Get Active Howard County
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is Get Active Howard County (GAHC)?
GAHC is a 10-week fitness program with a goal to foster an even greater focus on physical activity and well-being. We want Howard County to be listed as the “fittest county” in the country with all Howard Countians participating. All participants are asked to complete at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week.
Who are the partners for this event?
We Promote Health coordinates this program in partnership with Columbia Association, Howard County Recreation and Parks, the American Cancer Society, Howard County General Hospital, Howard County Health Department, Healthy Howard, Howard County Public School System, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Y of Central MD,Horizon Foundation, University of Maryland Extension Service, Tai Sophia, Howard County PTA, The Villages of Columbia, Howard County Citizen Services Dept of Aging, the American Diabetes Association, Howard County Libraries are sponsoring this program.
Who is invited to participate in this program?
Anyone of any age who lives, works or plays in Howard County is invited to participate.
What benefit is the program to the participants ?
Perhaps the most important benefit of the program is to increase awareness of healthy lifestyle habits and to motivate participants to include at least 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days per week.
The detrimental effects of obesity are well documented. It is a leading cause of preventable death and can result in quality of life issues. The program helps to address this by providing a forum and focal point for community awareness and a launching pad for an active lifestyle.
Regular physical activity will improve the participant’s performance at home, at school and at work and will boost morale and self esteem.
Participants in the program will reduce their risk for the major killers in America: heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Participants can also anticipate that, with an increase in physical activity, they will be able to manage stress better, sleep better and feel better.
What are the mechanics of the program?
For your convenience, participants can enroll in the program online at: www.getactivehowardcounty.org.
Each participant will have access to on-line tools or be given the ability to print down a log sheet. This tool or log sheet is used to track your daily minutes of physical activity. Each week, you log onto www.getactivehowardcounty.org to record your weekly totals. Participant totals will also be added to their team total as well as providing GAHC with an overall benchmark for this program. In 2010, Get Active Howard County teams logged over 500,000 minutes during the 10 week initiative!
You may choose to do your own activity, but you may also participate in free activities that will take place at listed sites. Refer to the Fitness Calendar. This is given out at the time of registration and is also available on line. Check the web site for updates to the fitness calendar. Some activities require registration. Consider joining other GAHC members on Saturday mornings in the park for a Free, fun boot camp style exercise program suitable for all fitness levels.
How do I set up a team, register as a participant and record minutes on line?
Go to www.getactivehowardcounty.org .
First make sure your team isn’t listed. If it is: contact your school, workplace or community group administrator to get a code to sign up for their team. If your team is not listed: submit the form provided under Start a Team.
School Teams can only be created by a teacher or a school administrator. IF you are a student and want to start a team, please contact your teacher or principal to have them create the team. We will contact you.
Workplace/Community Teams/Family Teams: By signing up a team you are agreeing to either be the Team Captain or having the authority to assign and support a Team Captain and this effort. We will contact you via email with a team code that you can distribute to your team members.
Don’t have a Team? Join the “HealthNuts”. Go to sign up and enter "Healthnuts" as your team code.
Within 48 hours of starting a team, you will receive an email from us, with a unique team code that will allow each team captain to recruit members. You will also be receiving materials to help you explain the program to prospective team members, and to start motivating your team. We will support you as a team captain, with motivational material.. You will also have access to activities on the Stay Active Howard County Calendar year round to help you keep your team engaged and active. Get Started and Register Your Team TODAY!!
Register as a Participant
Students:
Check the list of schools on the registration page to see if your school is participating. If your school is not listed, see your teacher or administrator for a team code. After you have a team code, you can register as a new member.
Employees:
Check the list of businesses on the sign up page to see if your business is participating. If your business is not listed, see your employer or administrator for a team code. After you have a team code, you can register as a new member.
Community Members:
Check the list of organizations on the sign up page to see if your organization is participating. If your organization is not listed, see your administrator for a team code. After you have a team code, you can register as a new member.
Once you have a Team Code: Click on Sign Up and complete the form. When finished, you will be prompted to determine your Weekly Activity Goal.
Logging in Your Minutes:
Record your daily minutes of physical activity. If you can’t go in on a daily basis, keep track and update the website on a weekly basis, so your team stats will be up to date. To record minutes, click on the sign in button. This is a great place to keep track of the type of physical activity you do. You can look back and see what you have accomplished in each of the different activity areas. Filling in the description is optional. The most important thing is to record your minutes of physical activity.
Calendar: Get Active Howard County has a calendar chock full of activities. These activities are available for anyone on a Get Active Team. Space is limited, so RSVP early to guarantee space. If you would like to RSVP for any of the events, either call or (if available) register online. If you register online, please print out a receipt and take it to the class or event as proof of registration.
Weekly you will go to wwwgetactivehowardcounty.org, enter your user name and password and LOG ON. Choose the Log in Your Minutes prompt and enter your minutes.
Who may I contact for more information?
Email: info@getactivehowardcounty.org