Mrs. Chick's grade one students at Barrie Wilson Elementary School in Red Deer, helped kick off the nationwide Canada Games Activity Challenge this morning. 

The challenge encourages kids between the ages of five and 12 to get active and is in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday and the 50th Anniversary of the Canada games. 

Today the grade one students participated in a balloon relay and later in the week they will be doing yoga.

From now until mid-June, participating classrooms and schools will complete three modules with around two activities per week for the opportunity to win prizes.

The grand prize winners will win a trip to Winnipeg for the closing ceremony and medal rounds of the 2017 Summer Games. 

Principal Chris Good said student wellness is something the school aims to promote.

“We know that a healthy student is probably a more successful student,” Good said. 

“This is a really good partnership and we’re lucky to have the Canada Games in our community and I think all of the students in all of the schools in Red Deer and Central Alberta will benefit from the opportunity of having the games here.” 

Currently there are 11 classrooms at Barrie Wilson participating and over 100 schools and classrooms in Central Alberta. 

Beyond participating at school, students are also encouraged to get active at home and through bonus rounds.

There is also an app where kids will be able to customize their avatar based on points they’ve earned through participation.

To register your classroom or school visit https://activitychallenge.canadagames.ca.