The success of the 60 Minutes Kids’ Club locally continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

Over 280 students, representing all five area elementary schools, took part in the winter session, which ran from Jan. 15 to Mar.15.

“That’s more than double our first session,” said 60MKC spokesperson Josée Warren, who co-ordinates the youth-oriented, active-living initiative on behalf of the Interior branch of PacificSports in co-operation with the City of Merritt’s Leisure Services Department.

The 60 Minutes Kids’ Club aims to empower children and their families with the knowledge and skills to live a healthy and active lifestyle. The program engages kids through an online, interactive medium with goal setting, accountability and fun incentives.diamond_vale_web

Diamond Vale School came out as the big winners in the 60MKC winter session with over 80 participants from Grades K to 7. As a school, they finished sixth out of 66 schools in the province of B.C., and 11th out of 177 schools nation-wide.

“There was definitely more competition across the country this time around,” said Warren, noting that Diamond Vale’s participation numbers this past session would have topped the province back in the fall.

“There’s more kids getting involved, and we hope to see the increase continue with each new challenge,” said Warren.

The “most active” winter-session 60MKC participants at each local elementary school were invited to a wrap-up party on Thursday of last week.

“We met at the Civic Centre and played some games,” said Warren, “then headed to the Aquatic Centre for an hour of swimming and free time.”

The 60MKC’s spring challenge officially kicked off Apr. 15 and runs through until June 1.