Kids invited to make movement fun

I received the following, and am passing it on to you, as is my wont:

Ruckus Nation is an 'online competition to get kids moving.' Ruckus Nation takes an innovative approach to combating the devastating effects of childhood obesity by challenging participants to imagine fun, engaging new products that will increase physical activity in young people. Since its launch September 18, 2007, Ruckus Nation has captured the attention of people across the United States and around the world.

So far, over 750 teams of contestants have registered for Ruckus Nation:

• Representing 49 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
• Hailing from 52 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America
• Ranging in age from 9 to 76 years old

Members of the public are invited to help select competition winners by registering to be Ruckus Nation judges at. Those interested in submitting an idea and competing in Ruckus Nation have until the November 20 submission date to register at the site. Competition winners will share in more than $300,000 in cash and prizes, including a grand prize of more than $75,000.

The competition is sponsored by the nonprofit HopeLab and cosponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ultimately, HopeLab will develop, test and distribute effective products based on the best ideas from Ruckus Nation. HopeLab previously produced Re-Mission, a breakthrough video game for young people with cancer that has been scientifically proven to improve health outcomes of patients.

from Bernie DeKoven, funsmith