News release

Province Supports Kids Run Club with $150,000 Grant

Communities, Culture and Heritage (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)
Education and Early Childhood Development

Support for Kids Run Club will give thousands of children and youth across Nova Scotia the opportunity to be more active.

Kids Run Club, a free, school-based running program offered by the Doctors Nova Scotia Healthy Tomorrow Foundation, is receiving $150,000 from the province. Nearly 16,000 students participate in the program which operates in every regional centre for education.

“It’s great to see young students and their schools eager to participate in a running program,” says Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine. “We are pleased to support initiatives like Kids Run Club that align with our Let’s Get Moving action plan.”

Quotes:

“For 15 years, Kids Run Club has provided an inclusive, fun and barrier-free opportunity for Nova Scotia’s kids to get outside and move. The program addresses things like screen time, healthy eating and the importance of moving – whether running, walking, skipping or other forms of exercise.”

– Dr. Alex Mitchell, chair, Doctors Nova Scotia Healthy Tomorrow Foundation

"Each year, over two-thirds of our school population participate in Kids Run Club. What I love about the program is it offers something for all of our students. Kids Run Club has helped Springvale create a culture and an entire community that is excited about being active."

– John McGowan, teacher and Kids Run Club coach, Springvale Elementary School, Halifax

"I love Kids Run Club because it is a fun activity to do and healthy for my body. Next year I want to get more kids running."

– Anna Fegan, 6-year-old Kids Run Club participant, Springvale Elementary School, Halifax

Quick Facts:

  • Kids Run Club was launched in 2004
  • the club is affiliated with 224 schools and community groups in Nova Scotia and is supported by 600 coaches/teachers
  • Doctors Nova Scotia was the first medical association in Canada to offer a free running program to address inactivity in children and youth. The program has since been replicated in Alberta and Ontario
  • Doctors Nova Scotia has received two national awards for its work on Kids Run Club
  • in 2018, Nova Scotia launched Let’s Get Moving, a five-year action plan to get Nova Scotians moving more and sitting less. Let’s Get Moving will help to create a more active, inclusive and healthier population across the province through education, improved access to funding and partnerships with the private and public sectors

Additional Resources:

For more information on Kids Run Club https://kidsrunclub.ca/

More information on the Let’s Get Moving Action Plan https://novascotia.ca/letsgetmoving/

Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan: https://novascotia.ca/culture/

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