In spite of the fact Old Man Winter’s icy grip is still around our collective throats, we are being encouraged to escape the comfort of the couch and get outside this weekend.
The Family Amazing Race event takes place at Bower Ponds with the backing of the Be Fit For Life Centres according to organizer Barb Marsh.
“It’s our first attempt at that (Family Amazing Race) and getting families engaged and outdoors utilizing our trail system and some of the activities within the outdoor world,” she said.
The program runs from 1 until 4 p.m. with Dave Rodney, the associate minister of Health and Wellness in Alberta on hand to kick things off.
Families can take in a scavenger hunt, a mini Olympics, disc golf and Red Deer Minor Football will be set up to run a mini training camp for you to test your skill.
You can also get yourself ready for the camping season by hauling around some logs and water, she said.
“It’s all about the physical activity and being active and realizing some of the things we normally do or should be doing are really simple and also helping us be healthier,” said Marsh.
She said no matter what the weather, we should still take advantage of what the great outdoors offers us and get busy doing something which gets you off the couch.
“I think we think it (exercise) needs to be too structured but it’s very simple and it’s certainly beneficial for all members of the family to be active,” she said.
The idea came abut after a challenge was issued by the health minister to get people out and about during a specific weekend so the Be Fit For Life Centres, of which there are nine in Alberta, took up the cause with the Red Deer branch putting the emphasis on the family angle.
“We just felt with Red Deer being a young community it would make sense to go with a family event.”
While at the event you can also pick up additional information on many other activities to keep you and your family busy all year round in the Red Deer region, she said.
“Even if it snows don’t use that as an excuse to not be active,” said Marsh. “Come out and have some fun.”
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