NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS-MISIWAY HEALTHY KIDS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
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The Timmins-Misiway Healthy Kids Community Challenge and the YMCA of Timmins are inviting children and families to take part in a week of free activities to promote powering down gadgets. The Amazing Race Week event will run from Saturday, Feb. 17 to Saturday, Feb. 24. Participating children will receive a booklet with a list of activities happening throughout the week. The booklet will act as a passport for kids and their families to take part in free activities offered by community partners.
“We’ve had an incredible response from businesses and organizations in our community wanting to be a part of and contribute to this event,” said Courtney Berlinghoff, community programs co-ordinator for the YMCA of Timmins. Activities that will be offered for free during the week include skating, swimming, bowling, snowshoeing and much more. When a child attends an activity, they will receive a stamp in their passport. At the end of the week, children can submit their passports to be entered into a draw for some awesome prizes.
The initiative is part of the fourth theme of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Power Off and Play! This theme encourages kids and families to build a balanced day, replacing screen time with other activities, such as physical play, social interaction, and fun and educational activities. ‘Screen time’ is the time spent using a screen-based device, such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, or television – and many children are getting too much of it. Screen time affects many aspects of children’s health and higher amounts can be linked to lower levels of physical fitness, lower self-esteem, and poor language and attention skills development during a child’s early years.
“The goal of the Amazing Race Week is to encourage children and families to step away from their screens and take part in other activities that promote physical health and well-being,” said Madison Mizzau, project manager for the Timmins-Misiway Healthy Kids Community Challenge. “It’s all about powering off devices and playing more.”
Parents can register their children and pick up their passports beginning Feb. 2 at one of three locations: the YMCA of Timmins, the Timmins Public Library, and Misiway Community Health Centre. The Amazing Race Week Passport is available for children ages 0-14. A full schedule of activities is included in the passport.
For more information about the Healthy Kids Community Challenge or to get involved, follow us on Facebook or visit here. Together we can create a healthier environment for children to live, eat and play!
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