Freedom Junior Summer Fitness Challenge at Guildford Spectrum

Published on: 6 Jul, 2012
Updated on: 6 Jul, 2012

This summer, Freedom Leisure Centres are introducing the Freedom Junior Summer Fitness Challenge. Alongside Guildford Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, it will be launched on Sunday, July 8, at Guildford Spectrum. It officially starts on July 20 and runs until September 5.

Children between the ages of four and 14 are strongly encouraged to join in, and those who do will each get a fitness diary to record their daily sporting activities. The diaries will be available at the launch, or can be collected at Spectrum afterwards. Children can take part in both the Fitness and Reading Challenges, and those who complete both will receive extra goodies.

The plan is for the children to aspire to complete 30 physical activities, and for every 10 activities completed, they receive a prize. Freedom Leisure’s chief executive Jeff Hart said: “With child obesity a growing national concern, the Freedom Junior Summer Fitness Challenge is a really positive way that we can help promote and support a healthier lifestyle for young people.

“Exercise should be fun, rewarding and a great way to stay healthy; this scheme is an excellent way of combining all three! I hope lots of children take the Challenge and have a really active summer.”

Guildford Spectrum will also be providing children with decent, affordable challenges over the summer, including trampolining, archery and basketball, alongside Xtreme Activate day camps that will boast many more activities, including sports and crafts.

Councillor Jen Powell, lead councillor for culture and leisure at Guildford Borough Council said: “I welcome this Freedom Leisure summer holiday fitness scheme with open arms as it gives parents all they need to encourage their children to stay active this summer.

“School holidays can be a time when youngsters laze about a little more than they should and it can be difficult for parents to get them up and moving. This scheme gives a clear template and accessible goals for all youngsters to chart their activity and be rewarded for their efforts.

“It’s not just sports that are recognised – day-to-day activities also count and this helps show children that all activity is important. I wish Freedom Leisure every success with the initiative.”

Find out more about the Junior Summer Fitness Challenge by visiting www.freedom-leisure.co.uk