Beating the daily record, though, wasn’t their goal.
Paula Hutton said participating in events that force them to do things as a team is something they try to do as much as possible.
Being able to give back, in the meantime, was just the icing on the cake.
They were among about 40 people who teamed up in pairs and participated in the inaugural ’Merica Summer Games through the Moshannon Valley YMCA.
The event was a way to bring people out to participate in what branch Director Mel Curtis called “obscure activities,” and raise money for programs that benefit the YMCA, local school districts and surrounding communities.
It included team games like ’Billy Bowling, knocking down trashcans with old vehicle tires, Cast Iron Skillet Toss, Hubcap Hurling, Bucket Pong, Cow Chip Fling, Toilet Seat Horseshoes and more.
All activities were held at the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School football field across from the YMCA.
We like to do things you don’t see anywhere else. It’s something different and a little off the wall. Plus we’re recycling old items. I’m mean, haven’t you just wanted to throw an old toilet seat or skillet without worrying about it?
Money raised, Curtis said, specifically goes to the YMCA’s anti-hunger programs.
The YMCA budget for the Summer Lunch Program is $159,000. It’s a program founded in 2004 that serves free meals to local youth at 15 sites in Centre and Clearfield counties.
The program runs through Aug. 26.
The budget for the Backpack Food Program is about $75,000.
Curtis said eligible students from six school districts in Centre and Clearfield counties are allowed to take home backpacks full of food and snacks after school the last day of each week for the weekends. They bring the packs back when school resumes the next week so they can be refilled.
The program serves about 700 students per week during the school year.
The idea to throw a fundraiser like the summer games came about three years ago, but planning started last year.
A kids competition was held during the first part of the day, followed by a competition for adults and dinner catered by Mountain Top Catering.
Curtis said organizers plan to change things up next year with the hopes the summer games will be held in conjunction with Heritage Days — an annual event held in Philipsburg each summer.
“At this point, the goal is to continue to grow the event that can bring so much more good to these programs,” Curtis said.