Parks Double Dutch Challenge

It’s back and flying higher than ever. The Jump Jam Double Dutch Challenge is a free, 10-week program that teaches adults and children over the age of 10 how to prepare for a jump rope competition—but that’s just the beginning.

In its second year, the program has been expanded to include weeks devoted to such topics as nutrition, building community and physical fitness. It all leads up to the Jump Jam Double Dutch Challenge final competition August 24 at the Oxford/Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in Saint Paul.

“People had a great time doing the Double Dutch challenge last year, and now we’ve expanded it to include so much more than rope jumping,” said Christina McCoy, YWCA Saint Paul Director of Youth Development. “This is a big win for the community--there’s no cost to participate and we’ll be hiring coaches through the Saint Paul Youth Job Corps.”

Registration for the program is open until June 19, 2013. People can register at any of the three participating recreation centers: 
El Rio Vista Recreation Center / Wellstone Community Center, 179 Robie Street East
Oxford/Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 270 Lexington Pkwy North
Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center, 790 Conway Ave

The program runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 17 through August 23. The final competition, featuring finalists from each recreation center, is from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 24. Jump Jam is sponsored by the YWCA Saint Paul, HealthPartners and the City of Saint Paul.

Health benefits of jumping rope

Jumping rope for five to 10 minutes a day can provide the same health benefits as 30 minutes of jogging, two sets of tennis singles or 18 holes of golf, according to the Jump Rope Institute.  In addition, jumping helps improve spatial awareness, reading skills, memory and mental alertness.

Watch a fun video from the final challenge last summer.