE THE LEAD! Games & Activities – Options for Physical Distancing Manual

A new Take the Lead! resource that compliments existing program materials has been launched by Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association! It contains ideas for games and activities that are low-touch and promote physical distancing.

Whether or not you are currently involved in the Take the Lead! program, you can access this manual by filling out this request form. It supports active and safe play for youth – and it is one more resource for your toolbox during the COVID period.

Prairie Central District in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association are looking for both municipal and First Nation community organizations and/or schools that are interested in Take the Lead!®

Take the Lead!® is a program focused on fostering leadership skills in youth aged 11-14 (possibly younger). Our youth know how to play best! Utilizing Take the Lead!® resources and training, youth can practise leading active play opportunities thus providing more physical activity opportunities for their peers. Because of Take the Lead!® training, we are confident that these same youth will later draw upon these skills as they reinvest in our communities.

Program Outcomes:

• Youth leaders (ages 11 – 14, possibly younger) demonstrate leadership qualities and self-confidence
• Children are physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes per day to help achieve the goal of 60-90 minutes of physical activity per day
• There are safe active play areas for children
• Increased time dedicated to active and fun play
• Strengthened capacity of schools and communities to support physical activity for children

Contact our Community Consultant, Crystal Francis, at crystal@prairiecentral.ca to start the conversation on how we can work together to get this program in your community organizations or school. The only cost would be the provision of a venue or facility for the training of the Youth Leader and/or Leadership Coach.

Take the Lead!® Leadership Coach is for adults.  This workshop is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to facilitate the Take the Lead!® Youth Leader workshop. Using the Take the Lead!® resources, a Take the Lead!® Leadership Coach will be the front line leader of the program, providing a fun and energetic workshop to engage youth to become leaders in their schools and communities. More than the ability to provide training to Youth Leaders, the Leadership Coach provides support to the Youth Leaders throughout the implementation of the program. This adult Leadership Coach acts as role model demonstrating leadership characteristics to the youth participating in this program.

Take the Lead!® Youth Leader is for youth, ages 11-14 or possibly younger. This workshop is designed to provide resources and training to youth who are interested in becoming Take the Lead!® Youth Leaders in their school and/or community organizations. The workshop fosters leadership skills through concepts such as safe and active play, responsibility and respect for others and property, cooperation and team building. It provides opportunities for youth to take responsibility for making positive contributions in their school and community, thus allowing youth to make the positive personal choices to pursue active lifestyles. The Take the Lead!® Youth Leader training provides the optimal learning environment as the leaders ‘learn by doing.

Take the Lead!® receives endorsement from PHE Canada! Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada champions healthy, active kids by promoting and advancing quality health and physical education opportunities – and healthy learning environments. SPRA’s Take the Lead! manuals have recently been revised to include more content on physical literacy, outdoor play, Indigenous culture and holistic well-being. PHE Canada has officially endorsed the new program. To learn more about Take the Lead!® or its endorsement, click here.

Prairie Central District along with SPRA is dedicated to increasing play opportunities throughout Saskatchewan, via education, promotion and coordination of resources. As a result, we have recognized the importance of building leadership skills in young people and mentoring them through a positive and proactive process.

The Take the Lead!® Initiative is a resource focused upon leadership skill development and increased physical activity in youth ages 11-14. The purpose of this program is to train and mentor young people so that they can practice leading active play opportunities.

Once they’ve completed Take the Lead!® Training, youth leaders will have the ability to foster leadership skills within their schools and communities. They will provide more physical activity and active play opportunities for their peers and in the future they will be able to draw upon these skills as they reinvest in our communities.

Take the Lead!® Outcomes:

• Youth leaders (ages 11 – 14) demonstrate leadership qualities and self-confidence
• Children are physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes per day in the school environment, to help achieve the goal of 60-90 minutes of physical activity per day
• There are safe active play areas for children
• Increased time dedicated to active, fun play during school recess, noon hour and the after school time period
• Strengthened capacity of schools and communities to support physical activity for children

For more information click here.