The search for things for kids to do that doesn’t involve staring at a screen, sitting there pointlessly and you going nuts trying to motivate them…..it’s actually a lot more than just them sitting there. While they are, things are dwindling most likely. Things like self esteem, seeing accomplishment and knowing they could do something they didn’t think they could. The coming together of two incredible organizations is what we are here to tell you about today, Fitness Finders and Spartan Racing. The events meet together at Cannonsburg Skiing July 18th and 19th. There’s a lot to unpack here. Let’s dig in.
To begin, it was a call from an old dear friend that got this all rolling. Scott Sundberg and I worked at KLQ together long ago. Life changes have put Scott in an amazing setting to be the Solutions Specialist at Fitness Finders. From their website – “Fitness Finders® was founded in Spring Arbor, MI over 40 years ago by Dr. Charles and Beth Kuntzleman as part of their lifelong mission to improve the health and fitness of young people. With a relentless passion for wellness and the importance of physical education in schools, Charlie and Beth created a company intent on empowering children to make positive choices.” The undercurrent of all of this along with the physical fitness aspect is success, achievement and proving to self that accomplishments are important. That builds not only healthy bodys, but healthy minds. If you’ve not stopped and checked lately, mental health facilities are adding “kids wards”. Fitness Finders is an early intervention focusing on keeping that kind or reality from not happening.
Spartan Obstacle Racing is the pinnacle. Is it a hard endeavor? Yup. But while the race could be the biggest challenge someone ever faces should they attempt to compete, what happens leading up to the race, during and after the race is what Dan McDonald and Thomas Brown are here talking about. Almost everything about Spartan carries the message of Fitness Finders for kids directly into adulthood. Accomplishment. Belief. Seeing more in yourself and knowing that there’s more than just you. When you visit them on line, they want you to find your community of Spartans before you spend a dime. They build success by sharing the values and purpose of strenuous work and finding ways to do a challenge you never thought you’d face….let alone need someone’s knee and shoulder to finally get it done.
Spartan is bringing their intense races to Cannonsburg July 17th and 18th. This event features races for everyone at every skill level and the special segment for kids will be held both Saturday and Sunday. As you heard in the discussion, this is not only a great physical adventure, it’s a great place to meet people, make friends and come out of with an extra level of self esteem if you enter. If it’s for the kids, not only will they too have the accomplishment, you can let them get as dirty making it happen as they like….guilt free. There will be a lot of vendors and sponsors along that you can learn more about, especially Fitness Finders. They are really looking to dig in a little deeper in West Michigan schools, and that’s why we’ve doubled our coverage on this event. Healthy, strong and proud kids build lasting communities. Let’s hope we see you and your kids out at Cannonsburg on July 18th and 19th!
CLICK HERE to learn more about Fitness Finders. To get tickets to participate in or of you would like to know more about Spartan….. CLICK HERE.
