Paddle Away at Carlyle Lake!

CARLYLE LAKE – In recognition of Great Outdoors Month, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host “Paddle Away” at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Willow Pond Fitness Trail located next to the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center.  The event will focus on educating and encouraging children and adults to paddle safely!  Participants can gain experience and test their skills on a kayak or a canoe.

     Paddling is great way to exercise and for families to spend time together in the outdoors, it has become a very popular activity for people of all ages at Carlyle Lake and on the Kaskaskia River.

Here are some reasons why people go kayaking and canoeing:

• Canoeing and kayaking is a healthy and fun activity to share with your whole family.

• It doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how to get started with the activity. You just need to learn some basic paddling skills to begin.

• It is a great workout tool for people of all ages. You will be able to train and work out those muscles and at the same time, have an exhilarating time on the water. Now what can be better than that?

•  Paddling can reduce stress and promote relaxation. The smooth strokes upon the water can create a sense of calmness and a feeling of peace with nature.

• In the coves of Carlyle Lake, one can have the opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Kayaking is also a very popular activity for many avid birdwatchers.

• You will be able to explore the shoreline along the lake which in some areas inaccessible by motor boats.

President Obama has proclaimed June as National Great Outdoors Month!  The President’s proclamation urges all Americans to spend time in the great outdoors and to uphold our nation’s legacy of conserving our lands for future generations.

     With school out and summer just around the corner, there's no better time to take your family outdoors at Carlyle Lake for some active adventures!  Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. In combination with healthy eating, it can help prevent a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke, which are the three leading causes of death. Physical activity helps control weight, builds lean muscle, reduces fat, promotes strong bone, muscle and joint development, and decreases the risk of obesity. Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow up to a healthy weight.

For additional information on this and other events please contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil.