GFAFB home to two national champions Published June 8, 2006 By Clay Kraby 319th Services Squadron GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- Fitness is truly a family affair for 13-year-old Rebekah Givens and her sisters, Joanna, Deborah and Sarah. All four girls actively participate in FitFactor, an Air Force fitness program aimed at keeping kids active. Having logged over 25,000 points a piece, Rebekah and 10-year-old Joanna have reached the highest level in the program: the “endurance” level. The theme of the FitFactor youth fitness program is “get up, get out and get fit.” Youth involved in the program can log up to 100 points a day for their efforts and work their way through five competitive levels: energy, strength, agility, adventure and endurance. Rebekah and Joanna are the second and third youth participants in the entire nation to reach the final level of the program. Although participation in FitFactor earns prizes, Rebekah looks back on even greater rewards since beginning the program. “I can run farther without getting tired, and I am much more flexible than when I started.” Rebekah also noted that the program was “really fun, and it was a good excuse to get my mom to allow me to go out for extra sports.” The girls’ mother, Tracy Givens, who helps out with the program on a local level, hasn’t missed the positive effects the program has had on her daughters. “They’ve played more games together and have helped to encourage each other to be more active and try new activities.” When asked how parents can help to encourage fitness and assist in FitFactor participation, Mrs. Givens said that encouraging new activities is critical. With their sisters close behind in total scores, Rebekah and Joanna will continue to log in points. Also, FitFactor recently added a sixth level, the power level, with the bar set at 35,000 points.