In January 2007, Interlochen Community School began offering a morning “Mileage Club” to students and their families as a way to promote physical fitness in schools. To date, the “Mileage Club” has had over 100 parents and students participate in the morning fitness program. To encourage and motivate participants, a goal was set to have students accumulate enough miles as a group to trace their steps from Interlochen to Fort Lauderdale, Florida by Spring Break.
As of March 20th, students have accumulated enough miles to make it all the way to Fort Lauderdale in record time, surpassing Coach Nan Lewis’ expectations. “The response from our students and parents has been outstanding. To have over 100 students and parents participate in “Mileage Club” warms my heart (and feet!),” stated Lewis.
The morning “Mileage Club” is open to students and their families to walk, jog, or run in the gymnasium and hallways before school starts from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. each morning (Monday – Friday) until the end of the school year. The Mileage Club’s Coach, Mrs. Nan Lewis, alters the program occasionally to keep it interesting by offering jump roping or snowshoeing. After thirty minutes of exercise, participants are lead through a cool down session.
The Mileage Club is made possible through the Every Step Counts program. Every Step Counts is a Traverse City Area Public Schools initiative with a focus on increased physical activity and improved nutritional choices made possible by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Please call Interlochen Community School Principal Sander Scott at 933-5922 for more information.