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“Youth Can” community started a day at Bernardinai Park, where they got together for a picnic and games brought by program’s volunteers. “Youth Can” alumni invited all to mingle and join in team building, physical activity promoting games. Later on “Youth Can” teams went on a Vilnius tour, provided by ”Gatves gyvos” (“Live Streets”) with a goal to inspire children to think how they can preserve history and to create their own stories while visiting famous historical Vilnius spots.

Third part of the event was an open motivational conversation with a marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, sports center “Sesiostrim” coach Mindaugas Satkus. Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, where approximately 0.5 million artifacts are kept, hosted the meeting at its courtyard. M. Satkus talked about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encouraged “Youth Can” students to be true to themselves, be free and, most importantly, keep moving forwards.

All participants were anxiously waiting for the culmination of the event, Danske Bank Vilnius Marathon 2K Student Run. According to one runner, “the most exciting moment was the Run. While standing at the start line, I was getting anxious that I might not be able to cross the finish line. When I finally saw the finish line, I felt like a true runner, the most amazing feeling ever.”

One hundred program’s children came from Alsedziai, Saukenai, Aukstelke, Ariogala and Lentvaris thanks to generosity of Lithuanian Railroads (Lietuvos geležinkeliai). Participants got free round trip tickets to Vilnius and back home. It was the very first train trip for some children.

The Kazickas Family Foundation and “Youth Can” teams had an opportunity to share program's work and goals with event's guests at the program’s tent during the marathon.

According to Arturas Serzantas, one of program’s coaches who has been with the program since the very beginning, "such events have a huge impact on Lithuanian youth from the regions. As a health education specialist, I’m excited to see “Youth Can” not just building children’s life skills, but also promoting physical activity. Today, when children spend endless hours in front of the screens, lack of physical activity is an issue. During today’s event they had a chance to participate in the run and to chat with M. Satkus about being active. Hope it will stay with them for life.”

New 2019-2020 “Youth Can” season has even more valuable social and life skills building practices, more events and meetings with motivating, positive role models. Entire “Youth Can” team will work on making the program available for even more children.