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SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 3
Contents 8
Playground Magazine | Volume 14 No. 2 | Summer 2014
Features 8
An Interview with Jennie Finch
10
Considering Sports from a Developmental Perspective By Jay Beckwith
14
Outdoor Fitness Equipment Inspires Nation’s Health and Fitness Revival By Barry King
16
Improving the Health and Fitness of Children for a Lifetime of Health The Benefits of Youth Sports
10
14
By Sally S. Johnson
20
The Challenge of Inclusive Sports
21
Promoting Physically Active Lifestyles for Over 129 Years: Shape America
22
Partnership for a Healthier America and Let’s Move! Active Schools
23
Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball: The Miracle League
24
Enhancing the Youth Sports Experience! National Council of Youth Sports
25
Giving Teachers the Tools to Promote Fitness: Project Fit America
26
Be Active Outside!: President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
27
Professional Athletes Unite to Fight Childhood Obesity: ‘nPlay
28
Reference of Sports and Fitness Organizations
By Reeve Brenner
DEPARTMENTS 7 PGPEDIA.COM 24 CPSI Course Calendar 30 Who’s Talking About Sports and Fitness 31 4 Great Sports 4 PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014
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Fitness
www.pgpedia.com/f/fitness Good physical condition is how fitness is measured. Being fit occurs through healthy habits which include exercise and nutrition.1 Being physically fit offers many benefits, such as a healthy weight, strong muscles, bones, and joints, decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, better sleep, and a feeling of well-being. 2 The National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommends that school-age children get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, divided into several segments of 15 minutes or more, if necessary, and to avoid periods of being inactive for longer than 2 hours.3 Endurance, strength, and flexibility are three elements of fitness gained through exercise. Endurance is improved with aerobic activity, which causes the heart to beat faster and the lungs to work harder. Bicycling, running, skating, and playing soccer all build endurance when the aerobic activity is sustained for continuous periods of time. Strengthening muscles can be accomplished by climbing on playground equipment, hanging from overhead ladders, and doing push-ups. Stretching exercises improve flexibility and help the muscles and joints to move easily through their full range of motion.4 Playground equipment allows a child to improve his overall fitness as he develops motor skills, such as agility, speed, balance, coordination, and power.5 Navigating the playground equipment by climbing on monkey bars, brachiating on overhead ladders, and swinging on swings all require these skills. Today’s new innovative designs with moving walkways and challenging elements encourage children to play longer on playground equipment and improve their fitness skills. When it was reported that America’s children were less fit than European chil-
dren, the President’s Council on Youth Fitness was founded in 1956 to encourage American children to be healthy and active. This government organization is now known as the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN). Its mission is to educate all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity and good nutrition.6 Children of school age receive awards from the President’s Council that offers the President’s Challenge for meeting nutrition and fitness standards. Five components of physical fitness are measured in this program: aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Guidelines are given for the principles of exercise in the program.7 The Let’s Move! campaign, started by First Lady Michelle Obama, has set the goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight. The decrease in physical activity and lack of healthy eating has caused the childhood obesity rate in America to triple in the past 30 years with nearly one in three children being overweight or obese in America today.8 Children rarely walk to school, gym classes and recess times have decreased, and the average child spends 7.5 hours a day watching television and DVDs, playing computer and video games, and using cell phones for entertainment. Fast food, fat-filled snacks, and larger food portions add to the problem of obesity and lack of physical fitness.9 With the rising concern of childhood obesity in America, many organizations have become involved in the battle. Project Fit America is a non-profit charity that donates fully funded cardiovascular health and fitness education programs to schools.10 The Major League Baseball
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Players Association has joined with the Let’s Move! campaign to publicize the message to fight childhood obesity and educate the public.11 NFL Play 60 is a campaign of the National Football League designed to get children active through in-school, after school, and team-based programs.12 Refrences
1. “Fitness.” Dictionary.com. The American Heritage Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. <http:// dictionary.reference.com/browse/fitness> 5 Aug. 2010. 2. “Motivating Kids to Be Active.” KidsHealth from Nemours. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/active_kids.html> 5 Aug. 2010. 3. “Fitness and Your 6 - to 12-Year-Old” Kids Health from Nemours. <http://kidshealth.org/ parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/fitness_6_12.html> 5 Aug. 2010. 4. “Kids and Exercise.” Kids Health from Nemours. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/fitness/exercise.html> 5 Aug. 2010. 5. Frost, Joe L., Pei-San Brown, John A. Sutterby, Candra D. Thornton. The Developmental Benefits of Playgrounds. Olney, MD: Association for Childhood Education International, 2004. p. 129-130. 6. President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. < http://www.fitness.gov/> 5 Aug. 2010. 7. “Get Fit! A Handbook for Youth Ages 6-17.” President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. <http://www.fitness.gov/publications/council/ getfitandbeactive_pdf.pdf> 5 Aug. 2010. 8. “Learn the Facts.” Let’s Move! < http://www. letsmove.gov/learnthefacts.php> 5 Aug. 2010. 9. Ibid. 10. “Who We Are.” Project Fit America. <http:// www.projectfitamerica.org/who_are_we.html> 5 Aug. 2010. 11. Ibid. 12. “NFL Play 60: The NFL Movement For An Active Generation.” National Football League. <http://www.nfl.com/news/story ?id=09000d5d80b4a489&template=withvideo&confirm=true> 5 Aug. 2010.
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The most well-known member in the world of softball, Jennie Finch has served as a role model for young women throughout the world not only for her on-field performance and sportsmanship but how she conducts herself off of it. A Gold Medal pitcher from the 2004 Olympic team, Jennie was a 3 time All-American and Player of the Year winner while playing in college for the Arizona Wildcats. She spends a lot of time teaching clinics to young girls, and working with the Cal Ripken Sr. Organization and The National Child Safety Education Program. Jennie is also a board member of ‘nPlay Foundation working with other professional athletes to fight the childhood obesity epidemic in America. PM - Your Jennie Finch Softball Camps have been instructing girls from the 3rd grade and older to Practice like a Champion, Play like a Champion and Live like a Champion! What does it take to instill these goals in the girls? JF - I want these girls to dream big and believe in themselves above all! The kids I get to see and meet ultimately have to set their own goals and want their own success, I’m just there to help them with the mechanics and encourage them along the way!
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PM - What valuable lessons did you learn from playing team sports as a child? JF - So many I can’t count them! Teamwork, cooperation, hard work, optimism, mental toughness...the list goes on and on. PM - How do these lessons carry over into your adult life? JF - The same basic lessons I learned on the field - how to work with others, how to live in the moment, how to work hard - apply every day for me. I’m glad I had a chance to learn them as I grew up.
PM - How do you feel about the practice of giving all players trophies who participate in a competition? Does this help their self-esteem or hurt it? JF - I’m not sure there’s a definite answer to this. I’d imagine it depends on the individual child and how old they are and lots of different factors. Even at the professional level athletes are motivated by different things! The most important thing is recognizing the positive for each child and encouraging them to follow their dreams.
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PM - Your 2004 Olympics gold medal win as well as being a professional softball player have brought you much attention. You have chosen to promote softball for young girls and be a good role model for them. Was that a difficult decision? What makes a good role model for young girls?
themselves, and give it everything they have. That’s how they will reach their goals.
JF - I’ve been so blessed to play this game and to represent my country. There was no greater feeling for me than playing with the USA across my chest. It had been my dream for so long. I feel it’s a gift to be able to share a little bit of that with so many young girls. There’s so much negativity out there, and I have a chance to be a positive light. I’m grateful for that opportunity!
JF - There’s something for everyone, whether it’s running, jumping on a trampoline, playing tag. Whatever it is, it feels good to move your body every day. We have to get out there and be active ourselves to set an example!
PM - What is your take on the traveling youth sports teams that have emerged in the last few years? JF - I’m the mom of a little boy who plays travel baseball. It’s different these days, no doubt, but I think any opportunity for kids to play is a good one. It’s great when there’s a team and opportunity to play that matches a child’s interest and intensity.
PM - Obviously, not all kids are gifted athletes. How do you encourage children regardless of their abilities to be active?
PM - Many playground manufacturers have recently been developing outdoor fitness equipment for children’s playgrounds. What do you think of this trend? Do you think it will help our children become more physically fit? JF - Exercise and activity help kids learn better and be healthier, so if outdoor fitness equipment helps that, then I’m all for it.
PM - What advice do you give young people who aspire to be professional athletes?
PM - You are obviously concerned with the epidemic childhood obesity problem in America with your involvement with ‘nPlay Foundation. How is ‘nPlay tackling this issue?
JF - I tell them to work hard, believe in
JF - The primary focus of ‘nPlay is help-
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ing schools integrate physical activity and nutrition education in the core subjects for K-8 graders. Children form habits between those ages, and getting healthy activities into their daily lives through their classes will provide them with the foundation for a healthy lifestyle that can last for the rest of their lives. PM - Are you encouraged about our children’s future? What success stories keep you motivated to continue working with young people? JF - We all have problems throughout our lives. Sports taught me that there will always be obstacles; of course we’ll get knocked down, but it’s how you pick yourself up that matters. Kids today are as bright and resilient as ever. I have faith that they are the problem solvers of the future! It’s a blessing to spend time with them and see their energy and enthusiasm. PM - Do you have a favorite play memory from your childhood you would like to share? How did you play as a child? JF - I loved playing with my big brothers! And my dad spent lots of time coaching and catching for me. Those are my favorite memories - time spent with family!
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Considering Sports from a Developmental Perspective FEW WOULD QUESTION the value of sports for kids, yet these days there are increased concerns being raised. Is intense competition necessary? What about head injuries? What’s the best age to join a league? To fully understand the role of youth sports in the lives of kids we need to consider the natural course of child development. Growing up is rarely smooth and kids can show both very mature and infantile behaviors at the same time; however, it is possible to speak in broad terms of developmental stages. The literature in the field generally recognizes these stages: discovery, play, games, and sports.
Discovery In one sense the discovery stage couldn’t be more obvious, it’s the child’s first encounter with something. The discovery process is so commonplace that we often fail to see its real significance. To understand the impact of discovery in development of children we need to look at the number of novel things that are available and the manner in which the child seeks to explore them. On the one hand the more new things there are available, the 10 PLAYGROUND MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014
greater the child’s opportunities to learn. If the goal is to realize the child’s full potential, this insight suggests that exposing children to as many types of sports as possible is important. It is also important that the child’s developmental stage is consistent with the situations and environments in which they are exploring.
Play While the discovery phase allows the child to find out “what is this” – the play phase involves “what can I do with it.” Allowing children the maximum time possible to play has been shown to strongly correlate with functional intelligence, creativity, and psychological robustness. To maximize play two conditions should be considered. The first is choice. As with the discovery phase the more variety of play opportunities, the better. But equally important, the ability of the child to choose what they want to play with and how they want to play is equally important. In my work with early childhood programs we found that conflicts between children where reduced to zero when there were at least three play options for every two children.
by Jay Beckwith
The second consideration for maximizing play is safety. This is a bit tricky since there is a tendency to make things “safe” by removing anything that might be “dangerous.” There are two problems with this approach. The first is that this safetyby-subtraction tends to reduce the play choices kids can make. The second is that adults can imagine millions of ways that kids could possibly be hurt and tend to go way overboard. A better approach is to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents by removing hazards. A hazard is something the child can’t be expected to see, i.e. hypodermic needles buried in a sand box or an attack by a bully. This balance between functional and perceived safety is beautifully illustrated by adventure playgrounds which appear to adults to be full of danger, but because all of those challenges are easily visible to kids, these playgrounds have been shown to have fewer accidents than traditional playgrounds. In summary then the role of adults in maximizing play is insuring the most diverse environment possible while using their experience to identify and manage the hidden “mousetraps.” www.playgroundmag.com
Games For purposes of this discussion I’m going to suggest that games can be defined as play behaviors that occur between two or more players. The child can discover and play alone but can only play a game with others (or an external device that functions as an “other”). That is to say that the main difference between play and games is that games are social. Games appear very early in a child’s life. As soon as a child discovers that a behavior such as making a certain sound elicits a positive response from their caregiver, that vocalization will be repeated in a game-like fashion. From very simple interactions such as this, the child soon learns that various behaviors will initiate various responses. It does not take long for the child to begin to understand that there are underlying rules to these interactions. At a surprisingly early age they can begin to create “meta-games” where they begin to play with the rules of the games. For example when playing peekaboo, instead of just covering their eyes, they will drop out of sight, which they find hilarious. The importance of this phase cannot be over empathized. Allowing the players to spontaneously evolve the rules of their playful games is the basis for learning fundamental social interaction. Children’s subtlety, creativity, and speed of rule generation and behavioral interaction is breathtaking. The more time children are allowed to play these spontaneous games, the more socially adroit, confident, and successful they will be.
Sports The primary difference between sports and games is that the rules of sports are external, whereas in play the “rules” come from the children/players. Back in the early '70s when I first started doing Build Your Own Playground in San Francisco, a study was conducted at one of the schools where we had organized a volunteer-built play structure. This happened around the end of the Vietnam War, which brought an influx of Vietnamese students to San Francisco, and the School District wanted to learn how well they were integrating. The study looked primarily at girls and the dominant game they played was jump rope. Initially the study showed that the new students were playing well with other kids. Within a few weeks, however, www.playgroundmag.com
the Vietnamese students were playing by themselves. Looking for the cause for this breakdown the researchers found that the Vietnamese girls would not play with the existing street-wise students because those girls kept changing the rules to the game. The local students were playing a metagame and the newcomers were engaged in a fixed rule sport. Cultural anthropologists often analyze the main sports a civilization plays to understand the values that civilization holds to be most important. For example, many cultures’ popular sports were highly competitive demonstrations of combat readiness. Within this category we find some cultures that valued honorable play very highly where others respected ruthlessness and success. Some societies feel very strongly that its citizens should all closely follow the social norms while other communities are far more open. In regimented communities parents and other adults may feel pressured by their society to insure that the children in their care have incorporated the values that their culture prizes and thus can become quite assertive as they guide children into sports so they can learn the “rules.”
The Play Spectrum To summarize the foregoing we can see that in the process of discovery and early play children learn about themselves as an internal process. At the next level children learn through games about interpersonal relationships, which are between people so they are external to the child. In sports children learn about the values of their society and culture and is a public process. Another way we can explain this arch of developmental growth from simple discovery to sports is to put the process in the form of a story. Since many sports involve some sort of ball, let’s make Mr. Ball the protagonist of our story. In the first chapter Mr. Ball meets baby Bobby whose first interaction is to taste Mr. Ball, followed by picking him up and shaking. As soon as Bobby can sit up, he will have Mr. Ball rolling all about the house and not long after that, Mr. Ball will go flying across the room. While Bobby finds its fun to chase down Mr. Ball and roll him again, it is even more fun to have Mom roll him back, and thus the games begin. Bobby soon learns that Mr. Ball cannot only be thrown but also can be caught and hit. The final chap-
ter finds Bob and Ball at the stadium playing against another team.
Too Young for Sports? This description of the developmental sequence of play, while painted with an admittedly broad brush, gives us a basis to consider what is the appropriate age to introduce kids to sports. The proposition advanced here is that discovery, play, and games establish the self-knowledge and interpersonal relations that provide the context for understanding cultural and societal values. This notion suggests, therefore, that it makes sense to wait to expose kids to sports around the same time as we formally introduce them to other cultural norms. This sort of citizenship instruction includes learning about political participation and religious teachings as well as economic and reproductive responsibilities, etc. Of course these subjects routinely make up the grist of children’s stories and so are not news to kids when they encounter them as part of their coming of age instruction, which generally begins around 9 to 11 years of age. By this age kids are generally expected to be able to demonstrate practical and behavioral integration of these norms. The reason we don’t ask children to fully integrate societal values earlier is that they do not have the experience to give them the appropriate context. A strong case can be made that formal instruction in sports before adolescence is premature for the same reason. What I am suggesting is that for younger children, ball games should remain games, that is, that the rules are flexible and player controlled and the games are played for fun rather than winning. Such playful games are about learning skills rather than achieving some performance criteria. Another way of saying this is that we should seriously consider whether it is appropriate for children below the age of 9 to have a coach, whether that trainer is instructing in religion, politics, or sports.
Vulnerability Why do we love sports so much? We root for our team, sometimes for decades, even when we know they have little chance of winning a championship. While success is important to our engagement with our home team, failure can be even more important. We don’t just cheer for the team; we also closely follow the SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 11
performance of particular players. We become familiar with their challenges, how they got into the game, how they deal with long stretches of poor performance, etc. The players’ stories merge with the saga of the team, and we identify with the character that emerges as they face adversity in a very public way. What this illustrates is that unlike most other cultural phenomena, sports has a very unique quality – it is exceptionally public. This exposure creates a fertile environment for shame when expectations are not met. While some young children have the internal resources to deal with shame, many do not. Some families can
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provide support for kids who experience shame, but many do not. There are millions of kids who dream of being the next great sports star, but the chances of their achieving such a lofty position are vanishingly small. Kids can clearly see that the predominant way we evaluate the quality of play is all about performance. We measure success in sports in wins, and kids are coached and drilled to emulate the same perfection we expect of professional players. Of course, good coaches and parents emphasize sportsmanship and focus on getting the best from each child rather than just winning, but when we are honest with ourselves and take a critical look at the totality that is the sports world, the predominate message is winning. And yet we know that the vast majority of players will not make that grade and so are set up for failure and hence shame. Because we tend to view sports as a wholly beneficial activity, it is easy to underappreciate the impact on those who cannot, or choose not, to play. Yes, sports do build relationships and friendships. But non-participation can stigmatize and marginalize. This phenomenon only becomes a problem when sports participation comes to dominate the recreational options available to children. Recognizing this issue, some youth sports programs try to insure that “every kid is a winner.” These programs can be effective but often the kids find them insufficient to compensate for their less than great performance on the field. To reduce failure and shame youth sports should emphasize fun and camaraderie. With a bit of ingenuity it is entirely feasible to change the emphasis from winning to having fun. How would that look in actual practice? My Rotary Club has a program called the Wonder League. This is a series of weekend games that pairs kids with special needs with members of the community such as the local high
school and semi-pro baseball clubs. The program really promotes inclusion of kids with special needs by allowing the athletes, who are often role models for other teens, to become comfortable with socializing with kids with special needs, and vice versa. The rules to Wonder League games are simple: every kid gets to hit and get on base, everybody scores. Everybody is engaged and everyone benefits. My concern is that all too often parents, coaches, and recreation professionals tend to think that when they provide good sports facilities and programs, their job is done. We leave making time for play up to the kids, but in today’s high structured childhood there often is no time available for play. Parents hear “Mom, I’m bored” and quickly fill the void with “enriching” activities at best or passive entertainment at worse. It is hard to remember that kids have to get bored and stay bored long enough to begin to create real play for themselves. As we push sports to younger and younger children, we run the risk of creating a generation who won’t know how to play. This phenomenon was first flagged twenty-five years ago by David Elkind in his pioneering book The Hurried Child. A mounting number of studies have verified and further expanded on this theme, and most child development specialists now acknowledge that many children suffer from a Play Deficit Disorder.
Balancing Sport and Play In a recent article in the N.Y. Times the case was made that “Kids Need More Structured Playtime, Not Less.” As you would expect, there were strong reactions on both sides of this argument. I think this sort of decision is best left up to children’s caregivers, but I also know that the days of free play in alleys and vacant lots is largely a thing of the past. For today’s children there is a sense of urgency that they succeed on one hand and the fear of something bad happening on the other. These two concerns, largely unsupported by any actual facts, tend to combine to produce the overstructured and highly supervised lives of today’s kids. We can’t return to the days of just letting kids be kids, and we have to make some conscious efforts to adjust to the new realities. There are many ways we can enhance the benefits of, and access to, play while maintaining plenty of engagement with sports. When communities make investwww.playgroundmag.com
ments in sports facilities and programming, they should also make sure that there are provisions for unstructured time and spaces where kids can play. For example, one way to do this is to put a challenging bouldering type of climbing wall next to a baseball field where the kids can get a demanding full body workout before or after their games. Even some small elements like a slack walk rope or chinning bars will be used to good effect. In the home parents can provide unstructured loose parts like cardboard boxes, tape, and shears for some adventuresome play. This gives kids a starting point for self-directed play while also sending the message that such play, and the mess it may generate, are OK. Making sure our children have plenty of time for play and not just sports is crucial. When we make creating a balance of play and sports for kids a priority, there are tons of ways that we can make that happen in our homes and in our communities. Those of us who love sports and want our children to learn and enjoy sports have a responsibility that our passion does not rob children of their childhood.
PLAY & PLAYGROUND
Jay Beckwith
• Began designing play environments in 1970. • Has written several books on designing and building play equipment. • Is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. • Has written publications and developed programs for playground safety. • Has consulted with playground manufacturers in their design process. • Writes a blog at playgroundguru.org. • Completed a comprehensive upgrade of the Gymboree Play and Music apparatus. • Currently developing location based mobile games with the goal of using smartphones in outdoor play. Read More at
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Outdoor Fitness Equipment Inspires Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health and Fitness Revival by Barry King
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Most people accept the overwhelming evidence that the general level of physical fitness in the United States has declined while the health risks of obesity are growing. Other studies note that we spend less time outdoors than ever. It is a joy to see the happiness and agility of young people playing creatively on the playgrounds and sports fields outdoors. But all too soon, this natural playfulness gives way to adulthood. Playgrounds and outdoor recreation areas should not only be the province of the child, but territory for people of all ages to engage in fun and health. Physical fitness should be maintained throughout oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire life, and can be optimized by opportunities to be outdoors and physically active. All of us know that exercise is good for us, but still, a majority of adults and many children lead sedentary lifestyles and are not active enough to achieve the health benefits of exercise. We are now in the midst of a widespread fitness and health crisis which greatly affects the well-being and productivity of our nation. The United States Department of Human Services and the American Heart Association have estimated that the cost of preventative health consequences due to obesity alone amounts to $254 billion per year. If current trends in the growth of obesity continue, total annual healthcare costs attributed to obesity could reach $957 billion by 2030, which would account for almost 20% of all health expenditures in the United States (source, American Heart Association). Obesity has surpassed smoking as a health risk and has now adversely affected more people than alcoholism or poverty. It is linked to large increases in chronic medical conditions and significantly ever rising financial health expenditures. The outdoor fitness equipment movement has seen a phenomenal response from schools who wish to add a fitness element to their existing playground environments. City parks and recreation organizations, who have found that funding indoor fitness centers can be financially prohibitive and limiting to some people, have www.playgroundmag.com
understood that outdoor fitness and recreation areas can be enjoyed by all. Military institutions have installed the equipment to enhance their training and fitness levels. Many senior housing centers are advancing the fitness of their residents. The corporate world is choosing to offer fitness opportunities for their employees and express their well-founded concerns for health. Many apartment buildings and homeowners associations are adding an outdoor fitness component as well. Of course, there is also a strong response from fire, police, and municipal organizations. In 2012, New York City took the initiative to install several playgrounds for adults using outdoor fitness stations. They have plans to bring over two dozen more to neighborhoods across all boroughs. Miami-Dade County in Florida opened several outdoor fitness zones in neighborhoods with high rates of cardiovascular disease. San Antonio, Texas has added outdoor fitness stations to over 30 of their existing parks. Drake Hougo, working toward his Eagle Scout Merit Badge, brought together Boy Scout Troop 2222 to install a fitness zone in Santa Clarita, California over the course of a Memorial Day weekend. An organization can build a multistation fitness area for as little as $5,000. With a community organization providing access to the public this variety of fitness experience can have a more dramatic impact on the nation’s fitness than the indoor gym, which is expensive to build
and therefore discourages full access to the community because of often hefty monthly dues. There is also a concern that the indoor gym environment tends to be intimidating to those people who aren’t in the best shape. Dr. David Ludwig, a Harvard Medical School professor who directs the Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, remarked to The New York Times, “Let’s face it, most of us dread going to the gym. The point is to make physical activity fun, easy and accessible, so it’s the normal thing to do.” The outdoor fitness approach is to make fitness enjoyable and free of charge to all people. Everyone can benefit from a relaxed approach to fitness in a pleasant outdoor environment. Outdoor fitness equipment goes along well with walking, jogging, and many other outdoor activities and shares the enjoyment of fresh air. The equipment can be installed as a cluster of outdoor exercise stations in an outside gym, on a fitness playground, or spaced along a fitness trail. It is effective for all ages, from elementary school children to senior citizens. The equipment is
constructed with heavy gauge steel and will withstand the elements and years of continuous use. It fits in perfectly for a rural setting, urban community, or military fitness training facility. A selection of 6 to 10 or more pieces of equipment can provide a complete workout. An ever growing selection of equipment provides a complete fitness and recreational facility, building upper body, leg, and back strength, enhancing agility, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular health. Today, we all realize that fitness activities and an active lifestyle are essential to improved health, longevity, and the enjoyment of life. The biggest obstacles remain personal motivation and available opportunities. The challenge is to provide greater health, fitness, and recreation opportunities for everybody. The avid fitness enthusiasts will benefit, but importantly, the 80% of Americans who engage in little or no physical activity – those who are not likely to belong to expensive gyms – can have access to a fitness facility and get active in most cases free-of-charge. And even better, it’s fun! The future is bright, and we hope everyone will get outside and enjoy some fitness gains and enhance their health and well-being. About The Author
Barry King is the founder of Outdoor Fitness, Inc. Previously he served as Director of Marketing and Communication for the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping finance U.S. Olympic Teams from 1988 to 2002. He is the author of the two-volume book series, “The Olympic Challenge.” King competed in the Decathlon at the 1972 Olympic Games and earned bronze and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games. www.playgroundmag.com
SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 15
Improving the Health and Fitness of Children for a Lifetime of Health by Sally S. Johnson
Youth sports plays an important role as the conduit through which children learn important life lessons, values, compassion, and good ethics. It is that relationship between sports skills and life skills that provide our young athletes with the fundamentals they need to succeed both on and off the playing field. According to the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) Report on Trends and Participation in Organized Youth Sports there are more than 60 million registered participants in organized youth sports programs. Some youngsters play more than one sport so that number equates to about 44 million actual boys and girls. 16 Playground Magazine SUMMER 2014
THE BENEFITS OF YOUTH SPORTS The benefits of youth sports promote healthy lifestyles and safe environments for stronger neighborhoods and more wholesome communities. A primary goal in youth sports is to encourage active participation by all youth in healthy physical activities according to their age, interests, and abilities. And, it is important to keep it fun so kids want to continue to play sports. Sports and life is about achieving one’s personal best. Organized youth sports instill confidence in young athletes to be part of a team and to make new friends in a safe environment. In addition, youth sports develop positive attributes including healthier lifestyles, self-esteem, fair play, and good citizenship. There is a powerful, positive connection between the many great qualities of organized youth sports participation, good character development, better health, and academic success. The Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention specializes in the
collection and analysis of injury, health outcomes, and other types of data from sports organizations and other physically active populations. Dr. Erin Snook, PhD, Chief Science Officer of the Datalys Center says, “A lot of research has examined the impact of sports on physical and psychosocial health in children and adolescents. Overall the research has shown youth sport participants have higher levels of physical activity that positively influence physical and psychological health in adolescence and later in life.” Here are some “Sport Facts” that Datalys shares on the Benefits of Youth Sports.
PHYSICAL HEALTH Youth Athletes have: • Higher levels of physical activity and they expend more energy daily • Less body fat • A reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese www.playgroundmag.com
• Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness • Stronger bones and muscles • An increased likelihood of being physically active later in life
SOCIAL WELL-BEING Sports can provide: • Opportunities to make new friends • Exposure to positive role models • Opportunities to travel
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH Youth athletes have: • Higher levels of self-esteem and social connectedness • Lower levels of depression • Lower levels of suicidal ideation, thoughts, and attempts • Lower levels of problem behaviors (aggression problems, social problems, and delinquency problems)
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE • Middle and high school athletes have higher grade point averages than nonathletes • Grade point average increases as the number of sports teams participated in increases • High school sports participation is associated with higher graduation rates and lower dropout rates • Youth athletes miss less school and are more likely to attend college
HEALTH BEHAVIORS Sports participation has also shown to be associated with positive health behaviors. Youth athletes report: • Consuming more fruits and vegetables • Being less likely to smoke cigarettes • Watching less television • Being more satisfied with their weight Results from a recent study, USTA Serves Special Report, More Than a Sport:
Tennis, Education and Health, backs up the Datalys research showing that, when compared to non-athletes and participants in many other sports, young people who participate in tennis get better grades, devote more hours to studying, think more about their future, aspire to attend and graduate from college, and have lower suspension and expulsion rates. It was found that players reported lower rates of unhealthy behavior such as drinking and smoking, and are less likely to be overweight or become obese. Other studies back up these reports that there is evidence-based research to show that youth who play sports get better grades, plan to attend college, and are more community minded.
HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND NUTRITION The benefits of physical activity are numerous. The obvious benefit is to burn calories while building a stronger body. And now there is new research that “an active body results in a more active mind.” Also, activity and fitness will prevent sickness and health issues. Thomas Frieden from the CDC recently said, “Physical activity really is a wonder drug. It makes you healthier and happier, you live longer.” According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, formerly the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, physical education (PE) benefits are broad and powerful. No PE results in children who are two times more likely to become sedentary. Physical education prepares children to be physically and mentally active, fit, and healthy... for life. Recent research by the Physical Activity Council emphatically shows that children in PE are less sedentary and participate in more activities outside of school. With 48% of all high schools having no PE and no State mandating grades K-12 to have 30 minutes per day of PE and Health as part of its curriculum, is it any wonder why we are fighting an obesity and sedentary crisis?
Healthy Kids Out of School Tens of milwww.playgroundmag.com
lions of children participate in out-ofschool-time programs, which have been identified as a promising area for obesity prevention efforts. Maintaining a healthy body is equally important both on and off the field. Sports leagues and other outof-school-time organizations can play a key role in promoting health and wellness programs that can impact not only the players, but coaches and families as well. Recognizing this opportunity, the Healthy Kids Out of School program was created by ChildObesity180 in collaboration with Tufts University. The initiative convened leaders from nine of the nation’s leading out-of-school-time organizations to develop and adopt universal nutrition and physical activity principles from a broad list of evidence-based recommendations for combating childhood obesity. The nine leading organizations include Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, the National 4-H Council, the National Council of La Raza, the National Council of Youth Sports, the National Urban League, Pop Warner, US Youth Soccer, and YMCA of the USA. Together, leaders from these organizations helped Healthy Kids Out of School to develop three guiding principles for out-of-schooltime programs; they are:
Drink Right: Choose water instead of sugarsweetened beverages
Move More: Boost movement and physical activity in all programs
Snack Smart: Fuel up on fruits and vegetables Implementing nutrition and physical activity principles across organizations and connecting these programs with vital resources will provide greater consistency in the out-of-school-time environments where children spend their time, ensuring that they have healthy environments in which to live, learn, and play.
ADVOCACY As an industry, youth sports programs come together with a united voice encouraging parents, coaches, volunteers, SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 17
and administrators to promote the value of participation through advocacy and education. There is power in numbers, so working on issues common among the youth sports industry while supporting and benefitting sport on all levels makes a positive difference. Collectively, we speak out on important issues and contribute to legislation affecting fields and facilities, advocate for the protection and safety of our children, fight obesity, promote physical activity and fitness, and influence other important youth sports industry public policy concerns. For example: • A couple years ago the youth sports industry joined forces with other influential groups to successfully pass the Land & Water Conservation Fund bill. LWCF protects the land so it does not become overdeveloped and is available for athletic fields and facilities and recreation. From the casual participant to extreme adventurer, outdoor recreation is a critical catalyst for healthy living for athletes and enthusiasts of all abilities. LWCF is one of the most important funding vehicles preserving and expanding access to outdoor recreation areas, enabling millions of Americans to enjoy physical activity. • Other important pieces of legislation the youth sports industry supports are physical education bills such as PEP (Physical Education Program). PEP puts quality physical education back in the schools as part of the curriculum. As an industry we advocate for more educational funding for schools and community-based organizations to implement and expand K-12 physical education programs. Youngsters who enjoy physical activity in the schools are more likely to play after-school grassroots youth sports. If the national
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health objectives are to be achieved, coordinated efforts involving schools, communities, and policy makers are needed to provide daily, quality PE for all youth. • Together we promote legislation for family sports and fitness through legislation that empowers Americans to be active, healthy, and fit for a lifetime. And we support legislation such as Title IX providing equal opportunities in sport for children all ages, backgrounds, genders, and economic diversities.
EDUCATION - QUALITY COACHING AND PARENTING There is no one single source of expert advice on coaching and parenting or even for administrators, but there are good quality resources available. Be certain you have done your homework and are accessing the best of the best. Quality education programs should be comprehensive, user-friendly, and affordable. Online courses like a Certified Sports Administrator and Human Kinetics coaching education are ideal for youth sports administrators, leaders, managers, volunteers, coaches, and parents who do not have the time to attend an in-person classroom setting. Be certain you can bookmark your spot so you can exit and re-enter the course, giving the opportunity to learn at your own pace. At the youth level where coaches work with athletes under 14 years of age, the courses should emphasize athlete development and discourage the win-at-all-costs philosophy. The courses should also teach youth coaches how to manage all aspects of their role, instruct players in performing techniques and executing team tactics, and conduct efficient and appropriate practice sessions. Coaches influence athletes at every level of sport. Through effective Sports Safety for Youth Coaches education, coaches can acquire the tools they need to be more successful in their roles and help ensure their impact is a positive one. Regarding concussion… What is important is that there are free tools for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, athletes, and health care professionals that provide important information on pre-
venting, recognizing, and responding to a concussion. Concussions don’t only happen to athletes on the playing field. They happen in schools, playgrounds, bike riding, and beyond. The CDC’s Heads-Up initiative has some excellent tools regarding concussion awareness, improved prevention, recognition, and response to concussion and other serious brain injuries. And there are organizations such as the National Sports Concussion Coalition that address the risks of concussion at all age levels (youth to pro), promote evidencebased research, and provide facts about head injury and player safety. Beware of scare tactics and be sure you are receiving evidence-based information.
SAFETY AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SCREENING Another positive aspect of organized youth sports are the responsible and useful resources to the parents, coaches, and key stakeholders providing access to tools like PrivIt’s Electronic Pre-Participation Evaluation. E-PPE replaces paper forms to a secure online solution. It has a militarygrade encryption and is HIPAA and FERPA compliant to keep the athletes’ data safe. Parents and athletes no longer need to fill out pages and pages of medical forms by hand repeatedly with the same information for each activity. If the parents have more than one child, the family history information is transferred over to the other child automatically. Up to 90% of potential health issues can be identified through medical history. This resource not only helps improve the health and safety of the athlete but it also reduces the liability exposure for organizations and teams. It was in 2002, at the request of its members, the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) began work on what has become their hallmark program. Insurance companies were beginning to drop child abuse and molestation from youth sports organizations insurance policies. The NCYS took the lead and was named in a piece of federal legislation known as the Protect Act of 2003, working on a pilot program with the FBI to end the exploitation of children. The public advocates seeking rapid, reliable, comprehensive, complete, and affordable criminal background screening which fingerprint screening was not accomplishing. In 2004, the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCYS) was founded. NCSI is a comprehensive www.playgroundmag.com
resource for background screening programs dedicated to the protection of children. NCSI uses a pool of qualified bestin-class providers, vendors, and processes to ensure client organizations will meet and exceed their due diligence. One of the first organizations to come onboard was the United States Olympic Committee for the Olympics, the Paralympics, and the Pan Am Games. Today, NCSI is the choice of many of the world’s most renowned and reputable organizations and corporations. Together NCSI and NCYS, along with the insurance industry, created the “NCYS Recommended Guidelines as The Gold Standard of Best Practices for Background Screening and Managing Risk In Nonprofit Youth-Serving Organizations©.” This important tool and vital resource was
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established to assist those who are responsible for the children in youth programs to no longer have to reinvent the wheel of minimum standards for policies, procedures, and best practices. In order to assist all organizations to better serve the interests of those who participate in athletic activities, the NCYS established the NCYS Codes of Conduct Template©. The template offers general principles to guide the conduct and the judicious appraisal of conduct of all the organizations’ participants (including employees and agents) in situations that have ethical implications. This valuable tool is provided as a guide to affirm the will of all participants to safeguard the best interests of the sport by acting ethically at all times.
IN SUMMARY Youth sports provides youngsters a chance to have fun and develop life skills which will translate into other areas like perseverance, a good work ethic, and team work. Healthy minds and healthy bodies are all improved through youth sports. In organized youth sports we encourage healthy lifestyles for a lifetime through physical activity.
Qualities of good character are taught in youth sports at an early age and applied throughout one’s lifetime. Some of these qualities of character are compassion, determination, friendship, loyalty, faith, honesty, work, courage, responsibility, self-discipline, leadership, and teamwork. The youth sports industry is quite varied representing athletes in all sports, all demographics, and of all diversities in sport, in skill, in performance, in rules, and lots more. But philosophically we are united as one with a common purpose – to enhance the youth sports experience in America for the betterment of youth, of sport, and of society for today and for generations to come! About the Author Sally S. Johnson has served as the Executive Director of the National Council of Youth Sports since January 1997. She is a founder and advisory board member of the National Center for Safety Initiatives as well as a co-founder of the ChildObesity 180 Healthy Kids Out of School initiative and the National Sports Concussion Coalition. Sally has been honored as one of 25 innovators and influencers in the sports industry.
SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 19
The Challenge of Inclusive Sports by Reeve Brenner
The question needs to be asked: How can we mainstream the physically challenged into sports activities? The trend to make playgrounds more inclusive has been a tremendous stride in the right direction. However, inclusive playgrounds do not answer the challenge to offer ball-playing sports to those with special needs. While there are some excellent programs like Miracle League that provide a baseball experience with a host of buddies to assist the players, these programs limit the opportunity to play to specific planned events. Where can the physically challenged play ball without waiting for a planned program? Generally, sports involve teams, which require contact, strength, and stamina. We invest large budgets on sports programs and playing fields. However, these opponent-based sports bring about exclusion. Those with physical challenges would best enjoy a sport that is self-competitive, that is, not against but alongside others. Taking on the challenge of the course or court rather than against others allows for alongside play. The National Association for Recreational Equality calls for communities to be sufficiently sensitive to the needs of all children. It is not being suggested we do away with traditional sports, but that we augment them with new, innovative, and inclusive opportunities. Published articles continue to be written by playground and recreational professionals that comment favorably on winning at sports. Often, “winning at all cost,” and they mean that. Winning is defined as defeating other contestants, beating opponents. The articles reflect an unfamiliarity of the important recent research documenting evidence to the contrary, that is, against the notion of promoting participation in sports and recreation oriented to winning and losing.
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Many apparently remain oblivious of the research especially by Alfie Kohn in his very important book, No Contest: The Case Against Competition, and Emily Bazelon’s, Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying, my own, and Barbara Coloroso’s books as well as other important studies on bullying and violence that can stem from an overemphasis on competition and winning. Play without winners or losers, without defeating and “beating” others, scores as among the most promising but inadequately explored approach to ratcheting down violence in society. When competing against others, there is but one winner and many losers, any number of whom, defeated, walk off deflated and discouraged, understanding themselves to be “playground losers.” They learn to see themselves as unsuccessful, non-winning, non-athletes often enough, particularly when they are young. They walk off the field of “play” with feelings of failure and discouragement. Just as the winner walks off inflated, often thanks to some physical attributes, such as size, strength, age, and gender, the opponent leaves the area of play defeated. In the mind of the community and our recreation and playground professionals who provide leadership in matters of inclusion, integration, and socialization, play can still be play without the need for opponents to defeat. I would suggest Alfie Kohn's book, No Contest, from which the following quotation is taken: "…competition sabotages self-esteem. Often it even warps recreation by turning the playing field into a battlefield.” Precisely the reason why when considering our play areas, playgrounds, and playcourts, communities should endeavor to provide facilities advancing total-mix diversity based on universal design – those accommodating participants not motivated
or oriented towards having to defeat others at sports and games. We need more ball playing sports at which there are no losers or winners. The concept of self improvement at play with growth in self-esteem and proficiency as one begins to master the challenge of the sport should be advanced. This is achieved irrespective of ability or disability. Fast moving sports with body contact exclude. Sports played alongside one another include. There are many of the one. Too few of the other. In short, there is an obvious need for universal design drop-in recreation facilities – not solely programs – for the sake of balance. Communities should see to it that the sports a community provides are fun and challenging but also purposeful. There are important benefits of inclusion and integration for all, including special populations, derived from alongside, selfcompetitive play sorely missing in sports intent upon vanquishing foes. We know but fail to act upon the awareness that there should be integration and inclusion in our society’s sports for the differently able, wheelchair participants, and special populations. There ought to be drop-in facilities for them as for everyone else. About the Author
Rabbi Reeve Brenner formed the National Association for Recreational Equality to advocate for non-aggressive, fully inclusive sports and recreation. Reeve invented the sport of Bankshot Basketball in 1981 as a way to have a non-exclusionary, non-competitive basketball game for all ages and abilities based on skill alone. His company also offers Bankshot Tennis, Bankshot Pitch “n” Throw, and Bankshot Tri-Sports. www.bankshot.com
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Promoting Physically Active Lifestyles for over 129 Years www.shapeamerica.org
“Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!” is the vision of the newly unified and rebranded Society of Health and Physical Educators, formerly known as the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). SHAPE America is the organization’s seventh name change since its founding in 1885 as the Association for the Advancement of Physical Education (AAPE). The largest organization of physical educators in the country with close to 20,000 members, SHAPE America’s mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance, and sport. Reflecting this direction, SHAPE America is working to: • Shape a future where healthy is the norm • Shape a standard of excellence in physical education and health education • Shape the lifelong habits of young people • Shape and influence policy related to physical education and health education A central aspect of this professional leadership for over 129 years is the development of standards and guidelines for physical education, school health education, and physical activity. Among its many professional firsts, the organization created the first ever National Standards
for K-12 Physical Education, developed the Let’s Move in School public awareness campaign to increase physical activity before, during, and after school, and originated the Shape of the Nation Report, which reviews the status of physical education across the United States. Improving the standard for physical education for every K-12 student in America is one of its primary goals. The ultimate purpose of any physical education program is to help children develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. The organization calls for 150 minutes per week of instructional physical education class for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students, all led by certificated physical education teachers. In addition, SHAPE America recommends schools keep the size of physical education classes the same as other subjects and provide enough equipment for all children to be physically active at the same time. A managing partner of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Active Schools initiative, SHAPE America also works closely with various organizations such as the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, American Heart Association, The Cooper Institute, and the President’s
by Paula Kun
Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition to help our youth achieve 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The organization has been at the forefront of educating parents, administrators, school board members, and legislators about the positive impact of school-based physical activity on academic performance. Research shows that physical activity is critical for better health because it: • Curbs childhood obesity • Improves blood flow and mental clarity • Promotes strong bones • Creates healthy habits for a lifetime Physical activity also positively impacts academic achievement because it improves: • Attention and concentration • Classroom behavior • Attachment to school • Graduation rates and GPA • Educational aspirations As a result, SHAPE America recommends that a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program, anchored by the new standard of physical education, is the best way for schools to ensure that students get enough physical activity to positively affect their health and academic performance. For more information about this national association’s rich history as well as programs, products, and services, visit www.shapeamerica.org.
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& www.ahealthieramerica.org Over the past several decades, physical activity has been engineered out of everyday life. As a result, less than a quarter of children in the United States are getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day. At the same time, obesity rates have risen sharply; more than a third of kids are overweight or obese. The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) was created to help solve this problem by working with the private sector and PHA Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama to make healthier choices easier for busy parents and families. One way PHA is helping to integrate physical activity into kids’ daily lives is through our support of Let’s Move! Active Schools (LMAS). As a national collaboration, LMAS empowers school champions to incorporate 60 minutes of physical activity into the school environment. With kids spending upwards of six to seven hours in school each day, creating regular physical activity opportunities before, during, and after school is critical to the health of our nation’s youth. It’s no secret that active kids do better! Research shows that kids who are physically active on a daily basis perform better in the classroom and demonstrate increased attention span and improved
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behavior. Physically active lifestyles also lead to lower rates of childhood obesity and related conditions. LMAS is currently at work in more than 8,700 schools, impacting more than 3.5 million students nationwide. With the support of leading health and education organizations, schools enrolled in LMAS gain access to tools and resources, which help students move more. The great news is that schools across the country are already taking important strides to increase physical activity. Students at Memorial Elementary School in Natick, Massachusetts now have the opportunity to kick start the day with
physical activity thanks to LMAS supporting organization BOKS, which provides a free morning physical activity program aimed at getting kids’ brains revved up and ready for the day. In Elk Grove Village, IL at the Ridge Family Center for Learning, kids have a chance to get up and moving during “brain breaks” which teachers use to energize and re-focus students throughout the day. Teachers at both schools report that kids in the program are exhibiting more confidence, a higher attention span, as well as improved overall academic performance. These are just a couple of examples of how LMAS creates early positive experiences for students. To find out more about “Active Schools in Action” watch this video developed by LMAS partner NIKE, featuring DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvahlo: http://bit.ly/1ksRMeK We know that solving the issues of physical inactivity and childhood obesity can’t be done alone. It’s up to all of us to help bring back physical activity to our nation’s schools. To find out more about LMAS and to get involved, visit www.letsmoveschools.org. www.playgroundmag.com
Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play Baseball www.miracleleague.com After welcoming children with disabilities to participate in the baseball season on a typical baseball field, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. There were more than 75,000 children in Metro Atlanta with disabilities, most of whom were not able to participate in team sports. That’s when the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these special children was conceived. The Miracle League was formed in 1999. The Miracle League gained support and, with the help of community volunteers and corporations, the design and construction of the first Miracle League baseball complex was underway. The complex would include a custom-designed field with a rubberized surface to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to players using wheelchairs or with visual impairments. Crews broke ground for the first Miracle League baseball field in Conyers, Ga., on Dec. 31, 1999. Four months later, the field was complete and opening day welcomed more than 120 players. The first
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pitch was thrown out by a player who had been in a coma just a week before, and the rest of the players raced around the bases and celebrated with their teammates. The Miracle League believes that “Every child deserves a chance to play baseball.” And after seeing the success of its first Miracle League baseball field, the organization set its goal to offer this program to every city in the country so children, young adults, and adults with special needs around the globe will have the opportunity to play baseball. In addition to the accessible baseball fields, Miracle Leagues are focused on creating an entire recreation complex. By including accessible restrooms, concession stands, and picnic pavilions, families have everything they need for a day of fun and function. Even more, the Miracle League has partnered with Landscape Structures, a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, to install inclusive playgrounds at the accessible baseball complexes throughout the nation. In its 15 years of existence, the Miracle League has grown to more than 250 leagues throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico,
Canada, and Australia. In 2014, there are plans for league expansion into Mexico. This growth is allowing the Miracle League to impact more than 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. “There is nothing greater than seeing that child rounding the bases with a smile on his or her face,” said Dan Morton, who founded the Macon Miracle League, now in its 10th year. “That one smile is worth the 10 years of working with this league.” Even more than providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities, the Miracle Leagues bring together children, families, and community members of all abilities for recreation. Miracle League “buddies” are volunteers that assist the players during games. The volunteers are typically developing individuals — athletes from other teams, church youth groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops, etc. The buddy program is beneficial for both the volunteers and the players as it helps to breakdown biases, foster friendships, and encourage understanding among children of all abilities.
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Enhancing the Youth Sports Experience! by Sally S. Johnson, CSA, IOM, Executive Director
www.ncys.org WHO WE ARE: The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) comprises the who’s who in the youth sports industry. We are well-known for our leadership and advocacy in promoting healthy lifestyles and safe environments for stronger neighborhoods and more wholesome communities. Founded in 1979 by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, the NCYS boasts a membership of more than 220 organizations that represent more than 60 million registered participants in organized amateur youth sports programs.
WHAT WE DO: Youth sports is the conduit through which children learn important life lessons, values, compassion, and good ethics. It is the relationship between sports skills and life skills that provide our young athletes with the fundamentals they need to succeed both on and off the playing field. NCYS is committed to developing good character through sports while making a positive difference for children of all backgrounds, genders, abilities, and economic diversities. Think of NCYS as the “go-to” trusted resource providing the “good housekeeping seal of approval” and
as a clearinghouse of meaningful information for all those involved in amateur youth sports. The NCYS works on issues that are common among the youth sports industry while supporting and benefitting sport on all levels, such as: • Empowering children to be physically active, healthy, and fit for a lifetime. • Encouraging proper nutrition through the Tufts University ChildObesity180 Healthy Kids Out of School initiative which advocates for 3 simple principles: * Drink Right (choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages) * Move More (boost movement and physical activity in all programs) * Snack Smart (fuel up on fruits and vegetables) • In 2003, we founded our flagship program, a criminal background screening company called the National Center for Safety Initiatives. NCSI specializes in youth sports/youth serving organizations for the protection and safety of our young athletes. • The NCYS S.T.R.I.V.E. Award recognizes Sports Teach Respect, Initiative, Values and Excellence. • We advocate to protect the land so it
does not become overdeveloped and is available for all recreational activities; for equal opportunities in sport; and for child safety issues. • The NCYS was on the original lead team for the CDC’s Heads-Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiative. And we are co-founders of the National Sports Concussion Coalition. • We provide responsible and useful resources to the parents, coaches, athletic trainers, and medical personnel with tools like PrivITs Electronic PreParticipation Evaluation, an online personal health history questionnaire. • NCYS provides quality coaching education through Human Kinetics Coaching Essentials and sports-specific courses.
WHY NCYS EXISTS: Our reason to exist is to enhance and advance the youth sports experience in America for today and for generations to come! No other sport organization in America reaches more grassroots participants than the combined membership of the NCYS. Credibility, integrity, and vigilant visibility remain at the core of everything we do for a safer, more wholesome society. Together we are a powerhouse of positive influence.
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July 8-10
by Stacey Cook
Giving Teachers the Tools to Promote Fitness Project Fit America (PFA) is a national non-profit organization that creates and administers exemplary fitness in education programming in elementary and middle schools. Under this umbrella we address self-esteem, fitness, and exercise as fun, understanding the body as well as learning leadership, sportsmanship, and character development. The program goal is to reverse the lack of fitness in youth to give teachers the tools they need to help teach children to take responsibility for their health and embrace healthy lifestyle choices with enthusiasm. Our mission is to get kids fit and to create programs that assure every child will find something at which they are very good at and inspire them to participate in more fitness activities. We create the opportunity for all kids, not just the already gifted athletes, to discover, explore, improve, and be recognized for their physical, mental, and fitness efforts and performance.
As of 2014 PFA celebrates our 24th year of working with communities nationwide. We have become unique in that most of our sponsors have been hospitals and healthcare organizations. To date over 900 school systems in 300 cities in www.playgroundmag.com
45 states have this program in place. The PFA program is designed to be a permanent program in each school developed; the need to get children fit will never diminish. We donate outdoor fitness equipment, indoor equipment, core curriculum, all lesson plan support supplies, on site training at the school with teacher and students, and assign a Mentor Teacher to support the school during the two year grant program. We fully train the teaching staff and help each school integrate the program into their school plan. At the end of the grant period PE teachers are able to run the PFA program without any outside intervention. They continue to use this program, in many instances, for the remainder of their teaching careers impacting the health and fitness of thousands of children.
August 13-15
Wheat Ridge, CO
303-231-0943
18-20
Honolulu, HI
808-845-7788
September 9-11
Las Cruces, NM
505-891-5037
16-18
Grand Rapids, MI
517-485-9888
22-24
Griffin, GA
770-760-1403
29-1
Sacramento, CA
916-665-2777
30-2
Dublin, OH
614-895-2222
October 1-3
Flagstaff, AZ
602-335-1962
6-8
Little Rock, AR
501-416-6700
12-14
Charlotte (NRPA Congress!)
919-832-5868
21-23
Chicago Area, IL
708-588-2287
22-24
Harrisonburg, VA
804-730-9447
27-29
The Woodlands, TX
512-267-5550
28-30
Hamburg, NY
518-584-0321
29-31
Lexington, SC
803-808-7753
November 4-6
North Kansas City, MO
573-676-2828
4-6
Winter Park, FL
850-878-3221
5-7
Bellevue, WA
360-459-9396
5-7
Salt Lake City, UT
801-782-5512
SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 25
Be Active Outside! by Shannon Feaster, Deputy Executive Director
www.fitness.gov
June is Great Outdoors Month, the perfect time to renew your commitment to creating active communities across America. According to the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, youth need 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day to be healthy. When children are physically active, they achieve higher grades, record better attendance, and their classroom behavior improves. Put simply, active kids do better. Just over four years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let’s Move!, a nationwide campaign to create a brighter, healthier future for our America’s youth. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways for youth and families to be active is
26 Playground Magazine SUMMER 2014
to play outside together. By linking families to nearby parks, trails and waters, Let’s Move Outside, led by the Department of Interior, provides fun ideas to get the whole family engaged. Whether you are a playground builder, a city planner, or a community organizer, you are an important partner in our efforts to encourage youth to get up, get out, and be active every day where they live, learn, and play. PCFSN offers a free recognition program that is easy to implement and is designed to inspire you, your families, and your networks to jumpstart or maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, known as PALA+, helps participants make physical activity and healthy eating part of their everyday life. Participation in PALA+ is one way to meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans while the healthy eating goals are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and the Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate. The physical activity requirements for PALA+ are 60 minutes a day for kids and 30 minutes a day for adults, five days a week for six weeks. The nutri-
tion component requires participants to add one healthy eating goal each week. Participants who complete the PALA+ program can receive a certificate signed by President Barack Obama or PCFSN cochairs – New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees and three-time Olympic gymnast, Dominique Dawes. Sign up today and track your progress online at www. presidentschallenge.org. You can also offer the program through your networks as a fun engagement activity and customize your PALA+ page to send specific messages to your entire group. The President’s Council remains committed to creating inclusive opportunities for Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. That is why we continue to promote and administer the I Can Do It, You Can Do It! (ICDI) mentoring program for people with disabilities. Our goal is to add at least 100 new sites across the nation by 2018 so we can help provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to be active and healthy. For tips on how to be active throughout the summer or resources to share with your networks, visit www.fitness.gov and follow us on Twitter (@FitnessGov)!
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Professional Athletes Unite to Fight Childhood Obesity by Eric Cohen
www.nplayfoundation.org Established in 2008, ’nPlay was created to unite the athletes of the sports world to fight the childhood obesity epidemic. An idea born out channel bouncing between a CNN report on childhood obesity and the NY Yankees game, four partners with backgrounds in marketing, advertising, law, and management came together to create the non-profit whose mission is “Making Kids Healthy and Ready to Learn.” The addition of principal Dr. Chris Lineberry in 2009 helped shape the direction of the organization’s programming. Dr. Lineberry, who is now the co-executive director, had successfully helped multiple schools turn themselves around by integrating health and wellness into all parts of the school day. At the center of that strategy was the integration of physical activity and nutrition education into core subjects. It was Chris’ work along with inclusion of professional
athletes that prompted the USDA-Food Nutrition Services to partner with the non-profit to help schools meet the criteria of the HealthierUS Schools Challenge. Says Founder/Executive Director Eric Cohen, “Children are at their most impressionable when they are younger. That is why we believe the earlier we integrate physical activity and nutrition education into as many areas of their lives as possible, the more likely that living a healthy lifestyle will become a habit that follows them for a lifetime.” One major component of this is integrating physical activity and nutrition education into the core subjects. Another primary component is helping principals and teachers “find time without adding time.” With all of the pressure on testing scores, some of the first things cut from the school day are physical education and activity. The research definitively shows that the more active a child is, the more
they can focus in class, are better behaved, and are healthier overall. ’nPlay shows principals and teachers how to creatively schedule the school day so there is enough physical education and activity while not taking away from the classroom. Sprinkle in appearances from the ’nPlay athletes to help keep the teachers and students motivated and you have a formula that is proven to work. Now in the spring of 2014, ’nPlay has started working with the USDA-FNS on the Summer Meals program to help make sure children are being fed as well as being active over the summer when school is out of session. “Childhood hunger is just as much a cause of obesity as overeating and lack of physical activity,” say Cohen. “Whatever it takes to turn the tide, ’nPlay and our athletes are playing to win. Winning is healthier kids that will outlive their parents.”
Dealer Inquiries Welcome Equipment made in the USA Installation Safety Surfacing
Featuring our New KidSoft® Safety Surface (contained loose rubber).
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SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 27
Playground Magazine’s
Reference of Sports and Fitness Organizations A World Fit For Kids
America SCORES
Healthy Kids Out of School
www.worldfitforkids.org
www.americascores.org
www.healthykidshub.org
(213) 387-7712
2nd Floor, Suite 201C 520 8th Avenue New York, NY 10018 (212) 868-9510
75 Kneeland Street, 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111 (800) 278-4176
Active Living Research activelivingresearch.org
University of California, San Diego 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310 San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 260-5534
Active Schools Acceleration Project www.activeschoolsasap.org
75 Kneeland St., 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111
Alliance for a Healthier Generation www.healthiergeneration.org
5 Thomas Circle NW Washington, DC 20005 (888) KID-HLTH
Amateur Athletic Union www.aausports.org
PO Box 22409 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 934-7200
Amateur Softball Association www.asasoftball.com
America Bikes www.americabikes.org
28 Playground Magazine SUMMER 2014
America Walks www.americawalks.org
PO Box 10581 Portland, OR 97296 (503) 757-8342
American Youth Soccer Organization www.ayso.org
19750 S Vermont Ave, Suite 200 Torrance, CA 90502
HIGH FIVE National www.highfive.org
1 Concorde Gate, Suite 302 Toronto, ON M3C 3N6 (888) 222-9838
Let’s Move www.letsmove.gov
Let’s Move in School www.letsmoveschools.org
(855) 972-0876
CATCH
Let’s Move Outside
www.catchusa.org
www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside
(877) 247-7890
ChildObesity180
Let’s Play www.letsplay.com/
www.childobesity180.org
(800) 696-5891
Tufts University 150 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02111
Little League
Fuel Up to Play 60 www.fueluptoplay60.com
PO Box 3485 Williamsport, PA 17701-0485 (570) 326-1921
GOOD SPORTS
Miracle League
www.goodsports.org
1515 Hancock Street, Suite 301 Quincy, MA 02169 (617) 471-1213
www.littleleague.org
www.miracleleague.com
1506 Klondike Road, Suite 105 Conyers, GA 30094 (770) 760-1933
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‘nPlay Foundation
NFL PLAY 60
www.nplayfoundation.org
www.nfl.com/play60
National Amateur Baseball Federation
Partnership for a Healthier America
www.nabf.com
www.ahealthieramerica.org
SHAPE America (formerly AAHPERD) www.shapeamerica.org
PO Box 705 Bowie, MD 20718 (410) 721-4727
National Center for Sports Safety www.sportssafety.org
2316 First Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233 (866) 508-6277
National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity www.ncppa.org
805 15th Street, NW, Suite 650 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 449-8372
National Council of Youth Sports www.ncys.org
7185 SE Seagate Lane Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 781-1452
National Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
2001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20006
PE4LIFE
(800) 772-7573
Special Olympics
PlayToday! Foundation
Sport Safety International
PO Box 671302 Dallas, TX 75367 (214) 814-4746
www.sportsafetyinternational.org
Pop Warner Little Scholars www.popwarner.com
586 Middletown Blvd, Suite C-100 Langhorne, PA 19047 (215) 752-2691
President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
www.playgroundmag.com
We Can! www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/ obesity/wecan
YMCA www.ymca.net
101 North Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (800) 872-9622
Youth Basketball of America
Project Fit America
www.yboa.org
www.projectfitamerica.org
Restore Hockey
401 W Michigan St Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 637-9200
www.specialolympics.org
www.fitness.gov
National Youth Sports
www.nyshsi.org
www.sparkpe.org
127 W 10th St, Suite 208 Kansas City, MO 64105 (816) 472-7345
www.nsga.org
National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute
SPARK: Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids
www.pe4life.org
PO Box 308 Boyes Hot Springs, CA 95416 (800) 711-4348
www.nysonline.org
1900 Association Drive Reston, VA 20191 (800) 213-7193
7676 Municipal Drive Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 363-9262
www.restorehockey.org
(877) 843-3344
Right to Play www.righttoplay.com
49 West 27th Street, Suite 930 New York, NY 10001 (646) 649-8280
SUMMER 2014 Playground Magazine 29
Who’s Talking About Sports & Fitness? Let’s Move!
RIGHT TO PLAY
NFL PLAY 60
www.letsmove.gov
www.righttoplay.com
www.nfl.com/play60
"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake. This isn’t the kind of problem that can be solved overnight, but with everyone working together, it can be solved. So, let’s move.” - First Lady Michelle Obama at the Let’s Move! launch on February 9, 2010 Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Mrs. Obama began a national discussion about the health and nutrition of America’s children when she broke ground on the White House Kitchen Garden with local elementary school students. Further conversations on the subject grew into the Let’s Move! initiative that was launched February 9, 2010, at the White House. To support the initiative, President Barack Obama signed a Presidential memorandum creating the first-ever Task Force on Childhood Obesity. The Task Force conducts a review of all programs and policies relating to child nutrition and physical activity. They develop a national action plan to maximize federal resources and set standards towards reaching the First Lady’s goal. The Task Force recommendations focus on five major areas of the initiative: • Create a healthy start for children • Empower parents and caregivers • Provide healthy food in schools • Improve access to healthy and affordable foods • Increase physical activity Combining these strategies, Let’s Move! strives to put children on a path to a healthy future from their earliest months and years. Educating parents and providing healthier foods in schools along with encouraging children to be more physically active are the keys to the success of the program.
“Play is a necessity. And the lessons that Right To Play teaches children, they’re necessary for us to have the world we want to live in.” – Joey Cheek, 2006 Gold Medal Olympian in men’s speed skating Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Through playing sports and games, Right To Play helps children in more than 20 countries to build essential life skills and better futures, while driving lasting social change. Founded in 2000 by four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur Johann Olav Koss, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their programs are facilitated by 600 international staff and more than 13,500 volunteer Coaches. Right To Play reaches one million children in regular weekly activities and 49% of those children are female. As a non-partisan, non-political organization, Right To Play is an international advocate engaging sport, business, and media leaders on all sides to secure every child’s right to play. Right To Play’s mission is to use sport and play to educate and empower children and youth to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict, and disease in disadvantaged communities. Realizing that sports foster healthy physical, emotional, and social development as well as being able to cross ethnic, cultural, gender, and linguistic lines, Right To Play uses sports and play to teach values and life skills, to educate about disease prevention, to teach conflict resolution for building peace, and to build community leadership.
“The NFL PLAY 60 initiative goes really hand in hand with what childhood is about – just getting out, running, jumping, playing – just being active.” – Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions. In October 2007, the NFL launched NFL PLAY 60, a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of partner organizations. In addition to national outreach and online programs, NFL PLAY 60 is implemented at the grassroots level through NFL’s in-school, after-school, and team-based programs. The NFL PLAY 60 initiative is prominent during the NFL’s key calendar events, including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, Kickoff, and Thanksgiving and is supported by many NFL players and coaches year round. To date, the NFL has dedicated over $300 million to youth health and wellness through NFL PLAY 60.
30 Playground Magazine SUMMER 2014
Find others who are talking about play in The Play and Playground Encyclopedia. www.pgpedia.com www.playgroundmag.com
4 GREAT
Sports
Wrestling
Football
Wrestling involves a unique balance of physical and mental fitness that fosters self-discipline. This is one sport where a child is matched with an opponent of equal size. (North Fremont Peewee Wrestling - Ashton, Idaho)
Although Football gets its origins from Great Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rugby, it is played on every schoolyard in America. This team sport is rated #1 among American youth. (Salmon Jr. High School- Salmon, Idaho)
Rodeo
Fishing
Rodeo originated on the early rancheros of Southern California and is considered, by many, the original American Sport. Cowboys are an integral part of childhood imagination and play. (Jaylee Morton)
Fishing began as a means of survival and is now a popular outdoor sport that captures the enthusiasm of every age and gender. (Lazy Days of Summer-Colton Clayton)
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SPRING 2014 Playground Magazine 31