Ontario Helping Kids Stay Active and Healthy in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes

Over $13 Million in Funding Will Allow Further Access to Fun After-School Recreational Activities and Supervised Sports for Children in Municipalities Across Ontario                                                            

KAWARTHA LAKES – The Ontario Government is investing $13.5 million through Ontario’s After School Program to support 110 organizations throughout the 2022-2023 school year, making sure opportunities are available for children and youth to be active and healthy. As part of this funding, BGC Kawarthas will receive $173,750 to allow for more after-school recreational activities, safe supervised sports, and opportunities for children to develop leadership skills and improve personal wellness.

“The experience of the past two years has highlighted the importance of sport and recreation programs to individual and community well-being,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “These programs are at the heart of Ontario’s communities and our government is committed to working with our partners, educators and community leaders to support opportunities for children, youth and families to be active and healthy.”

Through Ontario’s After School Program, more than 20,000 children and youth, from kindergarten to Grade 12, have access to safe supervised sports and recreational activities in 80 communities across the province, including 11 First Nations communities. In addition to helping the kids of Kawartha Lakes stay active and engaged in unstructured play and activities such as Basketball, Dancing, or Soccer, Ontario’s After School Program also helps children enhance their nutritional education, build higher self-esteems, and, more importantly, creates a positive and equitable anti-bullying atmosphere.

“After school programs are important for supporting local youth across our community. The grant provided to BGC Kawarthas allows funds to be used to enhance recreational activities that aim to keep our community’s youth physically active and healthy” said MPP Laurie Scott, Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock.

“This is a critical financial contribution to our After School programs, helping us offer affordable, high-quality, accessible out-of-school care for children and youth.  In a recent survey of our participants, 80% reported being more comfortable being themselves because of BGC Kawarthas, and over 70% said they were more physically active because of the club.  Providing inclusive, high-quality programming that helps develop healthy, confident young people is our commitment to the community.  Thank you to the Government of Ontario and MPP Laurie Scott for your support.”  Amy Terrill, Executive Director

In addition, Ontario’s After School Program has been shown to increase the quality of life for children, whilst also contributing to substantial improvements in their academic performance.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario’s After School Program is currently delivered by 110 organizations across Ontario supporting low-income and northern/rural communities, Francophone neighbourhoods, and First Nations communities.
  • Programming is tailored to the needs of each community and may also include homework help, arts and crafts, music, and cultural activities such a traditional French cooking or Indigenous drumming and dance routines.
  • Families interested in After School Program can contact an After School Program delivery partner for more information about eligibility requirements and services offered by their program.

Additional Resources

Ontario’s After School Program

For information about specific locations, please contact the Club at (705) 324-4493 or info@bgckawarthas.com


Media Contact

Thomas Coté
Legislative Assistant
Office of Laurie Scott, M.P.P.
Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock
Email: thomas.cote@pc.ola.org
(705) 324-6654
(647)-575-1680