Posted on Jul 02, 2009
Halifax, NS – Community Access Program (C@P) sites across the province will be organizing friendly walking challenges for Nova Scotians through July and August, part of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Walkabout pedometer lending program.
“We are partnering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to make pedometers more accessible to communities,” said Jeremy Moule, C@P Technology Facilitation Officer. “Many communities do not have access to fitness facilities where residents can exercise; however, walking can be done almost anywhere, and it is free, fun, safe, and accessible to almost anyone.”
“This summer we are asking people to take part in a fun walking challenge at their local C@P sites,’’ said Moule. “People will be able to sign out pedometers at their local C@P site and, at that time, they will be given instruction on how to log their steps online, and will be provided other materials.”
C@P sites are safe and friendly places Nova Scotians can go to access the internet and computers. There are 244 C@P sites across the province – one in almost every community –located in places such as libraries, schools and community centres.
C@P sites want to challenge the communities they serve to become more physically active. Heart&Stroke Walkabout, a walking initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, recently launched a pedometer lending program with provincial libraries. The program is funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada and Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection. C@P sites are the latest partners to come onboard and will provide many more locations for Nova Scotians to borrow local pedometers for three-week time periods.
“Heart&Stroke Walkabout aims to support Nova Scotians to walk more, and partnering with groups such as C@P sites and provincial libraries allows us to create more opportunities for Nova Scotians to access pedometers easily and frequently,” explained Melinda Norris, Walkabout project manager with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. “Research shows that having access to resources such as pedometers and step-tracking can be a powerful motivator. From there, people can also discover the many other benefits of walking – physical, mental, social and environmental – and we think they’ll be hooked.“
The challenge will take place between the end of June and August 28th. Winners will be divided into three categories: the most steps by an individual; the highest average steps per person by a C@P site; and the highest average steps per person by a C@P region. When the contest ends, winners will be determined and prizes will be provided through the C@P program. The first- place prize for the individual category will be a 32 GB iPod Touch valued at $450 and the second prize winner will receive a 120 GB iPod classic valued at $300. The winning C@P site will receive a $750 voucher to purchase an item for their C@P site and the second place winner will win a $500 voucher. The winning C@P region will receive a $1,500 voucher to purchase an item for their region and the second place winner will receive a $1,000 voucher. Contest rules and registration are available at local C@P sites, or at www.nscap.ca.
To find out more about C@P’s walking challenge, visit www.nscap.ca or your local C@P site. Pedometer kits can also be borrowed from all Nova Scotia provincial libraries. For more information on Heart&StrokeWalkabout and pedometer lending, visit www.walkaboutns.ca. Visitors can sign up for free and use the site to track walking steps, create walking groups and walking routes.
-30-
For more information:
C@P community walking challenge
Jeremy Moule C@P Technology Facilitation Officer
Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development
424-2660
[email protected]
Heart&Stroke Walkabout
Jolene Titus, Communications Manager
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia
423-7682 x 315
[email protected]
About C@P
The Community Access Program (C@P) is a Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, which aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively. With the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools, volunteer groups and the business community, C@P helps Canadians, wherever they live, take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global-based economy. For more information visit www.nscap.ca.
About Heart&Stroke WalkaboutTM
Heart&Stroke WalkaboutTM is helping build a culture of walking in Nova Scotia. The initiative includes an interactive website for users to track their walking steps and to create walking groups; a pedometer lending program with libraries and C@P sites and a social marketing campaign focused on the benefits of walking. Heart&Stroke Walkabout is led by the Foundation in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection and the Ecology Action Centre. Walkabout is supported by Pfizer, the presenting sponsor, Nova Scotia Department of Health, Pharmasave, and Great West Life. For more information visit www.walkaboutns.ca.
Categorized under media release
