Give your health fairs a family flavor
Draw in the kids, and the parents will follow
When you start planning your next employee health fair, consider adding a parent/child element to your programming. Not only will it make the fair seem new and different, but it also will boost attendance.
Employees who might otherwise stay home with their kids will be free to attend the fair with them. And the fair attractions that specifically target kids may result in some small (or not-so-small) dependents dragging mom and dad along with them.
"We do hundreds of cholesterol tests at every fair," says John Averill, plant trainer for Unocal Agricultural Products, a fertilizer manufacturer in Kenai, AK. The plant, which is part of the chemicals division of Los Angeles-based Unocal, an oil & gas company, only has about 340 employees. And because Averill reports 35% to 40% employee participation at his health fairs, it’s clear that a large number of those taking the tests are dependents over the age of 18, who are encouraged to participate along with their parents.
Parenting or family health fairs should be an integral part of the overall wellness programming, says Sylvia Dvorak, MS, CHES, president of Atman International, a patient and professional health promotion company based in Pacific Palisades, CA. "Health involves the entire family," says Dvorak, who organized a series of family-oriented fairs for Averill from 1991 to 1993. "Family members can work together to support each other in positive health efforts, and it’s important to get family members involved as early as possible in activities where they can learn about developing a healthy lifestyle."
What distinguishes a family health fair from a more traditional fair? "The approach on these events is more festive, primarily because children are involved," Dvorak says. This should begin with the way you design and word your promotional brochures, promising "fun" activities and urging employees to "Get your children involved!"
Elements of the fair might resemble what you would see at a country fair: lots of clowns and balloons for the kids. But it also should include educational games so the children can learn about health.
"One booth we created consisted of a big wooden board, with circular holes cut in it," Dvorak recalls. "The kids were given bean bags, which they had to throw through certain holes that were surrounded by healthy foods." There was a facilitator at the booth who talked to the children about why some foods are more healthy than others and why they should throw the bean bags through those holes.
Averill creates a festive atmosphere at his fairs by putting up a big tent at the annual company picnic. One of the booths that has always been a favorite at Unocal fairs is another version of the bean-bag game only in this game, the children have to knock down "bad" things, such as cigarette packs.
"You should always try to get participation from community organizations such as the Fire Department," adds Dvorak, as they will often participate at no cost to your company. At the Unocal fair, the local Fire Department lent the company its "safety house," which is used to teach how to get out of a house on fire. At the house, children get in bed and pretend to be sleeping. Then, when the house "catches fire," they have to roll off the bed and onto the floor. If they touch the door, a Unocal employee who also is a volunteer fireman tells them the door is too hot to touch and that they must go out the window. "The kids have a lot of fun," says Dvorak. "They get to wear a fireman’s uniform, but they also learn about fire safety." (For additional tips on putting together a successful family health fair, see story, above.)
Don’t forget the adults
A family health fair should offer the same screenings for adults that are found at a more traditional fair, including tests for body fat percentage, cholesterol and blood pressure levels, glaucoma, strength and flexibility tests, and health risk assessments.
But don’t leave the adults out of the fun; let them participate in the festive atmosphere, as well. For example, Dvorak uses a game for adults designed to help smokers quit. It includes a series of health questions related to smoking, in which participants who answer a certain number correctly receive a prize.
Your fair also can include entertainment for the whole family. For example, at the Alaska fairs, Dvorak arranged for a performance by senior (55-plus) line dancers. At other fairs, children’s dance troupes have performed. "You might even have a local health club do an aerobics demonstration," she suggests.
Averill maintains a festive air right up to the conclusion of his fair, with children whacking a piñata. His fair has become so entrenched in the company culture that when he decided to skip it one year, he really heard about it from the employees. "We put it back the very next year," he says. "It’s clear the employees want it every year."
[Editors Note: For more information on family health fairs, contact: Sylvia K. Dvorak, President, Atman International, 15332 Antioch Street, Suite 324, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Telephone: (310) 573-2127. Fax: (310) 573-1288. E-mail: [email protected].]
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