Fit & Fun Series Changes Seasons; “Swim Into Spring” Deemed Success

The community-wide Fit & Fun series continues to be supported and promoted by TAMC as part of the hospital’s commitment to community health.

(ABOVE: Six year-old Finn Mosher of Presque Isle gives a thumbs up to “Swim into Spring,” a partnership between TAMC and UMPI and part of TAMC’s Fit & Fun series).

The effort to provide low cost, easily accessible and enjoyable activities to promote a healthy lifestyle continues like the changing of the seasons; winter to spring.

The Fit & Fun series features a wide variety of activities throughout the year.  As in the past, some events in the series are activities that are happening in the community already but that TAMC helps to promote, while others are sponsored directly by the hospital.

The winter session wrapped up at the beginning of March and included free skating at the Forum in Presque Isle (including free skate rentals), snowshoe hikes, Ladies Rock Wall Night at UMPI, as well as various skiing activities including skill level classes and a Wicked Cheap Wednesday night at Big Rock in Mars Hill.

TAMC’s winter session also included various indoor walking activities including the popular Couch to 5K program.

The Fit & Fun series took on a new look this year,” said Jamie Guerrette, Community Health Specialist. “We’re actively planning a number of events that promote physical activity, as we work to serve the needs of the community. We are trying to keep these activities both low cost and easily accessible. We accomplished that with our winter session and the plans we have lined up for the rest of the year will keep us on that path.”

To segue between the seasons, TAMC partnered with UMPI for a series of events called “Swim into Spring.” Every Sunday afternoon throughout the month of March, community members were invited to swim at the indoor pool at UMPI’s Gentile Hall at a discounted rate.

Sarah Stevens of Presque Isle thought it was a great idea. “I like it. It helps get people out; I think they should do it more often.”

Stevens, originally from Tobique First Nation, brought her 3 kids, Brennan, Violet, and 10 month-old Pauline to the pool. It was Pauline’s first time swimming. “We want her to love the water like we do,” Stevens said.

The reaction was immediate,” said Guerrette. “We had a lot of families come on the first day. For the weeks following, the attendance seemed to double each time. Because we obviously see a need, we will continue our partnership with UMPI and offer a discounted swimming day on the first Sunday of every month through the rest of the year beginning May 1st.”

TAMC’s Sunday swimming at UMPI’s Gentile Hall will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of every the month and will cost $1 for children and $2 for adults. The pool is limited to eighty people. An adult must be present for all children thirteen and under, and parents must sign a liability form.

Spring events to look forward to in the Fit & Fun series include another Couch to 5K session, The Aroostook River Fun Run, a bike rodeo, guided walking tours, and several running events including the Autism Challenge, Got Guts 5K to benefit Crohn’s and Colitis research, and more.

A full listing of activities for the Fit & Fun series can be found by going to the TAMC website at www.tamc.org.  Organizations that would like to add an event to the Fit & Fun schedule can do so by contacting Guerrette at jguerrette@tamc.org or (207) 768-4008.

TAMC’s ultimate goal for the Fit & Fun series is to help decrease both childhood obesity and the number of adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

(ABOVE: Sarah Stevens, holding her 10 month-old daughter Pauline, with her other children Violet (left) and Brennan (right) took advantage of TAMC’s “Swim into Spring” series at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. The series will continue on the first Sunday of every month for the remainder of the year.