COVID-19’s lockdowns left many children in isolation, feeling lonely, and in dire need of connection and community. A recent study from SickKids reported the worrying link between the pandemic and kids’ mental health decline in these tough times. Thankfully, through our unique BLAST after-school virtual programs, Moorelands Kids was able to combat loneliness with a […]
By Aly Tomas We often hear about how important it is to do the right thing, and make good decisions. Sometimes doing the right thing is clear and simple. Other times, doing the right thing might not feel so easy. It can take courage to do the right thing. Integrity What is integrity and why […]
By Robyn Bell “This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.” — Robert Kennedy. What is positive youth development? Positive Youth […]
By Muhammad Shahmir Masood – Digital Communications and Development Intern It is often said that a real leader is forged in crisis and uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic emerged leaders from out of the community who have shown leadership, heroism and compassion qualities. Many community members have played a positive role in society. From essential […]
“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” Jim Rohn Responsibility is something required of all of us in every area of our lives. We need to demonstrate responsibility in our families, when we’re at school, when we are at work, and in […]
So you’ve come home from your week at Moorelands Camp. You spent the week learning Girl’s End and Boy’s End cheers, playing WILD camp games, trying new activities, laughing till your stomach hurt with your cabin mates, learning from your cabin leaders, making great friends, and developing as a LEADER. But home is not camp […]
At Moorelands Camp, every day is focused on learning the Habits and Qualities that will turn our campers into tomorrow’s leaders. Everything from cabin clean up, and passing food to your new friends at the dining hall tables, to spotting people at the Team Challenge course and helping set up tents during the overnight, teaches […]
“The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him.” Henry L Stimson The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines trustworthiness as being worthy of confidence, and being dependable. It can also be described as being reliable, responsible, safe, secure, and steady. Trustworthiness is one of the most important qualities in life. It is the quality […]
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever.” ― Amy Poehler BLAST – Budding Leaders After School Teams! The kids in our BLAST after-school program have been busy practicing some of the Moorelands Kids Habits and Qualities in their […]
The snow has been falling and temperatures have been chilly, but the kids from BLAST at Thorncliffe Park have been in a flurry of activity as they made GIANT snowflakes! They had a great opportunity to learn that good leaders are FAIR. When creating, working, or doing a project together, it’s important to take turns […]
When leaders face a challenge, they get to make choices. Our young leaders in BLAST (Budding Leaders After School Teams) experience this every week as they try new things together. Whether they are making nachos together, trying tzatziki for the first time, making crafts or playing games, they get to chose how they respond to […]
Now that 2019 is upon us, we have the opportunity to prioritize what is important in our lives. At Moorelands Kids, we know that Leaders are people who SET GOALS, and do FIRST THINGS FIRST. Goals help our plans and dreams become reality. Take some time to write out what is important to you this […]
The turn of a new year often brings the desire to declare resolutions about what will be different in your life. Many times, these resolutions are about self-improvement and bettering yourself. It seems that the whole world is hungry for change. Have you found that resolutions are easy to keep? Come the end of the […]
Moorelands Kids’ LED (Lead, Excel, Demonstrate) kids have worked hard all year learning about the HABITS & QUALITIES that make a great leader. It takes work to be PROACTIVE as a leader, but when you choose your response and consider the feelings of others, you show RESPECT. They have worked hard all year through activities […]
“Child Poverty Affects Families in Every Single Ward in Toronto,” read a headline from the Toronto Star’s coverage of the municipal elections in November. Sadly, the recently published 2018 Toronto Child & Family Poverty Report estimates that more than 125,000 children live in low-income families. The data illustrates that poverty, long thought of as an […]
