Last summer we offered free two-week Health & Wellness Program for newcomer and immigrant youth ages 8–12. The program ran on August 18th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, and 28th. Six sessions from 2:00–3:00 PM at the West Vancouver Community Centre. There was no cost to participate, making it accessible for families to help their children build healthy habits, and connect with others in the community.

 

Throughout the program, children took part in interactive sessions led by healthcare professionals, registered dieticians/nutritionists, medical specialists, and experienced instructors. They learned about balanced nutrition from registered dietitians, discovered the importance of healthy sleep and responsible technology use with a pediatrician, practiced meditation and breathing techniques to improve focus and manage stress, and learned to dance with a choreographed dance routine. Every session was designed to be engaging and fun, with opportunities for children to participate in discussion and apply what they learn through hands-on activities.

 

In addition to learning valuable health and wellness skills, children were able to make new friends when playing fun group games. Prizes were given out after every session, and each child received a certificate of completion during the final session to celebrate their achievements.