2017 C A N A D I A NA N N U A L R E P O RT

WHAT DRIVES USOUR SOCIAL PURPOSETo close the fitness inequality gap.

OUR OBSESSIONTo inspire people to be their best physically,

mentally, and socially.

OUR MISSIONTo provide free physical activity programming to educators, parents, and community members, empowering them to get Canadian kids active.

OUR BEL IEFThrough sport we have the power to change lives.

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BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success), is a physical activity program aimed to enhance academic performance and the overall health of kids through physical activity. BOKS was founded on the principle Active Kids = Active Minds. BOKS brings to elementary schools a robust program that is FREE for school and students to enroll. The mission of BOKS is to empower communities to help youth of this generation embrace healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

BOKS is a FREE program that gives kids a body and brain boost that will set them up for a day of learning.

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The world is facing a physical inactivity crisis. As modern societies develop, physical activity is being engineered out of everyday life. Levels of activity are falling so fast in so many countries around the world that the crisis is now being termed a global pandemic, affecting both developed and emerging economies.

The situation for young people is particularly alarming. Today’s generation of children are the least active generation in history, with World Health Organization data showing that over 80% of the world’s 11 to 17 year olds fail to meet the minimum requirements of activity.

Unfortunately, the majority of kids aren’t getting the exercise they need. Last year, Canadian children received a D- on the Global Report Card for Overall Physical Activity, with just 5% of Canadian children between the ages of 5 and 17 meeting the recommended guidelines for daily exercise.

— John J. Dr. Ratey, MD

“Exercise is the single most powerful tool that we have to optimize the function of our brain.”

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86% of administrators would recommend BOKS to other schools.

HOW BOKS CAN HELPBOKS empowers parents, educators, coaches,

teachers and other dedicated community members to get kids engaged in fun activities before and during school, setting them up for a day of optimal learning.

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HOW YOU CAN GE T INVOLVED We can’t win this fight alone. Partners from the

public, private and non-profit sectors are essential in promoting the program and making a profoundly

positive impact on generations to come.

DID YOU KNOW?The majority of our schools ran BOKS sessions for

durations of 30–40 minutes. That’s more than halfway to a child’s recommended 60 minutes per day!

32,256KIDS ACTIVE TO DATEWho bring their new fitness and health

skills home to their families!

8FULL-TIME

STAFF MEMBERS

744SCHOOLS ENROLLED

2,303VOLUNTEERS

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WHERE WE ARE1

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143

69

8931

115251

239

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ONTARIO

MANITOBAALBERTA

SASK ATCHE WAN

BRITISH

COLUMBIA

Y UKON

NORTHWEST

TERRITORIES NUNAV UT

QUÉBEC

NE W BRUNSWICK

NOVA SCOTIA

NE WFOUNDL AND & L ABR ADOR

DID YOU KNOW?

Since 2014, 752 BOKS sessions have been run across the country, for a total of 11,557 weeks of activity!

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WHO AREOUR TRAINERSOur trainers are more than just volunteers — they are mentors, and positive roll models for physical activity.

In addition to our amazing volunteers, 45 of our school programs also received a school visit from a CFL player from their local team. These players participate in a special football agility themed lesson plan, and provide mentorship on the important link between physical activity and school performance.

28% classroom teachers

26% physical education teachers

16% daycare educators

10% administrators

8% other school staff

6% parent & community volunteers

6% other

28%

26%16%

10%

8%

6%6%

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BEFORE SCHOOLPROGRAMSOUR ELEMENTARY PROGR AM Is run by volunteers (teachers, high school students, parents, etc.)

Typically runs 2–3 times per week

Consists of 30–50 minutes classes first thing in the morning, at lunch, at recess, or as part of P.E. class

Generally runs 12–24 weeks in length

Includes all the resources you need to run the program

Requires minimal equipment

Equipment is available by application for schools in high-needs areas

Is aimed at grades K–9

Is inclusive — children of all ages and abilities can participate

61% of our schools ran BOKS before the start of the school day, setting kids up for a successful day of learning.

BOKS BURSTSPROGRAMOUR DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIV IT Y (DPA) PROGR AM Is known as BOKS Bursts.

Bursts are short activities ranging from 2–10 minutes, and are designed to help kids stay active throughout the school day. Bursts are a great way to help kids:

refocus their attention after long periods of sitting

increase alertness and attentiveness

curb behavioural issues that may stem from difficulty concentrating

transition into or out of activities

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THE IMPACTON KIDSGE T T ING CLOSER TO

60 MINUTES OF DA ILY

PHYSICAL ACT IV IT Y

PER DAYDuring the 2016/17 school year, BOKS moved the dial significantly towards helping children reach their recommended 60 minutes of activity per day. According to ParticiPACTION, for students in elementary grades, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity can be achieved with a total of 13,000 to 15,000 steps per day for boys and 11,000 to 12,000 steps per day for girls. (ParticiPACTION, 2016)

BOKS children who participated in our evaluation with Propel at the University of Waterloo went from an average of 8,338 steps, and 476 aerobic steps on non-BOKS days, to 13,298 steps, and 1,413 aerobic steps on BOKS days.

That is an average of 4,960 extra steps on BOKS days, and a whopping 936 extra aerobic steps!

13,298STEPS

9016STEPS

BOKS DAYS

NON-BOKS DAYS

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THE IMPACTON KIDSRE ACHING A DIFFERENT DEMOGR APHICBOKS is not your typical intramural or extra-curricular activity. We follow a turn-key program that is focused on fitness. Not all children are interested in sports, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be given the opportunity to foster a love of health and fitness! We are an inclusive, multi-grade program…and that’s only part of why people love us!

“Allowing a wide variety of ages into the program created stronger bonds between students which they normally wouldn’t get. They were known as the BOKS kids and were looked at as leaders within our school.” LEAD TRAINER, FEMALE, ALBERTA

“The teachers, students, and parents love the program. Most of our extra curricular activities are for students in grades 4–8. That is why we offer this program to grades 1–3.” ADMINISTRATOR, FEMALE, ONTARIO

FEMALE PART ICIPAT ION IS HIGHER IN BOKS THAN THE NAT IONAL AVER AGEFemales account for 49% of BOKS kids. This is 10% higher than the national average of female participants in national sports organizations. (www.caaws.ca/facts-and-stats)

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IMPACT ONTHE SCHOOLCOMMUNITY

“We benefited from student leadership opportunities (older kids working with younger kids) and have enjoyed the athletic mentors visiting our school.”ADMINISTRATOR, MALE, ONTARIO

“The BOKS program has added a very positive proactive opportunity for our students. It allows all students who attend the opportunity to shine and build their self-esteem. We would recommend this to any school.”ADMINISTRATOR

55% OF ADMINISTR ATORS SAW A REDUCT ION IN BEHAV IOUR AL REFERR ALS AMONG BOKS PART ICIPANTS THAT THE Y WOULD CREDIT TO THE PROGR AM.

“I had a lot of parents tell me how impressed they were with the program and that they noticed a positive difference with their child. I had teachers tell me they noticed the attention level of the students have increased. They were more energized and made healthier choices. The students themselves told me how much better they feel — mentally, physically, and emotionally. It really improved their confidence level.”LEAD TRAINER, FEMALE, ONTARIO

Changes included increased focus, a readiness to start the day, benefits of physical activity for targeted students, and increased interest in attending school on BOKS days.

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BOKSGLOBALBuild Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) is a grassroots movement that was started in 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Executive Director Kathleen Tullie and a group of passionate volunteers, who were inspired by Dr. John Ratey’s book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

Dr. Ratey’s research provides compelling evidence on how physical activity will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking and enhance memory in kids.

Led by community volunteer trainers... or as BOKS likes to refer to them as our Champions of Change, BOKS is quickly gaining traction around the world. Kathleen Tullie states unequivocally that “the reason for the program’s success is a perfect combination of passionate parents, educators and school staff who are driven to make a difference in children’s lives.”

SCHOOLS ENROLLED288 enrolled in 2017 1963 enrolled in total

K IDS ENROLLED150,000 total

TR A INERS TR A INED879 in 2017

COUNTRIES RE ACHED16 countries have school enrollments

4 regional offices (USA, Canada, South Korea, and Japan)

BOKS

USA

BOKS GLOBA L

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THROUGH SPORT WE HAVE THE POWER

TO CHANGE LIVES

THANK YOU TOOUR PARTNERS

BOKSKidsCanada

@BOKS_canada

@BOKS_canada

@BOKS_canada

For more information on BOKS, please visit us at

BOKSKids.ca