Recess Guardians seek to engage students with Active 8 program

As Recess Guardians have created boxes full of fun for the whole family

Recess Guardians is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting social and emotional learning through the power of play.

They provide in-school workshops focused on leadership, training, and tools for students, while promoting physical activity, fun, and a positive school community.

In January, they established 'Active 8', a program for them to be in the schools, without being in the school.

"The idea is ... a box of equipment with eight-game cards and equipment to run games on a recess yard ... we would give a box three times a year to maintain engagement in that program," said Nathan Moore, Executive Director of Recess Guardians in Ontario.

Recess Guardians were faced with many challenges such as Ontario teacher strikes. "We rely on a teacher champion to take hold of the program, so we lost a lot of momentum due to the teacher strike," said Moore.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic forced Ontario to close schools, so they decided to create the Active 8 Your Home box, which begins in June.

The first four games in the June box will focus on disc sports, followed by four minute-to-win-it type games, and 28 fun challenges.

In the summer, many children attend summer camps, and with those put on hold the boxes in July and August will reflect the overnight camp experience.

"We're taking our favourite summer camp games and activities and combining them in those same boxes," said Moore.

The price is $49.99 per box, and for more information click here.