PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Jumping over hay hurdles and rolling potato barrels are just two of the fun obstacles local youth will get to tackle during the 2015 Redy Youth Adventure Challenge, taking place Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 at 9 a.m. at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
This year’s fourth annual event, a unique collaboration among Aroostook County Action Program’s (ACAP) Healthy Aroostook, The Aroostook Medical Center and UMPI, will celebrate active lifestyles and the region’s agricultural heritage. The event is open to youth ages 7-14.
Online registration is ongoing and can be found by clicking the “Sign Up” button at www.facebook.com/redyyouthtri. All registrants will receive a free tote bag, water bottle and camo event bandana.
“We’re always trying to make this event as fun and engaging as possible for kids, so while our event in past years has been a youth triathlon, we’ve mixed things up a bit this year,” Jamie Guerrette, Youth Adventure Challenge event director, said.
“We’re excited to partner with a variety of people to bring an adventure-themed event to the County. This year, we’ve based our event around harvest and local crops. Kids will be able to do many different farm-themed activities while doing the mile course, which we’re excited to say is like no other course in the County. We’re hoping it will attract lots of youth ready for a good challenge. This course also requires no training or preparation, so kids can just hit the ground running.”
The Youth Adventure Challenge will have participants running, hauling, stacking, hopping and throwing as they negotiate six to eight obstacles throughout a 1-mile, spectator-friendly course on the university’s athletic fields. The course and obstacles have been designed by UMPI Gentile Hall staffers Keli Marston and Amanda Baker.
To accommodate the age range of participants, kids ages 11-14 will complete more difficult versions of the obstacles than kids ages 7-10. Locally grown products will feature heavily into these physical challenges and organizers are working with area farmers to gather materials. At event’s end, each kid will receive a participation medal and a tote bag full of healthy, local produce.
“Healthy Aroostook is dedicated to improving the lives of folks of all ages in Aroostook County, including our youth population, which is why we’re so pleased to be a part of the Redy Youth Adventure Challenge,” Colette Thompson, Healthy Aroostook’s Let’s Go! program coordinator, said. “This event highlights the important work of the local Let’s Go! Aroostook regional office and encourages kids to think about healthy eating and active living in a fun environment.”
“Redy” is the mascot of Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0, a nationally recognized youth obesity prevention program. The mascot, who will be present at the event, embodies what the challenge is all about: providing kids with an opportunity to get active in a fun, safe and supportive environment. The 5-2-1-0 message encourages youth to eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables; spend 2 hours or less watching TV or videogames; increase physical activity to 1 hour or more; and move towards 0 sugar-sweetened beverages.
“Being fit and active shouldn’t be a chore. Activities like the REDY Youth Adventure Challenge are a great way to challenge kids and to demonstrate that fitness really is fun,” said TAMC President and CEO Sylvia Getman. “We really encourage families to get involved in this event and support our youth participants. The adults may be inspired to get more active as well, when they see what a great time is had by all the participants.”
“We are always delighted to partner with TAMC and Healthy Aroostook for this fun-filled day focused on kids, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. We can’t wait to see local kids tackling these challenging, agricultural-themed obstacles throughout campus on September 13 and we invite everyone in the community to join us and the youth participants for their big day,” said UMPI President Linda Schott.
The 2015 Redy Youth Adventure Challenge can accommodate over 75 children. For more information or to register a child for the event, go to www.facebook.com/redyyouthtri. Volunteer assistance is also needed at all stages of the course; visit the above site for information.
