Students at Pierce Downer Elementary School are setting out on a virtual journey across the United States as part of an effort to encourage children to stay active during the winter months. Thanks to a generous donation from Walgreens, each student at the school received a pedometer and will log their daily steps with the goal of collectively reaching the 6.5 million steps necessary to walk from New York to California.

Steps will be tallied each month and the school’s progress will be depicted on a large map. Top walkers and classrooms that walk the furthest will receive special recognition. The program is sponsored by the Pierce Downer PTA and the Healthy Kids Committee.