An activity to help employees explore resources to enhance health

WorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Scavenger Hunt

2

The Scavenger Hunt is a worksite wellness activity that encourages employees to

find resources in the community to enhance their health and well-being, and to share these resources with other co-workers. Examples of such resources can include a walking trail, a restaurant that serves healthy menu options, a book club that meets regularly or some kind of a support group. The following overview goes through the tools and resources that are available to help your wellness committee organize and implement this activity at your worksite.

The activity is designed over an eight-week period. It can be modified to suit the needs of your committee and number of participating employees. Participants start the hunt by spending one week searching for resources to help them eat healthier, be more physically active, quit tobacco or manage stress. At the end of the week, everyone shares their ideas with all the other program participants. Participants share ideas during a short meeting at a designated location or via conference call, e-mail exchange or a blog. All participants then choose at least one resource they can utilize during the following week and document this in a log. Participants repeat the process of finding useful resources, sharing ideas with co-workers and then putting it into practice for all eight weeks. Distribute newsletters

DownloaD aDDitional turnkey Programs anD other resources for worksite wellness at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/Worksites.html

Scavenger Hunt Overview

focusing on healthy behaviors every other week to keep participants interested and motivated. Award certificates at the end of the program.

Download sample materials for the hunt at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/worksites.html.

These materials include:• announcement poster• sign-up sheet• Scavenger Hunt log• bi-weekly newsletters• quick tips sheet• Certificate of Participation• evaluation survey

Coming Soon!

The Scavenger Hunt is a worksite wellness

activity that involves searching for community resources to enhance health and well-being.

Share the resources you find with your co-workers

so that they can benefit as well.

The Scavenger Hunt will help you adopt

healthy behaviors by discovering resources

in your community.

This activity will begin on _________________________________ and end on _________________________________.

For more information about the Scavenger Hunt contact

__________________________________________________________ at __________________________________________________________.

The Scavenger Hunt is brought to you by your worksite wellness committee.

Scavenger Hunt

Join the Fun—SearCH and SHare.

• www.MyPyramid.gov—This USDA Web site offers personalized

eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan and assess your

food choices. There is also information to help you make smart

choices from each food group and get the most nutrition from your

calories.

• www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com—This Web site provides

resources and tools to help you eat smart and move more. These

include healthy recipes, an interactive nutrition facts label, shopping

and meal planners, activity logs etc. There are downloadable handouts

on a variety of topics.

• www.FruitsAndVeggiesMatter.gov—This Web site from the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention explores the health benefits

of fruits and vegetables. There are tips for selecting, storing, and

preparing a variety of fruits and vegetables. It also has links to healthy

recipes, interactive tools and other downloadable materials.

Eat Smart Tip

Plan, Shop, Fix and Eat

Planning your meals ahead of time will

ensure that you have ingredients on hand

to fix healthy meals for you and your

family. You can plan meals for an entire

week in advance and create a grocery shopping list. Make sure that you

stick to your list when shopping. If possible, clean and prepare fresh

produce over the weekend to save time when putting meals together.

Eat Smart

Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 1

“ You don’t have to cook

fancy or complicated

masterpieces—just

good food from fresh

ingredients.” —Julia Child

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Signature Date

Signature Date

Certificate of Participation

This certificate is awarded to

________________________________________________________________________________________

for the successful completion of the eight-week

Scavenger Hunt

• www.Health.gov/PAGuidelines—The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are designed so everyone can easily fit physical activity into their daily life by doing activities they enjoy. The Web site offers resources such as a fact sheet on the guidelines, examples of physical activities to get started and a downloadable Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults.

• www.LetsMove.gov—let’s Move is First lady Michelle obama’s initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity for children and families. This Web site offers information for parents on how to raise healthy kids. You can also find information about promoting health in schools and in your family, in addition to interactive tools and email alerts.

• www.AmericanHeart.org/Start—Start! is the American Heart Association’s national movement to help Americans live longer, hearthealthy lives by walking. Sign-up for free at the Web site to receive monthly e-newsletters with expert advice on health and fitness and to access MyStart! online tools. These tools help track daily physical activity, create personal walking maps and check weekly progress.

Move More TipMove More with a BuddyIf you find it difficult to be physically active on your own, consider teaming up with a buddy—a co-worker, a friend, a neighbor or a family member. This can increase your motivation. You will be more likely to stick to your schedule when someone else is also part of the plan.

Move More Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 2

“ You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing.”

—Ben Franklin

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

• 1-800-Quit-Now—North Carolina’s tobacco use telephone Quitline

(1-800-784-8669) provides Free, multi-language support and

information for all North Carolinians. Callers can speak to tobacco

quitting specialists who monitor participants’ progress. • www.BecomeAnEx.org—This Web site offers a free, three-step,

online quit plan that helps break the big task of quitting smoking into

smaller pieces. The program also encourages you to surround yourself

with the right kind of support.• www.MyTimeToQuit.com—This Web site offers facts on why it

is hard to quit the nicotine habit and offers suggestions for making a

quit plan. resources include a downloadable checklist of physician

discussion points and a list of “staying quit” ideas. There is also

an online calculator to estimate how much the habit costs for an

individual.

Quit Now TipPlan Your Quitrather than trying to quit cold turkey, plan your quit. Set a specific date when you will quit. Prepare yourself by getting rid

of cigarettes, ashtrays or other tobacco products from your home, car and office. Pay attention to what triggers

your need for tobacco, and plan alternative things to do when you

recognize these triggers.

Scavenger Hunt

WorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Quit Now ResourcesNeWSleTTer VolUMe 3

“ Smoking kills, and if you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.” Brooke Shields(anti-smoking spokesperson)

• www.Stress.org—American Institute of Stress serves as a clearinghouse for resources on all stress related subjects. The Web site

provides information on job stress and several other topics of interest

that enhance the understanding of the role of stress in health and

wellness.• www.APA.org—The American Psychological Association Web site

provides information for a variety of psychological topics, including

stress. It includes a quiz to test your knowledge about stress and

provides information and tips to identify warning signs of stress and

stress management.• www.ergonomics.ucla.edu—This Web site from the University of

California at Los Angeles offers information about office ergonomics,

including how to position your desk, chair, computer monitor and

phone for safe usage. Additionally, you can find simple office stretches

and other exercises to help you manage stress at work.

Manage Stress TipTake Some Time to Laughlaughing is a great stress reliever. There

are several ways to make sure that you incorporate some laughter into your daily routine. Talk with a friend who makes you smile, read some good jokes

or just pick up the cartoon section of the newspaper during lunch to

refresh your spirits.

Manage Stress ResourcesNeWSleTTer VolUMe 4

“ For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” —Lily Tomlin

Scavenger Hunt

WorkWell NC Turnkey Program

3

1. talk with management about implementing the Scavenger Hunt at your worksite. Show them activity materials. Remind management that this activity will help employees practice healthy behaviors. It will also build social support within the worksite.

2. Designate a program coordinator. The coordinator will be responsible for announcing the activity, posting and collecting the sign-up sheet(s), distributing the hunt log, bi-weekly newsletters, quick tips sheet and the evaluation survey. The coordinator will also help participants share their resources with their co-workers.

3. announce the activity with the start and the end date to all employees at your worksite. A sample announcement poster is available for download at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/worksites.html. Post the announcement in several locations such as break rooms, bulletin boards or stairwells. Depending upon the size and organization of your worksite, additional advertising may be needed via e-mail messages, staff meeting announcements or by word of mouth.

4. recruit participants for the activity by posting the sample sign-up sheet at appropriate places.

5. Distribute the hunt log and quick tips sheet to all participants. Also, explain to them what they will be doing in this program. They will find resources in the community to enhance health and share these with their

co-workers at the end of the first, third, fifth and seventh week. A few examples of such resources are included in the quick tips sheet. Remind them that during the second, fourth, sixth and the eighth week of the program, they will choose one of the resources that they’ve learned about and put it to use. This information is recorded on the hunt log.

6. senD newsletters to all participants on a biweekly basis. Four newsletter editions can be downloaded at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/worksites.html. Each newsletter edition focuses on a different aspect of healthy living: Eating Smart, Moving More, Quitting Now and Managing Stress.

7. wraP uP the program at the end of eight weeks with a healthy, potluck lunch. Encourage participants to continue practicing healthy behaviors by using the resources they found during the program.

8. evaluate the Scavenger Hunt by distributing the evaluation form to all participants. Make a note of how many employees participated and if there were any drop-outs.

9. Present a Certificate of Participation to all participants. This can be signed by upper management or by someone else in the community.

Step-by-Step Guide for Organizing the Hunt

www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/worksites.html

Download these printable materials at www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/worksites.html

ScavengerHuntLog Certificate

LogThe Scavenger Hunt is an eight-week program to discover community resources that you can use to eat healthier, be more physically active, quit tobacco or manage stress. Use the log below to record the resources that you find and those that you use.

Remember to share your ideas with the program coordinator at the end of the first, third, fifth and the seventh week.

ParTiciPanT name: _________________________________________________________________

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8HUNT & SHARE Use & Practice HUNT & SHARE Use & Practice HUNT & SHARE Use & Practice

Signature Date

Signature Date

Certificate of Participation

This certificate is awarded to

________________________________________________________________________________________

for the successful completion of the eight-week

Scavenger Hunt

newsletter 1 newsletter 2 newsletter 3 newsletter 4

• www.MyPyramid.gov—This USDA Web site offers personalized eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices. There is also information to help you make smart choices from each food group and get the most nutrition from your calories.

• www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com—This Web site provides resources and tools to help you eat smart and move more. These include healthy recipes, an interactive nutrition facts label, shopping and meal planners, activity logs etc. There are downloadable handouts on a variety of topics.

• www.FruitsAndVeggiesMatter.gov—This Web site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explores the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. There are tips for selecting, storing, and preparing a variety of fruits and vegetables. It also has links to healthy recipes, interactive tools and other downloadable materials.

Eat Smart TipPlan, Shop, Fix and EatPlanning your meals ahead of time will ensure that you have ingredients on hand to fix healthy meals for you and your family. You can plan meals for an entire week in advance and create a grocery shopping list. Make sure that you stick to your list when shopping. If possible, clean and prepare fresh produce over the weekend to save time when putting meals together.

Eat Smart Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 1

“ You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces—just good food from fresh ingredients.”

—Julia Child

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

• www.Health.gov/PAGuidelines—The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are designed so everyone can easily fit physical activity into their daily life by doing activities they enjoy. The Web site offers resources such as a fact sheet on the guidelines, examples of physical activities to get started and a downloadable Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults.

• www.LetsMove.gov—let’s Move is First lady Michelle obama’s initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity for children and families. This Web site offers information for parents on how to raise healthy kids. You can also find information about promoting health in schools and in your family, in addition to interactive tools and email alerts.

• www.AmericanHeart.org/Start—Start! is the American Heart Association’s national movement to help Americans live longer, hearthealthy lives by walking. Sign-up for free at the Web site to receive monthly e-newsletters with expert advice on health and fitness and to access MyStart! online tools. These tools help track daily physical activity, create personal walking maps and check weekly progress.

Move More TipMove More with a BuddyIf you find it difficult to be physically active on your own, consider teaming up with a buddy—a co-worker, a friend, a neighbor or a family member. This can increase your motivation. You will be more likely to stick to your schedule when someone else is also part of the plan.

Move More Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 2

“ You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing.”

—Ben Franklin

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

• 1-800-Quit-Now—North Carolina’s tobacco use telephone Quitline (1-800-784-8669) provides Free, multi-language support and information for all North Carolinians. Callers can speak to tobacco quitting specialists who monitor participants’ progress.

• www.BecomeAnEx.org—This Web site offers a free, three-step, online quit plan that helps break the big task of quitting smoking into smaller pieces. The program also encourages you to surround yourself with the right kind of support.

• www.MyTimeToQuit.com—This Web site offers facts on why it is hard to quit the nicotine habit and offers suggestions for making a quit plan. resources include a downloadable checklist of physician discussion points and a list of “staying quit” ideas. There is also an online calculator to estimate how much the habit costs for an individual.

Quit Now TipPlan Your Quitrather than trying to quit cold turkey, plan your quit. Set a specific date when you will quit. Prepare yourself by getting rid of cigarettes, ashtrays or other tobacco products from your home, car and office. Pay attention to what triggers your need for tobacco, and plan alternative things to do when you recognize these triggers.

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Quit Now Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 3

“ Smoking kills, and if you’re killed, you’ve lost a very important part of your life.”

Brooke Shields(anti-smoking spokesperson)

• www.Stress.org—American Institute of Stress serves as a clearinghouse for resources on all stress related subjects. The Web site provides information on job stress and several other topics of interest that enhance the understanding of the role of stress in health and wellness.

• www.APA.org—The American Psychological Association Web site provides information for a variety of psychological topics, including stress. It includes a quiz to test your knowledge about stress and provides information and tips to identify warning signs of stress and stress management.

• www.ergonomics.ucla.edu—This Web site from the University of California at Los Angeles offers information about office ergonomics, including how to position your desk, chair, computer monitor and phone for safe usage. Additionally, you can find simple office stretches and other exercises to help you manage stress at work.

Manage Stress TipTake Some Time to Laughlaughing is a great stress reliever. There are several ways to make sure that you incorporate some laughter into your daily routine. Talk with a friend who makes you smile, read some good jokes or just pick up the cartoon section of the newspaper during lunch to refresh your spirits.

Manage Stress Resources

NeWSleTTer VolUMe 4

“ For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”

—Lily Tomlin

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Coming Soon!

The Scavenger Hunt is a worksite wellness

activity that involves searching for community resources to enhance health and well-being.

Share the resources you find with your co-workers

so that they can benefit as well.

The Scavenger Hunt will help you adopt

healthy behaviors by discovering resources

in your community.

This activity will begin on _________________________________ and end on _________________________________.

For more information about the Scavenger Hunt contact

__________________________________________________________ at __________________________________________________________.

The Scavenger Hunt is brought to you by your worksite wellness committee.

Scavenger Hunt

Join the Fun—SearCH and SHare.

Eat Smart• A restaurant serving healthy

options• A nearby farmers market or

pick-your-own farm• A cookbook of healthy recipes

movE morE• A greenway/hiking trail• An upcoming walk/run

for a good cause• A non-competitive club or

local team league for sports such as tennis, swimming, softball, football, etc.

Quit Now• Tobacco cessation resources

available in the local health department or hospital

• An online quit support program• Cessation resources available

from heath insurance carriers

maNagE StrESS• A park or other nice location

for family picnics• A book club or other support

group that meets regularly• A local volunteer program

Quick TipsScavenger Hunt is an eight-week program to discover community resources that you can use to eat healthier, be more physically active, quit tobacco or manage stress and achieve overall improved health.

At right are just a few examples of the kinds of resources that might be helpful to you and your co-workers as you go through the program. Note resources you find on your Scavenger Hunt Log and be sure to use these resources the following week. Put your thinking caps on and gather resources that can help everyone adopt healthier habits!

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Employee EvaluationYou recently participated in the Scavenger Hunt, a worksite wellness challenge provided by your Wellness Committee.

Please complete this evaluation form in order to help the Wellness Committee create the best possible wellness programs/activities at your worksite. Thank You!

Please indicate your level of agreement on the following scale: 1= Strongly Disagree 2= Somewhat Disagree 3= Agree 4= Strongly Agree NS= Not Sure

1a. Participation in this activity provided me with new knowledge 1 2 3 4 NS about healthy lifestyle behaviors.

1b. Thisactivityhasinfluencedmetomakehealthierlifestylechoices. 1 2 3 4 NS

1c. I would like to participate in similar activities in the future 1 2 3 4 NS

1d. I would recommend this activity to my co-workers. 1 2 3 4 NS

2. The best/most helpful part of this activity was _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. This activity could be improved by ____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. I heard about this worksite wellness activity from: (check all that apply)

____Posters/flyers ____ Web site

____ Co-worker ____ Staff newsletter

____ E-mail Announcement ____ Other

5. For future worksite wellness programs I am interesting in the following: (Check all that apply)

____ Healthy Eating ____ Quitting Tobacco Use

____ Physical Activity ____ Stress Management

Please return this survey to your Worksite Wellness Committee Representative:

______________________________________________________________________ by ________________________________.

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

Sign-Up SheetScavenger Hunt is an eight-week program to discover community resources that you can use to eat healthier, be more physically active, quit tobacco, manage stress and achieve overall improved health.

The Scavenger Hunt begins on _____________________________.Sign-up by _____________________________ to participate.

Name Phone E-mail

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

___________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Scavenger HuntWorkWell NC Turnkey Program

sign-up sheet Quick tips evaluation

Poster