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Walk Across America 2009
Seniors from the Meeting Place to take Virtual Tour of USA
NEWPORT -- Every Monday, beginning June 1st, a group of seniors from The Meeting Place will earn miles for their Walk Across America, by walking laps at the indoor track at IROC. The program, planned by the staff at The Meeting Place, will provide exercise and education for participating seniors.
“We have plotted a course on the map, and our team will visit Niagara Falls, The Grand Old Opry in Nashville, the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite Park, and finish at the Golden Gate Bridge,” said Jennifer Barnes, activities coordinator for The Meeting Place. “Each walk around the track will equal 100 miles, and we will plot out our progress on a large wall map.”
Jennifer expects seniors to make one or two laps around the track each visit, and she anticipates it will take between 35 and 40 laps to complete the trip.
“We will clip pictures and collect souvenirs on the Internet or by writing to the sites we visit and we will work in groups to create scrapbooks of the trip,” said Theresa McAvinney, Director of The Meeting Place. “We will begin each day’s walk with some pictures and discussion about where we are heading, how far we have to go to our next big stop, and a review of where we have been.”
The summer program fulfills the purpose of providing exercise in a fun and social atmosphere, supplemented by the activities that will promote discussion, socialization, and creativity.
The Walk Across America will be open to any area seniors who would like to get some exercise while having fun. They are free to joins us at IROC, and information will be available to seniors and family members about the regular day program.
The Meeting Place is a Vermont-certified adult day service meant to provide help and support to adults who want to stay in their family homes but may be at risk if left alone during the day. The Meeting Place provides a variety of activities, a chance to meet and be with friends, and nutritious breakfasts and lunches. Clients attending The Meeting Place may be experiencing Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or other frailties, or may simply be looking for a structured program of socialization and activity.