Owen Sound, ON – November 13, 2026 – Funding through the Free to Play Fund will support Big Bunch: Play Without Limits, providing free outdoor experiences for approximately 450 children and youth over the next two years.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe (BBBSGBWS) is pleased to announce it has received $44,950 through the Free to Play Fund, administered locally by the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, to expand equitable access to outdoor play and nature-based learning opportunities for children and youth throughout the region.
The funding will support Big Bunch: Play Without Limits, a program that will provide free monthly outdoor experiences to approximately 450 children and youth over the next two years. Through nature-based activities and outdoor exploration, the initiative will create opportunities for young people to develop independence, strengthen social connections, and build a strong foundation for life-long health and well-being.
“Where a child lives, their family’s financial circumstances, and the resources available in their community, all influence health and development. We see an important role for community-based organizations in addressing these gaps through accessible, preventative programming. Our goal is simple: get children outdoors. Research demonstrates the important relationship between access to natural environments, physical activity, and children’s cognitive, social, and mental health. This investment allows us to reduce some of the barriers that limit participation and ensure that access to outdoor experiences is not determined by circumstance. We thank the Free to Play Fund and Community Foundation Grey Bruce for supporting this important work.“ (Beth Aubrey, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe).
The expanded program will introduce a variety of outdoor experiences, including hiking, wildlife observation, gardening, environmental art, birding, loose-parts play, and other nature-based activities that encourage creativity, curiosity, and exploration.
At the heart of Big Bunch: Play Without Limits is an emphasis on unstructured, child-led play. Unlike traditional structured recreation, this approach allows children to exercise choice, follow their interests, engage in creative problem-solving, and develop confidence through independent exploration. Time spent in natural environments also provides opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, social interaction, and connection to the environment.
A central focus of the initiative is addressing inequities in access to recreation and outdoor experiences. Social and economic circumstances, including household income, transportation, geographic location, and access to safe recreational spaces, can significantly influence a child’s opportunities to participate in activities that support healthy development. The program will prioritize children and youth experiencing these barriers, including young people waiting to be matched with a mentor through BBBSGBWS.
By reducing financial and geographic barriers to participation, the initiative takes a proactive, prevention-focused approach to supporting children’s well-being. It recognizes that positive developmental outcomes are influenced not only by individual circumstances, but also by the environments, relationships, and opportunities available to children as they grow.
The project will also strengthen partnerships with organizations throughout the region, including local conservation authorities, environmental organizations, and community agencies. These partnerships will help expand access to natural spaces and create sustainable opportunities for children and families to engage with their local environments and build connections within their communities.
BBBSGBWS is grateful to the Free to Play Fund and the Community Foundation Grey Bruce for their investment in local children and youth. By supporting more equitable access to outdoor play, this funding will help create healthier, more connected communities where every child has the opportunity to move, explore, belong, and thrive.
About the Free to Play Fund
Free to Play is a $32-million national initiative led by Community Foundations of Canada, established to support community-led initiatives that increase children’s access to safe, welcoming, and inclusive outdoor play opportunities. The fund invests in projects that encourage active play, strengthen community connections, and promote children’s physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being.
Funded by Waltons Trust, the Lawson Foundation, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, this initiative recognizes that outdoor play is essential to healthy childhood development and that access to play is not equal for all children.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe
Founded in 1960 as one of Canada’s ten charter agencies, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe has been empowering young people through the power of mentoring for more than 65 years. Through free one-to-one, school-based, and group mentoring programs, the organization serves more than 600 youth, families, and volunteers annually, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging while contributing to stronger, more connected communities.
Media Contact
Beth Aubrey
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe
Ed.greybruce@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
519.589.0326
This project was made possible by a grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce
