In small towns, ensuring that the young children of the town and surrounding rural areas 'have something to do" has always been a challenge. The challenge changes with each passing year of their life, and each passing year as a community. Kids' interests change, and so does what a community believe it can or should offer them.

In small towns, of very limited budgets, things start out real simple. Things are built 'just good enough' to give kids a place to play...to ensure there are resources. Bare bones. Nothing fancy

As towns grow, what they can find for their children 'to do' grows too. Baseball/softball fields become more than a dirt patch with some bases and a short backstop. Soccer fields become more than just a relatively flat area where one can drag a goal around and maybe lime some lines to make a fair attempt at a regulation field. Football becomes more than a field where some people can stand around, or sit on the adjoining hill to watch.

Bigger, better, and higher quality. Now...community pride is expressed.

As Atkins has grown rapidly in the last two decades, and schools have moved and changed their offerings, the town has struggled to keep up with its growth and ensuring that kids have 'something to do.' This year, the baseball/softball leagues saw 250 youth participating, while soccer saw 480 participating! These youth are playing basically on one real baseball field, and one real soccer fields...and the baseball field isn't even on community property...but school property.

Further, as a community, Atkins is now recognizing that maybe it's also important to ensure that its adults, and especially its seniors, have 'something to do' as well. Fitness isn't just important when young. It is especially important as we age, as fitness contributes to our mental and physical health, helping us reduce healthcare costs and live longer, happier lives.

To meet the real challenge of the strong relationship between fitness and overall health and longevity, Atkins is looking to ensure resources that have a positive impact on the health of the community by providing 'something to do' for all generations.