Get kids on their feet and out of their seat!
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ost child-health advocacy organizations are in agreement that kids around the world need to spend more time on their feet and less time in front of a screen. Exact recommendations vary, but both the American Heart Association and the Canadian Pediatric Society recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate activity per day for children 6 and above. Optimist Clubs are in a unique position to create opportunities for physical activity for children in their communities, from playgrounds to running clubs. Do you have an idea to get kids in your community more active? Here are some resources to bring your dreams to reality. Grants from your Optimist foundations. If you’re in Canada, the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation offers Spread Relief grants for projects that improve childhood health and wellness. For the US and elsewhere, the Optimist International Foundation offers Childhood Health and Wellness grants. Deadlines vary. Visit www.ccof-foec.org and www.oifoundation.org for more information.
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All Kids Bike seeks to bring bike education to schools. Supported by the Strider Education Foundation, All Kids Bike offers programming for children, those with special needs and the elderly. Visit www.allkidsbike.org. KaBOOM! works to bring play opportunities to children across the US. Programming includes guidance on creating play spaces with existing infrastructure, partnerships to create playgrounds, grants and more. Visit www.kaboom.org. Jumpstart by Canadian Tire works to provide opportunities for all children to be physically active. Visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca. The Playcore Grant Finder makes it easy for organizations in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere to find grants and other funding opportunities for their sports and recreation project. Visit playcore.com/funding.
