Children left out from activities: Vital Signs
Victoria News
By Erin Cardone
October 06, 2009

It’s getting harder for children to stay involved in after school activities.

Seventy-six per cent of families have limited their children’s involvement in extracurricular activities because of the associated cost, according to the 2009 Vital Signs report, compiled by the Victoria Foundation.

“We’re facing a situation where because parents aren’t able to even pay (part-subsidized) fees there’s less participation,” said Kate Mansell, director of development for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Victoria, which provides out-of-school activities such as recreation, cooking, arts and crafts, and field trips….

“In January we had a few parents who lost work removed their kids,” Broome said. “But we had lots of people on our wait list to fill those spaces.”

Vital Signs gave Victoria a mark of C- on extracurricular activities for children, adding Victoria children on average spend 1.7 hours in front of the TV every day.

“The economy has had a major impact this year,” Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson noted of the report. “It’s not really shocking to see that.”…

Report card (a few highlights)

Lowest scores:

Affordability index: D+

Rental vacancy, affordability, waitlists: D+

Childcare spaces: D+