BANGOR – The 2006 Corporate Wellness Challenge is under way and interest in the program is strong.

“Oh yeah, we’ve had, again, extremely good showing for that,” said Lance Cote, Bangor Y recreation sports director. Some 30 teams of four people have signed up for events, he said. And companies that would like to participate may still do so.

“The outdoor golf scramble is very popular,” Cote said, adding, “we do two bowling [events] and they’re both really popular.”

Businesses participating in the event are defending champions Bangor Hydro; winners of the Spirit Award Bangor Daily News; Zf Lemforder; Microdyne; Affiliated Healthcare Systems; and Berry Dunn McNeil Parker. Eastern Maine Healthcare is a new participant this year, Cote said.

New challenges this year are Texas hold ’em poker and dodgeball. The Team 2 Ball Contest will feature a new format.

Events provided through the Bangor Y Corporate Challenge Series 2006 are:

. 10-pin bowling, which was held Jan. 15 at The Sports Arena. Four-person teams. Each team bowls 15 minutes for practice and counts the next three strings. Highest team pinfall wins the event. Team pictures and bowling shoes are included in the event.

. Texas hold ’em poker, Sunday, Jan. 29, The Sports Arena. Two people per entry fee, individual event. Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. Timed event.

. Team fitness, Jan. 8-March 5, Bangor Y Fitness Center. Four-person teams. Get a fitness makeover with a personalized exercise program and the opportunity to meet a licensed dietician. Work out for eight weeks in the Bangor Y’s fully equipped fitness centers – either YWCA or YMCA. The team that loses the largest percentage of weight wins the event.

. Team trivia, Sunday, Feb. 19, The Sports Arena. Four-person teams. All teams compete against one another. Answer questions as a team from the Trivial Pursuit game.

. 8-ball pool, Sunday, Feb. 19, The Sports Arena. Five-person teams. Play single matches head to head, double elimination.

. Indoor golf scramble, February, Golf Country. Participants schedule time with Golf Country.

. Dodgeball, Sunday, Mar. 19, Bangor Y. Six-person co-ed teams play regulation dodgeball matches, double elimination. Two women must be on the court at all times.

. Candlepin bowling, March, Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes. Four-person teams. Each team bowls 15 minutes for practice and counts the next three strings. Highest team pinfall wins. Bowling shoes are included in the event.

. 4-on-4 team basketball, Sunday, April 9, Bangor Y. Four to seven players comprise teams. Double elimination or pool play depending on the number of entrants. Referees will officiate the games. Play games on a small court, but full court play.

. Team 2 ball contest, Sunday, April 9, Bangor Y. Two players comprise teams. Each contestant alternates shooting from various spots on the court for one minute. The highest scores after each round move on to the finals.

. Volleyball, Sunday, April 23, Husson College. Six to 10 players comprise teams and at least two women must be on the court at all times. Double elimination or pool play depending on the number of entrants.

. Team Indoor Soccer, May, “The Bubble.” Six-nine players comprise teams. Double elimination or pool play depending on the number of entrants. Referees will officiate the games. Games played on artificial turf in “The Bubble.”

. Cribbage, Sunday, May 21, The Sports Arena. Two-person teams. Double elimination or pool play depending on the number of entrants.

. Darts, Sunday, May 21, The Sports Arena. Two-person teams. Team play, 301. Double elimination. The team with the best aim will take home the challenge points. Team pictures included in the event.

. Golf scramble, Sunday, June 11, Hermon Meadow Golf Club. Four-person teams play a scramble format and the lowest gross score wins. This is an end of the season celebration. There will be a barbecue, prizes will be given away and an awards ceremony will be held in which the Corporate Challenge Cup will be presented. Golf carts, barbecue and a team photo are included.

All events are fun, Cote said, and are done “to promote wellness within each company.” Proceeds go to the scholarship program at the Bangor Y.

For information call Lance Cote, Bangor Y, 941-2815 or e-mail him at lcote@bangory.org.