Sports and recreation activities create a sense of belonging
June 21, 2022 - Defence Stories
As a military spouse posted to six different provinces over the years, Lorna Knight knows a thing or two about helping her family connect to a new community.
This mother of three has children who like to be active and being able to join clubs or teams has proven to be a great way for her kids to make new friends and feel part of their new community.
“Being able to go to PSP and into the rec centre is always a great first stop for us,” says Knight. “Getting my kids involved in sports and doing things here in the community was really one of my only outlets of being able to meet other adults,”
Most recently her daughter decided to join the swim team and, as a result, Knight began volunteering and ended up becoming a member of the swim club’s executive.
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Lorna Knight, her husband Captain Derek Knight and their children understand the value of recreation services on base.
“It was fantastic because I got to meet a whole bunch of other parents that I wouldn't have if my kids hadn't been involved in sport,” she says.
Each June, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) marks June is Recreation Month by illustrating the many benefits of recreational activities. The2016 theme, “Share the Colours, Share the Joy”, highlights how recreational activities helps foster personal health, strong communities, and social inclusion.
“Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services’ PSP offers a wide variety of recreation services so that you can find fun ways to get out, get active, learn something new, stay connected and live better,” says Ben Ouellette, Vice President PSP Operations. “Staying active provides stress relief, improved overall wellness, a stronger sense of belonging, and encourages creativity alongside self-confidence.”
This certainly is the case for the Knight family. With children ranging from nine to 14 years of age, interests vary and having access to different equipment or recreational clubs allows everyone to find something they like.
When the family was posted in Gander, Nfld., COVID-19 restrictions made it difficult to socialize. With no family close by or previous relationships with other military families on the base, the Knights found the rec centre a haven.
“The kids could play soccer, they could play badminton, they could go swimming and we needed that rec outlet or I think we would have gone a little crazy,” Knight says. “The programming has always been fresh and innovative- from eating the rainbow, the STAR program- the programming is relevant and engaging to all family members.”
Celebrate the benefits of recreation with PSP and the Knight family. Tell us how about the impact recreation activities have on you for your chance to spin our wheel and win up to $2500.00 gift cards from Canadian Tire!
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