Game On!
Eat Smart - Play Smart - Live Smart
Developed for male adolescents, Game On! uses a mentor approach to provide boys and young men with information and support to make informed choices about a range of healthy lifestyle practices. Through non-traditional physical activities, complemented with healthy eating support, participants are engaged in life skills, communication, and emotional health discussions designed to engage participants in the pursuit of life-long healthy lifestyles.
How It Works
Friendship, guidance and sharing are the central goals of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ longstanding mentoring success and are the driving force behind this progressive and inclusive mentoring program. Led by mentors and run in conjunction with community partners, (schools, community centres, etc.) Game On ! is designed to provide mentors an opportunity to openly discuss current and pressing issues facing boys and young men through the lens of healthy living. Creating opportunities for a relationship based on trust to develop, provides a key opportunity for each boy to be positively supported in challenging the pressures they face in today’s society.
Game On! mentors are young men who are enthusiastic about healthy, active living and are specially selected and trained to deliver the program. The differing needs of urban and rural youth, as well as the varying physical ability levels of participants are easily accommodated while respecting socio-economic, ethno-cultural and racial diversity.
Program Goals
The program also accommodates for different communities, partners and available resources including space, equipment, and time limitations. This turnkey approach allows for unique program partnering based on individual community need.
Game On! includes seven core sessions. There are also four extension modules that capture potential issues and topics specific to various locales and the interests of the mentors and program participants.
Each session is loosely structured around four themes: physical activity, healthy eating, self-esteem, and communication skills.
For additional information or to volunteer please contact Ashley Dunbabin at ashley.dunbabin@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or 905 735 0570 ext 222.
