Building healthy, active and creative lifestyles through sport, culture and recreation.

July 2026

Lakeland District had a very busy year facilitating capacity building that enhances sport, culture and recreation to strengthen communities.

To see all of the wonderful things that took place in 2025/2026 please see the Annual Report on the LDSCR Website.

Inside you will find:

Message from the Chairperson

Message from the Executive Director

2025/2026 Board of Directors

Strengthening Capacity

Community Support & Engagement

Network Connections

Partnerships & Collaborations

Diversity & Inclusion

Organizational Development

If you still have an outstanding follow up report contact your Community Consultant:

Jessie Strasser or Bill Dykstra

Stay in the know for Back to Batoche Days!

Check out the 2026 schedule below to see everything happening all weekend long. From events, activities, and more. Plan your ultimate Batoche experience!

For full details of the agenda and maps, visit: https://metisgathering.ca/back-to-batoche/announcements/

See you July 16–19!

Flag Football is Coming to Lakeland! 

Get ready to run, pass, and have some fun! The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation is bringing FREE Drop-In Flag Football Camps to selected communities across the Lakeland District this summer! These camps are designed to be flexible, welcoming, and accessible, giving youth a fun opportunity to get active, build confidence, learn new skills, and experience the excitement of football—no previous experience or equipment required! Huge thank you to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation for partnering with our communities to inspire the next generation through sport, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles.

Selected communities include Leask, Carrot River, and Melfort.

Carrot River registration Link - July 29th from 1:00pm-3:00pm

https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/footballsaskatchewan?cid=73665

Leask registration Link - July 28th from 2:30pm-4:30pm 

https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/footballsaskatchewan?cid=73658

Melfort registration Link - July 31th from 1pm-3pm

https://app.teamlinkt.com/register/find/footballsaskatchewan?cid=73777

Lakeland District for Sport, Culture and Recreation is proud to support free community swims during National Drowning Prevention Week through funding provided by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA). This initiative helps reduce barriers by providing free access to recreation while increasing awareness of water safety and encouraging participation from people of all ages and abilities. By creating inclusive community recreation opportunities, we are helping build healthier, more connected communities where everyone has access to parks and recreation and can experience the lifelong benefits they provide.

National Drowning Prevention Week

National Drowning Prevention Week promotes awareness of the drowning prevention problem in Canada and the need for individuals, communities, organizations, and government to take action in an effort to save lives. Drowning is preventable!

National Drowning Prevention Week occurs every year in mid-July, when Canada's drowning rate is at its highest. NDPW 2026 will take place on July 19-25, 2026.

Lifeguards make your swim safer, but they don’t replace active adult supervision. Follow facility rules, listen to the lifeguards, and keep children within arms’ reach. #NDPW2026

Social Media and Youth Well-Being Workshop

Social media is a major part of young people's daily lives—but how does it impact their mental health and well-being?

Join us on August 7 at 12:00 p.m. for a free virtual workshop featuring Dr. Roxanne Cohen, researcher with the Young Lives Research Lab at York University. This engaging session will explore the relationship between social media use and youth mental health, discuss current research, and provide valuable insights for those who support young people.

This workshop is ideal for educators, coaches, recreation leaders, youth workers, parents, mental health professionals, and anyone working with youth.

Register today by scanning the QR code on the poster or clicking the link below and be part of the conversation on supporting healthy digital habits and youth well-being.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf63WZAukeqGplwU8_ekOi2WHri7VnxIHbKzZZ1bzlIOgfsAQ/viewform?usp=header

Apply now!

Are you looking for support with your kid's arts or cultural activities that are beginning in the fall? Now's the time to apply for Creative Kids support!



Deadline: August 12

Learn more and apply: https://creativekidssask.ca/apply-now/

Help us spread the word!

Register your Event!

Culture Days returns September 18 – October 4, 2026, inviting artists, organizations and communities to take part.

Each year, thousands of free or Pay-What-You-May events are registered through our portal as part of a country-wide effort to promote barrier-free arts and cultural experiences for the public and foster year-round support for artists and organizations.

Ready to register? Sign in or create a free account to get started.

• Step-by-Step Registration Guide – A simple walkthrough of the registration process
• Event Organizer Guide – Everything you need to know on how to participate in Culture Days
• Programming Ideas – Get inspired with examples to help shape your event and engage your community

New for this year:

️Event Registration Deadline: Events must be registered by Friday, September 4th at 11:59pm ET to be included in the national listing.

️Event Eligibility Guidelines: We have updated some language and FAQs around event eligibility and registration. Please take a moment to review before submitting your events for 2026.

Regional Park Pass Lending Program Returns!

The Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association, in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Library Association, is pleased to offer the 2026 Regional Parks Lending Program. 

Starting from May 15 to September 8, 2026, anyone with a valid library card can borrow a pass from any Saskatchewan library and enjoy a seven-day loan period with free access to nearly 100 regional parks across the province!

Learn More!

History of SARP and the John Austin Fund

Join us for an important online conversation with Murray as he reflects on the history and evolution of our organization. Together, we will explore transactional and relational approaches, revisit past discussions around amalgamation and dissolution, and gain an understanding of the lottery era and John Austin Fund.

The session will honour SARP's legacy while offering thoughtful context for where we are today and why dissolution can be viewed as a respectful and intentional path forward. Register today to be part of this important conversation and gain valuable historical perspective.



Click to register https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/M93kn2YqQJCAo_X_GstYog

Communications Mentorship Program accepting applications

Applications are now open for the SaskCulture Communications Mentorship Program following a successful pilot last year. The program pairs organizations with experienced communications professionals to strengthen their communications skills.

Applications close July 31

2026 Paths to Prosperity Provincial Summit

Save the date for the Paths to Prosperity Provincial Summit, which will take place in Saskatoon from October 26-28, 2026.  

Learn More

This event is offered in partnership between the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance, Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network and Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.