Partners: Spotlight Promotions
An action-packed day: 2004 Nebraska VERB Event
Lincoln, Nebraska
June 26, 2004
The Office of Women’s Health in the Nebraska Health and Human Services System
hosted an intergenerational conference for tween girls (ages 9–13) and the women
who care for them (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, etc.) in June 2004. To keep
within the spirit of the VERB brand, the tweens experienced the joys of physical
activity in breakout sessions just for them, while the parents had a more
educational experience through traditional presentation sessions.
Buddy Lee, of The Jump Rope Institute, and Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss
America 2001, entertained and inspired the tweens with a few motivational words
and lots of activity. Mr. Lee refereed a jump rope contest with many tweens from
the audience, and Ms. Perez Baraquio taught all the attendees a hula dance.
During the activity sessions, tweens practiced all types of dancing—hip hop,
clogging, Native American, stepping, Israeli, and drill team. Tapping into the
strong appeal of the high school and college sports teams, University of
Nebraska and local high school coaches and athletes worked with the tweens on
basketball, baton twirling, cheerleading, softball, and strength training skills.
Recognizing and rewarding physical activity, the tween participants received
cool VERB backpacks, pedometers, a jump rope and a physical activity log.
Over 400 participants attended the event, and most completed a pre- and post-
event survey, which indicated the event successfully increased tweens’
confidence and motivation to be physically active. The planning committee also
conducted focus groups with tweens across the state to shape the delivery of
this intervention.
The All Recreate Fridays movement after the VERB event helped to
sustain the positive outcomes of the event in middle schools across the state.
Kids participating in All Recreate Fridays are active at least 60 minutes
on Fridays through school, community, and family activities. Kids track their
time spent being active and receive cool prizes for their efforts.
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Page last reviewed: August 1, 2007
Page last modified: August 1, 2007
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health |
