Fact Sheet

The Play Exchange’s Active at School Challenge

News Release: The Play Exchange launches the Active at School Challenge

About the Play Exchange’s Active at School Challenge

The Play Exchange’s Active at School Challenge is a special investment exclusively for schools in Canada. As part of this challenge, the top healthy living/physical activity idea submitted by a school in each province and territory will receive $3,000 to support its implementation in the school.

To qualify for this special investment, all school-based submissions must include 60 minutes of daily physical activity. A panel of judges will review the school-based applications. Guidelines and criteria for the Active at School Challenge will follow those of the overall Play Exchange challenge.

Submissions for the Play Exchange’s Active at School Challenge can be posted online at The Play Exchange website.

All ideas submitted to the Active at School Challenge also qualify for the main Play Exchange competition, which is open to all Canadians, and not just schools. The winner of the Play Exchange could receive up to $1 million to put their idea into action.

For more information about the Play Exchange, visit The Play Exchange website.

Why your ideas are needed

One-third of all Canadian children are overweight or obese, and only 4.4 percent of children get the recommended amount of physical activity.

In addition, three in five Canadians over the age of 20 suffer from a chronic disease. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating are putting Canadians at risk of developing serious chronic conditions, such as type II diabetes, some cancers, and hypertension. It’s time to change these numbers!

About the Play Exchange

The Play Exchange is a national online challenge to find and support innovative ideas to get Canadians healthier and more active. It’s open to all Canadians, including schools, students, families, and not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, and businesses.

This initiative is funded, in part, by the Government of Canada and supported by Canadian Tire, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and LIFT Philanthropy Partners. By working across sectors, the Government of Canada can leverage expertise and resources in working towards the common shared goal of producing better health outcomes for Canadians.