As summer camp came to a close, a new Miami-Dade Parks’ summer camp record of running 140 miles was set by 14-year-old Sebastian Deoleo at Miami-Dade Parks’ Fit2Play Summer Camp at Hammocks Community Park where Deoleo has been running every morning as part of the Morning Mile Program, sponsored by AvMed.
Another 56 children reached 100 miles or more, and over 100,000 miles were logged overall by Miami-Dade Parks’ summer camp participants this summer, also setting a new Miami-Dade Parks’ record.
Thanks to AvMed’s sponsorship, the Morning Mile, developed by Fitzness International, was expanded this year to all 42 Miami-Dade Parks’ Fit2Play summer camps where children begin their day with a morning run, jog or walk. Last year, campers logged over 53,000 miles. This year, they are estimated to have run over 100,000 miles.
The program is designed to get kids active, fit and poised to carry good exercise habits into adulthood, a perfect addition to Miami- Dade Parks’ Fit-to-Play summer camps program which teaches kids how to live a healthy lifestyle and provides evidencebased physical fitness activities. For every five miles logged, they receive necklace charms to mark their progress and provide incentive for physical fitness.
“We are grateful to AvMed for their continued support that enabled us to bring the Morning Mile program to our summer camp experience for the past three years,” said Allison Diego, director of Business Development, Fundraising and Advocacy for Miami-Dade Parks.
“Their support enriched our successful health and wellness program, and allowed us to expand the Morning Mile to all 42 park sites incentivizing and motivating our children to get moving first thing in the morning,” she added.
“We encourage our members to embrace better health and take an active role in managing their health,” said James M. Repp, AvMed senior vice president. “It’s nice to see these kids embrace the Morning Mile and reach and exceed their goals. It’s an inspiration for all of us to become more engaged in our health.”
To learn more about launching or sponsoring the Morning Mile program, visit www.MorningMile.com. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks
