The action-packed family boot camp fundraiser in West Hartford was a collaborative effort between Work In Progress Fitness and Growing Great Schools.

Boot camp at WIP Fitness in West Hartford raised fund for Growing Great Schools. Submitted photo

Submitted by Growing Great Schools

Parents and kids were running, jumping, squatting, climbing and lifting on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at WIP Fitness (Work In Progress Fitness) in West Hartford. WIP Fitness and Growing Great Schools (GGS) teamed up to raise funds to keep kids in West Hartford and beyond physically active and healthy.

Local non-profit GGS (www.growinggreatschools.org) is on a mission to create a culture of wellness. By providing kids, parents and teachers with programs that include gardens, farmers’ markets, salad bars, cooking classes, green teams and before, during and after school fitness, GGS empower communities to understand the physical, social, and emotional benefits of healthy food and physical activity.

“We know that physical activity is a key components to creating healthier communities,” said Susan Kamin, executive director for GGS. “Kids need to move and if we can teach them a love of physical activity at an early age it will benefit them throughout their lives. Working with community partners like WIP helps kids realize how much fun fitness can be.”

WIP (www.wipfitness.com) is a gym with two locations in West Hartford and Avon offering boot camp style classes for adults. WIP’s high-energy workouts are challenging, while still being approachable for all fitness levels.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with GGS to help teach kids that fitness can be fun,” said Laura Keever co-owner of WIP. “As mothers we know first hand how important it is to incorporate physical activity into kids’ routines. By creating a family boot camp at WIP Fitness, parents can lead by example while working out along side their kids.

“We have the opportunity to set an example for our kids by incorporating physical fitness into our busy schedules,” said Mary Kate Doyle, who co-owns WIP with Keever. “If we make physical fitness a priority then we believe our kids will too.”

The family event featured two 45-minute jam-packed classes that kids and parents worked through together. Matt Vacarelli, one of WIP’s talented coaches led the classes. Matt has a master’s degree in physical education and is a beloved gym teacher at CREC Museum Academy. Getting kids and adults excited about fitness is something he does everyday.  There was no doubt that everyone who attended had a blast while working up a sweat.

The event raised about $1,000 which goes directly back to fund GGS programming.

Growing Great Schools inspires communities to create a culture of wellness by connecting food, health and the environment. The vision of Growing Great Schools is to empower students and their families to become active participants in their nutritional and physical health while caring for the planet.

Boot camp at WIP Fitness in West Hartford raised fund for Growing Great Schools. Submitted photo

Boot camp at WIP Fitness in West Hartford raised fund for Growing Great Schools. Submitted photo

Boot camp at WIP Fitness in West Hartford raised fund for Growing Great Schools. Submitted photo