“Get Moving U.P.” Makes Regular Physical Activity the Norm for Over 500 People

Youth try their luck at the 4-H Fishing Station – prizes were given for the first six fish caught.

Blue Cross and WELCUP Boost Adult Fitness in Six Regions

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – Grand View Health System along with the Wellness Council of the Upper Peninsula and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) awarded the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s Get Outdoors Program for youth in Gogebic and Ontonagon counties with an $833 community prize. Six regional teams competed in “Get Moving UP” program from January 3 through February 27. Each received an $833 regional community prize to support local wellness programs or public recreation sites if they met a certain goal for physical activity.

“Individuals logged more than 48,000 “mile equivalents” in daily entries on the Blues’ WalkingWorks Web site,” said Geneva Smiles, Community Wellness Coordinator for Grand View. “Besides walking, other activities that increased heart rate such as swimming, skiing and snowshoeing were included.”

 

Team Name	Total “Miles”	Average Weekly “Miles” Per Participant
Marquette Alger	10,908.74	73.21
Chippewa Luce Mackinac	10,109.43	78.37
Delta Menomoniee Schoolcraft	7,818.37	89.87
Dickinson Iron	7,051.60	95.29
Gogebic Ontonagon	6,261.02	125.22
Keweenaw Baraga Houghton	949.89	49.99

MSU kicked off the program by holding a National Get Outdoors Day at Eddy Park Pavillion on Sunday Lake on June 12 in Wakefield. It was one of only 49 national sites to be an official site. Organizers of the event, Mary Powell – Soil Conservation District and Vicki Nelson – MSU 4-H Program, have lined up many exciting and fun activities for all ages such as tennis, fishing, environmental art, camping, and much more! On August 18th a kayaking workshop for youth will be held at Sunday Lake co-sponsored by Steep Creek Kayak, with minimal cost for youth with help from the community award.

These events will encourage kids and their families to participate in healthy, active outdoor activities. It will reach out to segments of our population that now rarely visit and benefit from our network of public lands and waters and also engage new and existing partners in connecting people, especially kids, to the outdoors.  For more information on upcoming activities please contact Vicki Nelson at nelsonv2@msu.edu or (906) 663-4045.

Whitecap Kayaking demonstrates techniques and equipment.