snow day - WKTV Journal

The Care Resources team planned a fun snow day for its participants, kicking off with the thrill and nostalgia of a snowball fight (Courtesy, Care Resources)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

100 fake snowballs were launched inside Care Resource’s newest location in Lowell (11730 Fulton St. E) on Jan. 13 during a full day of winter-themed activities.

100 fake snowballs flew through the air during a good-natured snowball “fight” (Courtesy, Care Resources)

With Recreation Therapist Lorelei Smits at the helm, the Care Resources team planned a fun snow day for its participants, ages 55 and older. The day kicked off with the thrill and nostalgia of a snowball fight, with nine staff and nine participants joining in the lighthearted fun.

Smiles and laughter were in abundance during the snowball fight (Courtesy, Care Resources)

“Our indoor snowball fight was a success,” said Smits. “We heard many participants say ‘that was so fun,’ and they appreciated the creativity of the event. Everyone – staff and participants – were smiling and laughing the entire time.”

Smits went on to say that the indoor snowball fight led to sharing memories of Michigan winters (especially the blizzard of ’78) and other winter trivia and fun facts.

After the snowball fight, staff posed behind cardboard cut-outs for participants to throw snowballs at.

There is “snow” place like Care Resources!” (Courtesy, Care Resources)

“Participants had a good time throwing snowballs at staff!” said Smits.

Other activities included winter trivia, crafts and hot chocolate.

Improving health through fun

The snow day was a creative way to improve health through fun activities (Courtesy, Care Resources)

Designed to create a time of fun, connection and a change of pace to the normal routine, Smits had a few additional goals in mind as well.

The snow day activities incorporated functional elements supporting participants’ health and wellness goals, such as exercise to strengthen upper extremities and improve arm movement and coordination.

Socialization and memory recall helps support cognition and emotional wellbeing.

“It was a creative and fun way to incorporate exercise, reminiscing and socialization,” said Smits. “Our Lowell building just opened up on Jan. 2, and this activity helped our participants and staff build connections.”

Learn more about Care Resources and the care and events they offer here.

Mild temperatures may have provided a slow start to winter, but snow will be here before we know it and Pure Michigan has winter recreation on the mind. According to Project: Time Off and the US Travel Association, 429 million days of annual leave go unused in the U.S. each year. This winter, Travel Michigan is encouraging people to put some of those unused vacation days to work, channeling their inner child and heading out to experience the thrill of a Pure Michigan Snow Day.

In addition to this year’s winter advertising campaign, which begins airing the first week of January, a Snow Day landing page has launched on Michigan.org to provide visitors to the most visited state tourism website in the country with the inspiration and information to plan the perfect winter getaway. A new video highlighting winter recreation offerings is also available on the new landing page and Pure Michigan’s YouTube page.

“Michigan is a place where snow days come to life and there is no better way to enjoy the unique and beautiful winter travel experiences the season has to offer than to create your own Pure Michigan Snow Day,” said Dave Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Whether you are an enthusiast looking for a new adventure or just looking to beat cabin fever, make the most of those unused annual leave days and revel in the excitement and delight that awaits when a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground and the day is wide open.”

Travelers and travel industry partners are being encouraged to use the hashtag #puremichigansnowday to highlight winter offerings and adventures across Michigan. Michigan is home to more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, 3,000 miles of cross-country skiing trails and is second in the nation for ski areas boasting everything from family friendly bunny hills to the tallest vertical drop in the Midwest at Mt. Bohemia.

Last year, winter tourism generated $2.8 billion in traveler spending in Michigan.

The advertising campaign launching in January will target metro areas in Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. The campaign features television spots Snow Day and Chance of Snow and radio ads such as Snow Day, Snow, Here’s to the Curious and Nicknames. Check them out yourself to see the way our great state is presented to the rest of the nation!