As part of an effort called Joining Forces, which supports U.S. service members and their families, fitness professionals can donate personal training time, fitness classes, equipment and DVDs to military personnel. The American Council on Exercise is facilitating this fitness component of Joining Forces.

So far its members have pledged over 100,000 hours of their time to be redeemed by activated, soon-to-be activated, or recently deployed military reservists and National Guard members and their immediate families. If you qualify, visit ACE to look for trainers in your area who are offering services.

Thanks to all our military service members and their families this Memorial Day weekend.

With Memorial Day weekend almost here in the U.S. (and Victoria Day just over in Canada), it's time to kick off summer! I have six suggestions to help you make this summer your family's most fun yet, with an emphasis on outdoor time and active play. At our house, we are looking forward to visiting the pool, going for bike rides, and just enjoying the lovely weather, longer days, and (shhhh) lack of homework.

You can also find information and advice on shaping up for summer across the About network. What's on your plate for summer 2012?

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My city just created its first StoryWalk. It's a joint effort between the parks and rec department and the library, and I love the concept: Pages from a children's book are laminated, attached to stakes, and placed along a walking path. Families follow the path to share both a story and a walk together. Adorable!

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. It's now spread to dozens of other U.S. states as well as locations in Canada and Bermuda. Visit the link above for more information if you're interested in bringing a StoryWalk to your community.

Having just received notice of the fee for my daughter's skating team next year, I am very familiar with this issue: Kids' sports are expensive, and not just for private leagues or clubs. Results from a recent C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health show that 61% of kids who participate in school sports must pay a fee (independent of transportation and equipment costs) to play. Only 6% were able to have fees waived.

As might be expected, only about one-third of kids from lower-income families participated in sports, while more than half of kids with higher-income parents played sports. Results are based on a representative sample of parents of kids ages 12 to 17.

Overall, the poll found, participating in sports costs parents almost $400 per child, of which an average of $93 went to school fees. Read more about saving money on youth sports, and let me know if you have cost-saving suggestions to add.