How it Works – Fuel Up to Play 60 in Action « Back

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The program is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools.

Fuel Up to Play 60 responds to real-world needs in today’s schools with wellness tools that complement – not compete with – the academics-focused environment. The program’s design allows youth and schools to determine which tools and resources best help meet each school’s wellness goals. Fuel Up to Play 60 features easy enrollment, and step-by-step guidance for adults and students. All the tools needed to implement the program are available on the interactive website which includes an online Playbook of the “Plays”, challenges, personalized Dashboard area for students and adults and opportunities for incentives and rewards.

The program encourages students to work collaboratively with adults to make real changes by implementing school-wide healthy eating and physical activity Plays – strategies that help students “fuel up” with nutrient-rich foods and “get up and play” for at least 60 minutes a day. If a school already has existing wellness programs or efforts, Fuel Up to Play 60 can complement and enhance them with additional resources, tools, rewards and incentives for students, adult Program Advisors and the school. While the Plays may fit into a school’s curriculum, the program is not a curriculum.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Elements:

• Quick Start Resources provides program instructions, “Plays” (a.k.a. action strategies), tools and promotional materials for schools to activate Fuel Up to Play 60.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 “Plays” (a.k.a. action strategies) outlined in the online, interactive Playbook will help students bring the program to life and drive healthy behavior changes in their school. Students will work with adults in the school to choose both Healthy Eating and Physical Activity “plays”.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 Challenges will motivate youth to actively and consistently engage, create and participate in in-school promotions and peer-to-peer outreach throughout the year to complement and support the Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook Plays (a.k.a. action strategies to create environmental changes in the school).
• A Student Ambassador Program built on a membership basis will attract youth leaders and allow for greater youth voice in Fuel Up to Play 60. The program is in development and the application process for the 2010-2011 program will begin in the fall. Additional details will be provided about the overall program, review and selection process in the coming months, but will potentially include peer communication outlets, mentorships, an advisory council and summit.
• Digital and Social Media help youth share and promote their challenges and healthy school changes and allow school stakeholders and program supporters to learn more and get engaged. Potential social media tactics throughout the year include NFLRush.com, SchoolTube.com, Facebook, etc.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 Website (FuelUpToPlay60.com) is a resource for additional tools and serves as an online community for youth, Program Advisors and supporters, school stakeholders and other key adult influencers.
• Incentives to motivate students, schools and Program Advisors to meet program and milestone goals. Schools that develop plans to implement changes will have the opportunity to APPLY for FUTP 60 Funds (a.k.a. grants) on a competitive basis.
• Rewards , for individual youth, groups of youth, and program advisors, to recognize those who take action and encourage continued program participation.