Covington’s Parks and Recreation Department received three awards from the Washington Parks and Recreation Association’s 2009 Professional and Spotlight Awards set– in Spokane April 30.
The annual awards ceremony honored public agencies and individuals for outstanding and unique achievements in facilities and parks, special programs, and recreation media throughout state. This year, the Covington Aquatics Volunteer Academy received the Aquatics Section Outstanding Program Award and a Certificate of Merit. The Cruizin’ Covington Program also received a Certificate of Merit.
The Aquatics Volunteer Academy is a 25-hour long course designed to train individuals for aquatic volunteer opportunities at the Covington Aquatic Center. The program includes three components – American Red Cross GuardStart Training, instructor aide training and an orientation to volunteering at the Covington Aquatic Center. The academy has garnered attention throughout the state and recreation officials in the city of Pullman plan to implement a similar program at their aquatic center this year.
The Cruzin’ Covington Program is part of a wellness campaign designed to encourage healthier, more active lifestyles among students in Covington and the surrounding community. While students receive health education, healthy lunch options and exercise during the school year, the program encourages students to continue making healthy choices during the summer. The program also includes a passport component in which participants visit businesses around Covington that serve as passport “stamp locations,” providing healthy options, flyers or food. At the end of the summer, participants return their completed passport to school or a passport location for prizes.
Information about the Covington Aquatic Volunteer Academy can be found by calling the Covington Aquatic Center at (425) 413-POOL (7665) or by visiting the city’s Web site at www.ci.covington.wa.us and clicking on the Aquatic Center button.
For information about the Cruzin’ Covington Program including stamp locations, events and more can be found at www.cruzinpassport.com/cruzincovington.html.
