Join Santa as he gets in shape, and in the spirit, for the Christmas season at Radec Group’s Santa Rec Run.
“The Radec Group Santa Rec Run is an excellent opportunity for families, schools, or workplaces to get teams together for some exercise while raising money for the local not-for-profit Youth Outdoor Recreation Society,” said the run organizers in a news release. “YORS is a subsidy program that utilizes funds raised for children’s outdoor recreation opportunities in the Okanangan-Skaha School District. The goal this year is to double last year’s attendance to 350 runners and raise $5,000 or more.”
The fundraising event, brought to life by Hoodoo Adventure Company, is on Nov. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. and starts at the LocoLanding Adventure Park parking lot. Runners will travel down Lakeshore Drive and along Okanagan Lake with fun activities including music, cookies, hot chocolate and decorations all on route with giveaways and team prizes at the end. In addition, Hoodoo Adventures will offer a full day of climb by donation at their indoor climbing gym leading up to the event. There are different distances to choose from such as the Kids Fun Run, three kilometre and five km.
Entry to this fun event is a $15 donation per person or $45/family or team. All of the funds raised from this event will go to YOR., who will allocate the funds to the schools represented at the race.
Classrooms that donate over $200 in participation fees will also receive a Santa hat, gloves and a chance at great draw prizes. Their class name will also be included in an additional draw to receive one free Outdoor Recreation Program designed specifically for them. Office teams that participate will get their name in a draw (one entry for every four people) to receive 50 per cent off adventure team building day with Hoodoo Adventure company — valued at a minimum of $3,000.
Driven by her belief in the power of nature and the value of getting kids outside, Lyndie Hill of Hoodoo Adventures founded Y.O.R.S. Her goal is to provide the opportunity for all South Okanagan youth to experience the outdoors, regardless of socio-economic status.
“I have seen firsthand the positive impact outdoor recreation programming can have on children and on whole communities,” said Hill. “It is a proactive approach to so many issues we see and hear about in our everyday lives. It is important now, more than ever, that we teach our children to unplug and share with them how we can get back to nature.”
Fundraising and development co-ordinator Liz Murphy said when youth experience the therapeutic environments of nature and create a life-long connection to the outdoors, the result is pro-activity against sedentary behaviour and obesity, cardiovascular & respiratory disease, depression, and anxiety.
“There is incredible power in showing youth how they fit into the natural world because it provides connectivity to something real and bigger than themselves,” she said.
Murphy said there are long-term studies that prove outdoor activity increases physical literacy and builds environmental awareness, as well as creating self awareness while also improving decision-making skills.
Last year the run raised over $1,200 for local youth programs.
Registration is online at www.santarecrun.ca.
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