Mar. 29th, 2011 – Kitchen Session at Brickworks

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

Another great day with the Healthy Choices Program!  On Monday, March 28, we went to Brickworks for one of the kitchen sessions.  Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, watch out…here comes the YMCA Academy!  In this session, students learned about reading labels and how to compare products to make the best choice.  We learned that if we can’t pronounce or don’t recognize an ingredient, then it’s not healthy food.  We also learned about shopping the periphery of a grocery store and to stay away from the packaged food in the middle.  Students worked in three teams to prepare a feast of spicy salsa, guacamole and corn chips, yummy home-made mac and cheese, and delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, all made with fresh healthy ingredients.  Afterwards, we enjoyed the fruits of our labour and sat down for a family-style meal.  Well done, Academy chefs!

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Mar. 25th, 2011 – Student speaks at SKC launch

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community, Events

Families gathered at YMCAs across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) February 21st, 2011 to celebrate Family Day and kick off the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, which raises money so more kids can participate in life-enhancing YMCA programs.

“The YMCA is like a second home to me,” said Alex, a YMCA Academy student who has benefited from the Strong Kids Campaign. ”I’ve been able to discover my skills and passions, meet new friends and accomplish more than I ever thought I could.“

Academy student speaking during the SKC kick-off.
Metrocentral YMCA SKC kick-off

Speakers at the SKC kick-off event at Metrocentral YMCA.

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Mar. 7th, 2011 – Our Health Our Future Launch

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community

The official launch of the Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights Website took place at Metro Central YMCA today. Academy students were present during the live demonstration and had the opportunity to meet Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and YMCA Canada CEO Scott Haldane.

“This site is an interactive forum that lets Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments get input from citizens, communities, industry and other stakeholders across the country to start thinking about ways to reduce childhood overweight and obesity. It also allows Canadians across the country to connect with each other to share their ideas about how to promote healthy weights for children and youth.”

Academy students during the launch of the Our Health Our Future Website.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq speaking about the new Website.
Academy students with YMCA Canada CEO Scott Haldane and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

Visit the Our Health Our Future Website

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Mar. 1st, 2011 – Outdoor Session at Brickworks

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Yesterday, part of the school went to Brickworks as Part of the Healthy Choices program, and participated in our first outdoor session.  We had an invigorating afternoon outside learning about some of the native plant species on site, and learning how to make an outdoor fire – even in slushy, wet and wintery conditions.  Brian and Michelle took us into the woods to collect appropriate firewood, showed us how to prep wood to make it usable for a fire, and how to build both a log-cabin and teepee style fire.  We soon discovered that we had a few survivor men in our midst, as they worked diligently to start a fire despite the brisk breeze.  Our afternoon was capped off with a warm cup of delicious cedar tea.  Thanks to Brickworks for another great day!

Academy students learning about native plant species.
Academy students learning how to make an outdoor fire in wet conditions.
Students warming up delicious cedar tea over an open fire.

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Feb. 10th, 2011 – Brickworks Healthy Choices Pics

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

On Monday February 7th, the first group of students and teachers attended the Healthy Choices program at Evergreen’s Brickworks. We had an introduction to the program and to our facilitator, Aimee, and were introduced to the concept of Food Literacy and Healthy Active Living. Aimee taught us about food safety and oriented us to the kitchen. Afterwards, with some students practicing knife skills, and others doing measuring and mixing, we prepared healthy granola bars. The bars cooked as we took a tour of the historic Brickworks site, seeing where the bricks were made and the current Brickworks facility, including the outdoor ice rink. After our tour outside, we went back in to enjoy warm and gooey granola bars – delicious! The second group of students will go for their orientation next week. Everyone had fun, and we all look forward to continuing this amazing cross curricular project this term, and all of the students gave the afternoon a resounding “thumbs up” on the shuttle bus afterwards.

YMCA Academy students preparing healthy granola bars.
YMCA Academy students at Evergreen's Brickworks
YMCA Academy students touring the historic Brickworks site.
YMCA Academy group participating in the Healthy Choices program.

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