-
- Find A Provider
-
Services
- Addiction Recovery
- Audiology
- Behavioral Health
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Cardiology
- Chiropractic Care
- Colon Cancer Screening
- Dermatology Services
- Diabetes Education
- ER & Urgent Care
- Family Medicine
- Home Care
- Hospice
- Infusion Therapy
- Internal Medicine
- Laboratory
- Long Term Care Facility
- Men's Health
- Nutrition Services
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Podiatry
- Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging
- Rehabilitation Services
- Respiratory Care
- Senior Care Unit
- Sleep Medicine
- Surgery
- Swing Bed/Transitional Care
- Women's Health
- Patients & Visitors
- Facilities & Pharmacy
- About Us
-
MLHS Launches Kids Healthy Summer Challenge
June 2, 2026
As summer begins and school lets out, Mille Lacs Health System is encouraging local families to stay active, healthy, and safe through the new “Kids Healthy Summer Challenge.”
The free community program is open to all local youth ages 18 and younger and is designed to help children build healthy habits throughout the summer months in a fun and engaging way.
Beginning in June, families can stop by any Mille Lacs Health System clinic location in Onamia, Isle, Hillman, Garrison, or Milaca to pick up a free Kids Healthy Summer Challenge bag. The bags include goal trackers, healthy habit tips, coloring activities, and prizes.
The challenge focuses on several important healthy habits for children, including staying hydrated, eating fruits and vegetables, being physically active, and practicing safety habits such as wearing bike helmets, seat belts, and life jackets.
Participants use simple goal trackers throughout the summer to keep track of healthy choices. Rather than focusing on perfection, the challenge encourages kids to make healthy choices consistently and have fun while doing it.
Healthy goals highlighted in the challenge include:
• Choosing water instead of sugary drinks whenever possible
• Eating fruits and vegetables daily
• Staying active both outdoors & indoors
• Practicing important summer safety habits
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Summer months can provide excellent opportunities for biking, swimming, hiking, playing at parks, and other outdoor activities that help children stay healthy both physically and mentally.
Nutrition also plays an important role in keeping kids energized during the summer. Experts recommend encouraging children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and to stay hydrated, especially during hot weather and outdoor activities.
Children can complete monthly goal trackers throughout the summer and turn them in during designated prize weeks at any Mille Lacs Health System clinic location. Kids who turn in completed trackers will also receive a small prize during each prize week. The first turn-in week will be July 13–17, with the final turn-in week taking place August 24–28.
Each completed goal tracker earns one entry into the final random drawing for a $200 bike credit from Easy Riders Bicycle & Sportshop in Brainerd. Kids who complete both trackers will earn two entries.
The Kids Healthy Summer Challenge is intended to make healthy habits fun, simple, and accessible for local families while encouraging children to stay active and engaged during the summer months.
For more information, families can visit any Mille Lacs Health System clinic location or contact Marketing@mlhealth.org.