BGC Ottawa/Walk This Way

BGC Ottawa (formerly Boy's and Girl's Club of Ottawa) provides a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

Walk This Way is a goal-oriented wellness program that encourages youth and teens to become physically active while exploring communities beyond the ones they are already familiar with. The program operates out of five BGC Ottawa Clubs. Walk this Way targets some of the most marginalized young people in our community, whose circumstances do not always allow them to participate in mainstream recreation activities. It primarily promotes healthy, active living but also features leadership, education, community-building, and nutritional components. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants take part in practice walks through the city, visiting unique landmarks, destinations, and events – opportunities these young people might not otherwise have access to. The program culminates with walkers joining the 5k event at the Ottawa Race Weekend. At the event, participants are cheered on by complete strangers and friends and receive a bright shiny medal to honour their achievements. More than 2,000 young people have participated in Walk This Way to date.