• Selected participants will be given a free, new, standards-based playground program called Play On!, Playground Learning Activities for Youth Fitness, and will be asked to implement the program and provide feedback about it.
  
  
• Selected participants, to be known as Play On! Beta Site Leaders, will thereby help AAPAR and PlayCore/GameTime evaluate this new program, which is designed to facilitate children’s fitness through fun playground activities.
  
  
• Beta Site Leaders will inform program research and gain valuable insight into children’s physical development and fitness on the playground.
  
  
• Beta Site Leaders will receive promotional pricing for a GameTime playground that is 100% aligned with the Play On! program for promoting children’s fitness through elements such as swinging, sliding, brachiating, balancing, spinning, and climbing.
  Beta Site Leaders will receive results of the study and will be able to compare site specific outcomes to the average national results.
  
  
• Beta Site Leaders will be able to claim and promote leadership in physical education programming.
  
  
• Most importantly, kids and staff will have fun while being physically active on the playground. Parents will also benefit through program resources specifically designed for families.

Requirements:

• Effectively implement the Play On! program at your site.
  Implement the standards-based Play On! program with a core group of students in order to gain experience and knowledge of the program, and provide feedback and program evaluation.
  
  
• Sites must provide physical education or physical activity programming for children in grades K-5.
  Selected sites must be able to implement the program through the school’s physical education program and/or the community physical activity programming.
  
  
• Must currently have access to a playground that meets program criteria, or plan to purchase a GameTime Play On! Activity Center to be installed by December 2008.
  For participating in the study, Play On! aligned GameTime playgrounds are being offered at a promotional price. Order must be placed by November 15, 2008 to be considered.
  
  
• Commit to completing a Play On! Beta Site Orientation.
  Prior to initiating the study, selected participants will participate in an orientation session, via some form of web or teleconferencing that will define the study parameters and timelines in detail.
  
  
• Assign a dedicated elementary-level physical educator or recreation professional as the Play On! Beta Site Leader.
  A representative from each selected site will be identified as the Play On! Beta Site Leader and will participate in the study.
  
  
• Secure approval to participate in the study from appropriate and/or required administration.
  Selected beta sites must demonstrate that the appropriate administration has approved the participation of the school and/or community program as well as the identified Beta Site Leader to participate in the study.
  
  
• Participate in data collection and reporting systems.
  Selected participants will be required to complete a series of data collection processes such as surveys about such topics as their past use of playgrounds, their impressions of the Play On! program, their preferences for certain activities in the Play On! program, and observations regarding children’s use of the equipment. Pre and post fitness testing may be required.
  
  
• Agree to serve as a host site for a Play On! Field Day training event.
  Certain beta site participants will be required to host a Field Day training event with neighboring schools, school districts, and/or community groups. These promotional events for the Play On! program will be organized by PlayCore/GameTime and held at the beta site. This will require some collaboration on the part of the beta site leader and staff based on mutual availability.
  
  
• Be publicly recognized as a Play On! beta site participant.
  Leader sites may be identified and promoted in a variety of ways through press releases, websites, promotional materials, etc. Site leaders, staff, parents, and children may also be asked to provide feedback through testimonials.
  
  
• Submit the Play On! Research Beta Site Application on or before November 15, 2008.
  The application form must be completed in its entirety to be considered.

Timeline:

• Application and Order due date Nov 15, 2008
  
  
• GameTime Play On! Activity Center Installation Completed: By December 31, 2008
  
  
• Beta Site Orientation: January, 2009
  
  
• Research Period Including Implementation of Play On! Program: January 2009 through June 2009
  
  
• Field Day Training Events: Fall 2009
  

How to apply:

To apply, go to the online application form at www.gametime.com/betasite. Be sure to fill out every field of the application, then click the submit button. Your application will be forwarded to the Beta Site evaluation staff at AAPAR and PlayCore, who will notify the Administrative Approval contact on your application if you are chosen to participate.

For information on the program, contact an evaluation staff member:

American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
Attn: Mariah Burton Nelson
Executive Director
1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
MNelson@aahperd.org
703/476-3430 (phone)
703/476-9527 (fax)

PlayCore, Inc.
Attn: Lisa Moore
Vice President, Corporate Strategic Services
401 Chestnut Street, Suite 310
Chattanooga, TN 37402
lmoore@playcore.com
423/648-5566 (phone)
423/648-5567 (fax)

To Learn More Contact:

Are you unable to assist with the research program but simply want to implement the Play On! program for your school or community?
Go to www.aapar.org to purchase a copy.
The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting creative, active, healthy lifestyles. AAPAR is one of five associations within the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD).

Are you unable to participate in the research but would like to install a GameTime Play On! Approved playground at your school or park? Go to www.gametime.com for more information or to contact your local representative.
GameTime, a PlayCore company, is the world’s leading brand of commercial playground equipment. For almost 80 years, GameTime has shown their dedication to children by creating playground products that offer superior quality, innovation and service. With their wide array of products, programs, and services, GameTime is truly Enriching Childhood through Play.

Are you interested in learning more about Play research and programming? Go to www.playcore.com for more information.
PlayCore is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of commercial and consumer playground and park equipment, surfacing, site amenities, fitness, and related play products. PlayCore’s corporate headquarters are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Click to see the Play On! Playground designs

Click here to apply