Capital Health Plan

1,600 Cheers for CHP Champions!

That's one cheer from each Leon County student who's been getting fit and having fun in the free CHP Champions fitness program. Add the voices of teachers, parents, coaches, and community sponsors . . . well, that's one roaring Hurrah! In the CHP Champions program, held before or after school, coaches from Titus Sports Academy lead activities and games to build endurance, motor skills, and simply the students' enthusiasm to move.

It's working. According to coordinator Robin Safley, "Parents report their children love going to school on CHP Champions days." Begun in fall 2006 with 500 students in 8 middle and elementary schools, CHP Champions now enrolls 1,600 students in 28 schools, including Leon High, with the remaining Leon county public schools slated by year's end. Eventually all public schools in CHP's four-county service area will have Champions-lots of them.

These young champs aren't being groomed for pro sports, but for better physical and mental health to create an active lifestyle. Already assessments show that, after a year, children with at least 40% attendance improved overall fitness and Body Mass Index (a weight-size ratio). Besides this, Safley says, "Teachers reported better grades and classroom behavior, and parents reported their children more active at home. Even our CHP Champions coaches saw their own fitness levels improved."

Founding partners of   CHP Champions are Capital Health Plan, Leon County Schools, and the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce's WORLD CLASS Schools. CHP is the program sponsor. Telephone a school directly to inquire about a free CHP Champions program. To help with the program, call WORLD CLASS Schools at 224-8116.

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