When was the last time you built a snowman? How about building one for Canada 150? How about forming workplace teams and challenging employees to build snowmen and try more of the other 150 unique physical activities identified in the ParticipACTION 150 Play List that can keep people moving throughout Canada’s year of celebration? It’s a win-win proposition: it will boost company morale and camaraderie, and improve the health and well-being of individual employees. It’s also fun and free. And there are prizes.

What is the ParticipACTION 150 Play List?

The ParticipACTION 150 Play List offers companies a unique opportunity to celebrate Canada’s birthday and engage their employees in physical activities that will improve their health and fitness. The initiative gets its name from the selection of 150 physical activities, created from over 465,000 votes from people across Canada, that define our land and people – from sledge hockey to lacrosse to snow shoveling and more.

Companies can participate formally by staging events or informally by encouraging their employees to take part and complete as many events on the list as possible. As incentives to keep moving, individuals who register are eligible to win prizes in weekly, monthly and grand-prize draws. Companies can also promote competition within their organization and offer their own incentives as well.

The 150 Play List was created by ParticipACTION, a national non-profit organization that helps Canadians sit less and move more. Participation is free for both employers and individual participants. It provides a great opportunity for companies to enhance their wellness programs and get new, cost-effective ideas for future.

Is there support?

To get started, companies can follow the steps set out below to access the ParticipACTION 150 Play List Workplace Toolkit, which includes a free Playbook created in tandem with Tri Fit, an established provider of workplace health and fitness solutions. The Playbook includes resources and activities that are engaging and easy to implement. Suggested monthly activities are accessible and appropriate for a variety of skills, abilities, and workplaces – building a snowman is a suggestion for February. Activities don’t require a lot of space or special equipment.

Along with the Playbook, companies get tools to help engage employees and inspire them to move more at work, including:

• • A sample calendar of events – suggestions to keep the momentum alive all year.

• • A social kit – ready-made images and sample messages for social media channels.

• • Logos and iconography – to create promotional materials for the various sports and physical activities on the 150 Play List.

• • Printable poster and postcard – to promote events or encourage employees to register to be eligible to win prizes.

• • Brand guidelines – to steer the creation of new promotional materials.

• • Sample workplace communications – Word docs that can be personalized to facilitate communication with employees and organization leaders.

In addition, on request, Tri Fit can provide additional support to help bring the year-long program to life in the workplace. The Playbook includes a direct link to Tri Fit’s on-the-ground ParticipACTION 150 Play List support.

What is the scope?

The Play List initiative extends beyond individuals and the workplace. It challenges Canadians in communities and schools, and even abroad to see how many different activities they can complete before December 2, 2017. The initiative will travel. Official Tour Stops and community events are scheduled to happen across the country. Information about these events is available on the web and will be posted on social media, including both Facebook and twitter. Check the 150 Newsfeed for details or find the latest information at #150PlayList. Organizations, including companies, are also encouraged to use the media to spread the word about their own activities.

Why participate?

Most obviously, participate to celebrate Canada 150. Beyond the fun of celebrating are the workplace benefits of increased physical activity. Employees who are active are more productive and have fewer sick days. Companies that support health and well-being of their people are more likely to attract and retain employees while, at the same time, controlling health care costs. It is, as indicated, a win-win proposition.

What are the steps?

Get started by doing the following:

1. Register your workplace event or program: www.participaction.com/150/registermyorg.

2. Download your free Workplace Playbook to bring the ParticipACTION 150 Play List to life at your place of work and to access sample messaging to engage your employees: www.ParticipACTION.com/150/trifit

3. Encourage employees to register for the ParticipACTION 150 Play List as individuals to qualify for incentives and prizes and to stay motivated throughout the year: www.participaction.com/150/register

Get Canada moving in 2017!

P.S. With spring training in mind, “Let’s play ball” is the theme for activities in the month of March! bh