HOST Members Offer Virtual Activity Programs and More Resources During COVID-19

Many HOST members have launched virtual activity programs for children and families, along with resource lists and webinars for out-of-school-time professionals, to support the goal of healthy eating and physical activity even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Webinars, Resources, and Information for OST Professionals

• The Food Research & Action Center is hosting a webinar about "Possibilities Through Partnership During COVID-19," on Thursday, April 16, 3:00 p.m. ET. Join in and learn about "promising partnerships between state agencies, school districts, program providers, food banks, and others that result in more children being reached by the child nutrition programs." Register here.
• Partnership for a Healthier America has launched an Industry Rapid Response conversation series, webinar discussions with industry experts on how they are responding to real-time changes to the landscape of food, health and wellness in America. Register or watch videos of previous ones. 
• The American Camp Association has created a COVID-19 Resource Center for Camps that includes information on health, wellness, virtual programming, and more.
• The National Farm to School Network is compiling resources related to COVID-19 that are relevant to the farm-to-school and farm-to-early-care-and-education communities, including ones on child nutrition programs and community gardening.
• The National Recreation and Park Association, along with more than 1000 groups nationwide, have issued a "Joint Statement on Using Parks and Open Space While Maintaining Physical Distancing."
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Blog looks at "The Impact of Changing SNAP and School Meals During COVID-19."
• Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry explains "What Coronavirus Means for Hungry Kids" and how you can help.
• YMCAs across the country are working to help meet children and families' increasing food needs during COVID-19.

Activities for Children and Families

• Action for Healthy Kids is offering a variety of at-home resources, including ones on school closures and food access, physical activity, and nutrition.
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation has posted several “Fitness Break” videos starring professional athletes to help children and families stay healthy at home.
• The Build Our Kids’ Success physical activity program is hosting at-home BOKS classes through Facebook Live every weekday at 12 p.m. ET.
• Playworks has launched #PlayAtHome, "free video tutorials of games that follow CDC guidelines and can be played at home with little to no equipment."
• Up2Us Sports has launched #Up2UsSportsAtHome, which provides "free resources, videos, and virtual training opportunities to help coaches keep their teams physically, socially, and emotionally healthy" during the pandemic.
• The National League of Cities shares ideas for "Connecting Children and Families to Nature During the Pandemic."

See also our first and second posts about how HOST members are responding to the pandemic.