Every year Springdale Job Corps Center students and staff participate in Team Challenge. Team Challenge encourages everyone on center to be more active, to make healthy choices, and to engage in a little friendly competition while improving their health!

Students are organized in to teams, although activities are done on an individual basis. “Each person earns points that go toward their team, but the points they earn are also counted individually,” explains Wellness Center manager Jessica Anderson. “At the end of the Team Challenge period there will be prizes awarded based on the team with the most points as well as the individual male and female students who earn the most points.”

Team Challenge lasts six weeks and involves a lot of planning and coordination between Wellness, Recreation, and CTT. The Rec staff put together trips and activities that are considered “Team Challenge Activities” and every student who participates earns points. The whole event culminates with a 5k Walk/Run/Relay on center. “Students and staff can work in teams and run the relay, or run the whole 5k on their own, or walk on a team. It’s about being active and participating in a fun activity,” says Rachel Lupole, Career Services Director.

“Students are really motivated by the competition,” adds Jessica. “We try to strike a balance between friendly competition and cooperation.”

This year the Team Challenge 5k will take place on Friday, May 6th. Students from the PIVOT satellite center will also be joining in for the first time. Rachel encourages everyone on center to either do the 5k or volunteer to help out. “There’s a place for everyone, whether they participate by running or walking or help hand out water afterwards.”