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The Utica area Community Action Team, a local organization committed to the health and safety of area children, is once again hosting “Spring Break Michigan Style” as a way for teenagers to enjoy their week away from classes in a safe environment.

“This is probably about our 14th year doing this,” said Kim Wiegand, a member of UCAT. “Students who decide to stay home for the week, we provide them with a safe and fun alternative way to enjoy themselves.”

From March 24-28, UCAT will partner with several local businesses to host various activities throughout the area. Special events and discounts at area businesses will be available to students in grades 7-12, in public and private schools throughout the Utica Community Schools attendance area.

Every day, students will be able to enjoy activities at Life Time Fitness in Shelby Township from noon to 5 p.m., for $10; activities available will include rock climbing, swimming and open gym. Students are also invited to a free game night at the Boys and Girls Club of Shelby Township from 6 to 11 p.m. on March 25.

This year, students are also once again invited to Utica United Methodist Church, 8650 Canal Road in Sterling Heights, to help package food for Kids Against Hunger, an organization that helps deliver nonperishable food to needy children across the globe. Students participated in the event last year and participation was so strong, Wiegand said, that UCAT, along with two local Kiwanis groups, split this year’s event into two different times and opened it to the public.

“We’re very excited that the Shelby-Utica Kiwanis Club and the Shelby-Macomb Daybreakers partnered with us on this again,” she said. “Volunteers can come at two different times and package food. It’s our goal to have 40,000 packages ready to distribute. We had such a good time with this last year and such a great response, and we’re looking forward to doing it again.”

Those interested in volunteering or donating to the Kids Against Hunger project should call Greg Smith at 803-1759.

Once again, the festivities will close March 28 with the annual All-Nighter at Life Time Fitness. From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., students will be able to enjoy volleyball, basketball, movies, swimming, food, a dodgeball tournament and more at the center. Wiegand said the event is one of the most popular parts of the entire week.

“There’s actually a limited enrollment on the all-nighter and last year we had to add even more spaces,” she said. “For the students who do stay locally, it’s a nice and fun alternative, and a way to have fun with their friends while staying safe.”

For more information about “Spring Break Michigan Style” and other programs offered by UCAT, visit the organization’s Web site at www.ucat4kids.org