Students having a blast playing with parachutes during HealthAmongUs at Harewood Centennial Park on Thursday, May 14.
By Mandy Moraes, NLPS staff
For two decades, thousands of elementary students from across Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools have gathered each spring to celebrate movement, play, and physical literacy at what has become one of Nanaimo’s biggest events for youth.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of HealthAmongUs, which continues to grow each year. Around 3,500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 4 will part this week in the fields behind John Barsby Secondary.
“It was really about giving kids a chance to come together, move, and be healthy,” said Jacquie Poulin, assistant superintendent of elementary programs, who helped launch the program in 2006.
The week-long event kicked off this year by staying true to its original goal: focusing on healthy living. The event has been successful thanks to a partnership between Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, the City of Nanaimo, and local community organizations.
HealthAmongUs has evolved significantly over the years. It began on the grass fields at Beban Park; at the time, the event was known as “Move More, Eat Well.” Organizers later moved activities indoors for a period, since spring can be an unpredictable season.
The event eventually transitioned to turf fields at Merle Logan Field, which proved to be a “game changer” because it could continue even during damp weather.
Now, holding the event at Harewood Centennial Park has let organizers welcome even more students, thanks to the turf fields and lacrosse box.
Students take turns at different activities that keep them moving, laughing, and working as a team. This year, stations include soccer, relay races, flag football, parachute games, basketball, and bouncing ball activities. There are also freeze dance, tug-of-war, obstacle courses, and relay-style games.
Community partnerships are still a big part of the event’s success. Groups like United Soccer and PacificSport have supported the program over the years, and RCMP volunteers have also helped run activity stations.
This year, Country Grocer donated healthy snacks for the students, keeping up the event’s long tradition of focusing on wellness and nutrition along with physical activity.
NLPS continues to arrange transportation for students, as well as coordinate with schools to coordinate participation, registration, and scheduling.
Poulin said that accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of the event’s design. The outdoor fields are accessible for students who use mobility devices, and the enclosed activity areas help make sure everyone can join in safely and comfortably.
Each year, the program is shaped by new groups of organizers, staff, and volunteers. And yet, HealthAmongUs still stays true to its original goal of providing children with the opportunity to move, connect, and build healthy habits for life.
