FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2003

Conga Across Canada lets kids be active and have fun!
What is a fun way for kids to celebrate Active Healthy Kids Day? By participating in the Conga Across Canada Challenge!

Conga Across Canada is an innovative and fun-filled national event designed to get kids active. This year’s challenge will take place on Tuesday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. local time for at least 10 minutes. Students, teachers, parents, volunteers and staff at schools across Canada will dance the Conga!

Currently, four schools from Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board are registered for the event: Bird's Creek Public School, Frankford Public School, Harry J. Clarke Public School, and Hermon Public School. Just for getting involved, they will receive a Certificate of Participation and will have a chance to win contests for the most creative, longest, or most colourful Conga line.

“I am very excited to see staff and students in our schools get involved in a national event to celebrate the importance of physical activity,” says Marg Thompson, Curriculum Coordinator. “Conga Across Canada is a great way to integrate curriculum areas as well as to promote a healthy active lifestyle with students and staff in our schools.”

Last year, a Guinness record was set for the World’s Largest Simultaneous Dance by more than 267,000 students across Canada performing the “Hokey Pokey.”

Statistics show that over the past two decades there has been an alarming increase in the proportion of overweight and obese children in Canada. Increased physical activity is key in combating this epidemic.

Active Healthy Kids Day is held each spring to raise awareness of the need for increased physical activity among children and youth. It was jointly declared by the Foundation of Active Healthy Kids, and the Canadian Association of Health and Physical Education Recreation and Dance.

So, put on your dancing shoes and catch the Conga spirit!

For information contact:
• Marg Thompson, Curriculum Coordinator, 966-9491, ext. 2308