About the Ohio
Valley Promenaders and the ECOWV Federation
How the Campaign Works
In January of 2003, with the help of Holli Smith and Dr. Bill Reger, Director of Wellness, WVU, the Ohio Valley Promenaders Square and Round Dance club of Bellaire, Ohio initiated a grass roots wellness program for their membership. The program included participant lifestyle logs; weight screenings and a series of wellness topics designed to educate members on healthier lifestyles. Topics covered included diet, exercise, the importance of laughter and even the benefits of chocolate. Combined, the fifteen OVP members to complete the four month program lost well over 200 pounds.
In the summer of 2003 the ECOWV Square and Round Dance Federation adopted the program and created a marketing plan to go with it. The results were SQUARE4LIFE: A Wellness Initiative and Marketing Plan for Square Dance Clubs.
Clubs in the ECOWV Federation include the "Ohio Valley Promenaders" in Bellaire, Ohio, "Valley Rounds" in Wheeling, WV, "Dip-N-Dive" in Steubenville, Ohio, "Spinning Gears" in Weirton, WV, "NuHall Dancers" in Dennsion, Ohio and the "Muskingum Twirlers" of Beverly, Ohio. The ECOWV is actively recruiting new members. Clubs should be located in East Central Ohio or Northern West Virginia.