Ah, summer. The days we long for and look forward to for months. If you’re a student, the added bliss of unscheduled days and doing absolutely nothing.

Then, the boredom sets in.

As it turns out, we humans like having something to do; we enjoy the journey and the moments knowing that we’re going someplace and accomplishing something.

Despite our occasional grumblings, we do thrive with structure. So, as the summer days deliver on their promise of warmth and relaxation, here’s a fun way to introduce a fun and healthy sense of accomplishment into our kiddos’ no-school days.

people girl bridge play boy run spring color child smiling playground toddler hand in hand kids running outdoor play equipment

This summer, Healthiest Manitowoc County introduces our Lakeshore community’s inaugural “Strive for 25!” initiative. We challenge our community’s youth to try 25 different fruits and vegetables, perform 25 good deeds, and walk/run/roll 25 miles (multiple times!) during June, July and August.

Get a tracker online or at storefronts throughout the community and hang it on your fridge. Track every mile, deed and healthy snack, and then turn in your tracker for fun prizes!

Parents, you can picture yourself now — pointing to the tracker and saying, “Try the asparagus!” or “Let’s ride our bikes!” — it’s healthier living for the whole family. Check out Healthiest Manitowoc County’s website for all the details.

Healthiest Manitowoc County’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition is excited to borrow from our library’s successful summer reading programs and expand the idea to include healthy, helpful habits. Participate in summer reading and Strive for 25, and you’re guaranteed a happy, healthy summer!

Find the Strive for 25 tracker on our website, https://healthiestmc.org/strive-for-25-summer-program/. For questions, contact Lexi Otis at 920-683-4744 or lexiotis@co.manitowoc.wi.us.

-Julie Grossman is co-chairperson of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition of Healthiest Manitowoc County.

Article published by Herald Times Reporter on June 13, 2019