SEMPERFIT keeps Marines active all summer

Photo By Cpl. Terry Haynes | A Marine prepares to throw a dosgeball as part of a tournament of the Semper Fit Summer Challenge aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, August 8. The summer challenge is a program that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and builds unit cohesion.  

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

08.08.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Terry Haynes 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Throughout the summer months both individual Marines and entire units participate in fitness activities to earn points in the challenge. At the end of the summer challenge, the top units or squadrons will win money to go towards funding their Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
“We tried to come up with fun and creative activities that shops could participate in,” said Kathy Williams, the Health Promotion Coordinator for the Semper Fit program. “Events like this dodge ball tournament help to promote a fun competitive fitness activity that can foster team work among the Marines. During the summer challenge we are also able to educate the Marines and unit leaders about resources and programs to help them.”
To showcase the various resources and programs available, points were awarded for each activity Marines participated in. Marines could earn points by attending tobacco cessation classes, movie theater showings, physical training classes or participating in any number of individual activities such as climbing the rock wall at the air station gym.
“At the end of the challenge we will be recognizing a first and second place winner from both MCAS Beaufort and MCRD Parris Island,” said Williams. “First place will be awarded $1000 and second will receive $750. Points are based on the percentage of unit participation.”
The challenge started May 3 and consists of 21 events spread between May and August. More than 20 units have participated since the start of the start of the challenge.
“Our entire unit has been very active in all parts of the summer challenge,” Cpl. Derek Bolden, a postal worker aboard MCRD Parris Island. “Participating in the competition has helped us come together as well as get the added bonus of extra PT.”
One of the last large events scheduled is a college mascot 5k set for August 18. The final unit points will be tallied August 31. To close out the Semper Fit Summer Challenge there will be a Summer Luau held September 5 at the MCRD Parris Island pool to recognize the winners.
“The goal of the program is to give personnel opportunities to promote healthy lifestyle choices, team work, and camaraderie,” said Paul Smith, the Semper Fit Director. “It is our hope that Marines will consider this program as a resource to assist Marines and Sailors in making lifestyle decisions that will enable them to be both mentally and physically prepared.”
In the Message to the Force 2017: Seize the Initiative, General Robert Neller makes to statements that relate to the summer challenge. He states that as Marines we need to take better care of ourselves because combat I the most extreme and demanding test and also that we need to have more fun as Marines, because it is a privilege to be a part of this elite warfighting organization. The Semper Fit Summer Challenge is a program that offers the resources and opportunities for Marines to begin executing these to statements given by Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps. For more information about the Semper Fit Summer Challenge and calendar events visit http://www.mccs-sc.com/news/calendar.asp.

• Date Taken: 08.08.2017
• Date Posted: 08.18.2017 12:22
• Story ID: 245247
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US