Let’s Move Maricopa gets movin’ Monday

The Let’s Move Maricopa program, in partnership with Chances for Children Arizona, is gearing up for an active year with its free two-week Fitness Finder Program starting Monday.

Let’s Move Maricopa is the local chapter of first lady Michelle Obama’s national program to combat childhood obesity. It was brought to Maricopa by City Councilwoman Julia Gusse in 2010 and just received a state grant for the year.

The Fitness Finder program, which will include activities every night at Rotary Park is a warm-up for what promises to be an active year for participants.

“It’s just a sampler of what’s to come,” Mirisue Galindo, coordinator for the local program, said Friday.

All of the events are geared toward families participating as a group.

“Without the family’s participation, we can’t expect the kids to move forward with a healthy lifestyle,” Galindo said.

Every night, participants will do a different activity and take part in a 15-minute, informational clinic centering on nutrition and fitness education. Each activity is scheduled to take place at the Rotary Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On Monday, the program will kick off with a kids-focused boot camp, followed Tuesday with a walk/run. Wednesday will focus on swimming and circuit training and Thursday will be a night of Zumba and freestyle dancing.