Nationwide, fewer than 1 in 5 U.S. children get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. It’s a reality that, unfortunately, hasn’t improved in decades.
What if movement could feel less like exercise and more like an adventure?
That idea is at the heart of Westly’s Mile, a walking and running program that over the past four years has expanded from five to 20 elementary schools in West Orange County.
Healthy West Orange – fueled by the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange – facilitates Westly’s Mile alongside the American Heart Association. Designed for students of all fitness levels, the program encourages students to prioritize heart health through increased daily physical activity.
“It is an amazing addition to our school,” shares a teacher at one of our program schools. “It has brought opportunities for students to be active and socialize in a healthy, productive way before school.”
This past year was a banner year, with more than 2,000 students collectively logging more than 43,000 miles. That’s equivalent to circling the Earth nearly 1.75 times!
Research consistently shows that kids who are active feel better, have improved mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.
One parent adds about her son, “he has a sense of pride I haven’t seen before!”
This fall, we will be in 29 schools. Congratulations to all of our participating schools, students and their families!
- Atwater Bay Elementary School
- Bay Lake Elementary School
- Bay Meadows Elementary School
- Castleview Elementary School
- Citrus Elementary School
- Dr. Phillips Elementary School
- Frangus Elementary School
- Gotha Middle School
- Hiawassee Elementary School
- Independence Elementary School
- Lakeview Elementary School
- Lockhart Elementary School
- Maxey Elementary School
- Metro West Elementary School
- Ocoee Elementary School
- Palm Lake Elementary School
- Panther Lake Elementary School
- Phyllis Wheatley Elementary School
- Pine Hills Elementary School
- Sand Lake Elementary School
- Summer Lake Elementary School
- Sun Ridge Elementary School
- Sunset Park Elementary School
- Thornbrooke Elementary School
- Tildenville Elementary School
- Water Spring Elementary School
- Westpointe Elementary School
- Windermere Elementary School
- Windy Ridge K-8