Many schools in the ACT have already discovered the benefits of the Active Kids Challenge. If your school hasn’t participated yet, your students are missing out on a great experience that’s both healthy and a lot of fun.
We all know that physical activity is vitally important for children. It helps them gain confidence to learn more complex skills, and encourages them to maintain an active lifestyle as they age, thus avoiding the early onset of chronic disease.
Childhood inactivity is leading to an overweight and obesity epidemic and the Active Kids Challenge is one way to help defeat it.
The Challenge is a program of the Physical Activity Foundation, which runs for 10 weeks in ACT primary schools during term 3.
2011 registration is now open to all ACT primary schools.
The Physical Activity Foundation strongly recommends 'whole of school participation' in the 2011 Active Kids Challenge.
However schools may register a representative group of students to do the Challenge (ie lower primary/upper primary only, individual classes). Participation prizes are of a higher value for whole of school participation schools than for percentage participation schools. The program is more effective when a whole school community commits to the program.
The registration page will ask you to enter the number of students participating and to nominate a coordinator at school to Champion your Challenge. This person will be the Foundation's point of contact with your school via email and e-newsletters during the Challenge period.
Check now and see if your school is registered for the 2011 Active Kids Challenge. Even if the Challenge has started, your school can still participate – it’s never too late to register.
For assistance with Active Kids Challenge program registration contact Program Manager, Maree Winmill via email or on 0414 317 099.
The Foundation follows the National Physical Activity Guidelines, which for children are: