Let's Move Outside! April Newsletter

U.S. Department of the Interior sent this bulletin at 04/20/2012 01:53 PM EDT

Let’s Move Outside! is the outdoor activity component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Led by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Let’s Move Outside! connects children and families to America’s Great Outdoors by expanding and promoting opportunities for healthy recreation on public lands and waters.

Let’s Move! & Physical Activity Champions of Change

On Wednesday, March 23, the White House welcomed 13 Champions of Change for Let’s Move! and Physical Activity. First Lady Michelle Obama recognized these Champions for the work they are doing to inspire and empower youth to lead healthy, active lifestyles. These individuals represented 12 different states and ranged from from P.E. teachers and coaches to community leaders and healthcare professionals who have developed diverse, innovative programs that help young people get moving and have fun doing it! During the event, Champions shared stories of how sports and physical activity had transformed their communities, and shared some of the best practices they’ve identified through their work. To learn more about the Champions and their programs, visit the official event page here.

Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert

Celebration of the Military Child Outdoors

On April 1st, the Sierra Club’s Mission Outdoors team led an event at Virginia’s Prince William Forest Park to kick off the Month of the Military Child. Nearly 200 families of active duty and reserve members visited the park to participate in free, outdoor activities including hiking and fishing. The Sierra Club hosted the event alongside the National Military Family Association, Armed Services YMCA, the Outdoor Alliance for Kids and Blue Star Families. At the event Sierra Club Board President Robin Mann announced the Sierra Club’s commitment to invest $675,000 in programs that get military kids moving outside. National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis also participated in the event, thanking the families for their service and their commitment to protecting places like Prince William for the health and enjoyment of all Americans.

Photo Credit: Jessica Wahl

Let’s Plant! White House Kitchen Garden Planting

On March 26, more than 30 students from four states joined First Lady Michelle Obama for the fourth annual White House Kitchen Garden spring planting. The garden, which Mrs. Obama started in 2009, is the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden in the 1940s. Today’s Kitchen Garden has played an important role in the Let’s Move! initiative as a way to start a conversation about the health of our nation’s children. Produce from the garden is used regularly for White House meals and events and is donated in significant quantities to local organizations.

Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert

Junior Ranger Day is Part of National Park Week

From Saturday, April 21 through Sunday, April 29, the National Park Service is offering a full FREE week of fun at nearly all 400 national parks across the country. Get involved with Let’s Move Outside! by participating in fun programs and events taking place across the country. Keep an eye out for special, family-friendly Junior Ranger events on National Junior Ranger Day, April 28th.