Friday, February 26, 2016
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
It's Your Move! February 22nd to March 21st, 2016
“It’s Your Move!” The Active Elgin Community Challenge is an invitation to all members of our community to set a goal, get moving, and track their minutes of physical activity. The Challenge started February 22nd and is designed to encourage residents of Elgin County and St. Thomas to discover all of the diverse opportunities for active living available to us.
Residents are challenged to track their “moves” (minutes of physical activity) daily for four weeks, using Active Elgin’s online minute tracker or on a printed recording sheet. The Challenge will cover the four weeks from February 22nd to March 21st 2016. Active living has its own rewards, but it should be mentioned there will be some cool prizes drawn from the list of registered participants. The first 80 families to register for the challenge will receive a free family swim pass to the St. Thomas YMCA. There will also be weekly prizes for those who share what their physical activity looks like by posting a photo on facebook or twitter using #activeelgin. Participants will automatically be entered into a draw for some additional prizes at the end of the Challenge:
- 1 Grand Prize - Your choice of a 1 year YMCA family membership, 2 weeks at Pearce Camp or a deluxe outdoor sports equipment package (valued at $1,500)
- 2 draws for a Kid's Bike and Safety Helmet
- 2 draws for Fitbits
Tracking sheets are available for pick-up and drop-off at the St. Thomas Public Library and Elgin County Library branches or on-line at www.activeelgin.ca.
The challenge is open to all ages – active living is important at any stage of life and adults can be role models who help create a community culture of healthy living. As Laura Crandall, Health Promoter, notes, “Through the challenge we want to remind families that there are so many ways to get daily physical activity. It doesn’t have to be through organized sports or a membership to a gym. Playing with the kids outside, building a snow fort, or taking a hike a through the woods are all great ways to enjoy the outdoors and get moving!”
Check out the Active Elgin website for creative and easy ideas on how to get active. Information about upcoming family friendly events will also be highlighted on the website.
The Active Elgin Physical Activity Challenge is part of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge . Our community is one of 45 across Ontario taking part in the initiative which unites Ontario communities with a common goal of promoting children’s health through physical activity and healthy eating. To learn more, visit www.activeelgin.ca and www.facebook.com/ESTPH/.
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