May is Global Employee Fitness Month, and we want to help you on the road to staying fit!
Did you know that as an AC Family member you have access to some seriously great fitness benefits? Check out the resources available to you through AC, as well as some other great options for everyone in the Amarillo/Canyon area.
Carter Fitness Center
Even though Carter Fitness Center is closed for remodeling presently, we still have "Anytime Carter" available in the old *Bible Chair of the Southwest building attached to Parking Lot 3. There are some free weights, mats, and standard fitness equipment available for use any time, day or night. To get access to the facility, contact Craig Clifton at cbclifton@actx.edu. *(See map below for location)
Continuing Ed Courses
With AC's Employee Scholarship, you have access to some great active classes *tuition-free through the Continuing Education department. Here are some great options being offered this summer:
- Beginning Adult Ballroom Dancing
- Adult Country/Western Dancing
- Beginning Fencing (Age 13 - Adult)
- Yoga, Tai Chi, & Zumba
- Aikido & Self-Defense
*Note: tuition is free to all staff and faculty but fees and some course restrictions may apply.
Activities at Palo Duro Canyon
Along with horseback rides, camping, and some great hiking trails, Palo Duro Canyon offers fun events within the park each month. This month's events are listed below:
- May 12th @ 3 pm: A Slice of Palo Duro Pie - Learn about the geology that makes up each slice of Palo Duro Canyon in this short hike
- May 15th @ 8 pm: Flower Moon Hike (Registration Required) - Experience the rising of May's Flower Moon in this full moon hike
- May 19th @ 9 am: A Slice of Palo Duro Pie - Learn about the geology that makes up each slice of Palo Duro Canyon in this short hike
- May 14th, 20th - 21st, & 27th - 28th @ 9 pm: Walking with Spiders - Bring a flashlight and join in searching for Wolf Spiders along the trail in this evening hike
Other Outdoor Recreation Options
If you enjoy cycling and riding around bike trails, there are a few great free options available in the area.
If you're in Canyon, or you don't mind driving out that way, check out Canyon Trails at Buffalo Hill. It's an open space park with 5 + miles of single-track trails. You can also hike or jog in the area if that's more your speed. They are located at 6382 Buffalo Stadium Rd, Canyon, TX 79015. For trail updates and upcoming events, visit their Facebook page.
In Amarillo, you can go to the 9th St BMX & Mountain Biking trails at 7000 SW 9th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106 (they're over near Medi-Park and West Campus). This trail area was established in 2000 and has 6 + miles of multi-track trails available not only for bikes, but hiking and running as well. For more information about available trails, visit their Trailforks page, and for all other updates on events and trail maintenance, visit their Facebook page.
If you're not into cycling or mountain biking, but you'd still like to get out and hike around in nature, you (and your puppy companion if you so choose) can take a trip out to Wildcat Bluff Nature Center.
Wildcat Bluff Nature Center is located just 3 miles north of I-40 at 2301 N Soncy, Amarillo, TX 79124. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children over 3 and adults over 60. They also offer memberships for unlimited visits year-round. They boast 640 acres of open space, including 5 miles of trails, 5 acres of paved and accessible paths, a section of the Gregg-Marcy Santa Fe Trail, Panhandle prehistory dig pit, the Gilvin Science Education Center, and so much more. There's a little bit of everything for the entire family out at Wildcat Bluff. For more information, visit their website and trail map page.
