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Not every child will be a star athlete, but being physically active is a critical part of the foundation for a balanced lifestyle.\u00a0 Many children don\u2019t have the opportunity to develop fundamental skills such as running, jumping and throwing and can quickly be left behind when it comes to being active.\u00a0 A new national youth activity initiative, Run Jump Throw<\/em>, which partners the USA Track & Field (USATF) and The Hershey Company, hopes to encourage those skills in kids across the nation.<\/p>\n Run Jump Throw<\/em> will teach kids ages 7 through 12 fundamental physical activity skills including warm-ups, proper running technique for sprinting and distance running, jumping and throwing skills. The program will combine basic skill-building in a clinic format and culminate with a non-competitive track meet.\u00a0 Children of all skill levels participating in Run Jump Throw<\/em> will also be encouraged to continue to pursue the sport of their own interest, either through parks and recreation programs, school programs or through USATF running clubs and associations.<\/p>\n Why The Hershey Company? Since 1975, Hershey has supported the HERSHEY\u2019S Track & Field Games<\/em>, a youth track and field program in the US and Canada.\u00a0 The new program, in partnership with USATF, will create more learning opportunities and enable more kids to have fun running, jumping and throwing, while gaining valuable skills for a lifetime of physical activity.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new program partners two premier organizations in youth activity, which have been central to the success of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation,\u201d said Lisa Gable, President of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, \u201cHershey has been committed to encouraging youth physical activity for over 35 years.\u00a0 This partnership adds the expertise and depth of the USATF to help get kids started and increase their confidence to include physical activity as a part of their daily routine.\u201d<\/p>\n