Get Active & Win Prizes with Michigan's 'Live Well Lighthouse Challenge'

Big Sable Lighthouse

Looking for a good reason to get outdoors this season? Look no further than the Live Well Lighthouse Challenge, a new summer program encouraging people to visit four lighthouses operated and maintained by the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association. The challenge takes place between Saturday, May 30, and Tuesday, June 30, and includes:

• Big Sable Lighthouse (Mason County-Ludington State Park)
• Ludington North Breakwater Light (Mason County)
• Little Point Sable Lighthouse (Oceana County-Silver Lake State Park)
• White River Light Station (Muskegon County)

To complete the challenge, participants must take pictures of themselves with each lighthouse in the background and post them to their Facebook page with the hashtag #LiveWellLighthouseChallenge. 

In addition to using Facebook, participants also can purchase a Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association “All Access Pass” for $15, have it signed by a volunteer at each lighthouse, and then turn in the signed pass to the Mason County District Health Department. Individuals who complete the challenge (either on Facebook or with the All Access Pass) could win a two-night stay at Big Sable Lighthouse.

The challenge starts with a 2 p.m. kickoff event May 30 at Ludington State Park. At the kickoff, participants will receive health and wellness information including the viewing of a brief clip from the HBO documentary “Weight of the Nation,” presented by District Health Department No. 10. The presentation will be followed by a scenic, 2-mile hike out to Big Sable Lighthouse.

“This is a very exciting challenge for Mason County, as well as for the Live Well Campaign,” said Nicole Smith, health educator at District Health Department No. 10. “It is our goal to get our community members active and enjoying all that our local parks have to offer. Hiking out to our local lighthouses is just the cherry on top.”

This first-ever lighthouse challenge is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, District Health Department No. 10 and the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association. This program also is part of the MI Big Green Gym partnership (started by the DNR, the Michigan Recreation and Park Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan), which promotes healthy lifestyles through recreation and outdoor activity. Learn more at www.mibiggreengym.org.

“From parks and beaches to trails and waterways, Michigan’s outdoor spaces are great places for people to get active,” said DNR recreation programmer Elissa Buck. “Healthy-living programs like the Live Well Lighthouse Challenge just give people an extra reason to take advantage of and experience all that Michigan has to offer.”

In addition to the health benefits of getting active in the outdoors, lighthouses also expose visitors to a historical and cultural experience.

“We are excited to partner in the Live Well Lighthouse Challenge as we strive to preserve and promote our lighthouses, educate the public and make our lighthouses accessible to all,” said Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association Executive Director Peter Manting. 

There is no charge to participate in the challenge, but a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Ludington State Park and Silver Lake State Park. Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association will charge regular entry and tour fees to view the inside of the lighthouses. These lighthouse fees help support lighthouse renovation efforts. Standard admission rates are $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and younger. The All Access Pass provides a discounted rate of $15 ($5 for children) to climb all four towers.

Live Well 4 Health is District Health Department No. 10’s campaign for healthy living, in coordination with MI Healthier Tomorrow. Learn more and like the Live Well Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Livewell4health.

For more information about the challenge please visit www.livewell4health.org#!mason-county/c1cz9/. For more information about Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association-operated lighthouses, please visit www.splka.org or call 231-845-7417. Questions can be directed to Nicole Smith at 231-316-8578 or nsmith@dhd10.org.