FitSpirit
Handbook

We encourage you to build a team of leaders to make your school’s FitSpirit program as dynamic and successful as possible. Find motivational and motivated colleagues (women or men) like yourself who want to help teenage girls get physically active and stay active for life. Your team can include anyone at the school: teachers, support staff, recreational supervisors, etc. As the main FitSpirit Program Leader however, you will be the one to receive our official communications.

Why are girls less active than boys? Why do so many girls who were active during childhood stop when they become teenagers? To help reverse the trend, FitSpirit shares best practices and the most up-to-date information available. Consult the resources below and register to one of FitSpirit training session. - Paroles de filles (17min38) (french only) - Time to act for the well-being of teen girls (PDF) - Kelly Andrade, FitSpirit Program Leader (2min)

Did you know that there's no limit to how many girls at your school can take part in FitSpirit? The earlier your participants are registered on the portal, the sooner they will receive their FitSpirit T-shirt! Register participants here! Launch FitSpirit registration at your school by: - Display FitSpirit promotional posters received from FitSpirit at your school; (poster 1, poster 2, poster 3) - Use our digital tools on social media; FitSpirit logo - Have an information kiosk; - Get Student Leaders involved to encourage registration (see step 5); - Visit each class to promote FitSpirit. *IMPORTANT: To request our logo or for any questions about creating materials that use our brand, please write to info@fitspirit.ca. Any use of the FitSpirit logo or images must be approved in advance by FitSpirit.

Student leaders are dynamic and responsible young girls who collaborate in the deployment of FitSpirit activities in their school. In other words, they are your "team captains"! Through their positive, caring and non-judgmental attitude, they help motivate participants and gives a hand to the FitSpirit's program leaders in the planning and running of activities. They can also help recruit participants.

1. You can choose a single student leader or form a small committee (a few girls per grade level for example). For more success and more fun, make sure you have good support all year round. Your student leaders can be invaluable!
2. Everyone is welcome to participate in FitSpirit activities, regardless of their abilities or fitness level. These same criteria also apply to student leaders. It’s not about identifying the sportiest. Instead, find those who have a leadership attitude, who are motivated by this role and who understand the context of FitSpirit activities.
3. In order for us to continue to monitor the progress of the student leaders program and to continue to witness its impact, please check the box to that effect in your portal to identify the participants who will play this role this year. In addition, identified student leaders will receive a patch to stick on their FitSpirit t-shirt (NEW!).
4. Invite them to participate in a FitSpirit workshop so that they are well equipped to play their role.
5. Share these 2 tools with them: The Student Leader Guide and Inspire by leading (3 min).
6. Their experience as a student leader will certainly be an asset in their school path. Thank them for their involvement with the Letter of Recognition (PDF) and the Certificate of Appreciation (PDF).

One FitSpirit activity per month, or three a week? It's up to you! The FitSpirit approach offers all the flexibility you need to fit the program into your school's structure and address your students' needs. Bear in mind that the more you exercise, the more you want to! Plan your program base on time, available resources and girls' preferences! You do not know where to start? Consult this programming example (PDF), the activity directory (PDF) (coming soon) and download the FitSpirit template in white (PDF) or in colors (PDF)! FREE TOOLS Visit the new GIRLS page on our website! We offer a variety of free tools to support teenage girls through the discovery of physical activity and promote their autonomy towards a healthy, active lifestyle. You will also find a page to interact with our kinesiologist and our nutritionist. FITSPIRIT AMBASSADORS You can receive up to three visits at your school from Ambassadors between September and June. Book an activity here. FITSPIRIT EVENTS All the details about our events here.

Interact with other FitSpirit Program Leaders by joining the Program Leader Facebook Group. This private group allow you to share ideas, get support and ask questions. You will also find information about girls and physical activity, FitSpirit announcements, and important reminders. Follow also our official Facebook page and Instagram account and encourage your FitSpirit team to do likewise. Tag us @Fillactive_FitSpirit and use #FitSpirit when you share photos and videos on social media!

Year after year, we have been able to increase the number of FitSpirit activities in schools and encourage more girls to be active for life because of the support and dedication of our partner schools. Fill out the Activity Log To thank you for documenting everything we do together, schools that will fill out their Activity Log will get a chance to win prizes!