SummerActive 2007 is a national community mobilization initiative led by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to help Canadians improve their health while having fun getting the most out of Canada’s warmer summer weather.

The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (S.P.R.A.) and Saskatchewan in motion are pleased to be leading the SummerActive initiative in the province! A popular annual event, SummerActive is designed to encourage and support Canadians taking steps towards regular physical activity, healthy eating, living a tobacco-free lifestyle and participating in recreation and sport activities.

“SummerActive 2007, which runs from May 11 to June 22, is a great way for families, schools, workplaces and communities to get outside and enjoy our great Saskatchewan playground,” Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel said.  “Active living can improve quality of life, strengthen family relationships and foster a sense of community. Lace up and get outside and enjoy your favourite summer activity, or try something new.”

Canadians from every province and territory are eligible to win a variety of unique prizes by visiting the official website at "http://www.summeractive.org" and registering a SummerActive event, or recording how they got SummerActive by participating in an event.

The SummerActive 2007 website features listings of ‘cool ideas and events’, as well as unique approaches to summertime activity, including during summer holidays. The site also offers free tips and information about healthy living in the summer, with a focus on physical activity, healthy eating, living smoke-free, and the benefits of participating in recreation and sport.

The benefits of regular physical activity include better health, improved fitness and weight control, better posture and balance, better self-esteem, stronger muscles and bones, more energy, greater relaxation, reduced stress, and continued independent living in later life.

Year after year, SummerActive and its counterpart, WinterActive, have proven to be popular annual initiatives where hundreds of events and programs are organized each season in communities, schools, workplaces, sport facilities and public health facilities.

These events provide community residents with an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of regular physical activity, risks of sedentary living, and how healthy eating, avoiding tobacco and participating in sports can help improve health.

Both SummerActive and WinterActive align with the Government of Canada’s approach to promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases. They also support the Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy.

As part of SummerActive, a number of tools are available to help Canadians improve and maintain good health, including Canada’s Physical Activity Guides. The Guides are available free of charge by calling 1-888-334-9769 or visiting www.paguide.com.

S.P.R.A. is a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is to promote, develop and facilitate parks and recreation opportunities throughout the province. The S.P.R.A. network represents a large cross section of parks and recreation service providers from across the province, committed to providing quality leisure and parks services.

Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health benefits. Their vision is that the people of Saskatchewan will be the healthiest, most physically active in Canada.