Friday, March 11, 2016
Active Elgin
Community Challenge Offers March Break Activity Ideas
March Break is here! The “It’s Your Move” Active Elgin Community Challenge has some ideas for making it fun, affordable and ACTIVE.
Laura Crandall, Health Promoter at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health notes, “Families are looking for things to do over March Break. There’s still time to join the Physical Activity Challenge for the final week and there are still draws to win prizes for participating. March Break is also a great chance to check out some of the many local family-friendly opportunities for active recreation.”
The Active Elgin Physical Activity Challenge ends on March 20th, so there’s still time to join in. Go to www.activeelgin.ca, register and track your “moves” (minutes of physical activity). The whole family can log on under one registration; try setting a family March Break activity goal. There are still free St. Thomas YMCA swim passes available for registering, as well as 3 amazing grand prizes that will be randomly drawn at the end of the challenge. Prizes include:
- 1 Grand Prize: your choice of a 1 year YMCA family membership; or 2 weeks at Pearce Williams Summer 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
Another way to get in on the action is to post a photo of what you or your family’s physical activity looks like on Facebook or Twitter using #ActiveElgin. One entry is drawn each week for a prize package of physical activity equipment and a $50 gift certificate to Paul’s Bike Repair and Sports Exchange. The final week’s winner will be announced March 21st.
Free public swims and skates are also being offered through the Healthy Kids Community Challenge at the following times and locations:
- St Thomas Timken Community Centre on March 14th, 17th and 20th from 1:15-4:15 pm
- East Elgin Community Complex, Aylmer on March 15th and 17th from 1:30-4:30 pm
- West Elgin Arena, West Lorne on March 14th, 16th and 20th from 1:00-3:00 pm
- Free public swims are being offered at the St. Thomas YMCA on March 14th & 16th from 4pm-6 pm.
Find a whole list of Boredom Busters on www.activeelgin.ca, some ideas include; going on a nature scavenger hunt, play a retro game like hopscotch, try horse-back riding or yoga, go bowling; take a hike on a new trail, have a dance week.
The Tundra Swan Migration has also started at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, 10954 Hacienda Rd north of Aylmer. Call 519-773-7926 for the daily swan count. Or you could join the Shamrock Shuffle, an annual event which was designed to help the community and encourage families to get outside and active together. It takes place the morning of March 19th – find out more at www.theshamrockshuffle.ca.
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/.
Media contact:
Laura Crandall
Health Promoter, Elgin St Thomas Public Health
519-631-9900 ext 1324
lcrandall@elginhealth.on.ca
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