It's back. I remember getting mine in 6th grade
I just informed my grandsons about it and ask if they would be interested in the Award
They both are interested in it

What is your opinion on this program being brought back

What's the criteria to earn it now?

I remember getting that in middle school also.

A good idea IF the standards are reasonable and achievable by “regular” people. Perhaps the person bringing these awards back should be required to earn the award themselves.

It's for kids so they get started on the right track with health and fitness

You go take it, or can't you get off of your pedestal

Who wouldn't support healthy eating and fitness? Both are very good things.

Used to have peg boards, large rope to climb that went to the rafters, chin up bars, push up and sit up contest along with timed 1/2 mile runs and high jump in k through 5. I wonder how much of that is considered not safe today and how many middle and high school students could hit the #s expected of kids in grade school when I was a kid.

My 12 year olds football coach keeps saying how he is a natural and so on. I don't think it's becuese he is exceptionally athletic more of just where average should be and most kids are not outside riding bikes, climbing trees, packing feed and water, or dragging out deer and splitting wood. . They are inside behind a screen.

Watchung practice I could not believe how hard it was for so many kids to be able to do simple movement drills. They were struggling. My son and on other small kid flew through the drill. Thr rest not so much. It's not their fault is how they have been raised.

Anything that promotes fitness and geting kids moving and off a screen is good.

I like the idea of bringing it back. Heck, make adults eligible too. Over 70% of America is overweight, about 40% are obese.

Like Leftlane said, make fitness great again.

Here is a link to the fitness standards for kids.

Got that award years ago with the 99th percentile,, we had phys ed every day, gym teacher was a former drill sergeant, calisthenics, running,(outside) no matter the weather in those short shorts and T shirt,and if there was time, a little gym stuff, lol
We all passed with flying colors...even the couple overweight guys...Mr Clark would not accept failure!

I don't think they even have gym anymore here...

Just give them all a participation award. Don't want any hurt feelings.

I didn't know they got rid of it. Heard this morning on the radio on my way in to work.

Sounds like the Obama admin shut it down/changed it. No more goals to get the Presidential or National certificate. Didn't want pressure on the lazy kids who wouldn't try.

It is and always was a great idea. No reason kiddos can't be asked to run a mile, do some sit ups, pull ups and stretch as part of gym class.

I remember kids in jr high being mad they had to do it and walking the whole mile. Guess what, most of those kids as adults and their kids now are the ones who couldn't run to the mailbox now if they wanted.

Check out those standards I shared......there's actually three levels. There's the presidential fitness award, for those that score over the 85th percentile, the national fitness award for those that score over the 50th percentile, and for those that can't score over the 50th percentile.........the participant award.

"To qualify for the Presidential Fitness Award, participants must achieve at or above the 85th percentile in five specific fitness events.
Overview of Requirements
The Presidential Physical Fitness Award was established to encourage physical fitness among American youth. To earn this award, students must meet the following criteria:
Age Group: The award is typically aimed at students aged 10-17 years old.
Performance Standards: Participants must score at or above the 85th percentile on all five events of the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test. These events generally include:
Curl-ups (abdominal strength and endurance)
Shuttle run (speed and agility)
V-sit reach (flexibility)
Pull-ups (upper body strength)
One-mile run (cardiovascular endurance).
Good Standing: Students must be in good academic standing and recommended by their school principals to qualify for the award."

Keith

I agree.
Im not sure who set the standards how they figure it out. Do you make it required? Or is it something kid could chose to participate in. If you make it required. How does that then apply to home school or none public schools.

Im not sure what year the orginal program started? I know I have a whole stack of certificates and the patches in my closet somewhere. Not sure now what grade that started. Just know that at the time it was what the physical ed teacher had us doing. It was actually never that hard for me to do I just did it. I did watch others struggle with it though. Sitting here now 50 years this year out of high school. I cant remember if I did or didn't do it my senior year? Guess I would have to dig certs out see what years they includ. I do believe though that I didn't do that my senior year.
Dont belive it was a requirement at least in high school?? I do know the athletics director from school came to me senior year and wanted me to do it. Said he was disappointed that I had gone all them years and was not going to finish school without the last one.
What I didn't tell him was I was tired of doing things for other people. When I first started that fitness thing got that patch and award it was a big deal. By the time I got to be a senior. I was questioning why and who was I doing it for. Who was the big deal??
Im a realist to know that this world will never be all inclusive. Just no way it could ever happen.
Maybe the the program should be test the kids at being of school year. Then test at end of the year look for improvement.
I've been an athlete of sorts my whole life. Like said earlier it was somewhat easy for me. I kept myself in shape to do the things I wanted to do. Not so other could have me do what they thought I should do.
I don't know how you teach that to a kid. We are not all built the same.

Mac