On October 2, Camden Rockport Middle School students participated in the national Walk and Bike to School effort. The National Walk (and bike, scooter and skateboard) to School Day is coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, a program of the University of North Carolina  Highway Safety Research Center.

Camden-Rockport Middle School joined 4,100 other schools across the country for the 23-year-old event, held in early October each year. The goal is to highlight the importance of safer, more active transportation for youth in their local communities.

In Camden, more than 300 students participated, some who don’t normally walk or ride bikes to school and some who do. Students participated by arriving on foot, bikes, scooters, or skateboards. The bike racks were overflowing, and students had bigger than normal smiles on their faces as they arrived, according to school staff.

This annual event brings awareness of the benefits of starting each day with physical activity and helping students experience positive health benefits that come from being physically active. The event also strives to bring awareness to pedestrian safety and using crosswalks in the downtown area, heavy traffic areas, and safe travel by bike or scooter.

Gretchen Kuhn, CRMS nurse and coordinator of the local event, said it is always well received by students and they are happy to participate.

“We are lucky to still have an in-town school with a walkable location and we love to celebrate this unique opportunity with our Camden-Rockport families by holding the Walk & Bike to School event every year” she said, in a news release from the school.

CRMS students who regularly ride buses were dropped off at the Tannery Lot on Washington Street and used the sidewalk on Washington Street to walk to school. Students who arrived in a private vehicle were dropped off at Congregational Church parking lot and walked to school via Free Street.

Maine schools participating included:

ALBERT S HALL SCHOOL

WATERVILLE, ME

CAMDEN-ROCKPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL
CAMDEN, ME

CARRABEC COMMUNITY SCHOOL
NORTH ANSON, ME

COFFIN SCHOOL
BRUNSWICK, ME

ELIOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ELIOT, ME

FORT KENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
FORT KENT, ME

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL
GRAY, ME

GUY E ROWE SCHOOL
NORWAY, ME

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE ELEMENTARY
BRUNSWICK, ME

 
LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL
PORTLAND, ME

MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME

PLEASANT HILL SCHOOL
SCARBOROUGH, ME

POND COVE ELEMENTARY
CAPE ELIZABETH, ME

RANGELEY LAKES REGIONAL SCHOOL
RANGELEY, ME

RAYMOND A. GEIGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LEWISTON, ME

WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BAILEYVILLE, ME

YARMOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
YARMOUTH, ME