The Tyson Fitness Challenge culminates on the 10th annual National Gymnastics Day, providing the ultimate opportunity to promote the ideals of physical fitness and community service to youth nationwide. Partnering with the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), gymnastics clubs are able to showcase their clubs’ talents while raising money for CMN. Remember that when you collect donations for the Children’s Miracle Network, the alliance of premier hospitals for children, 100% of the funds will support your local Children’s Miracle Network hospital This is your opportunity to show how fitness and fundraising go hand-in-hand!

To get started on participating in National Gymnastics Day, you need to register online at TysonFitnessChallenge.com to begin your fundraising efforts for CMN.

When making plans for National Gymnastics Day, there are many things that a club can do to celebrate the day. One of these is the annual Cartwheel-A-Thon. The Cartwheel-A-Thon allows gymnasts to obtain pledges from people in the community for the number of cartwheels they can perform on National Gymnastics Day. The proceeds of this event go to CMN. Clubs can also hold various open-house events to showcase their students’ talents. These open-houses can include demonstrations, clinics, picnics, a Cartwheel-A-Thon, raffles and various other festivities. Contact local businesses about donating items to raffle!

When planning your event, make sure your participants and observers are glad they came. If doing a Cartwheel-A-Thon, no one wants to just sit there and watch your students have all the fun. Provide refreshments, music, handout balloons, offer face- painting, or anything else that might add excitement to your event. National Gymnastics Day is a celebration of physical fitness and community service, so let’s celebrate!

Now that you’ve signed up for the Tyson Fitness Challenge, registered on our website TysonFitnessChallenge.com and shared your club’s program with others online, it’s time to spread the word in your community! Letting others know about the Tyson Fitness Challenge and the Children’s Miracle Network will help to increase excitement and support for your club’s activities on National Gymnastics Day.

As a registered participant, you have access to a world of promotional resources online. We’ve provided you with a sample press release, and now’s the time to use it. Contact local TV, radio, and newspapers, and let them know why fitness and fundraising go hand in hand. Our talking points are a great tool for you. These will prepare you for interviews and will help you to share your enthusiasm for encouraging healthy eating combined with physical activity among the youth in your community, as well as promoting the spirit of giving to the Children’s Miracle Network.

• Use the sample press release and tell your local media about your plans. This includes sending press releases, and creating newspaper and radio ads. (on the TFC site, click on the administrators login to access the resources section)

• Be prepared for the media. Review the talking points we have provided, and once it’s time for your event, create a good atmosphere for photos, and be hospitable toward them.

• Create flyers about your plans to post in your gym and around the community.

• Make sure all your students and their parents know about the plans. If parents and students are excited about National Gymnastics Day, the more successful it will be.

• After the event, send another press release to the media that did not attend your event. Provide all necessary information about the event (number of people attending, amount of money raised, day, time, activities that were held, quotes and pictures)

• USA Gymnastics is asking the clubs to obtain proclamations from all 50 states’ governors for National Gymnastics Day. You can also send the proclamation information found at http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/home/ngd/home.php to get your mayor to proclaim National Gymnastics Day in your town as well! Make sure to fax a copy of the proclamation to USA Gymnastics and we will post it on our website!

• Take pictures and notes during the day. Statistics such as the number of people in attendance and details about your activities will help you in your plans for next year and other press releases you write. Don’t forget to share your photos and memories with USA Gymnastics! Remember to submit stories and photos at clubservices@usa-gymnastics.org

For more information and ideas about the Tyson Fitness Challenge and National Gymnastics Day, email USA Gymnastics at clubservices@usa-gymnastics.org.