About CATCH
The purpose of the snack activities is to introduce children to tasty and healthful foods and to teach students the skills to select and prepare snack foods for themselves. Snacks emphasized are fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. The physical activity program has four main objectives:
- Involve students in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity.
- Involve students in at least 50% of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of daily physical activity time.
- Provide students with many opportunities to participate and practice skills.
- Provide students with a variety of enjoyable physical activities.
- CATCH Kids Club is evidenced based. Research by the University of Texas showed that CKC can significantly increase moderate to vigorous physical activity in elementary school aged children.
- In 2004 the Foundation for Healthy Communities worked with after school programs in Keene and Laconia NH to implemented CKC. Evaluation of the project showed increases in physical activity levels.
- From 2007-2009 the Foundation for Healthy Communities offered CKC to 18 new sites in Derry, Londonderry, the Mt. Washington Valley Region, and Ossipee as part of a childhood obesity prevention project. Results from our evaluation demonstrate increases in physical activity and healthy eating at most sites. However, observations reflect that routine staff training is a vital component of achieving proper implementation and program effectiveness.
- Everybody plays! CATCH Kids Club games are non-elimination so kids are always “in” the game.
- Uses no/low competition games.
- It maximizes play time and minimizes sedentary time.
- Includes over 350 fun activities – kid tested and approved.
- It is evidence based. Research of CKC demonstrates increases in children’s physical activity levels.
- CKC is easy to use – designed for leaders with a variety of skill levels.
