Question 1

Is this program right for my child?

Accepted Answer

Our program is designed for children who have not fully developed their physical literacy, or would benefit from a program that gets them moving and being active while practicing various fundamental fine and gross motor skills. In our aquatics program we emphasize safety and strive to get the children comfortable being in the water. If you are unsure, please contact us,(https://calgary.takingstrides.org/contact/) and we would love to discuss with you personally.

Question 2

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Adapted Sport: $50 for 7 weeks, 1-hour sessions
Aquatics: $45 for 7 weeks, 45-minute sessions
Rhythm & Strength: $65 for 7 weeks, 1-hour sessions
Adaptive Climbing: $80 for 7 weeks, 1-hour sessions
Teen: $50 for 7 weeks, 1-hour sessions

Question 3

How are sessions run?

Accepted Answer

Adapted Sport: 4-6 different stations are set up that focus on various aspects of physical literacy and gross/fine locomotor movement. Fun games are incorporated into most stations, and group-based activities are also set up in order to increase social interaction. Every session starts with a group warm-up activity and ends with a cool-down activity to relax the kids and give our volunteers time to update you on your child’s progress.

Aquatics: Our aquatics program is an unstructured experience, focusing on increasing your child’s comfort level in the water. Fun group games are incorporated at the end of every session.

Rhythm & Strength: This program is small and specialized. It is run in a class-type style. Your child will be paired one-on-one with a volunteer, and the class will be led by a dance and flexibility coach. Classes incorporate: music, movement, stretching, and dance with sensory equipment.

Climbing: Your child will climb (harnessed) one-on-one with a belay-certified volunteer. This program aims to incorporate fun games (climbing for stickers) and music to encourage kids to have fun while gaining experience rock climbing.

Teen: By working with a trained guest athlete instructor each session, your child will build upon physical literacy skills in various specialized activities. Working one-on-one with their volunteer, 12-17 year old participants will have the opportunity to learn the basics of all kinds of sports.

Question 4

When are sessions?

Accepted Answer

Adapted Sport : SUNDAYS 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Aquatics: SATURDAYS 1pm – 1:45 pm and 1:45 - 2:30 pm

Rhythm & Strength: SUNDAYS 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Climbing: SUNDAYS 9:00 am - 10:00 am and 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Teen: SUNDAYS 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

For a full list of dates, locations and times, please click HERE (Program registration page linked https://calgary.takingstrides.org/register/)(https://calgary.takingstrides.org/register/)

Question 5

Who are the volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Our volunteers are students at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University that are passionate about working with kids. Every volunteer goes through an interview process, and must have a clean criminal record check in order to volunteer for us.

Question 6

How do you choose a volunteer for my child?

Accepted Answer

By using the information you provide us with during registration, and our knowledge of each volunteer, we spend a long time figuring out which volunteer would be able to help your child succeed most.

Question 7

What equipment do you use?

Accepted Answer

Our equipment list is long, but fairly simple and always changing. We learn from every session, and buy more equipment based on what we think the volunteers and children would use.

Question 8

Where are your sessions held?

Accepted Answer

As of Fall 2023:
Adapted Sport: Bowness Community Association (7904 43 Ave NW)
Aquatics: Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic Centre (1520 Northmount Dr NW, Calgary)
Rhythm & Strength: Haysboro Community Association (1204 89 Ave SW, Calgary)
Climbing: Hanger Calgary Climbing Centre (106 588 Aero Dr NE, Calgary)
Teen: Bowness Community Association (7904 43 Ave NW)