Generation health is a FREE program for families with children ages 8-12 years old offered in communities across B.C. The program is for families who want to be on a healthy lifestyle path. It is for families to complete together, at least one parent or caregiver must attend the sessions with the child (it does not need to be the same parent or caregiver each week).
The program is offered both Virtually via Zoom for families across British Columbia, and In-Person in many communities.
It was designed in B.C. by healthy lifestyle and behaviour change experts.
- The program supports participants to make family changes to health behaviours such as healthy eating, physical activity, positive mental health, screen time, and sleep.
- The focus is on practical, fun activities that build family connectedness while building both the parent and child’s skills to make lasting changes. The positive mental health components aim to build resilience and self-confidence.
During the 9-week program, families in Weekly Group Sessions are also offered:
- 3 virtual group cooking classes led by a Registered Dietitian
- 1 virtual group Q&A / info session with a Registered Dietitian
- 1 virtual group Q&A / info session with a mental health specialist
- After successfully completing the program, families will receive a family recreation centre pass, continued access to the mobile app, and our monthly healthy living e-newsletter.
Families must be residents of British Columbia to be eligible for the program.
The Virtual programs are offered via Zoom for families across British Columbia. During the 9-week program families join a weekly Zoom session with a Group Facilitator, Physical Activity Facilitator and Group Assistant who guide families through interactive games and lessons covering the topics of food and feeding, physical activity, positive mental health, screen time, and sleep routines. The main portion of the session is time where families learn and play together, and then in the last 30 minutes of the session it is a parent only time with the Group Facilitator to cover more in-depth topics.
Each week families also have access to an online portal or app where they can find additional recipes, lessons, and weekly family challenges to try between the Zoom sessions.
Join us virtually this Winter in one of the following programs:
Mondays Provincial Program 6:30-8:30pm February 5 - April 1, 2024
This program is available for families in British Columbia with at least one child between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. This program is offered via Zoom and is hosted by YMCA BC.
Wednesdays Southern Interior BC 6:30-8:30pm January 17 - March 13, 2024
This program is available for families in Southern Interior British Columbia with at least one child between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. This program is offered via Zoom and is hosted by the Southern Interior YMCA BC.
Wednesdays Provincial Program 6:30-8:30pm February 7 - April 3, 2024
This program is available for families in British Columbia with at least one child between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. This program is offered via Zoom and is hosted by YMCA BC.
Thursdays Northern BC Families 6:30-8:30pm 2024
This program is available for families in Northern British Columbia with at least one child between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. This program is offered via Zoom and is hosted by the Northern YMCA BC.
Fridays Provincial Program 6:30 - 8:30pm February 9 - April 5, 2024
This program is available for families in British Columbia with at least one child between the ages of 8 – 12 years old. This program is offered via Zoom and is hosted by YMCA BC.
The In-Person Programs are offered in many communities across British Columbia. During the 9-week program families join a weekly In-Person session with a Group Facilitator, Physical Activity Facilitator and Group Assistant who guide families through interactive games and lessons covering the topics of food and feeding, physical activity, positive mental health, screen time, and sleep routines. The main portion of the session is time where families learn and play together, then for a smaller portion of the session the Physical Activity Facilitator and Group Assistant take the children to the gym for some physical activity time and the parents remain in the classroom with the Group Facilitator to cover more in-depth topics.
Each week families also have access to an online portal or app where they can find additional recipes, lessons, and weekly family challenges to try between the group sessions.
Join us in person this Winter in one of the following programs near you:
Sundays Cameron Recreation Complex, Burnaby BC 3:00 - 5:00pm January 21 - March 17, 2024
The program is available to families in Burnaby, British Columbia and surrounding communities with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the The Cameron Recreation Complex.
Tuesdays Oliver Parks and Recreation, Oliver BC 6:00 - 8:00pm January 16 - March 12, 2024
The program is available to families in Oliver, British Columbia and surrounding communities with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the Oliver Parks and Recreation.
Tuesdays Tong Louie Family YMCA BC, Surrey BC 6:30 - 8:30pm February 6 - April 2, 2024
The program is available to families in Surrey, British Columbia and surrounding communities with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the Tong Louie Family YMCA BC.
Wednesdays West Shore Parks and Recreation Centre, Victoria BC 6:30-8:30pm January 17 - March 13, 2024
The program is available to families in Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the Westshore Parks and Recreation Centre.
Thursdays Bettie Allard YMCA BC, Coquitlam BC 6:30-8:30pm February 8 - April 4, 2024
The program is available to families in Coquitlam, British Columbia and surrounding communities with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the Bettie Allard YMCA BC.
Fridays South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, South Vancouver BC 6:00 - 8:00pm February 2 - March 29, 2024.
The program is available to families in South Vancouver, British Columbia and surrounding communities with at least one child ages 8 – 12 years old. The program is located at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House.