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The Morrison Bruce Center
Department of Kinesiology - MSC 2302
261 Bluestone Drive
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807


540-568-4348 (voice) and
morrisonbrucecenter@jmu.edu

Mission

To honor the legacies of Drs. Morrison and Bruce, we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of girls and women through the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. This endeavor is achieved by engaging students and faculty in impact-driven scholarly pursuits and outreach programming.

Services/Events

Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. 

Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. is a 10-week running program that aims to help 3rd through 5th grade girls develop healthy habits through non-competitive running and informative nutrition lessons. The main goal of Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. is to teach the importance of building a healthy lifestyle through fun and interactive activity and to enhance the self-esteem and self-worth of our participants.

Where: Waterman Elementary School
When: Girls Have H.E.A.R.T. has been cancelled for the remainder of the semester in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19

Cost:
$15 for the 10-week program (payable by cash or check*)
need-based fee waivers are available upon request
* checks should be made out to JMU (w/MBC GHH in the memo)
* a state-mandated $50 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank.

Program includes:

  • T-shirt

  • Weekly Snacks

  • Endurance-building activities and games

  • Lessons about positive self-esteem, confidence, and more

Healthy Kids

Healthy Kids is a weekly program that teaches children, ages 3 to 4, basic nutrition concepts (e.g., "Fruits are Good for our Hearts", "Protein Builds Strong Muscles", and "Healthy Snacks Keep Us Full") and provides developmental opportunities in many fundamental motor skills (e.g., running, hopping, sliding, kicking) through age-appropriate, fun, and engaging activities. Participants also receive a healthy snack and gain additional lesson reinforcement through craft activities.

Healthy Kids runs each semester and fills up quickly, so if you’re interested in signing up your child this semester or next, please contact the Morrison-Bruce Center at morrisonbrucecenter@jmu.edu.

Spring 2020 Dates:
Healthy Kids sessions have been cancelled for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester in accordance with the recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19. Stay tuned for Fall 2020 dates!

Spring 2020 Fee:
$10 per child (covers costs for the 10-week program)
due at the first program session, payable by cash or check*
* checks should be made out to JMU (w/MBC Healthy Kids in the memo)
* a state-mandated $50 fee will be assessed for any check returned by the bank.

Marketing and Development

Who we primarily serve

Women that are students, faculty, and staff at James Madison University as well as in the community for events.

Activities 

Women's health and wellness program 

The Women’s Health and Wellness Program is an event designed for women to invest time in themselves, their health, and their well-being. This program offers workshops and sessions that will help participants learn more about fitness, nutrition, and the importance of physical activity.

Registration Information:

Conference registration is $25, which includes:

  • Access to all events on Saturday, including a physical activity workshops, cooking demo, and content sessions.

  • Catered Lunch

  • Give-aways!

Optional Clinical and fitness testing will also be available the day before the event (September 27).

  • Clinical and fitness testing – $25

  • Clinical testing alone – $15

  • Fitness testing alone – $15

Fitness and clinical testing sessions include:

  • Fitness: submaximal exercise treadmill test, leg press, push-ups, curl-ups, and sit-and-reach

  • Clinical: lipid and glucose panel (via fingerstick), DXA scan (body fat %), blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumference

Other Important Information:

  • There are a limited number of slots for the clinical and testing appointments.

  • Specific appointment times for clinical and fitness testing will be scheduled closer to the event. Fitness testing is expected to take 1-1.5 hours, while clinical testing will take approximately 45 minutes.

  • Prices for these add-ons are in addition to the $25 conference registration.

  • You must register for the conference to be able to register for the add-ons.

 

Movin’ and Groovin’ 

Movin’ & Groovin’ Day 2020 has been cancelled in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19.

Purpose: To empower young girls to live healthy lives by teaching the importance of and providing positive experiences related to their health and wellness
Participant Ages: 7 to 17 years
When: Spring 2021 date TBD
Where: Godwin Hall at JMU

Movin' and Groovin' Day 2019 featured EIGHT different stations focused on the theme "Healthy Choices are my Superpower", covering topics such as:

  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness

  • Flexibility

  • Muscular Strength and Endurance

  • Nutrition

  • Dance

  • Golf

  • And more!

In addition, Movin' and Groovin' Day 2019 included the following:

  • A healthy lunch provided by JMU's Aramark

  • An event t-shirt

  • Take home materials from each station

Families in Motion 

Families in Motion is an opportunity for your family to be active together, while learning about different components of health and wellness! This FREE event will be filled with fun activities focusing on topics like cardiovascular health, strength, and agility/coordination, and is designed to educate healthy lifestyle habits and promote working as a family to stay active.
Participants: Families with children in grades K-5
When: Saturday, February 22, 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: 137 Godwin Hall (JMU)
Cost: Free!

Our Fall 2019 Families In Motion included the following:

  • Fun, active, and educational physical activity stations

  • Nutrition demo and snack sample

  • MBC giveaways

  • Program booklet of fun ideas to use at home

OWWL: Older Women's Wellness for Life 

The OWWL Program (Older Women’s Wellness for Life) is a 2-day event designed for women ages 55 and older to invest in themselves. The weekend includes health and fitness assessments, along with a personalized physical activity/exercise program. Participants will also attend lectures and workshops on topics related to nutrition, motivation, and the importance of physical activity for women's health

 

EmpowHER

EmpowHER is an event series that aims to provide resistance training programming designed for JMU women (students, faculty, and staff) and the opportunity to experience the weight room in a comfortable, educational, and open setting. The goal of EmpowHER is to provide relevant knowledge and tools needed to develop confidence in incorporating weight training into your own training plan.

Dumbbells After Dark

Dumbbells After Dark focuses on utilizing dumbbells as part of a resistance training plan. Participants will practice exercises taught by Exercise Science students and receive feedback on their form and technique.
Where: Godwin 218 (JMU)
When: Dumbbells After Dark has been cancelled in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19.
Cost: FREE
Questions? Email us at morrisonbrucecenter@jmu.edu

 

Kettlebell Kickstarter

Kettlebell Kickstarter is the second event in our spring EmpowHER series. This session’s focus will be on implementing kettlebells in a resistance workout.
Where: Godwin 218 (JMU)
When: Kettlebell Kickstarter has been cancelled in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19.
Cost: FREE
Join us at our Facebook event!

Med Ball Madness

Med Ball Madness is the third event in our spring EmpowHER series that will focus on the use of medicine balls for a variety of workout objectives.
Where: Godwin 218 (JMU)
When: Med Ball Madness has been cancelled in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and JMU regarding COVID-19.
Cost: FREE
Join us at our Facebook event!

Barbells and Brunch

Barbells & Brunch is a scaled-up event held in the fall that provides the opportunity to experience the UREC weight room and learn more about the components of a successful resistance training program.
Where: UREC (JMU)
When: Fall 2020 program date TBD
Cost: FREE

Exercise is Medicine

Based on the philosophy that physical activity is one of the most important factors in the prevention and treatment of disease, Exercise is Medicine (EIM) was developed to encourage health care professionals to advocate for physical activity when treating patients. This global health initiative is supported by The American College of Sports Medicine and The American Medical Association. Visit the EIM webpage for more information: http://www.exerciseismedicine.org/

Exercise is Medicine - On Campus (EIM-OC) is a branch of the movement that aims to create change in college and university communities. The Morrison Bruce Center has teamed up with UREC and University Health to bring EIM to JMU.

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