Ecology Action Center’s Winter Walk!

During these times, health is our utmost priority. Eating healthy diet with daily exercise. One activity that can help us is walking.

Walking in winter can be just as enjoyable and doable as in fair weather months. Don’t let the
cold and snow keep the kids from trekking to school, in the community or on the trails!

Winter is a great time to walk and be outside! Schools and youth groups are invited to walk at school or around the neighbourhood, walk to school or go for a hike on Winter Walk Day.

Winter Walk Day is a partnership of the Ecology Action Centre, Recreation NS and the NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

To participate in this Winter Walk Day, your school or group should register and commits to the following 4 steps:
1. Choose a day in February as your Winter Walk Day
2. Promote the event to participants
3. Educate participants on winter walking safety with our resources
4. Tell ECA how the event went on the Evaluation Survey that we’ll email to you at the end of February

By completing all these 4 steps your school/group will be automatically entered to win one of two $100 gift certificates for Woozles Children’s Bookstore (can be used online). Your school/group’s name will be entered in the draw twice if you send us a picture or two of your events to share or feature on our website!

But before you go on with your walk please read and observe the following tips:
Clothing Tips
• Keep hands, head and ear lobes covered. Be sure hats and scarves don’t block
hearing or vision.
• Wear mittens as they keep hands warmer than wearing gloves.
• Wear warm, waterproof boots with good treads for better traction on snow/ice.
• Carry umbrellas for those rainy days.
• Wear woollen or insulating synthetic clothing to help retain body heat.
• Layer clothing and wear a coat that is waterproof/water resistant and deflects
the wind.
• In extreme cold keep as much skin covered as possible.
• Beware if the temperature falls below -25 ºC or if the wind chill is -28 ºC or colder.
This is when exposed skin freezes in only a few minutes.
• Change wet clothes as soon as possible – tuck extra socks and mitts into those
backpacks.
• Be sure to wear sunscreen – yes, you can still get a sunburn in winter.
Walking Tips
• On dark winter mornings make sure kids are visible to oncoming traffic with
reflective tape or tags on jackets, backpacks, boots, umbrellas, etc.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing oncoming
cars and stay on the shoulder or very close to the curb.
• When crossing at crosswalks, wait until cars come to a complete stop before
crossing. They may not be able to stop suddenly on icy roads.
• Take care near large snow banks that obscure visibility for walkers and cars at
street crossings.
• Stay away from snowploughs or snow blowers. Blowing snow from these
machines can reduce visibility and may include flying pieces of ice and gravel.
• Ask the school, school board and municipality to ensure sidewalks are cleared
on at least one side of the route to school and on school property.