The U.S. Play Coalition’s Conference on the Value of Play kicked off Sunday, Feb. 17 at Clemson University. The three-day conference at the Madren Conference Center ends Wednesday, Feb. 20.
This year’s theme, The Value of Play: Taking Action, inspired Provost Dori Helms to do just that. For the second year in a row, the provost signed a proclamation that encourages Clemson students, faculty and staff to take time to play Tuesday, February 19.
Fran Mainella, a visiting scholar in the Clemson University department of parks, recreation and tourism management is a co-chair of the U.S. Play Coalition. She said many people have the wrong idea about play.
“People think it’s a waste of time,” Mainella said. “The fact of the matter is, it may save time…time in doctor’s offices and time away from work due to illness.”
(Click here for video message and list of keynote speakers)
Mainella said research shows, “We improve our health and become more focused on the job when we make time to play and that can mean doing something as simple as taking a 10-15 minute walk on campus, dancing at Fike, or throwing a Frisbee with friends on Bowman Field.”
Presenters and participants at this year’s conference will address the benefits of play. They also will share research on how the lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of America’s obesity epidemic.
Learn more about the US Play Coalition and the Conference on the Value of Play: Taking Action at http://usplaycoalition.clemson.edu/.
