We’re excited to announce that York Region's Information Fair has gone virtual!

CTN’s local team facilitators collaborated with public and private community agencies and vendors to bring information and resources to you around these five areas of interest:

• Recreation, Leisure and Camps
• Intervention and Skill Building Supports
• Future Planning
• Funding and Equipment
• Family-Centred Supports

Throughout this summer, we will be sharing a series of video interviews about how these organizations are implementing the F-Words for Child Development (fun, fitness, friends, family, function and future) into their programs and services as they work with children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs virtually.

Recreation and leisure activities are an important part of every child’s life. Activities, even when virtual, provide the opportunity to grow and develop across all of the F-words for Child Development. Kids of all abilities have a desire to have fun, enjoy friends and function just as they are. Every child should have the opportunity to access fitness, plan for their future and join in family activities like inclusive and adapted recreation.

What is Recreation?

1.    Recreation is Key to Growth and Development
Through participation in play, sports, arts and cultural activities our children develop motor skills, social skills, intellectual development and creativity.

2.    Recreation is Essential to Quality of Life
Recreation and leisure build self-esteem and positive self-image, enhance life satisfaction levels, quality of life for individuals, families and communities and nurtures growth, acquisition of life skills and independent living for individuals with disabilities.

3.    Recreation Builds Strong Families and Healthy Communities
Families that participate in recreation and leisure together are happier, raise leaders who give back to their communities and participate in community life. Recreation promotes strong, self-sufficient prideful communities (e.g. sports teams, arts guilds, etc.). Recreation and leisure promote strong ethnic and cultural harmony.

Resource Article: Benefits of Recreation

For more information about recreation, leisure and camp opportunities in York Region, check out the videos:

Avron: Avron is a proudly Canadian distribution business dedicated to childcare, education and long-term care communities. Avron is a one-stop-shop for your childcare, educational, recreational, developmental, occupational therapy and sensory needs. With over 10,000 products across an array of categories such as food, arts & crafts, toys, furniture, cleaning & health products, as well as sensory equipment, they can serve their customers selection, quality, convenience and value across Canada.



Discovery Toys: Discovery Toys is the premier learning toy company dedicated to helping early childhood development through play, specializing in premium quality, kid-powered learning products for children ranging from newborns to school-aged children. They prioritize a play experience that provides children with the fundamental skills, curiosity and passion that leads to learning success in their school years and beyond.



Harmonic Expressions: Harmonic Expression’s mission is to enrich the lives of those we serve through musical experiences that address their needs with dignity and respect. They provide customized music therapy services to clients of all abilities and continue to work with them to create a meaningful experience to restore, maintain and improve function and the quality of life. They provide individual and group music therapy and adaptive/traditional music lessons in York Region including Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Toronto and the surrounding GTA.



Julia's Place Music Neurologic Music Therapy: Julia's Place Music Therapy Centre provides neurologic music therapy services for all ages. Julia's Place is committed to providing effective treatment to help individuals and groups achieve their goals to increase independence and healthy lifestyles. Julia's Place was inspired by the desire to have a therapy centre that is safe and comfortable for the entire family.   



Camp Awakening:  Camp Awakening is a registered charity offering summer camp and leadership programs that gives youth with physical disabilities the opportunity to increase independence, make lasting friendships, develop confidence and accomplish things they never thought possible. They partner with established summer camps offering a wide range of outdoor recreation activities and a dedicated accessible cabin. Their philosophy incorporates the idea, “no wall is too high to scale, but sometimes a ladder would help!” Whether crossing a rugged portage or a windy lake, Awakening campers have demonstrated their courage and potential.




To read #WhatWeWantYouToKnow about Equipment and Funding- click here.

For more information on camps, click here.
For more information on recreation, click here.


 

2021-06-04