Action for Healthy Kids is a nonprofit organization that is helping schools teach kids how to eat right, be active every day, and be ready to learn. They are also involved in combating childhood obesity and undernourishment.1

In 2002, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher gave a public call to action to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity. In response, Action for Healthy Kids was formed by a small group of national associations, organizations, and individuals. These founding members were from the areas of nutrition, fitness, health, and education and were interested in creating healthy learning environments for children in the schools.

• 1. “About Us.” Action for Healthy Kids. < http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/about-us/ > 30 Sep. 2011.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation seeks to reduce childhood obesity by 2015 through empowering children to make healthy lifestyle choices. Realizing that in the United States 1 in 3 children between the ages of 2-19 are overweight or obese,1 they are employing a multi-directional approach by including homes, schools, doctor's offices, and communities in their programs.

• 1. “Childhood Obesity – An American Epidemic.” Alliance for a Healthier Generation. < http://www.healthiergeneration.org/about.aspx?id=3439 > 20 Jan. 2012.

America Bikes is a coalition of seven biking organizations united to advocate for recognition of bicycling needs in the United States. The America Bikes Board of Directors includes a leader from each of the member organizations: the Adventure Cycling Association, the Alliance for Biking & Walking, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, Bikes Belong Coalition, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the League of American Bicyclists, and the National Center for Bicycling & Walking.1

• 1. “America Bikes Board of Directors.” America Bikes. < http://www.americabikes.org/about/board/ > 13 Nov. 2011.

America Walks is a nonprofit coalition of independent organizations dedicated to creating communities where walking is a safe and comfortable choice for all people to “work, study, shop, play, and pray.”1 The coalition supports local pedestrian advocacy groups, educates the public about the benefits of walking, and speaks as a collective, national voice for transforming America's transportation system.2

• 1. “America Walks: Strategic Campaign Plan 2011-2013.” America Walks. < http://americawalks.org/wp-content/upload/America-Walks.Strategic-Plan.Adopted.pdf > 28 Oct. 2011.
• 2. “What is America Walks?” America Walks. < http://americawalks.org/about/what-is-america-walks/ > 28 Oct. 2011.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) was founded at Northwestern University in 1933 by seven orthopaedic surgeons in order to share orthopaedic knowledge. The name orthopaedics comes from the Greek root ortho (straight) and pais (child), because in the beginning the specialists treated children with spine and limb deformities. A bent tree that has been braced is the traditional symbol of orthopaedics. The AAOS mission statement is to “champion the interests of patients and advance the highest quality musculoskeletal health.”1

• 1. “Mission.” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. < http://aaos.org/about/mission.asp > 3 Sept.

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) is a professional organization of educational leaders whose mission is to “support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.”1 With over half of their members serving as superintendents and more than one third administrators,2

• 1. “10-Year Study on the American School Superintendent Released.” American Association of School Administrators. < http://www.aasa.org/content.aspx?id=17280 > 3 Dec. 2012.
• 2. “AASA Partners.” American Association of School Administrators.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) began in 1899 with eleven members. With a mission “to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments,”1 membership has grown to over 18,000 members in all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and over 40 countries around the world.2

• 1. “Our Mission.” American Society of Landscape Architects. < http://www.asla.org/AboutJoin.aspx > 17 Oct. 2011.
• 2. “Frequently Asked Questions.” American Society of Landscape Architects. < http://www.asla.org/FAQAnswer.aspx?CategoryTitle=%20About%20the%20American%20Society%20of%20Landscape%20Architects&Category=3146#DispID3116 > 17 Oct.

When Anne Douglas saw the deplorable conditions of the school playgrounds in the Los Angeles area, she knew that she had to do something to help. So, in an effort to revitalize the playgrounds, she, along with her husband Kirk, funded a $1 million contribution to the Anne and Kirk Douglas Playground Award. They started this grant program in 1997 with the help of Anita May Rosenstein through the Wilbur May Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, and Richard Riordan, a former mayor of Los Angeles, through the Riordan Foundation. Together, they have restored and dedicated over 400 school playgrounds in the Los Angeles area.

The Association of Children's Museums began in 1962 as the American Association of Youth Museums (AAYM), an informal gathering of directors of children's museums who met to discuss their common purposes, problems, and issues.1

• 1. “History: Evolution of the American Association of Youth Museums (AAYM) to the Association of Children's Museums (ACM).” Association of Children's Museums. < http://www.childrensmuseums.org/about/history.htm > 29 June 2011.

The Atlanta Taskforce on Play (ATOP) is dedicated to educating people about the importance of play and to building more and better play spaces for the children of Atlanta, Georgia. They were formed in 2007 to satisfy one of the requirements for applying for KaBOOM!'s Playful City USA Award. Cynthia Gentry, a local artist and national play advocate, is the founding director.1

• 1. “Cynthia Gentry's Page.” PlayAtlanta. <http://playatlanta.ning.com/profile/lzjxti4mtoq8e> 30 Aug. 2011.

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative (BSI) is a partnership with private and public organizations for the purpose of “transforming schoolyards into dynamic centers for recreation, learning and community life.”1 Believing that the condition of the school grounds indicated the health of that community, BSI seeks to involve the local neighborhoods to create inviting public spaces for recreation and learning in all the schoolyards of Boston.

• 1. “History.” Boston Schoolyard Initiative. < http://www.schoolyards.org/about.history.html > 21 May 2012.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide a safe and affordable place for young people to gather during non-school hours and during summer vacation months. They seek to assist all young people “to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”1 Their core beliefs include providing hope, opportunity, character development, stable relationships with adult professionals, and a safe place to learn and grow.2

• 1. “Who We Are.” Boys & Girls Clubs of America. < http://www.bgca.org/newsevents/Pages/Media_Kit.aspx > 10 Oct. 2011.
• 2. “Our Mission.” Boys & Girls Clubs of America. < http://www.bgca.org/whoweare/Pages/Mission.aspx > 10 Oct. 2011.

Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, now known as The Strong, officially named their library and archive holdings the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play in 2009. With 130,000 volumes the library is “devoted to the intellectual, social, and cultural history of play.”1 They support the study of play through an interdisciplinary approach recognizing the “multifaceted and multigenerational scope of play.”2

• 1. “About.” Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play. < http://www.libraryandarchivesofplay.org/about > 4 April 2011.
• 2. “Collections.” Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play. < http://www.libraryandarchivesofplay.org/collections > 5 April 2011.

Camp Fire USA is a national youth development organization that serves boys and girls, with an emphasis on school aged children. They include all children - regardless of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, or disability - in their mission to build “caring, confident youth and future leaders.”1

• 1. “Mission/Core Values.” Camp Fire USA. < http://www.campfireusa.org/Mission_and_Core_Values.aspx > 17 Feb. 2012.

CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) is a coordinated school health program that focuses on physical activity, healthy food choices, and the prevention of tobacco use for children from preschool through 8thgrade. Utilizing classroom curriculum, physical education curriculum, child nutrition services programs, and a family Home Team program, CATCH improves children’s health behaviors and reduces the risk of childhood obesity.1

• 1. “CATCH Research and Development.” CATCH: Coordinated Approach to Child Health. < http://catchinfo.org/catch-research-and-development/ > 8 Feb. 2012.

The Charleston Park Angels are volunteers who manage the Charleston Park Conservancy (CPC) Garden in the Parks program. Their manifesto begins with, “We are the people of Charleston – The historic, the proud” and ends with, “We come together to improve, to preserve, to share our parks in a way that is worthy of our beautiful city. We honor the past; we preserve the present; we celebrate the future; We are the Park Angels of Charleston. Our City. Our Parks. Our Pride. Our Mission.”1

• 1. “Manifesto.” Charleston Park Conservancy. < http://www.charlestonparksconservancy.org/community/manifesto/ > 13 Jan. 2012.

Child's Play is a “gamer-run” nonprofit organization which coordinates game and toy donations for children’s hospitals worldwide. By providing videogame consoles, videogames, videos, coloring books, cartoons, books, and arts and crafts supplies, the organization seeks to ameliorate the stress of long-term hospitalization for the children and their families.1

• 1. “Giving to Charity This Year Is 'Child's Play' - Successful Video Game Charity Launches 2004 Effort.” Prnewswire. < http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/giving-to-charity-this-year-is-childs-play---successful-video-game-charity-launches-2004-effort-74438572.html > 18 Nov.

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) started in 1968 as a gathering of consumer minded non-profit organizations. Today approximately 280 organizations have joined to gather information, analyze a broad range of consumer issues, and report to the public and government policy makers their findings and recommendations.

With a combined membership of over 50 million people, CFA focuses on four areas: advocacy, research, education and service. Based in Washington, DC, they lobby to further pro-consumer policies in Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, state legislatures, and the courts.

The nonprofit organization, Empower Playgrounds, Inc. (EPI), is providing electricity-generating playground equipment to villages in Ghana that are too remote to be on their nation's electricity grid. The school children gain a playground as well as safe, rechargeable LED lanterns to light their homes so they can do their homework. Additionally, the play equipment doubles as part of a hands-on science lab which brings science concepts into their daily lives.1

• 1. “This is our mission.” Empower Playgrounds. < http://www.empowerplaygrounds.org/ > 25 Nov. 2011.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an initiative to empower youths to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their schools, which will improve their own health. The youth-led program is a joint venture of National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL). Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to address increasing childhood obesity, and recognizes that, “well-nourished kids tend to be better students, and physical activity supports learning.”1

• 1. “Fuel Up to Play 60 Guidebook.” Fuel Up to Play 60. < http://school.fueluptoplay60.com/documents/FUTP60_Guidebook.pdf > 14 Feb. 2012.

Good Sports, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts. With the sponsorship support of Spalding, Good Sports began by supplying 500 basketballs to 2,000 disadvantaged children.1 Thus began their mission of encouraging healthy, active lifestyles in disadvantaged youths, aged 5-18 years old, through the distribution of sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to community sports organizations and health centers.2

• 1. “Melissa T. Harper.” National Recreation Foundation. <http://www.nationalrecreationfoundation.org/crawford-winner> 13 April 2011.
• 2. “What We Do!” Good Sports. <http://www.goodsports.org/aboutus.shtml> 13 April 2011.

Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood is a nonprofit conservation organization focused on “bringing children and nature back together” as a crucial step in raising a new generation of conservation-minded adults.1 Their work is based on research that shows frequent, unstructured childhood play in natural settings to be the most common influence on adult conservation values, while it also supports the healthy social, emotional, intellectual, creative, and physical development of children.

• 1. “Welcome to Green Hearts!” Green Hearts Inc. < http://www.greenheartsinc.org/ > 21 March 2012.

Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC) supports schools and communities in educating kids and their families to “Eat, Move, and Enjoy a Healthy Balance.”1 Led by registered, licensed dietitians, this nonprofit organization utilizes school curriculum, workshops, presentations, events, and distance assistance tools, such as their website and newsletters. Their focus is on making healthy eating and active play practices become attractive, simple, and fun for kids.2

• 1. “How HKC Works to Help Kids.” Healthy Kids Challenge. < http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/about-us/how-hkc-works > 27 Oct. 2011.
• 2. “What is Healthy Kids Challenge.” Healthy Kids Challenge. < http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/about-us/what-healthy-kids-challenge > 27 Oct. 2011.

HIGH FIVE is Canada’s quality standard for children’s sport and recreation. The standard focuses on helping organizations enhance the quality of their sport and recreation programs and providing positive experiences for children – experiences that will remain with them for a lifetime.1

HIGH FIVE was founded by Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) after a desire by the Ontario government to standardize and regulate the delivery of children’s programs in the recreation sector within the province. There was a need for an innovative approach that was research based and could be the ‘seal of approval’ for quality service delivery of children’s programs. 

• 1. “What is HIGH Five.” HIGH FIVE. < http://www.highfive.org/what-high-five > 21 May 2013.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is an international trade association for all permanently sited amusement facilities such as amusement and theme parks, family entertainment centers, museums and science centers, zoos and aquariums, water parks and resorts, casinos, and the amusement industry manufacturers and suppliers.1 They are an industry resource for improving efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability as well as being a united advocate with local, national, and international media and government officials.

• 1. “About IAAPA.” IAAPA. < http://www.iaapa.org/about-iaapa > 26 Nov. 2012

The International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) is a not-for-profit worldwide toy industry association. They are committed to facilitate the exchange of information on toy industry issues, to promote universal toy safety standards, to reduce or eliminate trade barriers, and to advance manufacturing programs that address fair and lawful employment practices, workplace safety, and environmental concerns.1

• 1. “What is ICTI?” ICTI, International Council of Toy Industries. < http://www.toy-icti.org/about/whatis.html > 21 March 2012.

The International Play Association (IPA) World is a global non-government organization that protects, preserves, and promotes the child's fundamental human right to play. IPA World identifies negative trends affecting children's development worldwide and proposes remedies that involve better housing and community planning and meeting the children's needs for health, education, welfare, and leisure.1 It is particularly concerned where these needs are met through play.

• 1. “IPA Declaration of the Child's Right to Play.” IPA World. < http://ipaworld.org/category/about-us/ > 8 Sep. 2011.

The International School Grounds Alliance (ISGA) is a global network of organizations and professionals dedicated to improving the design and utilization of school grounds in order to enrich children's learning and play. They believe that “school grounds are crucial childhood landscapes, both in terms of the considerable time spent there and the messages to children (both explicit and implicit) that come from their design and care.”1

• 1. “New international group forms to address an increasingly sedentary and risk-averse generation of children disconnected from nature.” International School Grounds Alliance. Press release April 24, 2012. < http://www.schoolyards.org/pdf/ISGA_PressRelease_4-24-12.pdf > 21 May 2012.

KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Darell Hammond and Dawn Hutchison. Since 1996, Darell has served as CEO and led KaBOOM! in raising more than $200 million to build more than 2,000 playgrounds with help from more than 1 million volunteers with the playgrounds annually serving more than 5.5 million children.

The name according to Darell refers to “an explosion of hope and opportunity and possibility and what can be.”1 The vision of the organization was a great place to play within walking distance of every child. This was to be achieved through the partnering with communities and their leaders.

• 1. Hunter, Jeff. “The Chief Executive of Play.” Today’s Playground. May 2001.

Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) is a nonprofit organization that gives children and teens impacted by poverty and tragedy new kid-essential products that are vital to their self-esteem. K.I.D.S. ships and delivers products directly to impoverished children through a network of local partner agencies located in all 50 states. 

For every $1 raised, K.I.D.S. provides $10 worth of product. The nonprofit receives both financial and product donations directly from companies, foundations, and individuals. 

Learning Structures began in 1971 when a young architect named Christopher “Kit” Clews was smitten by a young schoolteacher. The teacher asked Kit if he could design a playground for $100. Using friends, family, and parents of the children who attended the school, Kit designed and constructed a playground and came in under budget! Word spread among the teaching community in New Hampshire, and soon Kit began taking requests for custom-designed adventure playscapes all across New England. The schoolteacher became Mrs. Noele Clews.

Let’s Move! is a campaign by First Lady Michelle Obama dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Mrs. Obama began a national discussion about the health and nutrition of America’s children when she broke ground on the White House Kitchen Garden with local elementary school students. Further conversations on the subject grew into the Let’s Move! initiative that was launched February 9, 2010, at the White House.1

• 1. “America’s Move to Raise A Healthier Generation of Kids.” Let’s Move! < http://www.letsmove.gov/about.php > 10 Feb. 2011.

On June 1, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move Outside! initiative, a new component of her Let’s Move! campaign. Designed to support President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative that had been announced two months previously, Let's Move Outside! promotes outdoor physical activity for families and children.1 This new emphasis on outdoor activities came after research linked children's overall health with their time in nature.2

• 1. “News Release: Let's Move Outside!” Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior. < http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Lets-Move-Outside.cfm# > 22 June 2011.
• 2. Lipman, Suz. “First Lady Says Let's Move...Outside!” Field Notes from the Future. 28 May 2010.

In 1997, Coach Eddie Bagwell of the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA) Conyers, Georgia invited a 7 year old child confined to a wheelchair to participate in the game. Michael had attended every game and practice while cheering on his 5 year old brother. The next year, the RYBA gave other children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball within their complex of typical baseball diamonds. Participants expressed a desire for uniforms, to make plays in the field, and to round the bases like other players. That year their league began with 35 players on 4 teams.

Since there were no established programs for offering baseball to children with disabilities, they decided on the following guidelines for the players and games:

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), headquartered in Reston, Virginia, is the largest of the five professional organizations within the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). As a nonprofit membership association they “enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high quality physical education, sport, and physical activity programs.”1 The association offers an array of informational conferences, valuable resources, and grants and awards to its members.

• 1. “Mission and Strategic Plan.” National Association for Sport and Physical Education. < http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/about/mission.cfm > 14 July 2011.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) was founded in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. What started with 51 principals grew in the next five years to include 3,000 members. Today NAESP, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, represents nearly 30,000 elementary school and middle school principals.1

• 1. “History.” National Association of Elementary School Principals. < http://www.naesp.org/history-1 > 21 Sep. 2010.

In 1985, the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) establish a program addressing the problem of injury directly. With funding from the United States Department of Transportation, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) was begun in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1990, the Injury Control Act of Congress placed the NCIPC directly under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where it remains today. The NCIPC is also known as the CDC’s Injury Center. They are organized with a Director over three main divisions:  Division of Injury Response, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, and Division of Violence Prevention.

The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) is a network of organizations that are working together to establish policies that “improve the public's health and prevent and manage chronic diseases through increased levels of physical activity.”1 While they don't believe they can mandate or regulate changes in individual's behaviors, they do believe that local, state, and national policy changes can make communities more conducive to physical activity.2

• 1. “Policy Framework & Platform.” National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity. < http://www.ncppa.org/policy/platform/ > 30 Sep. 2011.
• 2. “National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.” National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) is a national probability sample of emergency room visits involving injuries. From this sampling, a national estimate is made concerning the total number of injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms.1

• 1. “National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) On-line.” US Consumer Product Safety Commission. < http://www.cpsc.gov/library.neiss.html > 29 June 2011.

The National Institute for Play was founded by Dr. Stuart Brown. Dr. Brown trained in general medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry and clinical research. He first realized the importance of play when studying a group of homicidal males. He concluded that the absence of play could have dangerous long-term consequences.1

Dr. Brown also became aware that the actual science of play was expanding. However, at that time, the play-related research was disorganized and deficient in measuring factors that were clinically easy to observe. It was obvious to Dr. Brown that a larger and more professional organization was needed.

• 1. “Our Founder, Dr. Stuart Brown.” National Institute for Play. < http://nifplay.org/about_us.html > 16 Aug. 2010.

The National Museum of Play is one of America’s largest history museums and the nation’s second largest children's museum.1 With a vast collection of dolls, toys, and games, it is dedicated to exploring “play and the ways in which it encourages learning, creativity, and discovery and illuminates cultural history.” The museum also seeks to communicate the “critical role of play in human physical, social, and intellectual development.”2

• 1. “Margaret Woodbury Strong.” The Strong. < http://www.thestrong.org/about-us/margaret-woodbury-strong > 4 April. 2011.
• 2. “Mission.” The Strong. < http://www.thestrong.org/about-us/mission > 4 April 2011.

With the new guidelines for public playground equipment being published during the 1980s, the need for a playground safety training program became apparent to Fran Wallach, Ken Kutska, and Monty Christiansen. As members of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), these three industry leaders met with the NRPA Executive Director in 1989 concerning a training program under NRPA to establish the playground safety standards of the ASTM International (ASTM) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as “best practice” for safety compliance in designing and operating public playgrounds.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) was created on August 14, 1965, when five national park and recreation organizations merged to form one united agency.1 What started as a joining of like-minded organizations continues to be a center for connecting advocates, suppliers, professionals, and government leaders concerning the vital role of parks and recreation.

• 1. The five forming organizations were the National Recreation Association (NRA), the American Institute of Park Executives (AIPE), the American Recreation Society (ARS), the National Conference on State Parks (NCSP), and the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (an affiliate of AIPE).

The National Recreation Association was originally called the Playground Association of America (PAA), which was formed in 1906 to further the playground movement in America. Over the years the mission of the organization shifted from playgrounds to emphasize a broad spectrum of recreation activities for all ages and abilities.

A group of industrial leaders from the Midwest met in 1912 because of their concern about safety in the U.S. workplace. They came to the conclusion that there should be an organization to promote safety. A year later in Chicago on October 13, the National Council for Industrial Safety was founded at the Second Safety Congress in New York City with 200 attendees. In order to broaden the scope and to include non-industrial safety issues, the name of the organization was changed to the National Safety Council (NSC) the following year.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is dedicated to protecting and restoring wildlife habitat in order to leave a legacy of healthy wildlife for the next generation. Built on a network of state affiliates, the National Wildlife Federation “encourages sustainable conservation policy and promotes transparent natural resource management.”1

• 1. “National Wildlife Federation Today.” National Wildlife Federation. < http://www.nwf.org/About/History-and-Heritage/NWF-Today.aspx > 11 Oct.

As a collection of landscape architects, community planners, environmentalists, and early childhood educators, the Nature Action Collaborative for Children (NACC) is dedicated to re-connecting children with the natural world. Recognizing that children worldwide face societal, technological, and environmental conditions that are adversely affecting their physical and mental health, NACC is providing nature education resources to enrich their daily lives.

Children & Nature Network and ecoAmerica founded Nature Rocks in 2009, a national program to facilitate families in playing and exploring nature together.1 They were initially funded and/or supported by The Nature Conservancy, REI Inc., The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the American Heart Association. Later these partners were joined by The American Camp Association, Richard Louv, and The Flora Family Foundation.2

• 1. “Nature Rocks.” ecoAmerica, start with people. < http://www.ecoamerica.org/programs/nature-rocks > 26 June 2011.
• 2. “About Nature Rocks.” Nature Rocks, Let's Go Explore. < http://www.naturerocks.org/about.aspx > 7 June 2011.

The New Games Foundation was an organization that hosted free community play events in parks where everyone was encouraged to “Play Hard. Play Fair. Nobody Hurt.” They believed that physical play was vital for everyone, that no one should be left out of the activity, that little or no equipment is required, and that the rules of play should be “dirt simple and fun.” While they believed that competition and cooperation should co-exist, winning or losing was not important. Rather, the process of play was emphasized as games were readily adapted or changed to fit the circumstances.1

• 1. “The History of the New Games Foundation.” Yehuda. < http://jergames.blogspot.com/2008/02/history-of-new-games-foundation.html > 16 Jan. 2012.

Operation Playground was founded as a humanitarian effort to construct or rebuild playgrounds in Thailand following the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia in December 26, 2004. The founder of Operation Playground is John Moretti, who as an international photographer felt compelled to go to Thailand after the tsunami. As he helped rebuild the devastated homes and buildings, he became aware of the affect the tsunami was having on the children. Wanting to help their situation, he returned to the United States to initiate Operation Playground to raise funds to rebuild playgrounds lost in the tsunami.1

• 1. “Our Mission.” Operation Playground. < http://operationplayground.org/index.html > 27 Jan. 2011.

The Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with the common interest in expanding the number and quality of opportunities for children, youth, and families to connect with the outdoors. It was formed in June 2010 through partnerships with the Children & Nature Network, YMCA of the USA, REI, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, The Outdoor Foundation, and National Recreation and Park Association.1

• 1. Franz, Betsy. “Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) helps connect kids, families and nature.” Nature Examiner. June 3, 2010.

Park Prescriptions is a movement to create a healthier population by strengthening the connection between the healthcare system and public lands across the country. With parks, healthcare providers, and public health agencies working together to promote physical activity, good nutrition, and improved health, these partnerships encourage the doctor-patient relationship to consider how outdoor physical activity can be included in the treatment of health issues resulting from inactivity and poor nutrition.1

• 1. “Park Prescriptions: Resources for Good Health from the Great Outdoors.” American Trails. < http://www.americantrails.org/resources/health/Park-Prescriptions-Health-Great-Outdoors.html > 5 Aug. 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama announced the Let's Move campaign against childhood obesity on February 9, 2010. That same day the organization of the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) was also announced. PHA was organized to support the Let's Move campaign by “encouraging, tracking, and communicating commitments to healthier lifestyles from partner organizations.”1

• 1. Bryan, Clifford. “Michelle Obama announces chairs partnership for healthy America.” Michelle Obama Examiner. < http://www.examiner.com/michelle-obama-in-national/michelle-obama-announces-chairs-partnership-for-healthy-america > 5 Aug. 2011.

PlayCore, the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), and American Trails joined together to create Pathways for Play, a program to create walking, hiking, and biking trails that have “play pockets” along the way. These play opportunities vary in size and contain a mix of natural and manufactured play elements, which are linked by pathways, greenways, trails, or sidewalks to encourage continuous movement.1

• 1. “About Pathways for Play.” Pathways for Play. < http://www.pathwaysforplay.org/about.aspx > 22 June 2011.

Playful City USA, sponsored by the Humana Foundation, is an application-based national recognition program honoring cities and towns that make play a priority and use innovative programs to get children active, playing, and healthy. Playful City USA communities make a commitment to play and physical activity by developing unique local action plans to increase the access to play in their community. In doing so, some of the most innovative concepts and cost-effective programs are being developed in Playful City USA communities. KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving play, created Playful City USA in 2007 to help local governments address the Play Deficit.1

• 1. “Playful City USA Program Details.” KaBOOM!.

Playground Builders is a nonprofit registered charity dedicated to building playgrounds in war-torn areas in the world. They believe that playgrounds are places where “kids can be kids, community members can feel connected and empowered, new possibilities find a strong foundation and peace and hope begins.”1 With a motto of “Creating Play, Building Hope”2

• 1. “About Playground Builders.” Playground Builders. < http://www.playgroundbuilders.org/about-playground-builders > 1 Oct. 2012.
• 2. Anthony, Leslie. “Pique-n yer interest.” The Pique. 20 Oct. 2010. < http://www.playgroundbuilders.org/piqueinterest_oct20_10.pdf > 1 Oct.

Trevor Field of South Africa watched as a group of African women waited for a wind to provide power for a windmill-driven pump so they could get water. In rural areas in Africa with lack of access to electricity to pump water, Trevor saw the plight of women and young girls as they waited for windmill-driven pumps or traveled distances to get water for their families, which was often not clean water. Because young girls are tasked with getting water, they often have a disproportionate disadvantage for an education.1

• 1. Murray, Ben. “Children's Merry-Go-Round Inspires Idea for Water Pump Systems in Africa.” TakePart. < http://www.takepart.com/news/2009/11/19/childrens-merry-go-round-inspires-ideas-for-water > 27 Feb. 2011.

Playwork is the support given by adults in an unobtrusive way of children’s open-ended, creative free play. During a play session, Playworkers are available to assist a child if needed, but strive to be as inconspicuous as possible to allow the children to direct their own play. Playworkers promote an adventuresome place for them to play, while keeping a watchful eye on them for their safety.1

• 1. Leichter-Saxby, Morgan. “What is Play? And Playwork?” Playeverything. < http://playeverything.wordpress.com/what-is-play/ > 3 Dec. 2010.

The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a nonprofit interactive museum for young children, which provides “learning opportunities through play” that lead to a “lifetime of learning and cultural awareness.”1 Their mission centers around being: playful and fun, creative and innovative, educational, safe and clean, diverse, child-centered, family-focused, and collaborative.2

• 1. “About Us.” Please Touch Museum. < http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/about-us/ > 29 July 2012.
• 2. “Mission.” Please Touch Museum. < http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/about-us/mission/ > 11 July 2012.

Pop-Up Adventure Play (PUAP) is a “start-up social enterprise” that advocates and serves as a catalyst for play opportunities for children, families, and communities. PUAP’s work is greatly influenced by the international adventure playground movement and the United Kingdom’s profession of playwork. Operating primarily in the United States and the UK, the mission of PUAP is “to advocate for children’s hands-on and self-directed play within communities of supportive adults.”1

• 1. “Join the Movement!” Pop-Up Adventure Play. < http://www.popupadventureplay.org/ > 1 Feb. 2012.

Founded in 1990, Project Fit America (PFA) is a national non-profit public charity committed to physical fitness for children. Sponsored by numerous hospitals, foundations, and health organizations, Project Fit America donates to schools, grades K-8, broad-based fitness programs, which is in over 750 schools across the United States.1

• 1. “Who We Are.” Project Fit America. < http://www.projectfitamerica.org/who_are_we.html > 24 Jan. 2011.

Rachel's Challenge is a nonprofit organization that offers a series of school, business, and community programs and workshops modeled after the life of Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. Their mission is to “inspire, equip, and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.”1

• 1. “Rachel's Challenge Mission.” Rachel's Challenge. < http://www.rachelschallenge.org/LearnMore/OurMission.php > 27 Feb. 2011.

Restore Hockey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the sport of hockey financially accessible to children through the recycling of hockey equipment, financial donations for new equipment packages, partnerships with businesses and leagues, and the proceeds from their Pro Shop. As hockey is the most expensive of the major North American sports, their goal is to provide the equipment so all children have a “chance to fall in love with the game.”1

• 1. “Recycle the Game.” Restore Hockey – A Division of Restore Sports, Inc. < http://www.restorehockey.org/page/show/266503-recycle-the-game > 18 Jan. 2012.

Safe Kids USA started as the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, a U.S. nonprofit organization, which was founded by Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D. and Herta Feely in 1988. Dr. Eichelberger, as head of the emergency trauma unit at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, saw many injuries to children that could have been prevented.1 Unintentional childhood injury is the leading cause of death and disability for children under the age of 14. At that time, there were no programs to prevent childhood injuries before they happened. The organization’s founding sponsor was Johnson & Johnson.

• 1. Hunter, Jeff. “National Safe Kid Campaign looks to Expand into Playground Safety.” Today’s Playground, March 2001. p. 50.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership is a network of organizations dedicated to creating “safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools.”1 In doing so, they seek to reduce traffic congestion, improve the air quality around schools due to the reduction of traffic, and to increase children's activity and thereby reduce the risk of obesity and obesity-related health problems.2

• 1. “Quick Facts.” Safe Routes to School National Partnership. < http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/mediacenter/quickfacts > 10 Oct. 2011.
• 2. Ibid.

Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, the Schoolyard Habitats program reconnects children to nature through outdoor classroom environments that attract and support local wildlife. Wildlife habitats on school grounds encourage students to use their academic skills, curiosity, and creativity to learn about local ecosystems and wildlife species.

When Shane Alexander was born to Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams in 1997, he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which prohibited him from moving or breathing on his own. He died a few weeks later from this genetic disorder. Had he lived, he would have been confined to a wheelchair.1

• 1. “Our History.” Shane’s Inspiration. < http://shanesinspiration.org/content/view/15/37/ > 16 Feb. 2011.

Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) promotes land development and management practices that are sustainable through generating less waste, minimizing impact on the landscape, and by using less energy, water, and natural resources. SITES is developing a national, voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes and thus defining and quantifying sustainability for “those who design, construct, operate and maintain landscapes.”1

• 1. “About Us.” Sustainable Sites Initiative. < http://www.sustainablesites.org/about/ > 3 Nov. 2011.

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) is a professional organization whose purpose is threefold: to promote the study of play, to support and cooperate with other similar organizations, and to organize meetings and publications in order to disseminate information related to play.1 Their multi-disciplinary focus includes such fields as biology, anthropology, cultural studies, ecology, education, folklore, history, kinesiology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, recreation, and the arts.

• 1. “TASP Membership Forms & Dues.” TASP, The Association for the Study of Play. < http://www.tasplay.org/membership.html > 1 June 2011.

After a lifetime of collecting dolls and toys, in 1968 Margaret Woodbury Strong created the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum of Fascination in her home in Rochester, New York. For more than a decade Margaret had been conducting official and unofficial tours of her collections, so she named the official museum after the way her guests would often describe her collections.1 She hoped her museum would “fascinate, educate, and entertain.”2

• 1. “Margaret Woodbury Strong.” The Strong. < http://www.thestrong.org/about-us/margaret-woodbury-strong > 4 April. 2011.
• 2. About Us.” The Strong. < http://www.thestrong.org/about-us > 4 April 2011.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an agency that was created in l972 and began operations in 1973. The main purpose of this agency is to protect the public from unnecessary harm or death from consumer products. They have thousands of consumer products that are under their jurisdiction. This Agency is headed by five commissioners that are nominated by the President of the U.S. and then confirmed by the Senate. The President appoints a Chairman of the Agency, and the terms are for seven staggered years. These commissioners set policy for the CPSC.

The US Play Coalition is a partnership to promote the value of play throughout one’s life. It consists of individuals and organizations that recognize play as a valuable and necessary part of a healthy and productive life. This very young organization is housed within Clemson University’s College of Health, Education and Human Development. The coalition is fortunate to have Clemson University and the College of Park, Recreation and Tourism Managements’ continuing support.

We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition)® is a national education program for parents, caregivers, and communities that assists children 8 to 13 years of age to obtain and maintain a healthy weight.  Through national news and events, partnerships with corporations and organizations, and community action, We Can! is dedicated to helping families “eat right, get active, and reduce screen time.”1

• 1. “About We Can!” National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. < http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/about-wecan/index.htm > 8 Feb. 2012.

Women in Toys (WIT) is a professional mentoring and networking organization for women and men within the toy, entertainment, and licensing industries. As a global organization they support and celebrate achievements of women while providing resources, access, information, and recognition for “ingenuity, resourcefulness and creativity” of both men and women in the industry.1

• 1. “About.” Women in Toys. < http://womenintoys.com/about/ > 6 Feb. 2013.

George Williams, who found himself among the temptations of 1844 London, England, organized the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) as a refuge from the large, industrial city's streets. Focusing on Bible study, prayer, and social needs, the YMCA crossed social and religious lines among displaced youths offering safe housing and a better environment from the turmoil of the times.1

• 1. “The Story of our Founding.” The Y. < http://www.ymca.net/history/founding.html > 1 April 2011.