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Arnold School of Public Health

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Parent Resources

Federal guidelines call for children to be physically active for 60 minutes per day, but many U.S. children do not meet that standard.  The barriers to children’s physical activity have been particularly challenging during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Parents play a central role in insuring that their children are physically active every day.  To help parents in playing this role CPARG has developed a list of websites that can help parents find physical activity programs for young people.  Some of these programs provide background information on physical activity and health in children, others provide online physical activity programs, and still others provide information on physical activity programs that are available in the greater Columbia, SC region.  

 

List

 

The following links will take you to the websites of organizations that provide credible background information on physical activity and health in children and youth. 

 

Active for Life A non-for-profit organization to help parents give their children a healthy start through the development of physical literacy.

Action for Healthy Kids A nonprofit organization that helps to make schools a healthier place where kids can thrive.

Afterschool Alliance An alliance that provides information on the importance of afterschool programs.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation An organization that works with schools, youth-serving organizations, businesses, and communities to ensure the environment surrounding kids help them develop lifelong healthy habits. 

Be Active Kids An evidence-based health program that uses guides to engage children in playful experiences at school, in childcare settings, at home, and in the community.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A national health agency that provides information, tools, and guides for people and communities to protect health and safety.  

Health.gov  The U.S Department of Health and Human Service’s website that features the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and provides guidance to help maintain or improve health through physical activity.

Healthy Children A parenting website that is backed by pediatricians that is committed to the well-being of children from infants through young adults. 

KidsHealth A website providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence.  

 

The links provided below will take you to the websites of some of the major organizations that provide physical activity programs for young people in the greater Columbia, SC area.

 

Be Great Academy – An academy powered by the Boys and Girls Club that provides quality out-of-school time programming for children that all families can afford.

Boy’s and Girls Club- An organization that provides world-class Club Experience to all youth who are members.

Cayce’s Best After School Program A program that provides free daily transportation to after school programs in Cayce/West Columbia. Programs include martial arts classes, dance and cheer classes, and other sport activities. 

City of Columbia Parks and Recreation  An offering of community-wide programs to meet the recreational needs of youth. Programs include after-school, summer camps, athletics, outdoor adventure, and other youth programs. 

Columbia Mom An online parenting resource that offers guides, and activities in the local Columbia area.

WholespireA non-profit organization that partners with the community to create healthy eat and active living options. 

Girls on the Run A nonprofit organization that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident by using an evidence-based curriculum which integrates running.

Hula Frog A website that offers parents a variety of activities to do in Columbia, Sc. 

Richland County Recreation Commission An offering of afterschool programs for students k-8 that help children acquire tools essential to be healthy thoughtful, and successful members of the community. 

Run hard An organization that works with public, private, charter, homeschool and community groups to build the foundation for success in life by teaching them life values through the sport of running. 

SC Afterschool Alliance – A statewide network initiative that enables quality after school services to all children and youth.

Soar League An offering of youth and adult sports in Columbia that brings a diverse group of the community together to create a culture of unity, inclusion, service and respect. 

Soccer Shots- A soccer experience for children (ages 2-8) in underserved communities that aims to impact their lives positively through the game of soccer. 

Special Olympics  An organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

YMCA An organization that Includes 5 locations that offer programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

 

The followings links connect to online physical activity programs for children and youth.  

 

Go Noodle A collection of online activity videos that encourages kids to get up and get moving. 

Sworkit A collection of Kids workouts videos. 

Tinkergarden A play-based outdoor curriculum that guides parents in raising healthy kids.

Activity Hero An online resource that provides a search engine for local activities in the selected location. 

 


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