Looking for fun things to do this summer? The 8th Annual Get Movin’ program will kick-off Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Get Movin’ is an all-ages, free, summer program aimed at motivating Snohomish County families to get movin’ and improve their health by adopting a more active, healthy lifestyle through physical and recreational activities. The Get Movin’ program has three easy steps. STEP 1: Get Movin’ – Be physically active 30 minutes a day at least five days a week, all summer long. STEP 2: Keep Track – stay on track and mark your progress on the Playbook calendar. STEP 3: Reward Yourself – use a reward coupon each week that you meet the Get Movin’ goal.

Register for Get Movin’ at one of the four kick-off events. Each event is free with lots of fun activities, special mascot guests, exhibitors, giveaways and prizes while quantities last. Participants will receive a Get Movin’ Playbook at registration, which will include program details, a tracking calendar, reward coupons and a t-shirt; registration supplies are limited. Visit www.get-movin.org for more program details.

Kick-Off Celebrations – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 4, 2011:

Alderwood Mall – Activities include: mascot appearances by AquaSox Webbly and Marmot from Green Trails Maps (a local topographic map company in the Puget Sound area), Cascade Elite Gymnastics’ mobile gym course, Zumba, and interactive fun by Little Gym. Swedish/Edmonds will host a jump rope challenge, and health screenings for blood pressure, BMI testing, and vision. They will also be providing information on sports eye protection, nutrition, and an “Ask the Doctor” station.

Allen Creek Elementary in Marysville – Part of the Marysville Healthy Communities Challenge Day. Activities include Zumba, Salsa Dance and Hula-Hoops. Live entertainment will be presented by United Way and Sno-Isle Libraries, The Grove Street Library Band at 11:00 am and Ian Dobson at 1:00 pm. “I love the people that come to our Get Movin’ Kick Off every year. It’s great to see so many people returning to the program year after year. But, my favorite part is the new people who come up to the booth asking what is Get Movin’. After explaining the program to them and them getting excited about the program, they ask how much is it? When we tell them it’s free, the look on their faces is priceless!” says Dave Hall, Recreation Coordinator, City of Marysville.

Everett Mall – The Everett Mall kick-off is a filled with fun activities including Mini Golf, Hula Hoop Fun, Tae Kwon Do, Zumba Kids, Kids Circuit Training and Gymnastics. The Little Gym of Everett will perform and there will also be a Tae Kwon Do demonstration. Check out the USDA Forest Service, Everett Transit, The Little Gym of Everett and Providence Nutrition information tables. AquaSox mascot, Webbly, will be there, and emcee, Barry Martin, will really Get YOU Movin!

Monroe YMCA – Activities include free bike tune-ups and a bike decorating station for families, Fitness, Food & Fun: Backyard Gardening with Angela Olszewski, RD, CD, a kayak demo on Lake Tye, balloon animal creations by Chuck the Balloon Guy, and a face painting station led by the Monroe High School Cheerleaders. “We are always very excited about this event. It provides an opportunity for the families and local businesses in our area to get together and connect. There are so many ways for families in our community to be active and lead healthy lives.” says Dave Monson, Monroe YMCA.

Visit www.get-movin.org or call 360-653-9622 for more details. Can’t make it to the kick-off event? A list of limited registration locations will be posted on the website.

The Get Movin’ program was established in 2004 by a community partnership of public and private agencies to combat youth obesity in Snohomish County. That partnership has grown into a broad-based community coalition to help improve the health of Snohomish County residents by encouraging them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The participation in Get Movin’ has steadily increased each year as the program has grown from a single kick-off location to four kick-off locations this year; growing from 612 registered participants in 2004 to 3,000 in 2010.

Get Movin’ is supported by grants, sponsors and local businesses. The 2011 Get Movin’ event would not be possible without the financial support of the Swedish/Edmonds, the Daily Herald, The Everett Clinic, Everett Transit, the YMCA of Snohomish County and the many businesses and agencies the provide reward coupons and staff. Program partners include: the Snohomish County Children’s Commission, REI, Alderwood mall, Everett Mall, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, USDA Forest Service, and the cities of Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, and Monroe.

The Get Movin’ program and the Parks and Recreation departments from the cities of Everett, Lynnwood and Marysville are proud recipients of a 2011 Spotlight Program Award from the Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA). This award was presented to these agencies in honor of Get Movin’s outstanding and unique achievement in youth and adult programming.