Prince George Cougars Spirit of Healthy Kids
SEE BELOW FOR THE 2024 SPIRIT OF HEALTHY KIDS CAMPAIGN WINNERS!
We just announced our 2024 Spirit of Healthy Kids Campaign awards to the following Northern BC schools.
$5000.00 to Pine ridge Elementary School (Prince Rupert)
$1000.00 to La Grande-Ourse Elementary School (Smithers)
$1000.00 to Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School (Fort. St. John)
$1000.00 to Living and Learning School (Daajing Giids)
$1000.00 to Conrad Elementary School (Prince Rupert)
$1000.00 to Houston Christian School (Houston)
Thank you to all the teachers, principals, and families for your enthusiastic participation in the Spirit of Healthy Kids 2024. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in fostering a culture of health and well-being among your students. While winning is an exciting goal, the true victory lies in the positive impact you've made on the lives of our youth. By promoting healthy habits and encouraging active lifestyles, you are helping to shape a healthier, happier future for our children. Whether you win or lose, your efforts have already made a significant difference, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
This was our most successful year yet, with 28 schools from all over Northern BC taking part and supporting children’s health and wellbeing. This program benefits kids in so many ways and we are proud to partner with the Prince George Cougars and Northern Health to promote healthy lifestyles in our schools.
Thank you to everyone who participated and we are looking forward to Spirit of Healthy Kids 2025!
Congratulations to everyone!
THE POWER OF POSITIVE ROLE MODELING AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION COMES ALIVE IN THE PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS SPIRIT OF HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM
This innovative initiative serves as a shining example of how partnerships can change the health trajectory of our youngest community members.
A unique collaboration between the Prince George Cougars junior ice hockey team, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, and Northern Health, this program leverages the popularity and influence of hockey players. These athletes directly engage with elementary students, sharing inspiring messages about healthy habits, kindness, and community involvement.
Initially introduced by the Cougars in 2015 as the "Read to Succeed Program," it underwent a transformation in 2016 with a broader vision. By 2019, the Spirit Of Healthy Kids program expanded across the vast Northern Health region. Today, this program resonates with over 33,000 students across 220 elementary schools. The vast expanse of our region, primarily composed of rural and remote communities, poses its own unique challenges. Many children in Northern BC face greater health disparities compared to their peers in other parts of the province, making initiatives like this even more critical.
As the Spirit Of Healthy Kids Program gears up annually, we encourage schools, students, and the wider community to engage, adopt, and propagate its teachings. Together, we can foster a brighter, healthier future for our children, making northern BC a beacon of wellness and community spirit.
Sign Up for the 2025 Spirit of Healthy Kids Campaign
December 9 - January 24, 2025
Submit your school’s application to spiritofhealthykids@pgcougars.com
January 27 - March 7, 2025
Run your school’s Spirit of Healthy Kids program during any two-week period in this timeframe
March 10 - March 24, 2025
Submit your results to spiritofhealthykids@pgcougars.com
May 2025
Winners Announced!
2025 Dates to Remember
Congratulations to the 2024 Spirit of Healthy Kids Campaign winners
Pine ridge Elementary School (Prince Rupert)
La Grande-Ourse Elementary School (Smithers)
Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School (Fort. St. John)
Living and Learning School (Daajing Giids)
Conrad Elementary School (Prince Rupert)
Houston Christian School (Houston)
CHALLENGES, TRIUMPHS, LASTING IMPACTS
In 2019, we introduced our first region-wide challenge. Schools were invited to devise a health promotion project that would benefit not just the current batch but future students as well. A grand total of six schools, representing 839 students, took on this challenge. Their commitment was commendable; they diligently recorded their time dedicated to reading, staying active, making healthy life choices, and giving back to their community. They also took time out to watch videos featuring Cougars players promoting healthy behaviors.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed unforeseen challenges, but the program pivoted gracefully to a digital delivery. This not only sustained the program during such a turbulent time but also extended its reach. W.L. McLeod Elementary in Vanderhoof stood out, winning a $5,000 grant which they selflessly directed towards battling food insecurity in their community. Five other schools embarked on diverse projects, each making a significant positive impact in their unique ways.
Drawing insights from the pandemic, the program's virtual delivery will persist and evolve, ensuring its teachings remain accessible to all corners of our region.
