Everlast Climbing Selected As 2011 Head Start Body Start Preferred Vendor

RESTON, VA – April 6, 2011 – Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) announced that Everlast Climbing has been selected as one of 28 playground and play space companies, equipment manufacturers, and other creators of playground and play space-related resources for inclusion on its 2011 HSBS Preferred Vendor Catalog (PVC).

The elite group of vendors have been vetted by a panel of early childhood movement professionals and selected for their offer of discounts and value-added packages of safe and developmentally appropriate products for recipients of the upcoming HSBS 2011 Play Space Grant Awards. Nearly $2 million in Play Space Grants will be awarded to Head Start Centers across the country this year by HSBS to improve their outdoor play spaces. Grant recipients will be able to purchase uniquely designed value-added packages created by the HSBS Preferred Vendors.

“We are honored to be identified as a 2011 Head Start Body Start Preferred Vendor and to be able to support Head Start programs across the country in developing their outdoor play spaces to actively engage children in physical activity,” stated Tim Sudeith, General Manager of Everlast Climbing.

Everlast Climbing joins HSBS in its efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. Learn more about Everlast Climbing’s participation and the Play Space Grants on the HSBS website at www.headstartbodystart.org.

About Head Start Body Start

Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) is a project of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR), which are associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Funding for HSBS is provided by the Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of HSBS is to increase physical activity, outdoor play and healthy eating among Head Start and Early Head Start children, families and staff. HSBS will assist Head Start programs in creating healthy learning environments, both in and outside the classroom, through structured and unstructured physical activity that leads to the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of young children and reduces obesity and its associated costs. HSBS has three main objectives: (1) to inform and assist OHS in setting national priorities and developing policies; (2) to provide resources, training and technical assistance to Head Start and Early Head Start Centers; and (3) to administer and support grants for construction or improvement of outdoor play spaces at Head Start Centers.

About Everlast Climbing

Everlast Climbing is committed to improving youth fitness with dynamic and innovative products that engage children and inspire physical activity. The company is headquartered in Mendota Heights, and is part of EverActive Brands, a division of PlayCore of Chattanooga, TN. More information is available about Everlast Climbing at www.everlastclimbing.com. More information is available about PlayCore at www.playcore.com.