Upshur County residents have not had the opportunity to participate in a community-wide Walk Across Texas program in the past several years. The Upshur County Extension Service and the Health Coalition believe it’s time for families, friends, and coworkers to get up and get moving in a fun, online challenge starting June 22nd.
Walk Across Texas is an 8-week program designed to help Texans establish the habit of regular physical activity. Each team may include up to 8 team members, all working together to walk the 832-mile goal.
In our Upshur County program this summer, youth and adults can be on the same team, or teens can step up as captains to create their own team separate from the adults. Do team members have to walk together? No! Can team members live in another state? Yes – just email Julie for info on how to register them. Everyone registers their own miles online, so physical location doesn’t matter.
The league name was created in 2014 with a fun play on words. “What’sUP?shur County?” is a motivational phrase to ask everyone in Upshur County “what’s up?” and to encourage them to get up and move!
Therefore, to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of this online “walk or move where you are” program (reporting results online), the Upshur County Health Coalition is kicking off this summertime event.
Teams are forming now so those interested in being a “Team Captain” should email
Julie.york@ag.tamu.edu to receive the online link to register the team. Team Captains are more of an organizer and cheerleader for their teams since everyone enters their own results.
This program is for all ages and abilities as is doesn’t require you to be outside specifically walking. Any activity is recognized as one mile in which the participant is physically active (raising the heart rate) for 20 minutes. This obviously includes walking and running, but also housework, yard work, dancing, active sports, washing pets or livestock, swimming, etc. Most everyone completes some tasks daily that count as a mile during this program. The program just encourages you to record your activity over the 8-week period.
Who’s ready to take on this step challenge? Gather a group of up to 8 family members or friends at work, church, or even at the gym, and register today!
Contact Julie York, County Extension Agent – Family and Community Health today at Julie.York@ag.tamu.edu to get started.
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Julie York, PhD, HSET
County Extension Agent
Family & Community Health
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
301 E. Butler St.
Gilmer, Texas 75644
