FUN FITNESS Day Fundraiser

Every spring, CF Fitness school sites mark their calendar down for a day of sack races and relays, balloon tosses, fun fitness activities and outdoor fun. This day is also used as a fundraiser to earn money to fund CF Fitness. School Sites to date have said this Fund Raisers bring in the most money of the entire fundraisers on campus.

The events -- often called Fun Fitness Day -- are usually in early April as the culmination of a year of skill-building during their structured recess time.

"Their physical development really shows," said Principal Taylor. "Each grade level participates in different events, and the students in each grade look forward to the next."

On a comfortable, sunny day this month, fourth-graders cheered for kindergartners who were participating in their first Fun Fitness Day.

"I think that it helps them along because they know we're rooting for them, and they'll try extra hard," David Gilbert, 9, said. "I like the way people are making teamwork and effort and making fun out of the game."

Carol Rodriguez, 10, agreed. "It's fun, and it helps you with exercise," he said.

The kindergarten students raced to gather the most balls for their own team, hurled a ball for distance and ran a race while carefully balancing a golf ball in a spoon.

Parents turned out to watch and to help assist during the day.

At many schools, the competitive nature of the events is played down, and the

emphasis is on teamwork instead of individual scoring.

"The children have so much competition in sports teams," said CEO James Howell.

"School doesn't need to be a place of competition."

At CF Fitness School Site on Fun Fitness Day, students are encouraged to "try hard and have fun.

This year, its 16 events were based on Olympic countries them .

Teachers participated in several events.

Students raced around the bases in a relay to bring cookies to a crab and participated in activities related to the story of "The Lion King" and the Three Little Bears

"We find that this makes it more interesting to the children and less of a competitive

event," said Coach Tina from Warren Lane.

"We want to stress participation, fitness and lots of skills. Everybody gets water and fruit after activities wrap up."