Blue Cross VT Invites the Community to Get out on Water for Free During Annual Kayak Days on August 15

Berlin, VT – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross VT) today announced its 2026 Kayak Days will take place on Saturday, August 15 at Prouty Beach in Newport, VT. The event is free and open to all Vermonters to try a paddle sport and realize the mental and physical health benefits of being active on the water.

This year, there are a couple of ways to participate in Kayak Days:

• In-person: Join Blue Cross VT on Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prouty Beach in Newport for free kayaking. They’ll be free boat rentals and personal flotation devices, giveaways for the first 50 attendees, lawn games, healthy snacks and water to keep participants energized and hydrated.
• Summer Virtual Challenge: Blue Cross VT encourages Vermonters to get out and enjoy the lakes and streams of Vermont. Beginning on August 15th, for every post that Blue Cross VT is tagged in on Facebook or Instagram, the organization will donate $5 to Camp Exclamation Point, a residential summer camp for underserved Vermont youth. If residents don’t have social media, they can still participate by sending  photos to events@bcbsvt.com. On September 8, Blue Cross VT will randomly pick one submission to receive a new kayak, paddle, and personal flotation device – a package valued at more than $900. Vermonters can share as many photos as they like – the more photos submitted, the better the chances of winning.

“Kayak Days offers the best of both worlds,” says Megan Peek, Director of Community Relations and Health Promotion at Blue Cross VT. “Not only do paddle sports offer a low-impact exercise that strengthens muscles for everyday movements, research shows that being close to the water can produce a calming effect that lowers stress, heart rate and blood pressure. We’re excited to offer this opportunity for Vermonters to better their bodies and their minds.”

For more information about Kayak Days and all Blue Cross VT’s Blue Sky Days, visit: https://www.bluecrossvt.org/health-community/community-programs-and-events/blue-sky-vt-days.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is a local, not-for-profit health plan. For over 40 years, the company has been enhancing the health and well-being of the Vermonters we serve by offering innovative plans to individuals, older Vermonters, and businesses. Our employees are dedicated to developing new ways to support high-quality care, programs and events that promote wellness. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.