VERNON, New Hampshire ??” Mountain Creek resort, Pace Institute of Karate, Skylands Ice World and Frontier Lanes have partnered to support the federal VERBTM youth marketing campaign with a promotion targeted at local third graders (age 8-9), with the goal of urging children, parents, teachers, counselors and the like, to encourage kids to get out and do something physical this winter.

VERBTM, which debuted in 2002, is a national, multicultural, social marketing campaign coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VERBTM was developed in response to the national epidemic of youth obesity. The VERBTM campaign encourages young people to be physically active every day. The campaign combines paid advertising, marketing strategies, and partnership efforts and has resulted in more than a 20% increase in youth activity, and has touched more than 79 million kids through its programs to date.

This type of program has proven to be highly successful in New York, New Hampshire, Utah, California and Maine resulting in increased knowledge and improved attitudes among youngsters about regular participation in physical activity, while helping to create more opportunities for participation in sports. It has also increased parental support and encouragement of their children’s participation in athletic activities. All of these factors help to improve the health and well-being of local children.

The local Third Grade Passport to Winter Fun Program was designed to reach the younger members of the group targeted by the VERBTM campaign, encouraging them to try out a new sport this winter with a deeply discounted or even free offer from the partners, valid through March. Passport Books including coupons for these offers are available on-site or at the Vernon PAL:
* Mountain Creek in Vernon has offered a one-hour after-school group lesson from 4:00-5:00pm on every Monday/Tuesday (non-holiday) for $10.00 (approximately a $69 value). This package will include a limited lift ticket, mini lesson and rentals. Reservations are required and can be made at 973-827-2000.
* Skylands Ice World in Stockholm has offered a skate session including skate rental & 2 games of laser tag for just $5 (a $20 value).
* Pace Institute of Karate in Vernon has offered a free one-month introductory karate lesson with official uniform (a $60 value).
* Frontier Lanes in Warwick has offered one free lesson clinic (by appointment only), plus free bowling shoes during open play, and one free weekday visit including two games and shoes (Monday-Thursday only).