Annual Get Movin’ program rewards kids for staying physically active

Over the past nine summers, more than 19,000 kids and adults have taken up the challenge to Get Movin’.

Sydney Norton, 12, of Marysville, was one of them. She and brothers, Cole, 10, and Andrew, 7, participated in Get Movin’ for the first time last year.

The free summer program gives kids prizes for being active for 60 minutes, five days a week.

Activities are registered in a log book. This year’s prizes include free swimming, bowling, ice rink passes, free admission to Snohomish County YMCAs and a free climbing session.

“It’s really fun and really helps you get active and stay healthy and fit,” Sydney said.

Her summer was filled with shooting baskets, riding her bike, playing soccer with her brother, playing tag with a friend and participating in backyard badminton games.

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“It was fun to see how long you were being active and it motivated you to do more,” she said.

This year’s program kicks off on Saturday, with events in Marysville, Everett and Lynnwood. When families register, they get a Get Movin’ T-shirt and can participate in free family activities.

Events vary by location, but include hula hooping, Zumba, a bicycle rodeo and a skateboard demonstration.

Sydney said she really liked some of the incentive prizes she got for reaching the goal of being active for 60 minutes, five days a week.

“I got to go climbing; it was really cool,” she said.

Those who can’t make it to Saturday’s kickoff events can still register for Get Movin’ from Monday to June 30 at the Everett, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe and Mukilteo YMCAs, the Everett Parks Office and the Lynnwood Recreation Center.

The program began as a way to get kids more active and battle rising childhood obesity rates. In 2004, its first year, 612 kids signed up.

It has since grown as a way for families to participate in activities together. Now about 3,000 people register for the event each year.

This year marks the 10th summer the program has been in Snohomish County. Sponsors include United Way of Snohomish County, YMCA of Snohomish County, the City of Marysville, The Everett Clinic, Swedish/Edmonds, the Everett AquaSox, Molina Healthcare and The Herald.

Lori Olson, of Mill Creek, runs a small school-age daycare program and said she’s been encouraging families to sign up for years.

The incentives earned allow the students to take field trips to swimming pools, bowling and skating.

Some days, though, they stay close to home and go for a walk or hike. “It’s all about getting them moving, right?” she said.

Connor Holtzclaw, 11, of Mill Creek, said he’s used the Get Movin’ incentive prizes he’s earned to participate in ice skating and swimming.

“There’s a lot of things you can do that are really fun that you might not be able to do if you don’t sign up,” he said.

Sarah Olson, who works for Lynnwood’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, has helped organize Get Movin’ for the past seven years. She said she sees kids and families in their Get Movin’ T-shirts throughout the county all summer long.

One of those scenes occurred last summer just a few blocks from her home. She spotted two kids riding their bikes and their parents walking nearby.

“That’s what Get Movin’ is all about, getting the whole family out together doing something that’s active,” Olson said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

In dedication

This year’s Get Movin’ program is dedicated to Caroline Brown, longtime health and fitness director of the Marysville YMCA. In 2004, Brown helped organize the first Get Movin’ program and continued to support it with her volunteer work, helping the program grow each year.

Brown died at her home on Nov. 7, 15 months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 60 years old.

A photo of Brown will be on display at the Marysville kickoff event. “This year is a tribute to Caroline Brown and all she gave to Get Movin’,” said Sarah Olson, of the Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Department.

Events

Kickoff events for Get Movin’, the free summer program to encourage families to be active, are scheduled for Saturday in Marysville, Everett and Lynnwood. Here are more details:

Marysville

Registration for Get Movin’ will be held in conjunction with Healthy Communities Challenge Day. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Allen Creek Elementary School, 6505 60th Drive NE.

10 a.m. Hula Hoop demonstration and give away
10:30 a.m. Zumba demonstration
11 a.m. Maketa Wilborn, X8 interactive drumming
12 p.m. Jump rope giveaway
12:30 p.m. Johnny Bregar, children’s music for kids and families
1:30 p.m. Hula Hoop demonstration and giveaway

Everett

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., upper field activity stage

10:10 a.m. Exercise
10:40 a.m. Zumbatomic
11:10 Hula hooping
11:30 a.m. Tae kwon do
12 p.m. Gymnastics
12:30 p.m. Fit games

Lynnwood

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Alderwood mall at The Terraces between Jamba Juice and Anthony’s, 3000 184th St. SW.

10:05 a.m. YMCA activities
10:35 a.m. Zumbatomic
11:05 a.m. Cascade Elite Gymnastics
11:35 a.m. YMCA youth fitness demo
12:05 p.m. Reflections School of Dance
12:35 p.m. Taekwondo Way, Cascade Bicycle Rodeo, YMCA skateboard demonstration

A health fair also is scheduled, with an EMS vehicle and a Community Transit rack-your-bike demonstration, along with a blood pressure station, fitness screenings and weight loss services.

If you can’t make it to Saturday’s kickoff events, you can sign up from Monday to June 30 by calling: