HEARST—For the past three years the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented activities such as the Township of Hearst Fitness Healthy Living week from happening.
In speaking with Alexa McGregor, event organizer, the program is not only back this year, but it has been expanded, to include mental health activities. The event is scheduled to run from Aug. 15-Aug. 19, for participants ages eight to fourteen.
For the first time this great event, “Fitness Healthy Living and Mental Health Week”, will include activities which will focus on mental health activities aimed at helping eight to fourteen year old learn about how physical health affect mental health.
According to McGregor, “COVID-19 postponed this event for three years, and in the past the focus of this event was mostly sports specific,” said McGregor.
This year's new feature hopes to almalgamate physical fitness with mental health fitness.“This is a new feature this year and the focus is to promote mental health and healthy living,” added McGregor.
The event is this season’s last summer camp with spots still available. The main goal throughout the week is to engage participants in fun ways to me more physically active and understand how fitness and eating healthy can impact on mental health, in their daily living.
According to McGregor, the activities will gain a greater knowledge and learn strategies for physical conditioning and mental health to help continue living a happy and healthy life.
The event is divided up into three main focuses:
Fitness:
- Two Zumba sessions with Amélie Lachance,
- A yoga session with Nancy Gauthier-Girard
- A spinning bike session with Alexa McGregor.
- One circuit training session and weight and dumbbell training at Rick’s Muscle World.
- Other fun activities and games
Healthy Living:
- Learn the principles of a healthy diet with dietitian Karine Dupuis-Pominville.
- Learn to make healthy snacks such as smoothies, muffins, mini pizzas, and energy balls.
Mental Health:
- Learn about mental health with Emily Léger, Public health promoter.
- Mental Health and emotions with Modern Shaman Sophie Gagnon.
- Art therapy with Sophie Gagnon.
- Breathing and meditation with Sophie Gagnon.
Event organizer Alexa McGregor invites parents and guardians to register their child for this great event, one that promises to help their child gain new knowledge regarding fitness, healthy living and mental health.
