From UNC Asheville's News Service:
Some 250 physical education teachers and administrators from across the country will gather at UNC Asheville for a five-day institute designed to help schools use limited resources to improve physical education and obesity prevention programs for grades K-12. The N.C. Center for Health & Wellness at UNC Asheville will host the National PE Institute, July 30-August 3, at the Sherrill Center.

“Typically, there is so much focus on star athletes and the sports they play,” said Artie Kamiya, National PE Institute co-chair. “At this inaugural event, we want to start a new chapter in the battle against childhood obesity by helping PE teachers activate all of their students with a wider variety of games, sports and exercises that can be continued through life.”

“Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles can negatively impact not just health, but academic performance, and is an economic drain on North Carolina and the entire nation,” said David Gardner, N.C. Center for Health and Wellness executive director. “The institute’s goal is promoting activity for all children, and we are pleased to have state and national leaders participating, including June Atkinson, State Superintendent of N.C. Public Schools, and Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.”

The National PE Institute, modeled on practices and strategies promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Association for Sport and Physical Education, will include participatory workshops and demonstrations as well as discussions and presentations by physical education leaders from across the United States. Jump rope, dance, juggling, cup stacking, geomotion and exergaming are some of the activities that will be featured at the institute.