This summer, the Junior Summer Fitness Challenge (JSFC) is rolling out to 10 leisure sites across the south-east, plus one site in Yorkshire.

The motivational fitness initiative for children was launched last year by Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex, with 500 children taking part. The organisers are expecting around 3,000 to participate in this year’s event – which will run from 9 July to 3 September – and they hope to roll it out nationally in 2007.

The JSFC works by rewarding children for doing more exercise. For every 10 activities they complete and log in their fitness diaries, children are given a reward – usually merchandise, or free tickets for activity sessions at the club. The aim is to complete 30 physical activities over the summer to collect a medal and certificate.

The scheme has been designed to enable children from all backgrounds to participate – while paid-for sessions at the clubs count towards the total, so too do free activities such as walking the dog, playing football, or riding a bike.

The event is backed by sports minister Richard Caborn and Challenge patron Roger Black, and will be marketed through schools and local youth community groups.

“Exercise should be fun, rewarding and a great way to stay healthy,” says Black. “This event is an excellent way of combining all three. I hope lots of kids take the Challenge and have a really active summer.”