Start summer off on the right foot with walking challenge

Fit Youth Initiative’s sixth annual Community Summer Walking Challenge kicked off with a special recent Earth Day event at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds, but there is still plenty of time for Tuscarawas County residents to sign up for this year’s program. Participants may sign up for the 2010 walking program beginning May 1, at all of the county’s public libraries, the Tuscarawas County YMCA and Twin City YMCA, the Tuscarawas County Health Department and Super Fitness. T-shirts are available to participants, while supplies last.In 2009, 2,600 county residents took part in the challenge. The free program is open to anyone ages three and up. Participants track their personal walking between May and August 1, to be eligible for prizes and incentives. All those returning their walking tracker at the end of the program will be entered into a drawing for prizes including cash, YMCA and Super Fitness memberships, an Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition membership, Norma Johnson Center membership and more. Guided walks have been planned to inspire participants to explore Tuscarawas County’s trails and green spaces in their quest for fitness this summer.Again this year, participants will sign up to be part of a school district “team.” The team with the greatest percentage of people completing the personal 30-hour walking goal will be named the winner of the 2010 Community Walking Challenge and earn resources for the public library and a cash prize for the district to support wellness activities. Registration will end June 15.For information about Fit Youth Initiative or the community summer walking challenge, call the Tuscarawas County office of Ohio State University Extension at 330-339-2337.