Walk New Jersey Point-to-Point Challenge is a program designed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension to encourage youth and adults to virtually walk from one end of New Jersey to the other, from High Point to Cape May Point. For six weeks, students in several NJ schools recently participated in the Walk New Jersey Point-to-Point Challenge. Approximately 500 children between the ages of 8 and 12, from 10 New Jersey schools, participated in a study to determine the effects on physical activity of using pedometers during their school day. The six-week study, a joint effort of the Department of Health and Senior Services and Rutgers' Family and Community Health Sciences Department, had children wearing a pedometer during their school day to track the number of steps they took.

Students in the Lower Township Elementary School, Dennis Township Elementary School, and Avalon Elementary School were part of the study in Cape May County, reports Marilou Rochford, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Sixth grade students in Lower Township Elementary Sandman School walked a total of 2,898,437 or 1,449 Total Class Miles. As a class they walked NJ Point to Point once each week. As a class they exceeded their goal and walked from Cape May, NJ to Key West, FL. Students in the Dennis Township Elementary School walked a total of 2,313,183 steps or 1,157 total class miles. As a class they walked NJ Point to Point once each week. As a class they walked from Cape May, NJ to West Palm Beach, Fl. The average individual steps were 136,067. Students in the Avalon Elementary School walked 1,687,980 steps or 844 total class miles. The average individual student total was 129,844 steps. As a class they walked from Cape May, NJ. To Chicago, Illinois!

Each child tracked his or her steps on a weekly log for six weeks. Teachers were also provided with a program called "Fit Bits," designed to get children out of their seats and moving with 10-15-minute-long physical activities. These activities also reinforced a basic nutrition concept or social skill. The students' parents received regular nutrition and physical activity updates during the program through a newsletter called Wellness Buddies. At the grand finale, each student received a certificate, pedometer, tote bag and t-shirt. The majority of students reported that they would be more active as a result of this study.

Walk NJ Point to Point is part of the statewide wellness initiative "Get Moving-Get Healthy New Jersey," that aims to help New Jerseyans to eat more healthful foods and to increase their physical activity to reduce obesity. Get Moving-Get Healthy New Jersey's Walk New Jersey Point to Point's online walking program allows participants to choose their own goals and to keep track of their progress through an online activity log. To get started visit www.getmovinggethealthynj.rutgers.edu