CAMDEN — Don't be surprised if you glance out a window some morning in downtown Camden and spot an entourage of familiar faces moving purposefully along the sidewalks, walking sticks in hand, and grinning.

They are Camden town employees and are participating in a wellness program to boost health, and feel better.

On Sept. 21 — Friday Dress Down Day — a number of them were also wearing new T-shirts, with the town seal emblazoned on them, made specifically for the Fridays when they wear something casual. Last Friday, a dozen-plus staff members set out to walk two miles throughout the community, up Chestnut Street, down Main, over to Washington Street, and beyond. It's a weekly thing, and the employees get out and get active.

This week, they are starting a 10-week Biggest Loser competition among the staff. Those who participate will try to outdo each other by logging the biggest weight loss. That loss will be calculated in percentage of body weight shed, not the number of pounds.

Those staff members who dress casual on a Friday then chip in with donations, and drop into a basket slips of paper representing various charities to which they want to see their collected money directed. Someone will draw the winning charity at the end of each quarter. This quarter, the donations will go to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

They also hold a raffle for equipment or resources that may become available through the wellness program that the town is participating in, via the Maine Municipal Association. Last week, Theresa Butler, Camden's tax collector, was the lucky winner of a new pair of L.L. Bean titanium walking poles.

Camden has been involved with the Maine Municipal Association wellness program, taking advantage of various health education and workshops, for two years. Camden has received a wellness grant from MMA to continue in the program.