S.T.A.R. - Strength Through Active Recreation

October 5, 2021 - Defence Stories

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Is this hula hooping or building confidence? It is both. It's building strength through active recreation.

Children and youth from military families can be some of the most resilient kids out there. But they also face a number of unique challenges such as:

• Repeated relocation
• Absences of one or both parents due to work
• Parental deployments to volatile areas
• Unpredictable work hours for their parent(s)

All of this can represent sources of stress that regular kids never have to worry about in their day-to-day lives.

Young people’s resilience is determined by the interplay of their individual characteristics (including skills they have developed), the characteristics of the families in which they live, and the characteristics of their physical and social environments. Meaningful participation in the home, school and community contributes to the resilience of children: it increases their sense of connection while decreasing their sense of isolation.

Everyone needs skills and supportive people in their lives to help cushion them from problems they may encounter. Introducing even a few positive elements into their lives can shift the balance and help many children and youth flourish. STAR is a new resilience-based program for children of military families, and it's free. It builds self-esteem and leadership skills and allows children to grow and thrive: physically, emotionally and mentally.

“In between the arts and crafts, games and activities, something special happens. Friendships blossom, self-confidence emerges, independence grows, and through it all, children build resilience to help them face new challenges as they grow up,” says Ben Ouellette, Vice President Operations, Personnel Support Programs. “We are empowering children to lead healthier, happier lives by helping them learn how to handle life’s curve balls.”

Registration opens soon with limited spaces, priority registration will go to children from families affected most by the military lifestyle (i.e. deployments). Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

Do not miss the fun and gains.