Longboarding for Mental Health
For kids 10-13 years old focused on making connections, building resilience, and enhancing coping skills... on a longboard!
For kids 10-13 years old focused on making connections, building resilience, and enhancing coping skills... on a longboard!
Is your child struggling with the challenges of growing up? Our Longboarding Group Program is designed to help kids aged 10-13 develop crucial life skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Some common challenges your child may be facing include:
- Difficulty managing stress and anxiety
- Struggles with focus and attention
- Low self-confidence and self-esteem
- Challenges in making and maintaining friendships
- Limited opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play
Empower Your Child's Growth with our Longboarding Group Program!
Empower Your Child's Growth with our Longboarding Group Program!
Key Benefits of our Longboarding Group Program:
- Stress Reduction and Emotional Regulation: Longboarding helps kids release stress and manage their emotions through physical activity and mindfulness.
- Boosted Confidence and Self-Esteem: Learning new skills and overcoming challenges on a longboard fosters a strong sense of achievement and self-worth.
- Enhanced Focus and Attention: The concentration required for longboarding improves attention span and cognitive functioning.
- Social Connection and Teamwork: Our program encourages kids to build friendships and work together, creating a supportive community.
- Resilience and Coping Skills: Navigating obstacles and mastering longboarding techniques teaches perseverance and effective coping strategies.
Meet your facilitators:
Ben Weinstock is a CYC and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MCAP) Candidate. He is creative, innovative, and active, and he brought this idea of taking our regular kids anxiety program and making it a little bit different. He is passionate about engaging with youth in meaningful ways, usually in the natural environment. He has experience longboarding and surfing, and has done a lot of research on longboarding and skateboarding programs and positive impacts on mental health.
Laura Belford is a Clinical Intern, and was eager to get involved to support this program focused on movement and fun activities. She has a background as a teacher and immediately saw the power of kids facing their worries in real time, learning something new, and experiencing mindfulness in nature. Laura also enjoys paddle boarding, yoga, and basketball, and is really looking forward to finding balance on the longboard this summer.
Anna Raworth is a Play Therapist and Executive Director at Acorn Counselling. Although she will not be directly facilitating week-to-week, she will have a guest appearance to explore the neuroscience and self-regulation benefits of board sports, our sensory systems, and connection with our bodies. Anna has snowboarded for almost two decades, and has surfed in warm places and our own Grate Lakes too. She couldn’t pass up the chance to get involved here.
Our Longboarding for Mental Health group program is an exciting new way to build connections, enhance self-regulation and coping skills, and build resilience.
Starting July 2024
Reach out now to reserve your spot!
Longboarding Group!
Exact dates/times TBD, but exploring Wednesday evenings 530-630, for 6-8 weeks beginning early July. Please reach out for more details.
