www.presidentialchallenge .org

Remember the Presidential Challenge from your days in elementary school? Thousands of kids grunted their way through sit-ups and pull-ups for a chance at a bright-colored patch sporting the presidential seal. If nostalgia — or your waistline — reigns supreme, you can still earn that patch by signing up for the Presidential Challenge online. And it’s open to all age groups and all levels of fitness.

At the basic level, all you need to do is be physically active for at least 30 minutes on a regular basis. More advanced levels award point totals for various activities. Once you meet the award totals, you can download a free certificate or order a patch ($1.50) or a even a medal ($6).

Run five miles a day, and you could qualify for a bronze medal in as little as six weeks. The Web site allows you to enter your physical activity for each day and keeps track of your point total. It also has plenty of motivational tools and other resources to help you stay fit.

The site also hosts a six-week nationwide challenge from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which kicked off in March and ends May 15. Registration is closed for that initiative, but the ongoing challenge program is still open.

— Markian Hawryluk