Wish your kids would move more than video game joysticks over the summer break? It’s a good goal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity helps children improve their self-confidence, school achievements, social connectedness, and positive family relationships. The best way to get bodies moving is to make it fun. Here are three ways your family can have fun together.

Sailing

by Mari Farthing

When you think of Oklahoma, you may not immediately think of sailing. But you might if you knew that Lake Hefner is one of the top ten sailing lakes in the nation, something that the Central Oklahoma Sailing Association (COSA) has been making the most of since 1971.

COSA began as a sailing rental concession in 1971 and soon grew into a nationally associated non-profit organization promoting the sport of sailing in Oklahoma City and raising money for local charities. The club is also committed to keeping Lake Hefner beautiful—COSA adopted the area around the public boat ramps and courtesy dock, importing sand for a beach, landscaping the area, and providing a feeding station for ducks and geese.

COSA invites all who are interested in sailing to join them and enjoy their events. Meetings are held every Friday night of the season (April through October) and are followed by sailing, of course. COSA member Tom Burgin says, "We have always had an open door to guests. We invite the public to go sailing." If your family is up for a sail, Tom suggests wearing comfortable clothes and closed-toe nonskid athletic shoes.

Many of the COSA members would welcome those wanting to learn to sail as crew members. Tom says "there are several people who are looking for crew to help us sail and would love to teach anyone interested." This July, COSA will also offer "Beginning Sailing" and "Sailing Fundamentals" classes, which will include both classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Regular club events include regattas, festivals, potluck dinners, and series races. To learn more about COSA, to sign up for a class, or to request a ride, contact Tom Burgin, 520-3232, oasispools@msn.com or Terri Borgfeld (club Commodore), 632-5272, tborgfeld@cox.net.