BOKS And Reebok To Host Third Annual Active Kids Day To Celebrate The Positive Impact Of Physical Activity On A Child's Mind, Body And Community

CANTON, Mass., June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BOKS (Build Our Kids' Success), a free before-school physical activity program, announces it will host its third annual Active Kids Day on June 14, 2014 at Reebok World Headquarters in Canton, MA. A free event, Active Kids Day will join together families, schools and businesses to celebrate the positive impacts of physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle. The day will offer a variety of activities to entertain the entire family, including live performances, fitness activities, healthy food samplings and other events that will engage attendees. Additionally, BOKS will recognize Champions of Change from around the country who have made a difference in their school. Disney actress and recording artist Coco Jones will headline at the event. She will be joined by other top performers, as well as Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman to create a dynamic experience for all ages. A full list of activities during Active Kids Day and registration information can be found at https://www.familyid.com/boks-active-kids-day-free-event.

"My family has always instilled the values of physical activity and nutrition in me and my siblings, so I know the impact physical fitness can have on your mind and body," said Coco Jones. "There are so many ways to get involved to help children adopt healthier habits, and BOKS and Active Kids Day provide an outlet for making a positive change in local schools and communities."

About Active Kids Day
Since its inception in 2009, BOKS has made significant strides to help youth embrace healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Active Kids Day is an opportunity for families to celebrate the importance and benefits of being active, receive nutrition knowledge in a fun way, and experience the positive correlation between physical activity and learning. Active Kids Day will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include a variety of free activities, including:

• Live performance by actress and recording artist Coco Jones, as well as Arealyah Paul, Lil' Phunk and DJ Fulano
• Appearance by Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman
• Announcement of BOKS Champions of Change, BOKS trainers who are creating a healthier future for children in their local community
• One-mile Fun Run
• Super Sprowtz shows
• Boston Celtics dunk show performed by their mascot, Lucky
• Spartan Race Kids course,  field games, Project Adventure
• Food samplings and health screenings  
• Reebok shopping experience

"We live in a world where kids have limited opportunities to be physically active which can lead to increased obesity, mental health issues and poor academics. We are thrilled to host the third annual Active Kids Day, and bring communities, schools and families together to get active, learn, and celebrate the importance of healthier habits," said Kathleen Tullie, BOKS founder and executive director. "BOKS has been instrumental in getting our youth physically active, and impacting their academic performance. This event truly showcases BOKS and its benefits by providing opportunities for kids to socialize, participate in physical activity and learn about nutrition with their families in a fun setting."

"Reebok looks forward to this day every year," said Matt O'Toole, Reebok brand president. "We want to engage our youth at an early age so children have a better understanding of the need for physical activity and fitness throughout their lives, and we do that with BOKS. We look forward to having so many children, families and champions at Reebok Headquarters to celebrate the significance of movement on a daily basis."

In addition to activities and performances throughout the day, several key businesses and organizations will lend their support, including:

"Active Kids Day not only provides a fun day of activities for families, but also helps spread the BOKS message around the importance of physical activity for our youth," said Major Ivan Rock, The Salvation Army. "We are excited to bring health screenings and healthy food options to attendees at this event."

"Exercise, proper nutrition and hydration are instrumental in helping people of all ages enjoy happier, healthier lives," said Paul Bakus, president of corporate affairs, Nestle US. "We are sponsoring Active Kids Day because, like BOKS, Nestle is committed to the fight against obesity.  We know how important it is to get families, schools and communities involved in helping kids adopt healthier habits, and educating them on the importance of living well."

"We are excited to be part of Active Kids Day," said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. "Helping young people learn the importance of being active and the value of a healthy lifestyle is critical to creating a more vibrant community for everyone. That is why we are proud to partner with BOKS to support this important programming in the Holyoke community."

BOKS was started by Kathleen Tullie and a group of moms in 2009 who were inspired by Dr. John Ratey's book Spark, which provides compelling evidence that physical activity will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking and enhance memory in kids. A recent NIOST (National Institute on Out-of-School Time) study conducted on behalf of BOKS validates the stance that exercise, especially before school, can have a positive impact on both classroom performance and behavior. Furthermore, 2013 NIOST results showed children improved significantly more than their peers on assessments of working memory. The BOKS team has shared the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama to promote the benefits of being active and has forged important alliances with the following organizations: Let's Move Active Schools, ChildObesity180, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and Partnership for Healthier America.

In advance of Active Kids Day, BOKS will host a Twitter Chat with its Active Kids Day sponsors on Friday, June 13 at 11 a.m. Follow the BOKS Twitter handle to learn more and join the conversation about how to get kids active during the summer. For more information about BOKS and Active Kids Day, visit www.bokskids.org, the BOKS Facebook page or the BOKS Twitter handle.

ABOUT BOKS
BOKS, Build Our Kids' Success, an initiative of Reebok and the Reebok Foundation, is a free before-school physical activity program. BOKS was founded on the principle Active Kids = Active Minds, and was created by a group of moms after reading Dr. John Ratey's book Spark, which states that "exercise is the single most powerful tool that we have to optimize the function of our brains." The goal of the BOKS program is to enhance academic performance and the overall health of kids through physical activity. The program, run by moms, dads, P.E. teachers and all other types of volunteers in local communities, is simple to implement. BOKS is currently in close to 1,000 schools around the world.

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SOURCE BOKS (Build Our Kids' Success)