Sponsorship of outside sports leagues may be the company’s best route since the least amount of organizational support is required.  Local city and county organizations run leagues for a variety of activities such as softball, bowling, tennis, volleyball, etc. Usually the company can pay a team fee, as well as individual fees.  Coworkers get together outside the business at least once a week for physical activity and team building.

Activities/Events

Host a golf league or day tournament, in which employees, their families, customers, and suppliers can participate.  Designate a schedule and place for the league.  Participants pay their own course fees or co-pay depending on budget allotted.  The company can provide the prizes.  Everybody benefits from this program.  The company gets advertising and publicity, and participants have some relaxing fun.

Recognize National Employee Health and Fitness Day by sponsoring an event such as a 5K fun run/walk.  This event can be held at lunch with a course mapped out and a few scheduled activities, such as a raffle for participant, a pre-stretch, or a post-stretch.  The local newspaper and/or radio station could be invited to cover the event.

Sponsor a team in a benefit day race.  A group of coworkers can all participate at their level of ability.  The event sponsors encourage team participation and provide team prizes and incentives.

Resources:

Active:  www.active.org

American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

American Diabetes Association:  www.diabetes.org

American Heart Association:  www.americanheart.org

Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society:  www.prps.org  

National Association for Health and Fitness:  www.physicalfitness.org/nehf.html

Wyoming Valley Wellness Trails Partnership: http://www.wvwellnesstrails.org/index.html