Parents with young children and strollers can get fit and receive a free T-shirt by signing up for Stroller Walks and attending an orientation meeting this month, according to Megan Hammeke at the Great Bend Recreation Commission.
Hammeke reported on the new fitness program during Monday’s GBRC Board meeting. Stroller Walks encourages parents and their children to be active for at least 30 minutes per day. Participants sign a pledge sheet and then self-report activity.
Orientation will be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Sept. 23, at 9:30 a.m. and again at 6 p.m., Hammeke said. Those who attend an orientation session and sign up will get a shirt. Those who keep a log of their activity over the next few months can earn incentives for completing 100, 500 or 1,000 miles.
At Monday’s meeting the board also awarded the next contract for GBRC T-shirts to the low bidder, M&N Screen Printing, Great Bend. The company will produce 1,750 youth T-shirts and 50 larger shirts for a total of $7,742.50, or $4.25 per youth shirt, and up to $5.50 for larger shirts. The only other bid came from Identifications, which offered a flat rate of $4.50 per shirt for a total of $8,100.
The board discussed whether more youth sports should be offered during the school year, now that Great Bend Middle School has dropped intramural sports in favor of competitive teams with tryouts. GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson said the Rec Commission didn’t offer middle school sports programs while the schools had them. “We’ve heard many kids wanted to play (fall sports) and didn’t make the team,” she said.
Sports Director Chris Umphres said instructional soccer and football are starting and GBRC still needs coaches. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact him by calling 793-3755, ext. 5.
Upcoming events:
• Party in the Park, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Veterans Memorial Park, will feature many events, including the GBRC-sponsored Oozefest mud volleyball tournament starting at 10:30 a.m. Five teams have signed up. The deadline is Sept. 19, and those that register by Thursday, Sept. 12, get T-shirts. Register at the GBRC office, 1214 Stone St., or call 620-793-3755, ext. 2. Brackets and team rosters are online at www.greatbendrec.net. Proceeds go to the GBRC Youth Scholarship Fund. GBRC’s Imagination Playground will also be set up at the park that day.
• The Great Bend Optimist Club Punt, Pass & Kick will be held Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Great Bend High School football field (Memorial Stadium) at 19th and Odell. GBRC is assisting with this program for boys and girls ages 8-15. Registration is at 1:30 p.m. Instruction from GBHS football players is at 1:45 p.m. and the competition is at 2 p.m. For information contact Shane Dicks, 786-4780.