The Kamsack Recreation Board has its eyes set on winning $10,000; the only catch being lots and lots of people have to do lots and lots of moving around for 10 days in March.
Last week, Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt signed a registration form for the Go Out and Play Challenge, a program being held by Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Saskatchewan In Motion.
Langenburg won the $10,000 prize last year; Churchbridge, two years ago, and Norquay won it the year before, Kev Sumner, Kamsack’s recreation director, and contact person for the Challenge in Kamsack, said last week.
Each year communities across Saskatchewan compete to see which one get its community members moving by logging minutes of physical activity online, said a letter to the mayor from Marnie Sinclair, manager of Saskatchewan In Motion.
The community with the most minutes wins a grand prize of $10,000, Sinclair said.
“The Go Out and Play Challenge is an awesome opportunity for your community to get families moving and have the chance to win $10,000 toward a community project that inspires active outdoor play,” she said. In addition to the grand prize, the Challenge offers a prize of $5,000 for the runner up community.
Communities, such as Kamsack, which register before December 15, receive an additional 1,000 minutes to go towards its final tally at the end of the Challenge.
“The Challenge is also a great way to pump up community spirit and pride,” she said. “Last year, the Challenge drew over 2,800 participants from 26 communities and two community associations which logged over 2.9 million minutes of physical activity over a 10-day period.
For the Challenge, the Kamsack Recreation Board was named the “champion” or organization to lead the effort, and Sumner, the contact person.
“Everyone has a role to play to make sure our kids are happy, healthy and successful,” Sinclair said.
Any and every physical activity that people undertake between March 1 and 10 may be recorded, Sumner said, listing: children at recess; seniors walking around the block; students playing sports; they can all count towards the total amount of time spent towards the prize.
Sumner said that a friend or relative living in another community, even another province, can add the time he or she will spend on physical activity on those 10 days in March, and it will count towards Kamsack’s total.
Residents wishing additional information on the Challenge or who want more information on how to participate, may contact Sumner at the Kamsack recreation office.
