#MIKidsCan Exercise: Statewide Event Will Have Michigan Kids on the Move
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
Students across Michigan will be biking, moving, grooving and possibly tossing rubber chickens as they celebrate ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) and Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 10. The one-day event aims to educate children about the importance of lifelong fitness, and to end the negative stereotype that children are physically unfit. ACES has student participants from all 50 states and 50 countries. ACES and Bike to School Day events in Michigan are organized by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, which provides free materials, including stickers and newsletters, for each of the estimated 300,000 participants from over 1,000 schools in the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is one of many sponsors of the day’s festivities, including three feature events taking place at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Individual schools are often creative when planning their ACES activities. Feedback from past events included ideas such as tracking miles walked on a Michigan map, dancing to party favorites such as the “Macarena” and “YMCA”, and empowering older students to plan the warm-up activities for younger classmates. One elementary school set up silly stations such as a rubber chicken toss mixed with heart-pumping activities like jumping jacks and running and jogging intervals. A middle school principal was so inspired by the day that they started a morning walk every Wednesday morning for the rest of the school year. “ACES and Bike to School Day perfectly align with Blue Cross’ focus on improving children’s health across the state of Michigan,” said B.J. Puchala, senior community liaison for Blue Cross . “Encouraging healthy lifestyles through physical activity is an important part of reversing negative health trends.” Schools can still register with the Michigan Fitness Foundation at www.michiganfitness.org/aces. Participating schools receive newsletters and stickers for students, a participation certificate and helpful suggestions for activities, nutritional components and tips for helping students incorporate more activity into their everyday life. There’s also still space for schools wishing to attend the feature event at MSU by contacting Meghan Woods at MWoods@michiganfitness.org. Find out more about how we’re working to help Michigan families make good choices that lead to healthier lives through our #MIKidsCan initiative. If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
- Growing up Sporty: The Year-by-Year Guide to the Best Activities for Kids
- #MIKidsCan Champion of the Month: Naiya Krispin
- How a Commitment to Michigan's Children Builds Healthy Communities
Photo credit: Markus Spiske
