Get Up. Get Out. Get Active!

Fort Myers, FL, 2004

According to the Florida Department of Health, five of the six counties in Southwest Florida have childhood obesity rates between 30-37 percent. The region is also experiencing tremendous growth and population migration, but most residents are dependent on automobiles. Get Up. Get Out. Get Active! developed a plan to get children, families and individuals to include physical activity in their regular routine and to encourage people to get active and explore the natural spaces in Southwest Florida—from their yards and neighborhoods to the area's parks, preserves, rivers and beaches.

WGCU Public Media partnered with the Public Health Departments throughout the area including Lee County, Florida Gulf Coast University's Kleist Health Education Center, the American Heart Association, area Parks and Recreation Departments, a nature preserve, a Spanish-language radio station and the area's daily newspapers. This powerhouse partnership allowed WGCU access to a range of public health and university experts, strengthen their educational and media reach beyond public broadcasting, and provided facilities and settings for project activities.

WGCU-FM's daily talk show addressed various topics and the station member magazine published related articles. Portions of these materials were used to create a children's health education curriculum. Programs are archived on the project website.

Several large-scale community events were held at outdoor venues, each providing healthy living information and activities to encourage people to Get Up. Get Out. Get Active!

Awards:

WGCU Round Four
$5,000
—Community Foundation of Collier County
$5,000
—Gannett Foundation