Build it and they will come - Youth Outreach - internet - Brief Article

How to reach children who seem interested only in video games and Web sites? How about building an "awesome" Web site aimed at "way-cool" kids, filled with games, challenges, tips and fun. What do you get? A Web site one nine-year-old called "sweet!" Oh, by the way, the site includes tips on getting active and eating healthy. What more could a parent ask for?

"Kids know how to reach kids, so we went straight to them for input," says Sylvia Rowe, president and CEO of the International Food Information Council Foundation, which developed the program through unrestricted grants from major food manufacturers.

You can visit the Busy Buddy site at www.kidnetic.com. You'll find an interactive character that talks to kids and encourages them to visit different sections of the site. "Betchacant" entices kids to challenge their friends to beat their record for a certain physical activity. An online timed scavenger hunt, "Time Challenge," makes kids get out of their seats and scour their homes for common items. In "Recipe Roundup," preteens will find healthy, kid-friendly recipes like Brewed Money Brain Stew. Through the "Kidnector," kids and parent can talk online about health and fitness issues. The site also features information on issues such as portion size, healthy snacking, junk food and self-esteem.

Kidnetic.com was created through a partnership of six organizations working to prevent childhood obesity. The partnership includes the IFIC Foundation, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Dietetic Association, International Life Sciences Institute Center for Health Promotion and, of course, NRPA.

Parks and recreation agencies can jump on the bandwagon by making sure their kid-friendly computers open to www.kidnetic.com. NRPA will be sharing more on this program with ideas to incorporate your efforts into this national push to get kids up, active and healthy.

COPYRIGHT 2002 National Recreation and Park Association
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group