Turn Off the TV Week:  April 19-25, 2010

We’ve heard the statistics...the average child spends more time in front of the TV (1,023 hours) than in school (900 hours).  If you’re worried that your family spends too much time in front of the TV, playing video games or chatting on line then join Coulee Region Childhood Obesity Coalition members and become part of the 3^rd annual Coulee Region Turn Off the TV Challenge April 19^th - 25^th!  During this week, families are being challenged to turn off their TVs and exercise their both minds and their bodies by finding healthier alternatives. Rather than come home from school or work and plunking down in front of the TV, coalition members are challenging families to enjoy their free time by reading a book, going on a picnic, walking or biking with a friend or listening (and dancing!) to their favorite music.  The possibilities are limitless!  Turning off the TV, video games or computer frees up time to spend with friends, family or enjoying favorite pastimes and helps Coulee Region families stay healthy and strong. It’s a great way to encourage healthy habits and build a healthy mind as well as a healthy body.

To sign up for the Turn off the TV Challenge download the instructions & logs by clicking on the appropriate log below. 

                                    CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS

                                    LOG FOR PRESCHOOL CHILD

                                    LOG FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILD

                                    LOG FOR TEENS, COLLEGE STUDENTS & ADULTS

Coulee Region Walk to School Challenge:        October 4-8, 2010

Sponsored by the Coulee Region Childhood Obesity Coalition, the goal of the week long challenge goal is to activate Coulee Region kids’ lifestyles by encouraging them to regularly walk or bike to school. 

Why encourage your kids to walk or bike to school?  Children who walk and bike to school are more apt to be physically fit and less prone to overweight, they learn how to handle traffic safely, they help reduce the family’s gas budget and they contribute to a cleaner environment and improved air quality by reducing traffic volume near their school.

Children at participating schools receive a log on which they note if they’ve walked or biked during the Challenge week.  At the end of the week, the school with the highest proportion of walkers & bikers for the week will win the coveted “Golden Shoe Award” for display at their school during the 2010-11 school year.  

Lost your log?  Download the copy below & be sure to record your school as well as how you got to school on the log!

                                    WALK TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE LOG