Mobile Recreation Brings Physical Activity to Low-Income Students in Boise, ID

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Students at schools across Boise, Idaho are staying fit thanks to two new mobile playgrounds and free programming offered by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

In an Idaho Statesmen news article, Chris Camacho, a recreation coordinator with Boise’s Parks and Recreation department, said that some kids might not be able to otherwise afford after school activities.Therefore, bringing after school programming directly to them through the mobile rec is a great way to address gaps in recreation services offered to children.

Kay Mack, a retired employee of the Parks and Recreation Department, said she dreamed up the idea for the mobile rec over 15 years ago, but the vision only became a reality in 2008.

Before launching the mobile playground the city worked with the National League of Cities to develop a plan to improve access to recreation services. They analyzed maps and key demographic characteristics using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to determine which areas had the highest concentration of low-income kids and lacked after-school programming.

Then they started offering the after school program which provides fun games and healthy snacks to students.

The response was greater than expected. Originally they thought they might see 15-20 kids, but soon 50-100 kids were showing up on a regular basis.

Because of the increased demand, the city now has two mobile recs, which will also be used for summer programming.

Read more about mobile recs in Boise, ID by clicking here.