June is Recreation Month Across the CAF

June is Recreation Month and Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) is asking, “Why does recreation matter to you?”

With that, the organization is running a June is Recreation Month Contest. This June, kick off summer with fun activities that get out to play, not only will you experience the health and social benefits, but you might just win.

Whether you are on the field, at the lake or in an art class, capture yourself, your family and friends at play in a photograph for your chance to win one of five $1,000 Canadian Tire Gift Cards.

Once you have the perfect photograph, upload your photo to Facebook with the hashtag #RECREATIONmatters.

“This June, I encourage all CAF members to make physical activity a part of their workday, and active recreation a part of their leisure time with family and friends,” says Commodore Mark Watson, director general, CFMWS.

Recreation programming has special value for military personnel functioning in a technically oriented force. A well-balanced program helps to maintain total fitness, a state of well-being which includes the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual health of the individual.

“As the campaign says, recreation matters. Incorporating physical activity into our everyday lives helps military members keep fit mentally and physically, factors that are critical for the operational readiness and effectiveness of our military,” noted Commodore Watson.

Recreation programs also play a key role in developing military communities that are active and families that are supportive of CAF member’s fitness. According to the CFMWS website Personnel Support Programs (PSP) offer military families many opportunities to be physically active together and participate in programs that meet their needs and interests.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommends at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children, and at least 150 minutes per week for adults. While that may not sound like much, approximately 11 per cent of children and 15 per cent of adults currently meet that standard.

In CAF communities, the PSP Recreation Program provides access to a wide variety of structured and unstructured ways to be physically active. If families are looking for regular activities they can join a team, take a class or join a club. PSP also provides rental and free of charge equipment for families to play within CAF recreation facilities so families can play together.

To learn more about community recreation and to enter the June is Recreation Month Contest, visit the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare website.

For a schedule of Recreation Month events taking place at wings and garrisons across the country, please visit Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services online.

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