Helping Every Child Find Their Inner Athlete

Greetings!

As students around the world head back to school, one thing is increasingly clear: children’s physical and mental health must be a priority and movement needs to be part of the solution.

In the U.S., the return of the Presidential Fitness Test is putting youth fitness back in the national spotlight. Globally, initiatives like the ISPO Excellence Awards are elevating ideas and innovations that help people live healthier, more active lives.

We know lasting behavior change requires both leadership from the top and action from the ground up. Schools and policymakers can create opportunities, but parents and communities help make movement a daily priority. Together, we can give children the healthy foundation they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

There is momentum. Now it’s time to turn that momentum into action.

THE WHY?

It’s Not Just About Teaching to the Test. It’s About Teaching the Whole Child.

With children’s physical and mental health moving in the wrong direction, we can’t afford to treat movement as optional.

The Presidential Fitness Test is more than a one-time assessment. When paired with a fun, engaging curriculum, it gives kids meaningful goals and a way to see their progress while building skills, strength, confidence, and motivation. By making physical health part of the school experience, we can help create the healthy foundation children need to learn, thrive, and succeed for life.

Functional Fitness Curriculum Update

From National Momentum to Local Action

Nearly Two Dozen Schools Are Ready to Put It Into Action

We’re excited to work with schools across the country this fall as they pilot our newly updated Functional Fitness Curriculum, designed to teach kids the skills included in the Presidential Youth Fitness Test while building strength, endurance, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.

Over 12 weeks, students learn and practice the skills, track their progress, work together and have fun along the way. Our pilot schools will also provide valuable feedback to help us continue strengthening the curriculum.

Interested in piloting the Functional Fitness Curriculum at your school? Let us know, we’d love to have you join us!

Our pilot schools will also help shape what comes next by sharing feedback, metrics and ideas as we continue to improve the curriculum

Learn More & Express Interest

Learn From the Best

Our skills come to life through professional coaches like Emily Rubera and accomplished collegiate athletes who demonstrate proper technique, share practical tips, and encourage students along the way.

We believe in the power of kids inspiring kids. High school and college athletes can be especially meaningful mentors and role models for younger students.

We’re especially proud to have former Active Kids & Minds (BOKS) participants like Grace Connolly and Nick Rinaldi returning as mentors, coming full circle to inspire the next generation.

As we grow, we hope to engage even more student-athletes and coaches to help kids build confidence, set goals, embrace challenges, and discover what their bodies are capable of.

Celebrating Excellence in Sport

Around the World

The ISPO Excellence Awards 2026 are shining a global spotlight on the innovations, ideas, products and services helping move sport and the outdoors forward. From fitness and wellness to technology, sustainability, retail and emerging business models, the awards recognize excellence and meaningful impact across the international sport industry.

There’s still time to enter the ISPO Excellence Awards 2026 the deadline has been extended to September 9.

Learn more and enter: https://www.ispo.com/ispo-awards

At Active Kids & Minds, we believe there is tremendous value in learning from and celebrating the people and organizations finding new ways to get people moving and create healthier, more active communities around the world.

See what’s shaping the future of sport.

Explore the ISPO Excellence Awards

GETTING STARTED

SHARE WITH A FRIEND - HOW TO GET STARTED!

Download the “How to Get Started” Kit Here

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS - PAST & PRESENT