Organizations and Agencies that Support Exercise Initiatives for Kids

The links on this page reflect only a small part of the information that PE4Life was able to impart over their 14 years leading educational programs and training to the benefit of millions of children.

RunningBrooke would like to acknowledge PE4Life for its groundbreaking work in elevating kids’ fitness to increase classroom learning, and recognize its role as an important and valuable resource to PE teachers, schools, educators, and communities.

School Based Initiatives

Action for Healthy Kids
Sponsored by: see website
From the site: Action for Healthy Kids® is a national non-profit that fights childhood obesity, undernourishment and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places. Comprised of a legion of dedicated volunteers, our 50,000-strong member network collaborates in every state and Washington, D.C. through our 51 State Networks, bringing people and local partners together to put in place the policies, systems and environmental approaches that improve student health and wellness.

Link to the DC / Maryland and Virginia program.

Kids Run the Nation
Sponsored by: Road Runners Club of America
From the site: The goal of the RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation program is to help establish locally managed youth running programs in every ​school and community across the U.S. ​Learn more about our participation-based, turnkey curriculum and grant fund today!
http://www.rrca.org/our-programs-services/programs/kids-run-the-nation

BOKS Build Our Kids Success
Sponsored by: The Reebok Foundation
From the site: BOKS, founded by Kathleen Tullie, is powered by communities and empowers parents, teachers, schools and local volunteers to give kids a body and brain boost that will set them up for a day of learning.
https://www.bokskids.org/

100 Mile Club
Sponsored by: New Balance
From the site: The 100 Mile Club presents students with a straightforward challenge: run, jog, or walk 100 miles over the course of the school year. Students log miles during designated running times. Because students of all grades and ages can partake, 100 Mile Club creates a powerful bond among students participating within the same school, and also creates a link to 100 Milers at neighboring schools within communities as well as across the nation.
http://100mileclub.com/

Billion Mile Race
Sponsored by: New Balance
From the site: Do students at your school walk or run?
Those miles belong in the Billion Mile Race. Perhaps your students walk and run throughout the year as part of a regular program. Those miles belong in the Race. Does your school participate in a walk-a-thon or 5K? Tally them up and put them in. What about walk-to-school? Those count too. You get the picture. Not running but want to get started? You’ve landed in the right place.
http://www.billionmilerace.org/

SPARK – Physical Education Curriculum
From the site: SPARK is a research-based organization of San Diego State University Research Foundation (disseminated by School Specialty, Inc.) dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote lifelong wellness. SPARK strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students. Each SPARK Program provides a coordinated package of highly active curriculum, on-site staff development, extensive follow-up support, and expert selected, content-matched equipment.
http://www.sparkpe.org/

Fuel Up to Play 60
Sponsored by: National Dairy Council and the National Football League
From the site: Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.
https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/

Healthy Kids Challenge
From the site: Healthy Kids Challenge® (HKC) is a nationally recognized, award HKC helps schools and community programs problem-solve barriers and create plans for policies, practices and nutrition education. HKC training, healthy eating lesson plans, and activities motivate wellness with interactive learning and goal setting.winning program.
http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/

National Institute for Fitness and Sports
From the site: The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) is a non-profit organization established in 1985. We opened our doors with the help of grants from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the State of Indiana, and the City of Indianapolis. November 1,1988, marked the dedication of the 120,000-square-foot facility.
http://www.nifs.org/

PE Central
From the site: The idea of PE Central originally began in the Fall of 1995 by Dr. George Graham and the doctoral students in Virginia Tech’s Health and Physical Education Program. Mark Manross, Todd Pennington, Eloise Elliott, Kim Oliver, Starla McCollum, Sarah Westfal, Cathrine Himberg, Natalie Doering, Jennifer Chomicky, and Sharon Whitlock were the original doctoral students in our Special Topics Class who framed the idea for PE Central. Reginald Kimball and Mike Burch were Masters students who also participated in PE Central’s development.

After participating in several brainstorming sessions during this seminar it was decided that we would develop a Web site that would be available on the Internet. Primarily, we wanted a place for K-12 physical educators to visit that would provide them with information and resources to help them deliver developmentally and instructionally appropriate physical education to their students. Some ideas to include on the site were assessments, health and physical education lesson ideas, job announcements, links to the top sport and instructional sites on the Web, wellness tips, and instant activities that would change on a weekly basis.
http://www.pecentral.org/

PE Central — Adaptive P.E.
From the site: see above
http://www.pecentral.org/adapted/adaptedmenu.html

PHE America
From the site: pelinks4u began in October 1999 as a weekly online newsletter offering “news, views, and information you can use.” It was created and published by Dr. Steve Jefferies, a professor in the Physical Education Program at Central Washington University (CWU) as a way for him to share information appearing on the rapidly developing Internet with his students.
http://www.pheamerica.org/

SHAPE America
From the site: SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives. As the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals, SHAPE America works with its 50 state affiliates and national partners to support initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, Let’s Move! Active Schools and the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart programs. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our resources provide the leadership, professional development and advocacy that support health and physical educators at every level —from preschool to university graduate programs.
http://www.shapeamerica.org/

Take 10 – Classroom Based Physical Activity
From the site: TAKE10 is a classroom-based physical activity program, developed by the ILSI Research Foundation with the assistance of health professionals and education experts, combining academic instruction with 10 minutes physical activity breaks to get kids moving without sacrificing time dedicated to academic learning.  TAKE10 was designed by teachers for teachers to ensure it is fit for purpose i.e., the intervention must “fit” within the existing school system, and must be responsive and adaptable to teachers’ priorities, such as time and academic performance.
http://take10.net/

The Citizenship Through Sports Alliance
From the site: In late 2012, the St. Louis Sports Commission launched the National Sportsmanship Foundation to change the way society views and values sportsmanship.  The groundwork for the organization’s creation was established a year earlier when the Sports Commission was asked to take over management of the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance.  The Sports Commission and CTSA had been partners in producing the National Sportsmanship Awards (now the Musial Awards) since the event moved to St. Louis in 2005.  After developing a new strategic direction for CTSA, the Sports Commission rebranded the organization.  The National Sportsmanship Foundation was born.
http://sportsmanship.org/

The Physical Educator
From the site: ThePhysicalEducator.com is an online professional development resource for physical educators. Our mission is to help you become the best physical education teacher you can be. We will do this by producing high-quality resources for you to use in your teaching, by helping you connect and share with fellow teachers, and by providing engaging professional development opportunities which you can attend.
http://www.thephysicaleducator.com/

Brain Exercises

Energizing Brain Breaks
http://brainbreaks.blogspot.com/

Brain Gym
From the site: Brain Gym® International is committed to the principle that moving with intention leads to optimal learning. Through our outstanding instructors and movement-based programs, we empower all ages to reclaim the joy of living. The organization was founded in 1987 under the name of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation and in 2000 began doing business as Brain Gym® International. The Brain Gym® work is being used in over 87 countries and has been translated into more than 40 languages.
http://www.braingym.org/

Research, Training and Instruction

Dr. John Ratey
From the site: Best selling author, John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 15 languages, including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. With the publication of “Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection. His latest book, “Go Wild” explores how we can achieve optimal physical and mental health by getting in touch with our caveman roots, and how we can “re-wild” our lives.
http://www.johnratey.com/

Brain Briefings
From the site: The site is a public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and the Society for Neuroscience, all leading global nonprofit organizations working to advance brain research. Leading neuroscientists from around the world form the BrainFacts.org editorial board.
http://www.sfn.org/briefings/

Practice Classroom Applications of Current Brain Research
From the site: Kathie F Nunley, EdD delights teachers from around the world with her practical and inspirational solutions to the challenges of today’s diverse classrooms. Her popular seminars and workshops combine classroom experience with her current brain-imaging research. A noted speaker at state, national and international conferences, Dr. Nunley is the author of many books and articles on the brain and teaching in mixed-ability classrooms. Her work has been used by institutions and publications around the globe, including Family Circle magazine, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Canadian Living, and the Washington Post. She is the developer of the Layered Curriculum® method of instruction and has spent over 15 years as a classroom teacher in both urban and suburban schools.
http://www.brains.org/

Health, Sports and Fitness

American College of Sports Medicine
From the site: A global leader in sports medicine and exercise science.
We are the American College of Sports Medicine – with more than 50,000 members and certified professionals strong from 90 countries around the globe. Representing 70 occupations within the sports medicine field, ACSM is the only organization that offers a 360-degree view of the profession.
From academicians to students and from personal trainers to physicians, our association of sports medicine, exercise science, and health and fitness professionals is dedicated to helping people worldwide live longer, healthier lives.
http://www.acsm.org/

American Council on Exercise
From the site: ACE is the largest nonprofit health and fitness certification, education and training orgranization in the world.
https://www.acefitness.org/

California State Council on Adapted Physical Education
From the site: The mission of the CAHPERD Section on Adapted Physical Education is to lead, support, and assist Adapted Physical Education Specialists to provide the highest quality physical education programs for individuals with and without disabilities in California. Such programs will maximize student skill development and cultivate a desire to lead an active, healthy, and productive lifestyle.
http://www.califstatecouncilape.org/

CASPER- Center for Advancement of Standards-based Physical Education Reform
From the site: SupportREALteachers.org is an initiative of the Center for Advancement of Standards-Based Physical Education Reform (CASPER), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. CASPER was founded in 1998 by Dr. Cathrine Himberg and consists of REAL teachers, parents, school administrators, and other stake holders concerned about quality physical education. We are based out of California State University – Chico, where Executive Director Cathrine Himberg, PhD and Director Kevin Shephard, M.A. teach in the Physical Education Teacher Education program.

Our mission is to challenge physical education programs to be a part of the solution to the problem of physical inactivity in our society. We advocate for quality physical education taught by REAL physical education teachers in order to help all students develop the skills, the knowledge, and the desire they need to become physically active now and for the rest of their lives. We also advocate respect for the physical education profession by holding teachers and school administrators accountable for meaningful, quality physical education that is congruent with the national standards and guidelines.
http://www.supportrealteachers.org/

Alliance for a Healthier Generation
From the site: The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a catalyst for children’s health. We work with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids.

Our goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and to empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. Founded by the American Heart Association and Clinton Foundation, we are collaborative change-makers working to create a nation where children thrive. We collaborate with and empower people and leaders to transform the environments that can make a difference in a child’s health: homes, schools, doctor’s offices and communities.
https://www.healthiergeneration.org/

American Obesity Association
From the site: The Obesity Society (TOS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization dedicated to expanding research, prevention, and treatment of obesity and reduction in stigma and discrimination affecting persons with obesity. 
http://www.obesity.org/home

ExRx.net
From the site: ExRx.net began in 1999 as resource for exercise professionals, coaches, and fitness enthusiasts. Our site features comprehensive exercise libraries (>1600 exercises), fitness assessment calculators, and reference articles. We currently receive an average of nearly 50,000 individual visitors per day from around the world.
http://www.exrx.net/index.html

National Alliance of Youth Sports (NAYS)
From the site: The mission of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is to provide educational programs and resources to improve youth sports programs worldwide. NAYS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the value and importance of sports and physical activity in the emotional, physical, social and mental development of children. Participation in sports develops important character traits and life-long values which can positively affect children if the adults involved have proper training and information.
http://www.nays.org/

National Association for Health & Fitness
From the site: NAHF was founded in 1979 by the United States President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. NAHF is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for individuals in the United States through the promotion of physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles.
http://www.physicalfitness.org/

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
From the site: Founded in 1999, the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) is a public health practice and resource center on health promotion for people with disability. NCHPAD seeks to help people with disability and other chronic health conditions achieve health benefits through increased participation in all types of physical and social activities, including fitness and aquatic activities, recreational and sports programs, adaptive equipment usage, and more.
http://www.nchpad.org/

National Strength & Conditioning Association
From the site: The NSCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international education association with an active voice in the news for advancements in the field of strength and conditioning. Browse our library of association updates, press releases and media hits or contact us for more information.
https://www.nsca.com/

United States Olympic Committee
From the site: The USOC has two primary responsibilities in its oversight of Olympic and Paralympic sport in the United States. The first is to generate resources in support of its mission, which is to help American athletes achieve sustained competitive excellence. The second is to ensure organizational resources are wisely and effectively used to that end.
http://www.teamusa.org/

Government Agencies

Let’s Move!
From the site: Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Sure, this is an ambitious goal. But with your help, we can do it.
http://www.letsmove.gov/

The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sport
From the site: Through partnerships with the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the President’s Council promotes programs and initiatives that motivate people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to lead active, healthy lives.

The President Council’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.
http://www.fitness.gov/

Carol M. White Physical Education Program – U.S. Department of Education
The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to initiate, expand, or enhance physical education programs, including before school, after school, and summer programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting their state’s standards for physical education.
https://ed.gov/programs/whitephysed/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Physical Activity – Brochures for Parents, Teachers, and Principals to Increase Youth Physical Activity http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – School Health Policies and Program Studies : The Juvenile Obesity Epidemic: Strike Back with Physical Activity
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/shpps/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Small Steps / Big Difference Infographic
https://www.cdc.gov/healthreport/infographics/steps/index.htm

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion – Nutrition and Physical Activity
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/index.html

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/Pages/index.aspx

U.S. Department of Agriculture – MyPlate
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlate

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Healthfinder
https://healthfinder.gov/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Healthypeople
https://www.healthypeople.gov/

Advocacy

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA)
From the site: NCPPA, Inc. grew out of an exploratory meeting at the American Heart Association’s national headquarters in Dallas in 1995. Representatives from more than thirty health organizations met to discuss the merits of a physical activity coalition and left in virtually unanimous agreement that such a coalition should be created. Soon thereafter, the American Heart Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance accepted the responsibility for creating the coalition that eventually became NCPPA.
http://www.ncppa.org/

PHIT America
From the site: PHIT America is a cause and campaign dedicated to increasing physical activity and fitness to improve the health of all Americans. PHIT America was launched in January 2013 with the support of more than 100 companies and organizations. While the name PHIT sounds like FIT, it also has another meaning. PHIT stands for Personal Health Investment Today. We feel we must invest in personal health through fitness to improve the health of Americans, especially our children.
http://www.phitamerica.org/