ABOUT THE SUNWISE PROGRAM

To promote sun-safe behavior at an early age, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the

SunWise Program, a free national environmental and health

education program for children. Through the use of

classroom, school, and community components, SunWise

promotes sun safety by teaching children and their

caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to

ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The program is designed for kindergarten through eighthgrade learning levels. Any K-8 school can participate. 

By joining EPA's SunWise Program, participants will have

access to useful tools to help teach sun-safe behaviors in

the classroom, such as:

• The SunWise Tool Kit - providing a range of 

cross-curricular lessons, activities, and background

information for K-8 children.

• The SunWise Internet Learning Site

(www.epa.gov/sunwise) - an interactive medium with

web-based educational activities and resources.

• Additional materials, puzzles, posters, and activities,

such as the “Mission SunWise” storybook and activity

book.

Register today to receive your free SunWise Tool Kit by

visiting www.epa.gov/sunwise. 
“Welcome to the SunWise Club,” said Amy.

“Everybody, meet Carlos and Lisa. They’re new to the neighborhood.

They want to join our club,” said Kelly. 

“They heard the SunWise Club has fun being sun safe,” said Erin. 

“We do have fun! We have secret missions and adventures. When we

finish a mission we get awesome rewards,” said Brian. 

“What’s our secret mission for today?” asked Sam.

“Today our mission is to help Carlos and Lisa become SunWise.

When they’re SunWise, we’ll get our prize!” said Amy. 

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2

“

Why should I be SunWise?” asked Lisa. 

“The sun is a star,” said Erin. “It does many good things that help

plants and animals on Earth.”

“The sun gives light so we can see, it keeps us warm, and it helps

plants grow.”

“Even though we need the sun, sometimes too much sunlight can be

bad for people.”

“We must protect ourselves from special rays of the sun called

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS. Ultraviolet rays are also called UV RAYS.”

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“That’s right!” said Amy, “You can’t see or feel UV rays, but

they are there, even on cloudy days. UV rays can hurt your

skin and eyes. It doesn’t matter if your skin is light or dark,

UV rays can cause you harm.”

“The sky has a built-in shield called the OZONE LAYER. The

ozone layer keeps most of the UV rays from reaching the earth.

It is like an umbrella that blocks the rain. The ozone layer

does not stop ALL the UV

rays from reaching you.

That’s why it is important

that we protect ourselves

and be SunWise.” 

“UV rays are strongest in

the middle of the day.

It’s a good idea to stay

out of the sun during

that time if you can –

ESPECIALLY if

you’re not SunWise.”

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“

OK,” Carlos said, “Now I know WHY I need sun protection. But

what can I do to be SunWise? How can I protect myself from UV

rays?” 

“It’s easy!” said Kelly. You just need to remember to SLIP! SLOP!

SLAP! and WRAP!,TM CHECK the UV Index!, and PLAY in the

SHADE!” 

“SLIP on a shirt. Wear

a long-sleeve shirt and

pants to cover as much

skin on your body as you

can,” said Sam.

“SLOP on a sunscreen

of at least SPF 15.

Spread it on your face,

arms, legs, and any other

skin that the sun’s UV rays

can reach,” said Brian.

Remember to reapply.

“SLAP on the right

kind of hat. A good hat

will keep UV rays from

reaching your face, ears,

and back of your neck,”

said Brian.
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“WRAP on some

sunglasses. Sunglasses

protect your eyes,”

said Kelly.

“CHECK the UV

Index. We’ll show you

how! The UV Index will

tell you how strong the

UV rays are,” said Sam.

“And PLAY in the

SHADE. If you’re in the

shade, you’re protected

from some of the UV

rays,” said Erin.

“For each SunWise Step you take, you earn a badge. If you earn

enough badges, you can join our club,” said Kelly. “We’ll help you!”
“Before we go

outside, it’s important

to check the UV Index,”

said Brian.

“What’s the UV Index?” asked Lisa.

“The UV Index is a prediction of how

strong the UV rays will be. Just like we

can check to see if it is going to rain or

snow, we can check the forecast for UV

rays. The UV Index is reported on a scale

of 1-11+. The higher the number, the

stronger the UV rays reaching Earth,” said

Amy, “and the more sun protection we need.”

“You can find the UV Index in many places.

It’s in the weather section of the

newspaper and on TV and radio weather

reports. You can also find it on the

SunWise website at www.epa.gov/sunwise.” 

“You can earn a SunWise badge by CHECKING THE UV INDEX every

day,” Brian added.

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UV Index

Index Number Exposure Level

2 or less Low

3-5 Minimal

6-7 High

8-10 Very High

11+ Extreme

The higher the UV

Index, the more

important it is 

to be SunWise.
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“

How’s this?” Carlos asked. “Is this SunWise?” 

“That’s OK,” said Amy, “but THIS ONE is better.” 

Remember, cover as much skin as possible to be

SunWise. What other clothes are the most SunWise?
8

“Time to SLOP on some sunscreen,” said Kelly. 

“Here’s some! This is what my mom uses. What does this number

“15” mean?” asked Lisa. 

“The numbers tell you how much protection that sunscreen will

give you. You should always use number 15 or higher. SLOPPING

on sunscreen will help protect your skin from UV rays,” said Sam.

“Remember to SLOP on a lot and reapply it often.”
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“Time to SLAP on a hat and WRAP on some sunglasses. Which hat

should I wear?” asked Carlos. 

“Pick one that blocks the most sun from your head, face, and neck,” 

said Kelly.

Which hat do YOU think is the most SunWise?
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“When you are outside, try to PLAY IN THE SHADE,” said Sam.

“You know one way to tell when the sun’s rays are strong?” Kelly

asked. “It’s when your shadow is shorter than your body.” 

“Can you find the shady places in this picture?” asked Erin. “You 

can earn a badge by finding all the shady places to play.”
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“We SLIPPED on long shirts and pants,

We SLOPPED on sunscreen,

We SLAPPED on good hats, 

We WRAPPED on some sunglasses,

We CHECKED the UV INDEX, and

We PLAYED in the SHADE.”

“We’re sun safe and SunWise now,” said Carlos.

“AND we completed our Secret Mission!” said Amy. “I wonder

what our prize is?”

“

OK, Lisa and Carlos, how SunWise are you? How many badges

have you earned?” asked Brian. 

“We each earned SIX badges!” said Lisa.
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“

A trip to the

amusement park! That’s

our prize!” said Amy.

“Welcome to the SunWise Club, Lisa and Carlos!” said Erin.

“Thanks!” said Lisa and Carlos, together.

“Everyone can join the SunWise Club. You just have to learn to be

SunWise,” said Brian.

“Remember: Slip! Slop! Slap! Wrap!,TM Check the UV

Index, and Play in the Shade!” said Sam.
The SunWise Program would like to thank the American Cancer Society for their ongoing support 

and for allowing us to use their “SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP!”TM slogan.

SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP!TM is a trademark of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
The sun is a star that helps plants and

animals on Earth. It gives us light so we can see, it

keeps us warm, and it helps plants grow. We need the

sun, but too much sunlight can be bad for people.

This book introduces young children

to basic concepts about the sun and

sun safety. Students will enjoy

following members of the SunWise

Club as they show their friends

basic steps they should take to

practice SunWise behavior.

Mission SunWise! and the

accompanying Coloring and Activity

Book are part of the Environmental

Protection Agency's free SunWise

Program. For more information on

SunWise, visit our website at

www.epa.gov/sunwise.

United States

Environmental Protection 

Agency

Air and Radiation

(6205J)

EPA 430-K-04-008

June 2004

www.epa.gov/sunwise

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