Please feel free to share this flyer with anyone who might be interested!

We’ll kick off the challenge with the New Year’s Day 5K Walk/Run on January 1^st.  With a late morning start time, you’ll have plenty of time to wake up, then come on down to the Scout Hut to register between 9 and 10.  The event starts from the Scout Hut at 10, proceeds along the Monarch Spur Trail, and will finish back at the Hut.  Make it extra fun by wearing a costume or funky get-up.  Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers, as well as best costume!  Only $10 to participate, and all ages and abilities are welcome.

As part of the Challenge, we encourage you to track your participation on the 2012 Fitness Challenge log.  Pick up your copy at the pool, or find it online at www.SalidaRec.com/fitness.  You’ll find instructions for awarding yourself points for completing different activities, and a log to keep track of your points.  Anyone who logs at least 15 points will be entered into a random prize drawing, and top point scorers will be awarded prizes as well.  Prizes will all be geared toward helping you keep your commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle.

Finally, Salida Recreation and Hot Springs Aquatic Center are offering a punch pass good for discounted fitness classes during January and February.  Each $40 pass is good for 12 of any of the classes offered by Salida Recreation, plus 1 Zumba® class.  This brings the price per class down to nearly $3!  You can purchase them now as a gift, or a commitment to yourself, and they will be available during January and February.

The holidays are a time for celebration and enjoyment, and the New Year is a chance to renew commitments and challenge yourself to be your best.  The 2012 Fitness Challenge is a chance to participate in a structured 9 week program than encompasses nutrition and fitness—and most things are completely free!  You can, of course, pick and choose any of the activities to participate it, but we think the whole 2 months will be a great experience!

FREE TUESDAY SEMINARS (Scout Hut, 6-7pm):

January 3^rd: “Goal setting: Dr.’s Fitness Prescription & Guidelines”
January 10^th: “Exercise Myths and Exercise Prescriptions”
January 17^th: “10 Things You Never Thought Counted As Exercise”
January 24^th: “Affordable & Healthy Superfoods”
January 31^st: “Nutrition Myths & Food Journaling”
February 7^th: “Veggie Jeopardy & Sundae School”
February 14^th: No lecture.  Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 21^st: “Mind Over Matter: Maintaining Healthy Habits”
February 28^th: “Self-Care & Maintenance Goal Setting with R.N.”

FREE SATURDAY WORKOUTS:

Participants shared ideas for activities they might like to offer, such as foreign language lessons, tutoring, film screenings, circus workshops, field trips, and theater, fitness, art, and language classes. Others offered their assistance providing resources like space, equipment, time, and special skills. Organizations like Salida Recreation, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Southwest Conservation Corps, and Guidestone Colorado also shared their plans for programming to be held on Fridays. Local photographer Tim Brown advertised a photography internship he is offering, and Denise Wentz expressed her interest in developing a health professional shadowing program at the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center.

Ideas collected by the ad-hoc committee will be prepared and made available on salidarec.com, salida.k12.co.us, and salidacitizen.com for further public input and addition. The hoped-for outcome of this will be to fuel the process of bringing these ideas and passions to fruition.

What we propose is not an easy task, but, when shared by many people, becomes surmountable. This is a significant opportunity to make a difference in the future of our children and in the vitality of our community. Please direct inquiries, ideas, resources, or current offerings to Maggie Murdoch at salidarecreation@yahoo.com.

January 18th, February 8th, March 8th, April 5th, and May 10th
Noon-1:30pm
Meet at Absolute Bikes on Sackett St.

Have you heard the buzz about the trail building activity on Tenderfoot Mountain?  Are you interested or intrigued about the new riding options but want someone to show you the trails?  Join Salida Recreation and Absolute Bikes for some mountain bike fun.  We’ll tour the new trails and get you familiar with the trail system.  Maps will be provided to all participants.  Rides will be beginner to intermediate level; you must be able to ride to the top of Tenderfoot in order to participate.  Helmets are required (you can borrow one from Absolute Bikes if necessary); kids under 10 must be accompanied by a parent.  Waivers must be signed by all participants or guardians for those under 18.  Contact Shawn@absolutebikes.com or Absolute Bikes at 539-9295 with questions.  Rides will all be weather permitting.
Sled and Swim
Monday, January 19th
9:00am-3:00pm
Meet and pick up at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
$8/person
Ages: 8+

School is out on Monday!  Join Salida Recreation and Boys and Girls Club for a fun day of sledding at Old Monarch Pass followed by a warm swim at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center!  Bring you sled or tube if you want, water and a lunch.  Don’t forget to dress appropriately for snow activity and bring your swimsuit and towel for swim time!  Pre-registration is REQUIRED!!  Sign up today as spaces are limited!!!  Call or stop by the pool by Friday, January 16th – 539-6738.

Breckenridge Snow Sculpture Competition and Ski Bus Excursion
Sunday, January 25th
7:30am-5:30pm
Meet at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
All Ages Welcome!  (kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult)
$15/person

The 29th Annual Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Competition will be wrapping up on Sunday the 25th of January and it’s a great time to check out all the entries!  Wander through downtown Breckenridge and see these amazing sculptures; OR this is a great opportunity to hit the slopes at Breckenridge Resort.  Lift tickets are NOT included and all activities are on your own, but we’re taking care of the transportation.  Pre-Registration by Thursday, January 22nd is required and a minimum of 15 participants is required for this trip to go, so sign up with your friends today!  Call or stop by the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center 539-6738 or call Anicka with Salida Recreation at 539-5703.

Beginning Snowshoe Tours
Sunday, January 25th and Thursday, March 26th
8:30am-1:00pm
Meet at the Wilderness Expeditions Base on Hwy 50 (across from Wal-Mart)
$30/person (includes snowshoes, poles, gaiters, and lunch)
Ages 8+, Adults and Seniors Welcome!
Min: 5/ Max: 20

If you have ever wanted to try snowshoeing, here’s your chance.  Almost everything will be provided for you; all you need to do is dress appropriately and bring some water!  We will be going on an easy to moderate walk in National Forest near Salida, allowing time for everyone to get accustomed to their equipment.  Lunch will be provided before we return.  Call or stop by the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center to register (registration is required!) 539-6738.

For questions, please call Anicka at 539-5703, or visit our website at www.salidarec.com.

Dates: Every Saturday: December 6, 2008 – March 14th, 2009
Time: Leaves the Hot Springs Aquatic Center at 8:30am SHARP
Leaves Monarch at 3:30pm SHARP
Cost: $5/person
Ages: All ages (Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.)
Notes: As a courtesy to those who are on time, we will not wait for people who are late going to or coming from the mountain.

Each rider is required to sign a liability waiver.  If you are under the age of 18 and plan to ride the bus, you’ll need to have your parents sign a waiver prior to the bus departure time.

All ages welcome.  Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

We are NOT chaperones.  Kids will be on their own once we get to the mountain.  Know your kids and be certain that they can handle the responsibility of taking care of themselves at the mountain and getting back on the bus by 3:30pm.

To ensure a ride, reservations can be made in person with payment at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center or with a credit card over the phone before the date you would like to ride.  Without a reservation, riders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Information:

Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center (719)539-6738
Anicka Olsen – Salida Recreation Coordinator (719)539-5703
410 W. Rainbow Blvd. (Hwy 50)
Salida, CO  81201
salidarecreation@yahoo.com

Ah, the holidays are upon us once again!  Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten, Christmas Mountain USA has been lighted, and most of us are looking forward to the December festivities.  This is usually an exciting time for children; whether they are awaiting Santa’s arrival, looking forward to Christmas goodies, or just excited to be out of school for awhile!  Salida Recreation has several programs to help create a fun and celebratory atmosphere and I hope you and your kids will join us for one or several events.

The first program coming up is hopefully our Ski Bus to Monarch.  We will be running the ski bus every Saturday (starting when Monarch opens) through March 14th. The cost is only $5/person.  The bus meets and drops off at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center.  Riders must be at least 10 years old to ride alone; otherwise they must be accompanied by an adult.  The bus leaves in the morning at 8:30am SHARP and then leaves Monarch at 3:30pm SHARP.  This is NOT a chaperon service, so please make sure your kids are responsible enough to handle being at Monarch on their own if you plan to let them ride solo.

For the younger set, Parents’ Night Out is on Saturday, December 13th. This program at the Salida Scout Hut is geared toward kids ages 5-8 and will take place from 5-7pm.  This is a chance to drop the kids off for some fun and games while you take some time to get a few things done downtown!  Cost is $7 per child and pre-registration is required!  On Monday, December 15th, we will be offering a Holiday Cookie Decorating program for the little guys ages 3-5.  Come by the Salida Senior Center from 10-11:30am to play with sugar cookies, frosting, sprinkles and more!  No pre-registration is necessary; cost is $5/child.

If your tree needs a few more decorations leading up to the big day, Ornament Creation on Saturday, December 20th is just the ticket.  Kids ages 5-10 are invited to come to the Salida Senior Center from 1-3pm to construct several different kinds of ornaments with the supplies we will have on hand.  This popular program always has the kids leaving with fun take-home masterpieces!  Cost is $5/child and no registration is necessary prior to the event.  Finally we have a holiday field trip for kids ages 8+.

Join Salida Recreation and Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County for a trip to the Breckenridge Recreation Center on Monday, December 22nd.  The bus will depart at 10am and we will return around 5pm.  The cost is $20/person which includes transportation and admission.  Be sure your kids bring their swimming gear, tennis shoes, and a lunch.  We need at least 15 kids registered to make this trip go, so sign up today!

For more information on all programs call 539-5703 or 539-6738, or email salidarecreation@yahoo.com.  To register call or stop by the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center!  Visit the SalidaRec.com website, for information about the Salida Recreation Department, and SalidaPool.com for information about events at the Hot Springs Aquatic Center.

Have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you and the kids out and about!