Move it Cayman, the national movement challenge, officially launched during the 2026 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge on Sunday, 29 March.
This 12-week challenge is described in a Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability press release as “the first of a series of planned projects and initiatives that will make up the Step into Wellness campaign”.
It is aimed at helping individuals increase their movement “no matter what level of activity they currently partake in”.
TeamFit app and activity calendar
To support this mission, the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability and Cayman Islands Government, partners of the challenge, launched two useful tools for participants: a Move it Cayman activity calendar and the Move it Cayman challenge on the TeamFit app.
The activity calendar, available on the official government website, serves as a hub for both free and discounted activities provided by the partners throughout the duration of the challenge.
“The calendar offers a variety of classes, webinars, consultations and other opportunities for movement, and is regularly being updated. We wanted to give people the opportunity to try something new that they may otherwise not have been able to access,” said Chief Nursing Officer Felicia McLean in the release.
Technology is playing a major role in keeping the momentum going through the TeamFit app, with the digital portion of the challenge officially starting on Sunday, 12 April.
“The TeamFit app allows participants to form or join teams to help them motivate one another and earn points throughout the challenge,” the release said.
Additionally, the app seamlessly syncs with smartwatches and wearable devices, though it also allows for manual entries for those without such devices. Users also gain access to premium features like guided workouts, meditation and sleep guidance to support a holistic approach to health.
Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said in the release, “I am happy to see the uptake on the app. I see family teams, work teams and even district teams. The app is a great way to connect with one another and to encourage participation.”
Ebanks-Wilks added: “It will also give our Ministry team some invaluable information on engagement with the challenge so that we can learn how to improve on it next year. I encourage everyone to sign up for the challenge and get involved.”
Staff engagement and more
Reflecting on the opportunity to engage with staff through the challenge, Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks stated, “While the calendar of events and the app provide staff with opportunities for movement they can do in their own time, as a Ministry we have created an opportunity for us to move as a team by carving out one hour per week for a staff walk.
“We will be checking in with the team to see how they feel about this at the 6-week and 12-week mark, but we are hopeful that this will be very beneficial for both their physical and mental health.”
To keep motivation and engagement high, McLean said private sponsors have provided a range of weekly prizes for individuals. More information on how to enter will be announced at a later date through social media channels.
Additionally, businesses, organisations and schools with the highest participation and consistency in the challenge have the opportunity to earn shout-outs for their efforts in engagement.
For those who have not yet joined, McLean emphasised that registration remains open and interested persons can join or obtain more information at www.gov.ky/moveitcayman.
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