
Disc golf: An active experience for all ages in CBRM
Have you heard of disc golf? If you’re looking for a fun way to stay active and get outdoors this fall, then why not give it a try? Disc golf is an intergenerational sport where participants try to throw special flying discs or Frisbees into an above-ground target. The sport is based on the rules of golf, but instead of … Continued

Fight for your right to play
Casual sport and neighbourhood play are important. But as our urban centres grow, competition for our public spaces increases as well.

How to connect with your neighbours through play
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Nov. 28, 2019. Do you live in a neighbourhood that has a roaming group of children that plays outside with little or no interference from adults? One where the local kids knock on your door to ask your child to come out to play? Kudos if you do. … Continued

Smart cycling: Start it at school!
At first glance, you might think that the Bromont National Cycling Centre (BNCC) is only for elite athletes, but think again. The centre also makes basic cycling skills a priority. The BNCC, located in Bromont, Que., gives adults and children the chance to discover all cycling sports—BMX, mountain biking, cyclocross, road cycling, track cycling, as … Continued

New paddle festival to make a splash in Cape Breton
This September, Cape Breton will play host to the first-ever Just Paddle It! Festival in Eskasoni. The event, hosted by Atlantic Division Canoe Kayak Canada (ADCKC), in partnership with CBRM Recreation, Eskasoni First Nation, and several other community stakeholders, will take place Sept. 20-22 in Crane Cove and will offer canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddle sessions. … Continued

Active for Life podcast: Noah Lenstra on active living in libraries
Most people think of libraries as places for quiet contemplation. But it turns out libraries today are not just places where people can go to read and check out books—they’re increasingly becoming community hubs where families can access a wide variety of activities and resources to be physically and mentally active. In this month’s podcast, Active … Continued

Walk or bike to school for happier, healthier kids
When the weather cooperates, it’s a good time to start thinking about how to get our kids to school. Recently, there’s been a significant push for active school travel (AST). Programs are popping up across Canada to identify routes and educate students and their parents on safe active transportation. In Alberta, Ever Active Schools has … Continued

Staying active on the water in CBRM
Connecting residents with nature CBRM Recreation is committed to connecting residents to nature. Being a community surrounded by water, we think it’s important to provide recreational opportunities that take advantage of our natural resources. One program we’ve introduced is standup paddleboarding, also known as SUP. This is an excellent activity that can become a lifelong passion. The … Continued

5 tips to keep active while travelling
If you’re anything like us, you want your family to live an active lifestyle. Maybe you have a workout routine at the gym, register your kids in a few sports, or take advantage of the summer by biking, swimming, and hiking. But when it’s vacation time, it’s all too easy for healthy habits to fall … Continued

How to throw an active birthday beach party
Earlier this year, my wife and I wanted to plan an outdoor birthday party for our four-year-old. We decided to organize it at our local beach, Petrie Island, in Ottawa. We contacted Friends of Petrie Island, an organization responsible for educating the public about the importance of nature, preservation, and ecology. It also helps organize … Continued

6 affordable summer fun activity ideas
Here are some helpful ways to keep your budget in check and still have fun with your children over the summer months.

CBRM Recreation and Cape Breton Road Runners bring free Youth Running Series to the Community
“It’s never too early to build confidence and motivation that lasts a lifetime.” -Rising New York Road Runners Runners know the secret to why running is good for our minds and bodies. There is plenty of research and science to back it up. Running makes us happy, it can help us lose or maintain weight, … Continued

Four ways to keep active as a family on Father’s Day
Becoming a father is a life-changing event. Our children look up to us and part of our responsibility is to keep them safe and healthy. Almost four years ago, my wife gave me the best gift possible: a baby girl. Since then, it’s become my mission to raise a gutsy and brave girl. As a … Continued

“After the Bell” program provides access to recreation activities for middle school girls
Middle school is a tough time to find activities to participate in. It can be nearly impossible in rural communities. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Recreation Department along with the Department of Communities Culture and Heritage decided to mend this gap for young girls ages 12-16 with the program “After The Bell” (ATB). ATB is a … Continued

Celebrate Bike to School Week with these tips
Editor’s note: This article was updated March 12, 2021. Every year, Canadians celebrate Bike to School Week. You can take part by encouraging your child or student to ride to school during this week and beyond. When done safely, cycling to and from school leads to children who are healthy, happy, and ready to study … Continued

How to help children connect with nature
We live in a world overflowing with technology. Cars talk to us, phones entertain us, houses are “smart,” and wristwatches monitor our vitals. Are we living in Brave New World or 1984? Whichever we imagine, one thing is certain: our attachment to technology strains our connection with nature. Staying connected to the natural world is … Continued

Balance bikes: the new rite of passage
Learning to ride a bike without training wheels is a rite of passage for many of us. This journey for most comes with many falls, cuts and bruises even with our helmets, elbow and knee pads on. Though there is not a way to completely bypass falling off our first bike, there is a steadier way … Continued

How being active helped me recover from postpartum depression
A mom shares her experience with postpartum depression and offers tips for other new parents experiencing what she did.

How to bring adventure to your local park
“Back when we were kids…” Do you ever catch yourself telling stories to children about how play used to be? The freedom and friendships of the outdoors, and playing all day until the lights came on, were staples of childhood. It seems like forever since that kind of free play lived in neighbourhoods, and according … Continued

Active games for April Fool’s Day—or any day you want some extra silly fun
Here’s a list of fun and active ways you and your family can get your silly on this April Fool’s Day.

Inspiring #ProjectActiveFamily ideas to help you move
Hey, Project Active Family participants! It’s been a few weeks since we officially wrapped up Project Active Family, but I’m happy to report that our small-but-mighty community continues to live on in all kinds of unofficial ways. Each time I dive into my social media feed, I see a variety of wonderfully inspiring photos featuring … Continued

Unama’ki Riders strive to keep Aboriginal youth active for life
In 2015, the Unama’ki Sport Association held its first Unama’ki Riders snowboarding program. The goal was to provide youth ages 12 to 18 with the opportunity to learn how to snowboard. Since then, the program has continued to grow and provides an opportunity for Aboriginal youth to be active throughout the winter months. Winner of … Continued

Shred Sirens keeping girls active for life through skateboarding
In partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Recreation Department, the Shred Sirens is an all-female skateboarding group that runs out of Youth Centre in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The group grew out of an existing beginner skateboard program run by the CBRM Recreation Department. It takes place year-round: in the summer month, at municipal skateboard parks across the community and in the … Continued

A library for active living and learning
Exciting new things are happening in libraries around the world. They’re no longer just spaces where people go to read and study. Now, libraries are hosting everyone from babies to seniors with free and inclusive programming. From story time to chess clubs, music lessons to job searching, dancing to computer lessons, and knitting to teen … Continued