OCCC is joining in the fight against Alzheimer’s by taking part in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s charity event.

OCCC is forming a team of staff and students.

Team members will pledge donations and participate in the charity walk aimed at raising additional funds and awareness for the sixth highest cause of death in the U.S according to The Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Association OKC Walk Coordinator Sara Jones said the walk, to be held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark, is entering its 12th year.

Jones said she is excited to see continuing growth and involvement in the event.

The Rose State swim team came out on top with the most first-place finishes at the first annual Junior Lifeguard Competition that took place July 15 at the OCCC Aquatic Center.

Six teams from area pools participated in this year’s event.

“The Junior Guard Teams went head to head in an iron guard relay race, a rescue race, deep water tug-of-war and a simulation event,” said Roxanna Butler, recreation and fitness specialist at OCCC.

For the summer months, aquatic sports and other water-based activities can often be the optimum means of gaining relief from the consistently intense Oklahoma heat.

So when visitors and students of OCCC use the Aquatic Center to cool off, the college’s lifeguards are always on hand to use their training to ensure safety in, as well as out of, the pool.

Lifeguard Ryan Domstead said the steps to becoming a lifeguard for OCCC require an individual develop an important collection of skills that are built to ensure not just a swimmer’s safety but that of the lifeguard’s as well.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially selected OCCC’s Aquatic Center as the venue to host their 2012 and 2013 Swimming and Diving National Championships.

Holly Shelton, manager of Sports Business Development for the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the NAIA chose OCCC over two other potential schools that were in the running to host the events; a process, she points out, that required a great deal of cooperation.

“It was a collaborative effort of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and OCCC,” she said.

OCCC’s Recreation and Fitness Center is offering students and community members an affordable way to keep in shape this summer.

Students who present a valid student ID or individuals who present a valid membership may purchase Group Fitness Passes that will allow them to participate in all group fitness classes over the entire summer semester for $35.

OCCC Wellness Attendants Jessica Hughes and Alex Savage said the passes present an opportunity for everyone to sample various classes and see what may work for them.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially selected OCCC’s Aquatic Center as the venue to host their 2012 and 2013 Swimming and Diving National Championships. The 56th Annual

The aim of OCCC’s Teen Xtreme summer camp and volunteer program is to build character and foster youth involvement in the community, said Sports and Recreational Specialist Eric Watson.

Camp Supervisor Lisa Barnum said with activities ranging from interpersonal development to traveling to locations such as a local animal rescue, as well as a Stillwater-based retirement center, the camp is an attempt at developing teens into future leaders.

OCCC’s Teen Xtreme summer camp and volunteer program aims to build character and foster youth involvement in the community, said Sports and Recreational Specialist Eric Watson.

Camp supervisor Lisa Barnum said, with activities ranging from interpersonal development to traveling to such diverse locations as a local animal rescue, as well as a Stillwater-based retirement center, the camp is an attempt at developing teens into future leaders.

The OCCC Wellness Center is currently holding its summer-long Snoopy Squad and Peanuts Gang swimming program at the OCCC Aquatic Center.

OCCC Sports and Recreation Specialist Eric Watson said the program is now entering its sixth summer of operation. It is geared toward age groups ranging from 3 to 9 years old and presents children with a change to what may be an all-too-routine summer schedule.

“Most kids between these ages are usually in daycare more than half of summer,” Watson said.

The OCCC Nursing Students Association and Student Physical Therapy Assistant Organization will sponsor the 3rd Annual Life Saver 5k and 1 mile Fun Run Sept. 17.

The event has seen its number of participants grow each year and OCCC Nursing Student Association President Jennifer Hader is keen to keep that trend going.