Kids in Big Cypress and Immokalee spent a hot summer’s day June 28 cooling off with some wet and wild activities thanks to the health department, recreation, Boys & Girls Clubs and the Seminole fire department.

The dash part of the program was intended to get the kids moving, which they did with abandon as they played in the slip-n-slides, participated in relay races and obstacle courses and gathered like moths to a flame to the continual soaking of the fire hoses.

“Normally we have a Fourth of July Walk, but this year we tried something different to get them active,” said Andrea Kuzbyt, Immokalee health nutrition counselor. “Hydration and overheating are real issues during the summer. We try to make physical activity fun.”

The fire department set up a truck and doused the kids, who couldn’t get enough of the water in the 90-plus heat of the day. In Big Cypress, the kids took over the veterans park with water features just about everywhere. If the water didn’t do the trick, cold watermelon and snow cones were available in the shade of the pavilion.

“We like to change it up so the kids can continue to enjoy our events,” said Jamie Diersing, Big Cypress health educator. “We want them to play outside and have fun with their friends. It helps them get the one hour of daily physical activity recommended by the American Heart Association.”