I know it doesn’t feel like it, but any minute now it will get warm in Chicago and we can all come out of hibernation. Ever since that warm kick we had 2 weeks ago my son wants nothing more than to play outside, which is great!!!
Even if its cold, spending even a short amount of time playing outdoors is MUCH better then sitting in front of the TV!
The team at Clif Bar feels the same way, so they’ve launched the “Backyard Game of the Year Contest” … The contest aims to encourage kids ages 6-12 to use their imagination and reconnect with outdoor playtime, right in their backyard. Kids and their parents can enter for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship plus a Trek bicycle and Bell helmet.
Not a bad deal, right!
Three-time U.S. Olympic soccer medalist and mom Julie Foudy will serve as Official Team Captain for the contest and host the Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs. Five finalists and their families willhave a chanceto meet her as theyplay their games together.
“My soccer career literally started in my own backyard, where we made up all kinds of games to play with a soccer ball,” said Julie Foudy, who now runs her own soccer camps and sports leadership academy. “Through outdoor play, kids expand their creativity, learn to communicate with their friends and become fit, active and confident young people.”
A study of 2,200 moms commissioned by internet security company AVG found that more young children know how to play a computer game than swim or ride a bike… Doesn’t that seem wrong to you?
For the full details and to enter the contest click here, entries have to be in by June 30th, 2011. A panel of play experts will select five finalists, and those kids will be flown with one parent each to New York City to compete in the CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Playoffs in late August 2011.
Each finalist will receive a Trek bicycle and a Bell helmet, the four runners-up will each win a $1,000 scholarship and the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
Phil Castello 