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Fitness challenge is a dare you should take |
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 Climbing
up the steep “Switchback” trail at Beaver Creek Valley State Park last
Friday morning, I realized just how little physical activity I actually
get when sitting in front of a computer screen or at city council and
county board meetings for the majority of my work week. Park Ranger
Anne Selness was leading the way. Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce
President Mike Werner was next in line. I was bringing up the rear. (I
had the camera, and needed to get some action shots. That’s the only
reason I was lagging behind…really).
The three of us were scaling the trail that zig-zagged up the side of
the ridge to a look-out point 250 feet above the valley below. The
cardiovascular workout was certainly worth it. The panoramic view was
breath-taking, as was the trek to the top.
Anne had invited Mike and yours truly to a morning hike to better
acquaint us with the beautiful trails system in the state park, located
just two miles from Caledonia. Selness came up with an employee
wellness program, where area businesses and/or organizations can
promote healthier living by spending time hiking the trails at Beaver
Creek Valley State Park. She brought the idea to the local chamber
board of directors, who enthusiastically embraced it.
The walking and hiking program includes a series of trails and
distances marked on a map of easy, moderate and difficult walks or
hikes in the state park. Participants are encouraged to try different
trail routes in the park as part of the fitness challenge and record
the activity on their physical activity sheet.
All that is needed are comfortable tennis or hiking shoes and a trail
map. Participants are asked to register at the chamber office by
calling Lori at (507) 725-5477, or email to
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The fitness challenge will take place from Memorial Day through Labor
Day. Activity sheets will be turned in to employers on Sept. 2.
Businesses will total the miles walked by all employees and submit a
final tally sheet to the chamber.
To further entice participation, the chamber board has decided to hold
a mid-season pot luck dinner at the park shelter building on Wednesday,
July 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Caledonia area businesses are encouraged to enroll all of their
employes in the fitness challenge and to keep track of the miles hiked
throughout the season. The chamber will provide certificates of
achievement to businesses and individual employees reaching 100, 250,
and 500 miles.
The fitness challenge can be a benefit for a number of reasons.
Obviously, getting out and doing some hiking early in the morning, over
the lunch hour, and after work is a way for all of us to become more
healthy. By getting out and walking the trails at Beaver Creek Valley
State Park, one can get back to nature and as the song goes “stop and
smell the roses.” And, there certainly is a third advantage to taking
part in this activity… you will be accessing a fabulous nature resource
situated right in our backyard.
All too often, we get so used to seeing the same old scenery every day,
we forget just what a beautiful piece of earth we live on here in
Southeast Minnesota. One of the first things folks living out on the
prairie comment on when they arrive at “God’s Country,” is just how
breath-taking beautiful this area really is.
I know I’m going to be doing some arm-twisting at The Argus
office to see if I can get Dan, Jill, Diana, Stephanie, and Chelsey to
“Get Physical,” as Olivia Newton John sang 30 years ago, and get
involved in the program.
I’d like to thank Anne for bringing this program to the chamber’s
attention. And I’d like to thank the chamber board for embracing the
idea. Now, I just have to find the time to get out to the park and see
just home many miles I can log!
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