UNH Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program challenges all youth, their parents, and community youth programs to walk 70 miles—the width of New Hampshire—by June 1st.

All participants in 4-H Get Up and Go become part of a larger statewide initiative, Walk New Hampshire (Walk NH), designed by the Foundation for Healthy Communities and led by pediatrician Dr. Susan Lynch, wife of Governor John Lynch.

Why should only kids benefit? Adults need exercise, too, so we designed 4-H Get Up and Go to encourage parents and other adults to lace up their walking shoes and join their kids in a walk across New Hampshire.

Away from the distractions of work, television, and computers, a long walk or hike makes for quality family time. By becoming more active themselves, parents will model health-promoting fitness for their children.

We also want community groups, including after-school programs, churches, and other community groups to put their best foot forward by becoming 4-H Get Up and Go partners.

4-H Get Up and Go participants will receive a Walk NH log book to record their miles and a special 4-H Get Up and Go Footprint Banner Kit. Volunteers will stitch the banners from all over the state into a single banner, and present it to Governor and Dr. Lynch at a special celebration in June.

Adults and youth who reach their goal will receive an “I Walked NH” certificate from Gov. Lynch and an invitation to join the June celebration.

There’s no charge for participating in this statewide youth and family fitness program.

4-H Get Up and Go is sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Foundation for Healthy Communities, PlusTimeNH, and Operation Military Kids, with support from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation.

For information or to register, download this brochure, or contact Jay Martin or Julia Steed Mawson, at 641-6060.

Walking Resources

• Walk New Hampshire
• Walking for Fitness Overview
• Starting Up and Staying Safe
• CDC’s Kids-Walk-to-School Program