Accessibility Tools

Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign up for our Newsletter

Sign up for our Newsletter

Become a Member
Become a Member

Become a Member

We want to hear from you!
We want to hear from you!

We want to hear from you!

Mental health
Recreation For Mental Health Training

Recreation for Mental Health Training

Employment
Employment Opportunities

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities

Moving
RNS Moving

RNS is going remote

Anti-Racism Training Now Available!

Anti-Racism Training Now Available!

Introducing The Rec Room

Start Learning Now!

previous arrow
next arrow

Advocating for the receration sector, it's vital RNS remains as thought leaders in the industry. We value the views and opinions of others that lead to healthier lifestyles through recreation for all Nova Scotians.

Recreation Nova Scotia is committed to maintaining relationships with recreation practitioners, community organizations, government officials, students, the business sector and other professionals in the recreation field to ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to recreation activities that contribute to an improved quality of life and healthier communities.

These articles are meant to give you a different perspective on our sector, highlight it, and inspire you. We hope they will help form a stronger recreation sector and get you thinking about how you can contribute to your own communities.

_________________________________________________________

EDIA Highlight Story: Halifax Central Library Receives Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Gold Ranking

 Kerri Jack

The Halifax Central Library celebrated a major accessibility accomplishment this past August, achieving the highest level of accessibility possible for the built environment. The library has earned 'RHF Accessibility Certified Gold,' the top accessibility rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ program. 

pdf Read the article here. (282 KB)

________________

EDIA Highlight Story: Yarmouth Recreation's "She Got Game" Program

 Kerri Jack

November's EDIA Highlight features Yarmouth Recreation's free "She Got Game" program. This youth, female-only program is tailored specifically for girls ages 11- 14. It empowers young girls by introducing them to various sports in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. 

pdf Read the article here. (151 KB)

________________

Building Resilience in Times of Crises

Rick Gilbert

In recent decades, the recreation sector has experienced more change than we are used to. We’ve taken on new imperatives, new partnerships with different sectors, and traditional allies. For the first time, our long-term direction has been articulated through a National Recreation Framework. Just as we were tapping into the power and potential of that movement, we were hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, which sent our society and our sector into a tailspin.

This article includes the evolution of recreation's role in crisis mitigation, balanced with a focus on resilience as a means for individuals, families, and communities to cope with the realities of the times.

  pdf Read the article here. (4.94 MB)

________________

EDIA Highlight Story: Municipality of Clare Pride Month Event

 Kerri Jack

In June, the Municipality's Recreation Department planned and hosted its first full-day Pride event in the community. The event was a new addition to the Municipality's Pride Month activities. Though attendance at the event was low, this is an excellent example of how organizations commit to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, even when experiencing challenges and hardships.

  pdf Read the article here. (171 KB)

________________

EDIA Highlight Story: Richmond County's Point Michaud Accessibility Project

Kerri Jack

Richmond County is working with its recreation department to make Point Michaud an accessible beach for anyone with mobility issues by purchasing two Mobi-Chairs and Mobi-Mats. A project like this doesn't come without its challenges, and Sharla Sampson, Richmond County Active Living/Community Engagement Coordinator, offers some advice.

  pdf Read the article here. (337 KB)

________________

EDIA Highlight Story: NSORRA - Women in Moto Event

Kerri Jack

Nova Scotia Off Road Riders Association (NSORRA), which is making progress toward increasing gender equity in dirt biking, is preparing to host an event for women by women. The Women in Moto event will provide a safe, relaxed environment for women to try the sport while supporting each other, celebrating their shared passion, and understanding their challenges.

  pdf Read the article here. (243 KB)

Want to contribute your own EDIA success story?  Fill out the form here! 

________________

EDIA Highlight Story: Town of Kentville

Kerri Jack

The Town of Kentville's Inclusion and Accessibility Advisory Committee has established a Diversity and Belonging Task Team (DBTT), an ad hoc investigative/research group comprised of African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, and racialized Kentville citizens and partners tasked with bringing first-voice and cultural representation to the municipality at its fundamental core.

Read about the DBTT's efforts to build strong relationships with African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, and racialized citizens and its successes and challenges.

  pdf Read the article here. (81 KB)

Want to contribute your own EDIA success story?  Fill out the form here! 

________________

On Track for Change: The Upsides and Downsides of BIPOC-focused Recreation Programming

Fawn Logan-Young

On March 11, 2024, RNS, in solidarity with the Anti-Racism Charter, supported Electric Wheels Jr. Roller Derby Team to offer an introduction to roller derby for BIPOC folks ages 8-17, followed by a free open skate for all.

Read " pdf The Upsides and Downsides of BIPOC-focused Recreational Programming (176 KB) " by Fawn, our Anti-Racism & Equity Coordinator. It highlights the pros and cons of initiatives like this event and their impacts.

 ________________

Working in and outside of the box

 Fawn Logan-Young

Volunteering at the third annual Freedom Day March in Sipekne'katik (Shubenacadie) showed me the power of leadership that stems from within the community because of local knowledge and self-determination. The ability to be present, listen and learn was a privilege.

  pdf Read the article here. (280 KB)

________________

Can public recreation do more to promote happiness and reduce social isolation and loneliness?

Rick Gilbert

Evidence from various credible sources indicates that a lack of social connection can lead to isolation and loneliness, reducing happiness—a concern that calls for a social policy response.

pdf Read the article here (1.86 MB)

________________

Project Branch Out

Nova Scotia Outdoor Network

In the Summer of 2021, Fawn Logan-Young, a Youth Ambassador with Parks Canada, delivered an initiative called ‘Project Branch Out’. The program was designed to offer unique experiences for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) youth in camping, hiking, and paddle sports. Project Branch Out offered these guided sessions for free, partnering with various leaders and organizations to deliver the activities.

Read as Fawn reflects on the project itself and what lessons may apply to other recreation practitioners looking to engage youth in the outdoors.

Read the article here.

________________

South Shore Art on the Trail

Nova Scotia Outdoor Network

In 2018, Britt Vegsund, the Active Living Coordinator for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg at the time, embarked on a mission to bring exciting art to the trails of Lunenburg County. The goal was to encourage outdoor physical activity and invite more people to connect with nature and their communities via the trail networks.

Read about the project and where its evolution three years later. 

Read the article here.

What We Do

Recreation Nova Scotia inspires and supports a diverse and comprehensive network of partners committed to addressing the recreation needs of all Nova Scotians through the provision of leadership and a strong provincial voice.

what we do

Learn More

Latest News

  • 2025 RNS Strategic Planning Input

    2025 RNS Strategic Planning Input

    Information
    02 January 2025
    The RNS Strategic Plan is set to expire in 2025. The RNS Board convened in June 2024 to reflect on the plans' success/effectiveness and began re-engaging the sector to determine where our energies should be placed next. A summary of the Board’s wisdom, thoughts, and actions were placed in one of...
  • Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium (Invitation to Attend)

    Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium (Invitation to Attend)

    Information
    20 December 2024
    The Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium: Enhancing Access to Municipal Parks in Canada will take place June 11–13, 2025, in Saskatoon, SK. This landmark event, hosted by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) in...
  • EDIA Highlight: The Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program

    EDIA Highlight: The Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program

    Information
    20 December 2024
    Kerri Jack "Being around horses can have such a calming effect on both our riders and volunteers; it's very magical!" Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program Volunteer Coordinator, Emily Jewers. Recreation Nova Scotia's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Highlights series is kicking off 2025...
  • RNS New Address

    RNS New Address

    Information
    03 December 2024
    Starting on January 1, 2025, the RNS team will now work completely remotely, allowing us to spend more time with our members in the communities where we live, work, and play.   For mailing purposes, our new address will be 6156 Quinpool Rd, Halifax, NS B3L 1A3. Please update your files and send all...
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    Information
    25 November 2024
    December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, created in 1992 by the United Nations to promote understanding of disability issues and raise awareness for equal access for people with disabilities.  The theme for 2024 is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an...
  • Survey Now Open!

    Survey Now Open!

    Information
    25 November 2024
    The first installment of the Municipal Guide to Promising and Best Practices for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity is now in draft form and looking for sector feedback. This draft includes the first three guideline areas: Inclusive Workplace Culture and Management, Inclusive...
High Five
Image is not available

R4MH

Guidelines to help make recreation more accessible to people experiencing mental health challenges.
Shared Strategy
Image is not available

Shared Strategy

Action-oriented priorities to foster engagement in recreation activities
Anti Racism
Image is not available

Anti-Racism Charter

There has been an escalation of racist and discriminatory behaviour in the recreation sector locally and nationally.