The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (CAHPERD) will be highlighting physical education excellence and promoting healthy, active lifestyles at the upcoming 2012 CAHPERD State Conference! Scheduled for February 23-26, 2012, at the Pasadena Convention Center, California, the 2012 CAHPERD Conference theme is, "Professional Excellence on Parade," and will feature an impressive assembly of statewide, national, and international fitness and wellness experts, leaders and celebrities.
The CAHPERD State Conference will also host the official, public, world premier/introduction of Konami Digital Entertainment's new "DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition," multi-player, physical activity game, on Friday, February 24, 2012, at 7:00 a.m. Like the traditional DDR experience of players moving to their favorite songs, the new DDR Classroom Edition can connect up to 48 mat controllers to one PC game for full class or after-school recreation participation. Research indicates that interactive, movement-based video games such as and especially DDR, greatly increases' students' Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity minutes, thus positively impacting students' overall health and fitness, and decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity. CAHPERD Conference attendees, regional students, celebrities and media representatives will be demonstrating the new DDR Classroom game for the first time in the Pasadena Convention Center.
To date, the 2012 CAHPERD State Conference Keynote speakers include: the President and Chief Executive Officer of The California Endowment, Dr. Robert Ross; Fitness Icon and "FIT Kids" Act Advocate Richard Simmons; internationally-acclaimed Researchers Dr. James Morrow of the Department of Health Promotion and Recreational Studies at the University of North Texas, and Dr. James Sallis of the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University, California; and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
On Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., CAHPERD invites the public to attend the presentation by Elaine LaLanne (Jack LaLanne's Wife of 51 years) as she presents the "CAHPERD Jack LaLanne Lifetime Achievement Award" to LaLanne Friend and FIT Kids Act proponent Richard Simmons. Following the presentation, Simmons will lead the group and members of the community in a fun and inspiring Simmons' workout!
The Conference will also celebrate and highlight the California Department of Education (CDE) and Superintendent Torlakson's recent launch of the new, "Team California for Healthy Kids," (TCHK) Initiative, providing in-depth programming, plenary sessions, and speakers such as Dr. Antronette "Toni" Yancey, Professor in the Department of Health Services, UCLA School of Public Health, and Co-Director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity; Dr. Bonnie Helpren, Professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Co-Director of Research for the Adolescent Medicine Fellowship; and Dr. Brian Cole, Project Manager of the UCLA School of Public Health's Health Impact Assessment Project, among others.
Also on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Pasadena Convention Center, CAHPERD will be hosting Physical-Activity Based Standards Workshops, instructing any/all educators or other professionals how to incorporate physical activity into all instruction - regardless of curriculum taught. Additionally, CAHPERD will be hosting other special certification opportunities including CPR and First Aid training, coaching and fitness certifications, and The First Tee National Schools Program certification. All educators may earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending the CAHPERD Conference.
From February 24-26, 2012, CAHPERD will present a variety of interactive and fun Conference sessions featuring research and best practices within the areas of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, presented by over 100 expert speakers. And when attendees are not enjoying sessions, CAHPERD will be hosting a terrific Dance Gala on Friday night in the beautiful Pasadena Civic Center Theater; a CAHPERD Awards Luncheon announcing California's "Teachers and Programs of the Year," and Jump Rope Team demonstrations on Saturday afternoon; and many Socials and meetings throughout the Conference.
Please note: the deadline for Pre-Registration has been extended to February 9, 2012 - register online today to take advantage of this reduced rate! Anyone with an interest in promoting healthy, active lifestyles will benefit from and enjoy the 2012 CAHPERD Conference experience! Online registrations are now available: www.cahperd.org! Reduced-rate hotel rooms for this Conference are limited; attendees are encouraged to act immediately to ensure hotel and conference registration is secured! Please check the CAHPERD website for more information: www.cahperd.org, and register today!
