As school is wrapping up and summer vacation starts for kids across the country, the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and its Together Counts™ program sees this as a great time of year to encourage energy balance, including meals and activity as a family. The following blog entry from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation gives some great examples that you, your work colleagues or your customers can use to plan a healthy summer.

Guest blog from Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation focuses on providing education and resources to schools and families in an effort to reduce childhood obesity. We believe that these two venues – the home and the school – provide the best environments for children to learn about active, healthy living. At the end of the school year, teachers and families have many opportunities to join together and bring about powerful results. As the school year winds down and summer begins, parents across the country are spending hours volunteering in school and community activities that promote energy balance. Audrey McLelland, a friend of HWCF’s Together Counts™ campaign, is a great example. She served as a chaperone for her son William’s first grade class and their “Tour of Rhode Island” trip this month.

"Our 'Tour of Rhode Island' field trip will lead the kids to two different landmarks in the city. We live in such a small area that we can cover the entire state on this trip. We’ll stop in Providence, where the kids will enjoy a walking tour of historic town, and Jamestown. It’s great because the kids will get that perfect balance of activity and education, all without them really knowing it! We’ll also stop for lunch in Jamestown, one of the most gorgeous seaside cities ever! The kids will eat their lunches while overlooking the water and truly take in the beauty of the state in which they live. This is my kind of energy balance!"

Finding ways to integrate physical activity with education is a great way to make both exercise and learning fun for children. Along with end of the year field trips, parents everywhere are organizing field days, 5Ks, swim parties and class barbeques. These are all great ways parents get involved in school activities and promote physical activity in ways that are interactive and fun. Even better, they set great examples of an energy-balanced life. We’d like to take this time to thank each and every one of you who are taking the time to volunteer in schools – the impact you have on the lives and health of children is incredible. The Together Counts™ team and partners are grateful for the dedicated parents who recognize the importance of taking time to create wonderful memories and ensure future generations are equipped to live active, healthy lives. To take advantage of HWCF resources and find great tips for making it through the summer, check out www.TogetherCounts.com. You also can find daily tips at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/togethercounts. ___________________________________________________________________________________ In 2011, IDFA joined the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a diverse coalition of companies and organizations dedicated to helping reduce childhood obesity. The Together Counts™ campaign is a public education effort that encourages families to share meals and activities together.