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Health & Fitness

The Final Countdown!

[written by Christine, mom to ConnTrek hiker and chaperone on hike] 

We will be leaving in one short week. After months of preparation, 40 elementary age students grades 3-6, from the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London (RMMS) and Griswold Elementary School will be hiking 100 miles across Connecticut. The students and many chaperones, police and fire representatives, and National Guard supporters will be hiking 8-12 miles per day, rain or shine, over 8 days. We'll camp out along the way. The hike will take place during the first week of the kids' summer vacation. 

We're raising money for a cause inspired by Sandy Hook. All proceeds - and we've already raised over $10,000 - go to the On-Site Academy in Massachusetts, a treatment facility serving first responders, military and medical personnel dealing with critical stress from any on-the-job incident. We just heard from the facility today that $10,000 will cover about 100 days of treatment. It's nice to think of the difference the kids are making for first responders in need by making these scholarships available to the people who are always there to help others. We are hoping to raise more.

One hundred miles won't be easy for the kids. I can tell you the reality of 100 miles has not set in yet for my daughter. Last weekend, my family hiked in New Hampshire - a little over 6 miles I think it was - and I heard more than a few times about how long it was and how tired the kids were. This should be an adventure of self-discovery as well as doing something for the greater good! :) 

Please subscribe to our blog and follow us on this journey - our hope is for the children to blog a little each day about what they are learning, what they've done, and the nitty gritty of hiking 100 miles with 40 kids your age (but from two different schools, many will be getting to know each other on the hike). 

If you'd like to contribute a donation of any amount, we'd greatly appreciate your support. Please click here: http://conntrek.onsiteacademy.org/
Thank you and stay tuned!

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