Developed by J. Griffin Consulting in partnership with Ready4 Consulting, Recreation Nova Scotia is pleased to introduce our new Recreation Leadership Training Program. Recreation Foundations: Safe, Inclusive, Child-Centred Practices will serve as a recognized standard for frontline recreation leaders, particularly those leading programs for children and youth in Nova Scotia.
This training provides an immersive, play-based experience seeking to equip recreation leaders with the skills, confidence and judgment to lead and adapt programs.
Project Quick Facts:
- This project is being funded through the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH)
- Training is being developed by J. Griffin Consulting in partnership with Ready4 Consulting
- Development of training was launched with a conference wide engagement session at the RNS Annual Conference in October 2025 held in Sydney Nova Scotia
- Project engagement took place between October 2025 and February 2026 and included an online survey, in-person focus groups and virtual focus groups
- A steering committee is helping to guide the development of the training. The committee is comprised of recreation professionals from throughout the province
Recreation Foundations Pilot
In recent weeks, we have been busy delivering pilot sessions in different areas of the province. These sessions provide an opportunity to gather valuable feedback from participants on their learning experience and help us identify ways to strengthen both the content and delivery of the training.
To date, two pilot sessions have been held; one in the Fundy Region and one in the Central Region. Four additional sessions are scheduled to take place before mid-July in the South Shore, Valley, Highland, and Cape Breton regions.
For our initial round of pilot sessions in each region, we have prioritized supporting seasonal staff involved in summer programming; however, our goal is to hold an additional pilot session in every provincial region, which would provide an opportunity to engage participants from a broader range of roles within the recreation sector.
Pilot Training Sessions
We are gathering insight from facilitators, participants, and organizers on their experiences with the training. Information collected during the pilot will help inform the final edits of the training. If you or your staff have not yet had the opportunity to participate in a pilot session in your area, we encourage you to look for ongoing updates and complete this form: https://form.jotform.com/261025262996259
Upcoming Pilot Dates:
- June 11 - Sipekne’katik
- June 15 - HRM
- June 24 - Port Hawkesbury
- June 25 - Barrington
- June 26 - Antigonish
- July 7 - Clare
Youth Leadership Principals
The design and delivery of this training have been informed by RNS’s six youth leadership principles:
- Belonging comes first;
- Relationships create safety;
- Every person has a story;
- Environments foster growth;
- Participation is meaningful;
- Equity, access and anti-racism shape our practice
The principles set the foundation for how the training is structured and experienced.
Stay Connected
If your organization is interested in attending or sending staff to a pilot session, please complete this form: https://form.jotform.com/261025262996259
Training Development - Engagement
A comprehensive engagement phase was held between October 2025 and February 2026. During this period, a series of in-person focus groups and virtual focus groups were held throughout the province as well as an online suvey. Below is a snap shot of what was heard throughout the engagement phase.
Sector Survey
An online survey was hosted in late 2025 and resulted in 88 responses.Hosted in Late 2025
Key findings from survey:
- Respondents identified training gaps in:
- Behavioural management
- Emotional regulation
- Communication and relationship building
- Inclusion beyond awareness
- Leadership and supervision skills
- On-boarding often prioritizes “what to do” over “how to respond”
- Confidence decrees as situations become more complex
- training is not always impactful
- The sector values applied learning
- Staff want human centred skills training
- Training prioritizes risk-management
- Blended, flexible models are preferred
- Organizations recognize training gaps, but lack ability to address them
In-Person Focus Groups
There were 4 in-person focus groups held across the province between the months of November 2025 to January 2026. In total, 47 people participated in sessions in the regions of Cape Breton, Highland/Fundy, South Shore/Valley and Central.
Here are some insights from each of those focus groups as well as an overall snapshot from focus groups across the province:
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Cape Breton Regional Insights(235 KB)
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Central Region Insights(169 KB)
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South Shore/Valley Insights(176 KB)
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Highland/Fundy Insights(178 KB)
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Provincial Insights(459 KB)
Virtual Focus Groups
There were three virtual sessions held for frontline staff, upper/middle management and Mi'kmaq Physical Activity Leaders in February of 2026.
Summary of what was heard at these sessions:
- Frontline staff
- In-person/hands on
- Collaborative environment
- Real world stories
- Options for staff with different levels of experience
- Mentorship
- Upper/Middle Management
- Easy portal to track training for team
- Mix of of online and in-person
- Cost of Training and “Staffing Crisis” make it difficult for Professional Development
- Community of Practice
- Resource Library
- Mi'kmaq Physical Activity Leaders
- Shared foundation, while allowing flexibility for communities realities
- Meaningful engagement sessions/talking circles
Steering Committe
We want to recognize the members of the project steering committee. Their role has been to provice project oversight and guidance and is comprised of recreation professionals from across Nova Scotia
Thank you to the following committee members:
- Misty James- Municipality of Barrington
- Laura Jacobs - Town of Kentville
- Shawna Shirle - Halifax Regional Municipality
- Debby Smith - Community Rep
- Debbie Bauld - Communtiy Rep
- Kate MacDonald- EXCEL Halifax Regional Centre for Education
- Mike Hudson - Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
- Laura Swaine - YWCA
- Heather Brennan- Strait Regional Centre for Education
- Kerri Jack - Recreation Nova Scotia
- Alan MacKeigan - Recreation Nova Scotia
- Graham Mounsey - Recreation Nova Scotia