Everyone in Canada deserves to have access to physical activity and sport. Across the country, thousands of community organizations continue to inspire us with their innovative and inclusive physical activity and sport initiatives. They’re leaders within their communities, providing fun opportunities for everyone to make room to move and, most importantly, creating a sense of belonging.
Community organizations, such as sports clubs, community centres, schools, local businesses and many others, power the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk – a national physical activity and sport initiative that encourages everyone to get active throughout June in search of Canada’s Most Active Community, which will win $100,000 for local sport and physical activity initiatives.
We recently chatted with representatives of two community organizations that are helping reduce barriers to physical activity and sport and participating in the Challenge this June – Durham Alliance Outreach (DAO) and the Upper Valley Autism Resource Centre (UVARC). Read on to learn about the exciting initiatives they’re running during the Challenge.
DAO is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Ontario’s Durham Region. It offers transformative workshops and lectures that focus on essential life skills such as self-esteem, confidence and communication.
UVARC is a non-profit, community-based organization with a mandate to provide support, resources, services and information to individuals, families, caregivers and professionals in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, who deal with autism spectrum disorders.
Tell us about the initiative that you’re running during the Community Challenge.
DAO:
“Drag Queen Moves is an energetic event designed to bring joy, connection and visibility to Durham Region’s 2SLGBTQI+ community through physical activity,” said Jayme Harper, operations and fund development lead at DAO. “Led by local drag performers, this event invites people of all ages, identities and abilities to move their bodies in an inclusive, affirming space. It blends fitness with fun, self-expression and community celebration, turning exercise into a powerful tool for connection and empowerment.”
UVARC:
“We’ll be introducing adults with autism spectrum disorder to geocaching – an outdoor activity where you use GPS to hide and look for containers called geocaches at specific locations marked by coordinates, said Cathy Adams, UVARC’s executive director. “We’ll take small groups of participants on walks to locate the geocaches and leave special items in them for the next group of participants to find. We’ll also help them make their own geocaches to hide.
We previously received ParticipACTION funding to buy wireless headphones so we could host monthly silent dance parties for adults with autism spectrum disorder.”
What was the inspiration behind your initiative?
DAO:
“The inspiration came from listening to community voices,” said Jayme. “Many people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community have shared that traditional fitness environments often feel unwelcoming or unsafe for them. We wanted to flip that experience and offer a space that focuses on queer joy, encourages movement without judgment and challenges norms about who gets to participate in physical activity. Drag – bold, expressive and rooted in resistance – felt like the perfect vehicle to lead that movement.”
UVARC:
“During the pandemic, we ran a geocaching event for a few groups of people with autism spectrum disorder, and the participants had a great time, so we thought we’d offer it again,” said Cathy.
How will your initiative benefit equity-denied groups?
DAO:
Participants will develop important skills: body awareness, confidence, creative expression and community connection. These skills ripple outward: feeling empowered in your body can lead to increased self-esteem, stronger mental health and deeper engagement in other aspects of life, whether it’s within social circles, in workspaces or at future community events. Drag Queen Moves is about more than physical activity – it’s about reclaiming space, building confidence and showing up for one another.”
UVARC:
“Our geocaching events will help adults with autism spectrum disorder improve their social skills, which often doesn’t come to them naturally, by connecting them with others who have shared interests,” said Cathy. “It will also give them an opportunity to enjoy New Brunswick’s beautiful trails, parks and gardens.”
When it comes to getting active during the Community Challenge, there are no set parameters. From soccer practices to aquafit classes to a neighbourhood walk or wheel – everything counts! The main goal is to find inclusive and accessible ways to have fun and move with your community. Is your organization ready to make room to move in June?
Help your community win up to $100,000
Get active this June during the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk to help your community compete for the title of Canada’s Most Active Community and win $100,000 to support local sport and physical activity initiatives! Plus, the most active community in each remaining province and territory will be awarded $7,500 to $15,000, and 15 organizations will receive $500 each. Join today!
