Kids Across the Community Complete the 2026 Kids Quest
After a summer filled with movement, adventure, and healthy habits, the Center for Health Improvement (CHI) is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the 2026 Kids Quest program.
Designed to encourage children to stay active during the summer months, Kids Quest challenged youth in Pre-K through 8th grade to complete 60 miles through running, walking, biking, swimming, or a combination of activities. The free community program kicked off on June 1 and welcomed all children, regardless of CHI membership status.
“One of our goals at CHI and HaysMed is to help children build healthy habits while making fitness fun,” said Stephanie Howie, Director of CHI. “Kids Quest gives families a free and exciting way to stay active throughout the summer and discover that movement can be its own adventure.”
Participants who completed the challenge earned a commemorative Kids Quest t-shirt and received coupons and prizes donated by local businesses and organizations that partnered to make the program a success. The community support behind Kids Quest helped create an experience that rewarded healthy choices while showcasing many of the family-friendly opportunities available throughout the region.
Emma and Julie completed the 2026 Kids Quest! Their favorite activity was swimming, but they also logged plenty of miles walking throughout the summer challenge.
A special thank you goes to the HaysMed Foundation, whose sponsorship of the Kids Quest t-shirts helps make the program possible each year.
“At the HaysMed Foundation, we are proud to support programs that encourage healthy lifestyles and bring families together,” said Jeff Brull, Executive Director of the HaysMed Foundation. “Kids Quest is a wonderful example of a community-centered program that promotes physical activity, builds lifelong healthy habits, and gives children the opportunity to have fun while staying active throughout the summer. We’re honored to play a role in its success.”
National Parks map for Kids Quest
Thank You to Our 2026 Kids Quest Sponsors
Kids Quest participants received rewards inspired by America’s national parks, with each sponsor contributing a special prize to the children who completed the Quest:
- Dillons (Rocky Mountain National Park)
- One apple, orange, banana, or pear
- McDonald’s (Grand Canyon National Park)
- Two bags of apple slices or a small smoothie (strawberry banana or mango pineapple)
- Sternberg Museum of Natural History (Yosemite National Park)
- One child admission with the purchase of an adult admission
- Hays Recreation Center (Olympic National Park)
- $5 off any youth registration
- Centennial Lanes (Glacier National Park)
- Two games of bowling
- Precision Valley Golf Center (Yellowstone National Park)
- One round of putt-putt
- The Niche Open Studio (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
- Half off any kids project at Open Studio
- Jimmy John’s (Acadia National Park)
- Any 8-inch sandwich
- Center for Health Improvement (Great Smoky Mountain National Park)
- One smoothie
- Fort Hays State University (Hot Springs National Park)
- One admission to any 2026-2027 FHSU sporting event
Congratulations to Aliya, Michael, and Tyson on completing the 2026 Kids Quest! Pictured with Kolynn from CHI’s Play Center, these young adventurers reached their 60-mile goal and finished the summer strong.
Building Healthy Habits for a Lifetime
The success of Kids Quest demonstrates the power of community partnerships and the importance of providing children with opportunities to stay active when school is not in session. By turning fitness into a summer-long adventure, participants were encouraged to explore new activities, spend time outdoors, and develop habits that support lifelong health and wellness.
Programs like Kids Quest would not be possible without the support of community sponsors and the HaysMed Foundation, whose investment helps remove barriers to participation and keeps the program free for families throughout the region.
CHI and HaysMed extend a heartfelt thank you to every child, parent, volunteer, sponsor, and the HaysMed Foundation for helping make the 2026 Kids Quest another memorable and successful summer tradition.
Families interested in future youth wellness programs can learn more by visiting the Center for Health Improvement or following HaysMed and CHI for upcoming activities and events.
