Free fitness classes from Philly Play Summer Challenge
The Philly Play Summer Challenge is a free six-week program for children ages 6 to 13 years old that will help build confidence and skills to be physically active for an hour each day at local recreation centers throughout the city.
Are your kids in a summer rut? Give the Philly Play Summer Challenge a try! It's a free six-week program for children ages 6 to 13 years old that will help build confidence and skills to be physically active for an hour each day at local recreation centers throughout the city
The program began earlier this month, but it's not too late to sign up. The one hour classes, held Monday through Friday, will run until August 15.
The classes include dance, cardio-strength fitness, basketball, football and baseball at each site. Each site has a dedicated "Philly Play" staff person plus interns who provide additional encouragement, support and instruction to the youth in each group.
The Philly Play program was started in 2013 by Councilman Bobby Henon to promote active play as a means to ensure good health. The Philadelphia City Council expanded the program to each of the Council's 10 districts in 2014 with a majority of private funding. The Philly Play Program was designed and implemented by the Health Promotion Council, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that promotes health, and the preventing and management chronic disease through programs like Philly Play. The city's parks and Rec Department hosts the program and assists with the programming.
"A quarter of our children in the city do not participate in any physical activity during the week – let alone get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity – and physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic disease. Philly Play is all about helping kids get that recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity and reduce their risk for obesity and related chronic conditions," said Vanessa Briggs, executive director of the HPC.
A citywide event will be held on August 13 where kids will be able to use their new skills.
Here is a list of Philly Play Summer Challenge participating sites:
District Rec Center Address Time
1 RIZZO RINK 1101 S. Front 3:30pm-4:30pm
2 VARE 2600 Morris St. 11am-12pm
3 CHRISTY 728 S. 55th St. 11am-12pm
4 TUSTIN 5901-29 W. Columbia 12:30pm-1:30pm
5 PENROSE 1101 W. Susquehanna Ave. 3pm-4pm
6 VOGT 6700 Cottage St. 3pm-4pm
7 PICCOLI 4300 Castor Ave. 3pm-4pm
8 HAPPY HOLLOW 4800 Wayne Ave. 3pm-4pm
9 EMANUEL 8500 Pickering Ave. 3:30pm-4:30pm
10 PELBANO 8101 Bustleton Ave. 3pm-4pm
How to sign up:
You can sign up by filling out this form and check out the Philly Play facebook page for more information.
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