About Us
We are parents who advocate active childhood in the great outdoors in all kinds of weather. We believe that we as parents have the power to ensure this for our children. We believe that all children have the right to be exposed to the great outdoors from a early age.
The great outdoors can be everything, from more hardcore activities like skiing to just playing in your backyard or your local park. We hope that you can be as passionate about an active childhood as us; however an active childhood shows up for you.
Our website offers information about an active childhood out in nature.
- Ideas about what kind of actives you can do outside.
- Connecting active parents on our Facebook group
- How to create an outdoor playgroup.
- Information and background about the Midtown Parent Network in Toronto and Active Kids Club
- How to best dress for outdoors in all kinds of weather.
- Library with resources about all aspect of outdoor activities.
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Kari Svenneby
Founder of Active Kids Club
kari@activekidsclub.com
 Kari is a love refuge from Norway. She moved to Canada to join her filmmaker husband and raise their child in Toronto. “I love Canada and all is has to offer”, said Svenneby. “I love its cultural diversity, but also all the opportunities it has to offer to enjoy the great outdoors, both in Toronto but also in the countryside.” She dreams about making the same trip though Canada as the Norwegian legend, Helge Ingestad did in Northwest Territories.
Kari Svenneby is a certified chef and has a degree in Library and Information Science from Norway. She has worked in numerous restaurants and catered events for a decade. She even has made food for President Bill Clinton and the King of Norway. She knows how important nutrition is for children, but believes that movement for small ones is just as important. As a Librarian she understands the importance of literacy and reading skills for small ones and believes that being active outdoors, from an early age, supports literacy and academic skills for a lifetime for children.
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Debra Scott
Communication director for Active Kids Club
debra@activekidsclub.com
 Debra is a mother, actor, teacher, graphic designer and an outdoor convert. She grew up in Yellowknife Northwest Territories camping, fishing, sailing, swiming in Great Slave Lake, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Over the years the seduction of the computer screen and the life of couch potato were too much and she found excuses not to go outside. In an effort to be a better mom she has re-discovered the outdoors and made a firm commitment to getting both her and her daughter ouside and active. Debra has noticed a change in both her daughter and herself on days when they get their hour (or 2 or 5) outdoors. They both sleep better and their moods are lifted. The research she has read about the positive benefits of outdoor play and free play lead her to believe that our lack of outdoor time is becoming a serious problem in the western world. Her motto.. make time for your kids... make time for you.
Debra is also one of the powers that be over at mom2mom toronto who advocate for breastfeeding rights, baby milk action, outdoor play and local, ethical and eco-friendly consumer choices. Debra also advocates for better park space planning in the the greater Toronto area so that parks can be safely used by all members of the community.
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Russell Gienapp
Writer and photographer for Active Kids Club
russell@ativekidsclub.com
 Russell is a two time Gemini nominated Director of Photography in the film and television industry. He loves what he does and feels lucky to make his living doing what he loves in life. Being a cinematographer demands skills both creative and physical. His office ranges from steamy tropics to icy winter conditions where he has learned the importance of having the proper gear.
Raised on a horse farm in Minnesota, he thanks his childhood for introducing the outdoors to him at an early age. His early experiences as a child fueled his imagination and his exposure to the outdoors supplied his passion and physical skills he uses everyday in his work. “Recently, I was thrown off a golf cart with a full size camera on my shoulder and I managed to roll and save the camera from damage”, said Russell. “When I got up and my colleagues commented their amazement that I didn’t get hurt or destroy some equipment, I thought about how important it is for my daughter to know her body by being exposed to nature and have the same opportunities as I have had”.
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