Maple Dale Gets Active for Chance at Winning Trip to Lambeau

Talk to any Packers' fan, and they'll quickly enlighten you to how special it is to be under the lights of Lambeau Field. 

Next month, the student body at Maple Dale School could get a taste of what it's like to step into the most-storied stadium in professional football — and be bussed in by the Packers. 

All the students have to do is get active.

Maple Dale was chosen, along with just nine other schools in the state, to compete in the National Football League's Play 60 program, which challenges kids to get active and play for at least 60 minutes every day. Every year, the American Heart Association nominates Wisconsin schools, and the Packers choose which schools will participate.

Over a 28-day period, the participating schools will track the physical activity of their students, and come March 3 when the contest concludes, the school with the most time, per student, will win the grand prize: a trip to Lambeau Field, Hall of Fame passes, an opportunity to meet a Packers player and a $700 gift certification from US Games. 

Maple Dale Parent Teacher Organization President Jean Bernstein said students are excited at the notion of having the Packers bus the entire student body to Lambeau field. 

Since the track meet started on Feb. 3, students have been finding ways to get active during the school day, Bernstein said.

"They have the regular instruction time, but will take a break and for five minutes do jumping jacks," Bernstein said. 

The big push came Monday night, during the school's annual spaghetti dinner night. Maple Dale has long participated in the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart program, but also set up a glow-in-the-dark obstacle course.

Ellen Mauermann, a physical education teacher at Maple Dale who organized Monday night's event, said for $2 children could play in the obstacle course, and for $1, they could participate in the jump rope contest. All proceeds gathered that night went to the American Heart Association. 

"We are counting every minute tonight," Mauermann said. 

"This is our big event," she said. "The kids are so excited."