Every Child Matters

Quantum Recreation Every Child Matters Initiative

September 30, 2021Team QuantumGrants

Quantum Recreation honours and respects the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In our acknowledgement that Every Child Matters, Quantum Recreation is pleased to offer Alberta First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities complimentary community playground inspections in keeping the safety of all children as Every Child Matters. Apply by October 31, 2021.

    Quantum Recreation will review all applications after the application deadline of October 31, 2021. Inspections will occur starting spring of 2022. If you have any questions or concerns please email info@quantumrecreation.ca

    JRPMchallenge

    Take On a Challenge! Join the 2021 JRPM CommUNITY Challenge.

    June 1, 2021Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

    If your motivation to get moving is losing as this pandemic drags on, this might be the perfect time to get back on track. Celebrate June is Recreation and Parks Month this year with a fun and exciting challenge. The Alberta Recreation Parks Association (ARPA) crafted a set of recreational activities that are simple, fun, and safe to do for everyone to participate and get active throughout June. Through this challenge, we can all gain a sense of #CommUNITY that supports the JRPM initiative.

    The challenge runs from June 1st to 21st and can be completed individually or in a team.

    Rules

    Participants (individuals/teams) must take a photo of them doing the daily activities and post it on social media (Twitter/Instagram), tagging @arpaonline and using the hashtag #JRPMchallenge. For Facebook, place the entry photo in the comment section of the corresponding daily activity post.

    Important: Participants must post their photo entries ON the day of the corresponding activity challenge.

    For individuals:

    • Set your social media profile to public
    • Use the hashtag #JRPMchallenge in your posts
    • You can take and post multiple photos, but there will only be one entry per individual/team per day

    For teams:

    • Create a social media account for the team and set it to public
    • Use the hashtag #JRPMchallenge and #yourteamname in your posts
    • If the team cannot do the activity together, they can post as individual team members. Just ensure to include #yourteamname in your posts

    Prizes

    Winners will receive their choice of a MEC, Sportchek or Amazon gift card!

    Grand prize: $250 gift card. Participants who are eligible for the grand prize are those who completed the daily activity for the full 21 days.

    Runner up prize of $100 gift card. Participants eligible for the second prize must complete between 10-20 daily activities.

    Third place prize of $50 gift card. Participants eligible for the third prize must complete at least one daily activity but less than 10.

    The prizes are just a bonus. The real reward is all the fun and wonderful benefits you can get in participating in recreational activities. More importantly, you have contributed to the JRPM objectives. For more information or questions about the #JRPMchallenge, visit the 2021 JRPM website or email JRPM@arpaonline.ca.

    June is Recreation and Parks Month

    June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) – A Brief Background

    June 1, 2021Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

    June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is a mobilization movement that provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of parks and recreation and the essential role it plays in enhancing the quality of life for all Canadians. JRPM encourages everyone to participate in recreation activities, get active, enjoy, and explore the great outdoors. The month-long initiative expanded and joined by provincial/territorial partners and recreation associations across Canada to celebrate and promote the many benefits of recreation and parks.

    JRPM is in its 20th year of recognizing recreation and parks in Alberta. To celebrate JRPM, the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) is showcasing programs and promoting events to celebrate the many ways recreation and parks enhance the quality of life for Albertans. As the social mobilization continues, more municipalities, communities and organizations are all coming together to celebrate JRPM by promoting local recreational events and places to visit. They also provide unique and creative promotional resources and celebratory ideas for the public.

    This year, JRPM’s theme is #CommUNITY. The battle with COVID-19 continues in its second year, putting a lot more stress on the recreation and parks sector, especially at the community level. Getting outdoors and actively provides benefits in physical and mental wellness and social connections that are more important at these particular times. This year’s theme is all about encouraging everyone to celebrate Recreation and Parks Month in community parks, recreation centres and open spaces.

    Quantum Recreation yearly takes part in the collective action as well. We encourage children, families, organizations, schools and residents to celebrate the wonderful benefits of getting outdoors and enjoy the many green spaces and recreational facilities in the community. Our goal is to inspire everyone and create excitement to go out there and get involved in the JRPM initiative in a fun and Covid-safe way.

    Nonprofit organizations and charities

    A Summary of an Agenda for Equitable Recovery

    May 6, 2021Team QuantumEducationLeave a comment

    (https://www.imaginecanada.ca/sites/default/files/An-Agenda-for-Equitable-Recovery.pdf)

    Nonprofits are the heart of every single Canadian community. They play a significant part in the economy, accounting for at least 8.5% of the country’s GDP and employing over 2.4 million people. Nonprofits are community-based organizations that provide critical services in different areas of community development, making it safer, stronger and healthier.

    Community organizations are essential to the pandemic recovery to the impact of major issues such as poverty, homelessness, job losses and old-age care. A 2020 survey conducted by Imagine Canada showed the issues where the nonprofits sector is struggling.

    • Community need is outstripping capacity. There is an increase in demand for programs and services, but there is also a major decline in donations by 68%. This loss directly impacts communities in terms of critical programs and services provided by nonprofits and charities for Canadians.
    • The diversity of the sector is under threat. Larger organizations must modify to meet demands while smaller organizations are forced to temporarily cease operations to adapt to the challenges of revenue losses and changing environment.
    • Long-term organizational sustainability is at risk. Strong immediate challenges like technology innovations are making charities less focused on revenue generation and fundraising, which directly impacts long-term organizational sustainability.
    • Workers are being pulled in multiple directions. Also, workers are expanding their area of focus to meet immediate demands in areas of IT, communications and program development.

    Communities across Canada rely on community-driven programs and services that drive resources, innovation and contribute to our collective wellbeing. While incredibly able to withstand the difficult circumstances, the sector needs a strategic and stronger relationship with the government to steward the country through an equitable recovery.

    Efficient and more accessible funding is needed for the sustainability of organizations. Hence, the following report makes the following recommendations.

    • The federal government establish a grant program to help sector organizations make investments in infrastructure to meet increased demand and facilitate new ways of delivering services;
    • Current emergency relief measures be improved so that more of the sector can benefit;
    • A modernized funding regime – including improvements to grants & contributions and access to federal loan programs – be explored to make efficient use of both public and organizational resources.

    Being natural partners in governance, a stronger relationship with the government will help in the effectiveness of Canada’s charitable organizations. A place in the federal government can significantly help coordinate sector-related policies.

    It was noted in the 2019 Senate report that the sector’s potential is being limited by outdated rules and lack of coordinated support within the federal government. Recommendation:

    • The federal government work with the sector to reform the existing rules on qualified donees and direction and control so that public and charitable funds continue to be protected, but in a way that allows organizations to respond more effectively to future crises.

    The sector needs better data to make better decisions, especially in delivering and showing measurable results in the communities it serves. To know what works best and allocate resources more efficiently,

    • Statistics Canada be mandated to collect ongoing disaggregated data on the nonprofit sector, the work it does, and the populations it works with, to be able to monitor sector and community health coming out of the recovery;
    • Government work with the sector to improve data capacity in the areas of technical infrastructure, skills development, governance and process, similar to investments that are made into areas of the private sector
    Winter-Friendly Cities

    Takeaways: Winter-Friendly Cities: Addressing Social Isolation in Winter

    February 9, 2021Team QuantumEducationLeave a comment

    Winter is a wonderful and challenging time of the year. The Wintermission project led by 8 80 Cities was set out to address social isolation, increase physical activity levels, and get cities and citizens to embrace wintertime.

    A webinar was held to share the experiences and learnings from the program. We were inspired to hear about the success stories of the three participating cities: Buffalo, NY, Eau Claire, WI and Leadville, CO.

    Here are some of the notable highlights from the event.

    1. An inclusive engagement process is important.

    It is a critical determinant of the overall success of each of the cities’ pilot projects. Bringing everyone in a room and ensuring that a wide range of voices and experiences are heard will have its challenges, but the cities managed it well by setting expectations and acting as conveners.

    The community responded positively to each of the cities’ engagement strategies, the workshops, surveys, pop-up engagements and focus groups. From the results, they determined the public interests, ideas, existing barriers and challenges. Different experiences and relationships with winter also helped identify which are the most vulnerable groups to social isolation.

    Based on insights from the stakeholders, the three cities were guided by their vision statement.

    2. The pilot projects are inspiring.

    It will serve as an inspiration to the other winter cities to do the same. It took collaboration, planning and persistence to make the pilot projects happen, responding to the main issues and opportunities raised during the engagement process. They came up with priorities in different areas. Still, they had an intersecting focus on better snow management, gear lending or sharing, winter accessibility and comfort, winter guidebooks and more inclusive winter events and activities.

    These pilot projects brought collective ideas into action and engaging life into winter. It will also be part of the Winter City Strategy, which will shape future projects, programs and policies.

    3. We are adaptive and capable of coming up with innovative alternatives.

    In difficult times, we can be surprisingly adaptive. Covid19 happened, and the social distancing made it even more challenging for the winter cities. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop them from pushing community engagements and continued to focus on the goal.

    They went to homes and distributed weatherization kits to community members. The “winter fun in a bag” that promotes family bonding activities and the volunteer programs that aim to help the most vulnerable group to social isolation were significant. The Wintermission social media plan was also a timely strategy to influence and spread positive information about winter.

    It requires consistent effort and participation from all the residents, community organizations and stakeholders to reach the goal. The Wintermission and the three cities’ accomplishments will encourage others to develop their own unique winter city strategy for increasing social and physical activity in winter.

    Quantum Recreation and JPRM June is parks and rec month

    Shhhh… Listen! Do You Hear The Sound Of “June Is The Recreation And Park Month?”

    May 29, 2020Team QuantumQ_recreation InformationLeave a comment

    June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is to celebrate and encourage you to get out and enjoy the many advantages of recreation and parks. JRPM promotes the benefits of being active and recognizing the contribution that recreation and parks make to the quality of life.

    A great initiative that began in 2005 in the province of Ontario has extended to all of Canada. With JRPM events ranging from fishing derbies to free swim days at the local pool. Families and residents can get active and enjoy the many health benefits that recreation and parks provide. In Alberta, this year JRPM will be focusing on connecting people together, and with nature, through recreation and parks. 

    BENEFITS OF JRPM

    JRPM may look a little different this year due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of activities and events to participate in while practicing physical-distancing.  Here are some of the key benefits from the benefitshub: 

    Help Build Strong Families and Communities

    It is proven that if families and couples share recreation pursuits, they are more likely to stay together. These pursuits allow us to come together and explore different forms of both families and communities. Many people who participate in recreation activities are often catalysts that build strong, self-sufficient, and sustainable communities.

    Economic

    Recreation also is an economic driver. During the pandemic, fitness equipment, bicycle, and R. V. sales have increased. With the work from Healthwellnesscoalition, we know that these small businesses are crucial for the economy  because recreation, fitness, sport, arts, culture, parks, and open spaces are significant employment generators.

    Personal Health

    We know that being active has a lot of physical health benefits, a reduction in obesity, some cancers and diabetes. But there is also the mental  health of individuals that recreation can provide benefits. This is more important than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic; recreation can reduce stress and depression and manufacture social connections between people. WE have seen an increase in apps and online clubs for people to complete races or challenges to still stay connected while recreating.

    JRPM is only one month, but the benefits last all year long. So, for 2020, get out, recreate and create those connections while remaining at a six foot distance.

    Adapted from: http://benefitshub.ca/recreation-benefits-statements/

    Best Practices for Cleaning Gyms

    May 20, 2020Team QuantumFitnessLeave a comment
    Quantum Recreation Gym Cleaning COVID
    How to Clean Your Gym Post Covid

    As the COVID-19 spreads throughout the globe, many businesses have been struggling to stay open for their customers. Gyms and recreational centres have also been suffering a lot from this pandemic.

    Various gyms and recreational centres are now putting effective precautions in place for the public’s safety. They assure people that if they’re safe from the infection, they can visit the gym and recreational centres without any fear.

    Guidelines For Gyms

    Here are some guidelines that gyms can follow to ensure the safety of their visiting members and the general public.

    • Create different time blocks for the gym members to exercise, with disinfecting and cleaning between the time blocks.
    • Check the temperature of the gym members and any other visitors.
    • Install a sanitizing station with hand sanitizers and soaps for the members.
    • Follow the Safe Distancing gyms guidelines. Place the exercise machinery at a safe distance.
    • If any member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, immediate medical help should be availed. The place should be disinfected afterward.

    By following these highlights and the proper Covid-19 hygiene for surfaces, gyms keep their members safe. However, the members should be made aware of the possible infections.  A gym cleaning protocol should also be followed.

    COVID-19 Gym Cleaning Protocol

    Here is the cleaning protocol that gyms can follow to stay safe during the pandemic.

    • Staff must wash their hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the gym equipment.
    • Personal Protective Equipment should be worn by the gym’s staff.
    • Proper disinfecting wipes or spray should be used to clean the surfaces properly.
    • Leave the disinfecting liquid on the surfaces for a while to allow them to function properly.
    • All of the PPEs and used equipment should be disposed of after disinfecting the facility.

    For The Clients

    Clients can follow these tips.

    • Cover the equipment’s surface with a towel before using it. It creates a physical barrier between your body and the equipment’s surface.
    • The surface should be cleaned properly after use, especially if you’ve sweated on it during exercise.
    • Wash your hands properly after using the gym’s equipment. This can stop the spread of the virus.