WORKING TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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WORKING TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• It helps to remember

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WHAT DO THEY LIKE?Sources of Enjoyment for High
School Aged Youth

• Friends
• Music
• Their Computer
• Youth Groups Generally
• Boyfriend or Girlfriend

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YOUTH - WHAT DO THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS?

• Watch television
• Listen to music
• Spend time with friends
• Do homework

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YOUTH WHAT ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT?

• Pressure to do well at school
• What to do after finishing school
• Never seem to have enough time
• Lack of money

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FAVOURITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY9 TO 14 Year Olds
By Gender

• BOYS
• Play video games 15
• Ride a bike 12
• Play on computer 10
• Play outside 7
• Boys only plus play hockey, skateboarding

• GIRLS
• Read/hear a story 18
• Play with friends 14
• Books 13
• Watch TV 8
• Girls only arts/crafts, listen to music,

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FAVOURITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY9 TO 14 Year Olds
By Age

• 9 10 years
• Play video games 10
• Read/hear a story 10
• Play outside 9
• Books 9
• Miscellaneous 19
• In this age group list, but not on older list
  arts/crafts, play hockey, play outside

• 13 14 years
• Read/hear a story 12
• Play with friends 8
• Play video games 8
• Books 8
• Miscellaneous 24
• In this age group list, but not on younger list
  skateboarding/ rollerblading, play basketball,
  play soccer

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FAVOURITE SPORT9 TO 14 Year Olds By Gender

• BOYS
• Hockey 30
• Soccer 20
• Basketball 9
• Baseball 7
• Football 6/2
• Boys only badminton, golf, cycling, skateboarding

• GIRLS
• Soccer 25
• Basketball 16
• Swimming 10/2
• Hockey 9
• Baseball 7
• Girls only dance, volleyball, figure skating,
  horses

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FAVOURITE SPORT9 TO 14 Year Olds By Age

• 9 10 years
• Soccer 25
• Hockey 23
• Baseball 9
• Basketball 7
• Swimming 7
• In this age group list, but not on older list
  golf, figure skating, horses

• 13 14 years
• Soccer 17
• Basketball 17
• Hockey 16
• Football 7
• Volleyball 6
• In this age group list, but not on younger list
  skateboarding, dance, volleyball

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WHAT YOUTH VALUE

• Friendship
• Freedom
• Being loved
• Having choices
• Concern for others
• Excitement

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YOUTH-CENTRED VERSUS PROGRAM-CENTRED

• Engagement is a process
• Individual engagement is needed
• Program for the person
• The activity is not an island
• Intentional youth development

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A BARRIER OR A SUCCESS CHECKLIST

• Developmentally appropriate
• Broadly diverse
• Flexible
• Creative
• Engaged
• Accessible
• Connected
• Safe
• Fun

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EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Village Square Leisure Centre, Calgary
• Islington Community School Youth Program, Toronto
• John Innes Community Recreation Centre, Toronto

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INTERESTING VIRTUAL RESOURCES

• www.youthinrecreation.org
• www.playworkspartnership.ca
• www.laidlwawfdn.org
• www.corusmedia.com/ytv
• SPRYNT list serve

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FINAL POINTS TO CONSIDER

• Where do youth hear about events?
• What do they spend money on?
• Where are the natural leaders?
• What are the attitudes of others?
• Ask and check things out.

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• Marion E. Price, CAE
• Manager
• Parks and Recreation Ontario
• 406-1185 Eglinton Avenue East
• Toronto, ON M3C 3C6
• P 416-426-7065
• Email mprice_at_prontario.org