The American Dietetic Association Foundation and the General Mills Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of the 2004 Champions Youth Nutrition and Fitness Grants. Fifty nonprofit community groups across the U.S., each in collaboration with a Registered Dietitian, were awarded grants totaling $500,000 from the General Mills Foundation to support innovative programs to help children develop good nutrition and physical fitness habits that will last throughout their lives.
Listed by state, program name, organization and city.
Alaska
Rural Alaska Program
Camp Fire U.S.A. Alaska Council
Anchorage, Alaska
Camp Fire U.S.A. will provide a program that addresses two distinct needs in rural Alaska. The program will serve 700 Native Alaskans, ages five to twelve, in 23 villages across the state. Two staff members will visit each village for two weeks where they will teach swimming in cold water as a fitness and safety program, and they will teach the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association’s Surviving Outdoor Adventures. As the nutrition component, the staff will teach Pathways curriculum that’s modified to match the traditional Alaskan Native diet.
Arizona
Promoting Lifetime Activity for Youth (P.L.A.Y.)
Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Phoenix, Arizona
P.L.A.Y. is a program for elementary and middle school students and will reach about 1,500 African-American and Hispanic youth. Teachers will receive training in the program and will implement the 3-step program with their class. Students will have 15-minute activity breaks throughout the day. Parents will be informed about the program through newsletter. The second step of the program includes organized 15-minute activity breaks with the teacher or health educator. Step three involves visits from the health educator to teach the food guide pyramid, food labels, serving size and the importance of exercise.
Arkansas
Uniquely Me! Inside and Out, Loving the Skin You’re In and the Busy Girls’ Guide to Exercise
Girl Scouts of Conifer Council
Texarkana, Arkansas
Two special events, a mother/daughter day spa and a girl sports day, will show 900, 11 to 19 year olds how to exercise and eat healthfully. Mothers are encouraged to support their daughter in trying different exercises, monitoring what food they eat and learning to prepare healthy food. The sports day will give the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities and to learn about good nutrition. These programs will be modified to present as in school lessons for 5th grade girls.
California
The C.H.A.S.E. Program (Creating Healthy & Active School Environments)
Benicia Unified School District
Benicia, California
The C.H.A.S.E. Program will involve 1,830 students, ages 14 to 18. Recognizing that students are more likely to succeed if they are physically fit and well nourished, Benicia Unified School District will create a healthier nutrition and fitness environment for two of its main high schools. The C.H.A.S.E. Program will revamp the cafeteria selections to offer fresh, healthy and nutritious foods. Students will learn to make healthier food choices through a marketing campaign created by their peers. To encourage good physical fitness the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award will be promoted, and the schools will offer several "high school nights" at local sports and fitness locations. In addition, students will have the opportunity to serve as mentors for the elementary school track meet.
"It’s My Body!"
East Bay Asian Youth Center
Oakland, California
In cooperation with Roosevelt Health Center, 860 middle school youth will take part in "It’s My Body," a comprehensive nutrition education and physical activity program. The majority of the students are Asian, Pacific Islander or Latino. The program accomplishes five main components. Peer youth education—training for peer educators who will educate about nutrition, exercise and positive body image. School lunch incentive — motivates students to eat the nutritionally balanced school lunch. Intramural lunchtime tournament program — competitions intended to increase physical activity and make it fun. Parent and community involvement — volunteers will form a council to improve the school’s "a la carte" menu. Teacher in-service training — all teachers will be trained in nutrition education.
Mission: Possible
San Jose Unified School District
San Jose, California
This project, involving 240 fourth grade students the majority of whom are Hispanic, will enhance an already existing curriculum that includes learning about the California Missions by walking from Mission San Diego to Alcala to Mission San Francisco Solano (over 500 miles). By walking daily, using pedometers and charting their progress on a map, students can accomplish this goal. In addition, the students will increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables to help fuel their walk. With the help of the community they will offer a weekly food sampling.
Colorado
Mighty Bites
Lakewood Legacy Foundation
Lakewood, Colorado
Mighty Bites is a 27-week curriculum designed for Head Start program. This will be a standardized program for 200, three to five year olds of various ethnicities, in 12 different preschools. This program emphasizes that parents need to be educated about good nutrition because they purchase the food for the family. The participants eat breakfast, lunch and a snack during the program; so many new healthy foods will be introduced to the children.
Program E.N.E.R.G.Y. (Education, Nutrition and Exercise for Growing Youth)
Colorado State University Foundation
Fort Collins, Colorado
Program E.N.E.R.G.Y. reaches out to 175, seven to twelve year olds, to provide strong role models and increase exposure to science and health related careers. The program runs though the school year and emphasizes bring professionals, such as research scientists; chefs; dietitians; nurses; medical technologists; physicians; exercise physiologists; health science professions and college students, into the classroom. Through field trips to the science museum the students will learn about science careers, origins of food, the science of food, and the role of healthy eating and active living in personal health. Parents will be involved through a newsletter, evening activities and family fitness challenges.
Florida
Walking on Sunshine
Lockhart Elementary Magnet
Tampa, Florida
This program involves all 500 students and staff at Lockhart Elementary. Every morning everyone will be encouraged to start their day with 10 to 20 minutes of exercise and a healthy breakfast. As children enter the campus they will be directed to the walking track. Each class will have a fitness goal. The children will then be allowed to choose from a variety of healthy breakfasts. Walking on Sunshine will help develop a lifelong habit of good nutrition and exercise as well as improving attendance and achievement in school.
"Y" Be Healthy
YMCA of Greater Miami
Miami, Florida
This program will be implemented in five YMCA After-School Programs and will serve over 400, five to eleven year olds of various ethnicities. The three-month curriculum is structured with monthly themes for three fitness and nutrition components. The youth will have structured activity time as well as rewards for being active at home. At least 30 minutes will be spent on nutrition learning about the food guide pyramid, the function of the heart, body weight and eating colorful foods. Healthful Living Field Day will involve the community and families, as well as an opportunity for the children to display what they’ve learned.
Georgia
Atlanta After-School All-Stars Program
Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
This program serves 150, sixth to eighth graders from low-income African-American families in inner city Atlanta. The diet and physical activity behavior intervention program (BIP) will be incorporated into the existing after-school program. The BIP will focus on making healthy food choices based on the principles of the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines of Americans. The students will also participate in a daily structured fitness activity.
Idaho
Filer Elementary Walkers
Filer Elementary School
Filer, Idaho
Filer Elementary fourth graders will prepare for their annual 50 Mile Big Walk across Southern Idaho by learning about good nutrition and the importance of consistent exercise. In six mini-workshops the students will learn about nutritional snacks that will help them have maximum physical performance. With the help of the registered dietitian, the students will demonstrate their nutritional knowledge by helping to plan the meals and snacks for the five-day walk. Additionally, students will be encouraged to participate in an after-school walking program to help them prepare for the Big Walk.
Give Me Five
Paul Elementary School
Paul, Idaho
Give Me Five will incorporate a walking program developed by F.I.T. (Families in Training) into a Walk Across Idaho. This program will serve 450 Caucasian and Hispanic students, ages five to twelve, in an after school program where healthy snacks will be served and 20 minutes will be devoted to physical activities. A registered dietitian will present a weekly nutrition activity for the students. Adventure based learning will be introduced through a climbing wall. Three family health and fitness nights will be offered during the year.
Illinois
Family Nutrition Education Project
La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Chicago, Illinois
This program aims to reach 800, three to eighteen year-old African-American youth, by using the curriculum Reach Out for a 14-week program about physical fitness and nutrition. The curriculum covers the food guide pyramid, serving size, endurance, healthy foods, muscles, goals and more. The program teaches gradual behavior changes that will last a lifetime. Fitness sessions will include basketball, swimming, karate and step counting. Family members will be encouraged to participate in the program by using pedometers with their children. After the 14-week program, monthly progress meetings will be scheduled with each participating family to encourage the lifestyle change.
Mind Body Connection: An Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program
Visiting Nurse Association of Fox Valley
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora East School Based Health Care Center will be offering this age-appropriate, holistic nutrition education and fitness program to 2,400 high school students, the majority of whom are Hispanic. The program’s goal is to have a long-term impact on adolescents’ health and well-being though out their lifetime. Mind Body Connection will utilize the Dietary Guidelines for America, the Total Diet approach, the President’s Challenge and Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services. Pregnant and postpartum adolescents will receive special attention.
Project: H.E.L.L.O. (Healthier Eating Life Line Options)
Beatrice Caffrey Youth Service, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Project: H.E.L.L.O. is designed to serve 400, 14 to 19 year-old pregnant or parenting teen girls, the majority of whom are African-American, in two of Chicago’s alternative schools. In health classes the girls will be taught about food and the effects of good nutrition and physical activity for themselves and their young children. Specifically, the young women will learn nutritious recipes and physical activities they can do with their children. Project: H.E.L.L.O. will work to improve the nutrition of infants as well as their young mothers who are role models for their children. The project will span at least four hours of classroom time as well as a personal follow-up session for each participant.
Iowa
Food & Fitness Craze
Iowa 4-H Foundation
Ames, Iowa
This program will reach 2000 youth, ages nine to eighteen, by training teen leaders and adult volunteers to teach the Team Nutrition and SPARK programs and to encourage young people to make healthy food choices, to provide opportunities for physical activity, and to create a public awareness campaign for the program. The Teen leaders will teach the program to other 4-H leaders, therefore broadening the scope of the program.
Kansas
Berry Berry Good Childhood Overweight Prevention Project
Russell Child Development Center
Garden City, Kansas
This program will be offered in several childcare and Head Start programs throughout Kansas. To interest the young children, picture books are linked to nutrition and physical activity. Parents become an integral part of the project as they take home activity supplies that demonstrate the lessons and encourage trying new foods, involving the child in preparing food and playing with the child. This 10-lesson program will serve 800 children, ages three to five.
Maine
On Target for Healthy Children
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services
Belfast, Maine
This program will benefit 200 children, two to five years-olds, and their families through seven preschool and WIC programs. On Target will use activities such as gardening, food preparation and tasting, music and movement classes, nutrition education, monthly family newsletters and monthly parent workshops to improve attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviors of enrolled children and their families. Additionally, this project will integrate early literacy themes into nutrition and movement activities.
Michigan
A Healthy You
Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
This program is designed to encourage health and fitness for girls ages five to eleven. Twenty-one different activity boxes will be available for troops to checkout; each box contains age appropriate activities that troops complete in order to earn a health and fitness badge. Each box will have activity outlines, materials, equipment and other resources. Examples of box contents: food songs and role play activities, games to get kids moving, healthy snack ideas, information about calcium intake and calcium rich foods, information about being fit and stretching, pedometers, food labels and food record charts.
Minnesota
Calcium Girls (CAL-Girls)
Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Calcium Girls, involving 500-2,000 fifth graders of various ethnicities, enrolled in the Girl Scouts, will use the 20-session curriculum developed by the University of Minnesota in their osteoporosis prevention study. This curriculum focuses on increasing dietary calcium intake and increasing weight-bearing physical activities. The curriculum incorporates many of the unique aspects of the Girl Scouts program such as the GirlSports initiative, building self-esteem, girl/adult partnership and the awards system.
Highway to Health
Girl Scouts Peacepipe Council
Redwood Falls, Minnesota
This after-school program is designed to prepare pre-teen girls (ages 10-13) in the Redwood Falls area of southwestern Minnesota for a lifelong journey of eating healthy and exercising. Using the journey theme, the eight-week program (Sept.-Dec. 2004) will emphasize the daily process of choosing nutritious foods and maintaining an active lifestyle. The girls will receive "Road Kits" that include a USDA Food Pyramid, pedometer, jump rope and a "Travel Journal" to record their nutritional intake and fitness activities. They will also plan menus and be encouraged to try a variety of new foods and new fitness activities like kickboxing or Salsa dancing.
Mississippi
Triple F: Food and Fitness Frenzy
South Panola School District
Batesville, Mississippi
This program, serving 300 third graders of various races, focuses on educating students to make healthy food choices on their own and to make physical activity fun. Food and Fitness Frenzy will be incorporated into the school physical education program that will involve activities such as walking with pedometers and folk dancing. The community and families will be involved through Family Walk Night and nutritious food samplings.
Missouri
Reading, Running and Celery Sticks
Grace Hill Settlement House
St. Louis, Missouri
This program is an eight-week recyclable physical activity and nutrition curriculum for three to five year olds. The majority of participants are African-American. The program focuses on several developmentally appropriate physical activity themes like Stretch, Move & Balance; Gallup, Run & Skip; Jump, Hop & Kick and Cycle, Scoot & Skate. In the Gallup, Run & Skip theme, for example, children participate in literary activities through books like The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold or The Runaway Tortilla by Eric A. Kimmel. Daily physical activities with this theme focus on running, galloping and skipping and the hands on healthy snack activities include tortilla wrap-ups and pumpkin pudding parfaits. Also, a newsletter will be distributed to parents that describes easy ways to incorporate the weekly theme at home.
Montana
Defeating Diabetes with Food and Fitness
Rocky Boy School
Box Elder, Montana
This program will serve 130, third through fifth grade, Native American-Chippewa Cree students in the Rocky Boy School. Using the C.A.T.C.H. curriculum, medical staff will initially check each student’s height and weight and collect other data. The students will track their activities in a daily log and there will be a monthly nutrition screening. After the project students height and weight will be rechecked. Students will have daily opportunities for physical activity and they will do taste tests of new fruits and vegetables, demonstrate the amount of sugar in Soda, learn about the media’s influence on food choice and learn how to order healthfully at a restaurant.
Nevada
T.E.E.N. (Teen Education in Exercise and Nutrition)
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Clinical Services Department
Reno, Nevada
T.E.E.N. is designed to engage at-risk youth of all races, ages 12 to 17, who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System. Through the eight-week program motivational interviewing and goal setting will help develop the incorporation of physical activity and healthy eating for each teen while focusing on changing behaviors. A group format will encourage the teens to learn from each other and to view physical activity and healthy eating as normal. By using the existing Federal Food Program, T.E.E.N. will provide a daily nutritious meal and healthy snack choices.
New York
Dancing for Fitness
Buffalo Inner City Ballet
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo Inner City Ballet is partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension - Erie County’s Eat Smart New York to provide 100 children and teens, the majority of whom are African-American, with a dance training and nutrition education programming. Eat Smart New York will teach age appropriate classes on food safety, grocery shopping, healthy cooking, meal planning, nutrition and the importance of weight control and physical activity. All participants will also participate in weekly ballet classes and a summer ballet workshop.
Good to Go
The Children’s Village
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Good to Go is a ten-week pilot program targeting 150 African-American and Hispanic boys, ages five to seventeen, residing at The Children’s Village. This will be the kick-off for a long-term campaign addressing nutrition and activity levels. The program will offer education, a support club for less active kids and increased opportunities for activity during peak hours for sedentary activities. Residents and staff will receive nutrition education using Strive for Five. This program will take advantage of campus-wide technology to become a model for other child welfare agencies.
Project L.I.F.E. (Learning the Importance of Fitness Early)
East Islip Union Free School District
Islip Terrace, New York
Islip Terrace Middle School will develop and construct an outdoor fitness trail around the perimeter of the school building. Workstations will be added along that trail that will encourage and teach aerobic and anaerobic activities. Students, their parents and the community will receive literature that guides them to develop a personalized fitness program which utilizes the walking trail.
North Carolina
Fitness Counts: 1, 2, 3!
Be Active North Carolina, Inc.
Durham, North Carolina
Fitness Counts will be conducted through 20 Wake County Elementary schools serving a total of 15,000 kindergarten through fifth graders. Based on a smaller pilot project, this 10-week program will encourage the children to drink 1% milk daily, spend less than two hours watching television or using the computer and be physically active for at least 30 minutes daily. Through this project the children will increase their fitness levels, academic performance, and self-esteem while reducing health risks and the risk of social-emotional problems related to overweight.
Ohio
E.F.F.E.C.T. (Establishing Fit Families through Education, Communication and Training)
Miani Valley Health Improvement Council, Inc.
Fairborn, Ohio
This program targets all third graders, and their parents, in Miami County schools. Based on the belief that youth serve as powerful messengers to their peers, manuals written by youth for youth and training by peers will be integral to teaching the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices. The program will consist of classroom presentations by peer educators, parents and teachers, as well as an evening Family Activity Night to wrap-up the program. The students will be encouraged to choose healthy snacks and participate physical activities over "screen time" activities. Over 1,400 third graders will be involved in the program this year, and the program will continue to serve other age groups in coming years.
Learn and Earn
Cincinnati Recreation Commission Foundation
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Learn and Earn program was developed from the American Red Cross Guard Start program and was restructured to increase the number of youth eligible and stress the importance of a healthy diet and a physically active lifestyle. Learn and Earn will serve 250 low-income youth of various races, ages 11 to 14. The six-week, 96-hour course will teach lifeguarding skills, aquatic safety, basic job skills, and healthy life habits while motivating the youth in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.
Train the Trainers
Children’s Hunger Alliance
Columbus, Ohio
This program will offer three-day C.A.T.C.H. (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum training sessions to representatives of ten areas in Ohio. This training will qualify the teacher or school leader to train others to teach C.A.T.C.H. and how to implement C.A.T.C.H. activities with children ages six to twelve. Train the Trainers will educate 375 initially and 1,875 in a second wave of training. This program will increase the capacity of organizations and schools throughout Ohio to establish and sustain healthy environments for children.
Youth Nutrition and Fitness Grant
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
This program will be implemented in all five Athens County schools, serving 5,769 primarily Caucasian students from kindergarten to eighth grade. Parents, school staff and the community will use the C.A.T.C.H. program to teach healthy lifestyle choices. The program will kick off at an annual Bike Rodeo and will then be implemented through the schools. The three main goals of this program are to reduce the fat content of school lunches, increase physical activity levels during physical education classes and to improve students self reported eating and physical activity behaviors.
Oklahoma
Choctaw Nation "I Have the Power"
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma—Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority
Talihina, Oklahoma
This program is designed for Native American youth, ages five to nineteen, who attend the boarding school, Jones Academy. The 200 students will learn healthy eating habits as well as how to avoid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The students will work together to educate the community in ways to avoid developing diabetes. Working with the Walk this Weigh program, the students will participate in a virtual "Tail of Tears Walk" and learn about their culture and history.
Project Health
Community Action Project of Tulsa County, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Project Health will serve 1,216, three to five year olds, Head Start students who are enrolled in CAP’s Early Childhood Education Program. The majority of these children are African-American or Hispanic. Project Health will supplement the current program by adding additional physical activity equipment and more time for activity. Parents will become involved through a parent-child snack event and nutrition and fitness tools and activities that can be taken home. To further develop the students’ knowledge of good foods they take a field trip to the local grocery store. A dietitian and nutrition coordinator will work with each child to be sure his nutritional needs are being met. Since Project Health is built on existing programs, the health and fitness initiatives will be able to continue beyond the grant period.
Oregon
Healthy Start Program — Nutrition and Fitness Services
Easter Seals Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Healthy Start will serve 200 first-time mothers between the ages of 16 and 20. The majority of participants are Caucasian, Hispanic or Russian. Staff members will make house calls to families to help them provide a healthy start for their first newborn child. Participants will learn that proper nutrition and exercise is part of being the best parent they can be by modeling healthy behaviors to their child. The program will help young mothers eat a balanced diet, cook healthy meals, shop for nutritious foods, exercise on a regular basis, understand why proper nutrition and regular exercise is important and participate in regular Healthy Start play groups with their children.
Nebraska
Native Youth Posse
Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation
Walthill, Nebraska
Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation received a grant for the Active Living by Design program which creates, enhances and promotes environments that make it easy for people to by physically active in their daily lives. Native Youth Posse will become the youth component of this program. Groups of 12 to 18 year-old Native American-Winnebago youth will meet weekly. Each meeting will include calisthenics, a healthy snack and instruction on how to include a balanced diet and exercise into daily life.
Pennsylvania
Fitness Fusion
Boys & Girls Club of Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
This program will involve 100 Latino and African-American inner city youth, ages six to eighteen, in a 20-week project to fuse fitness, sports, health and nutrition. A goal of Fitness Fusion is to engage children in fitness and nutrition both at the facility and at home with their families. Fitness opportunities will include aerobics, dance, basketball, volleyball, golf, swimming, and a weeklong Olympic completion. The youth will learn about nutrition through health and cooking classes and by writing articles for a published newsletter. Participants will keep track of their water, fruit and vegetable intake, as well as learn how to purchase food, read labels, cook, and handle food safely. Throughout the project there will be two Family Fun Nights to encourage family involvement.
Lifelong Wellness for Kids
Conemaugh Health Care Systems
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
All fifth and sixth grade public and private school students from Cambria County will take part in the S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) Lifelong Wellness Program as part of their school day. The program will run for 10 weeks, and each session will incorporate a physical activity review, a class discussion of nutrition and a time to set activity and nutrition goals for the coming week. Parents are encouraged to do activities with their children and help them reach their weekly goals. After the project, there will be monthly check-ups to monitor success and reinforce the message.
Splash! Kids Aquatic Program
Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Splash! Kids Aquatic Program serves 200 third to sixth graders from low-income African-American families. Through this program the children will learn sustainable skills for managing their diet, improving their decision-making ability, increasing their aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility and decreasing their body fat composition. This six-week program offers moderate to vigorous water exercise that’s safe, fun and appropriate for children and adolescents, including those with functional limitations such as juvenile diabetes, asthma and arthritis. A network of community resources will contribute this program’s continued success.
South Carolina
180 Days to a Healthier School
Florence School District Three — Scranton Elementary School
Scranton, South Carolina
180 Days to a Healthier School will focus on eating right and exercising daily. This program will keep fitness and nutrition on the minds of the 300 Caucasian and African-American students, ages four to twelve, and 50 staff members every day. Students will routinely be served healthy snacks and devote the day to staying healthy. The students and staff will be enrolled in the President’s Challenge Program. Staff and parents will be educated about nutrition by the registered dietitian, and a health fair, PTO meetings, Family Nights, Picnic in the Park and other activities will keep everyone involved and aware.
Tennessee
Child Life and Education
Church Health Center
Memphis, Tennessee
Child Life and Education is just one of the health programs offered by CHC. The focus of the program is to impact the root causes of poor health including inactivity, poor diet, low self-esteem and violence. Five hundred African-American and Caucasian children, ages four to eleven, will learn how to choose nutritious foods and how to reduce health risks through two weeknight programs: Nutrition Night and Physical Activity Night. Through a variety of venues such as structured lessons, nutrition games, cooking classes and structured physical activities, the children will learn lessons that will help them improve their quality of life through nutrition and exercise.
Girls Jumping in Memphis (G.J.I.M.)
Memphis and Shelby County Health Department—Community Development Section
Memphis, Tennessee
This program involves five different Boys and Girls Clubs for a total of 150 seven to twelve year-old African-American girls participating. All five clubs will receive Ready, Set, Jump curriculum and equipment for jump rope activities. Two of the clubs will also get mentoring from older girls (mentors) who are proficient in jump rope. They will teach both singe and Double Dutch techniques. In addition, a local registered dietitian will teach the program participants about the importance of eating five servings of fruit and vegetables daily and of drinking eight servings of water daily.
Texas
Campeones De Salud (Healthy Champions)
Northside Inter-Church Agency, Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas
This program will work with 250 Hispanic children from five to twelve years old, and their families. Using the total diet approach from the American Dietetic Association, children will be taught about nutrition. Nutritious food, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetables, will be provided during the summer. Both parents and their children will work together to build a community garden. The program will involve groups from the community to assist with the physical activities and the program will use trained high school honor students to teach the younger children about nutrition.
Fit for Life
Lockhart Independent School District
Lockhart, Texas
As an extension of the CATCH program that has already been initiated on the elementary school level, Fit for Life will serve 500, sixth and seventh grade students, the majority of whom are Hispanic or Caucasian. The expansion of the CATCH program will include implementing a walking program using pedometers and a five-a-day vegetables and fruits nutrition initiative. Additionally, local expert nutrition and physical education professionals will volunteer as guest speakers and presenters for the students.
Vermont
Windham Southeast Supervisory Union’s Nutrition and Fitness Challenge
Green Mountain Training Center for Healthy Schools and Communities
Brattleboro, Vermont
This program, for fourth to sixth graders in all eight elementary schools in the area, includes educational components on eating a balanced diet, serving sizes, reading nutrition labels, the food pyramid, farms to families and physical education. The students will participate in fitness challenges, yoga, dance, and body image classes. A local coop will provide snacks to encourage the children to try new and healthy foods. Additionally, the program will include a theatre piece and participate in the "Strolling of the Heifers," an annual community celebration that highlights the importance of dairy in Vermont.
Washington
Get Up, Get Moving!
Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation
Yakima, Washington
This program is designed to teach adolescents how to build and maintain a healthy body in today’s world. Get Up, Get Moving! will reach 5,000, 12 to 15 year olds of various ethnicities, in three different schools. The program includes a lunchtime activity component which features radio disc jockeys and other local celebrities visiting the school and participating with kids in physical activities during school lunch breaks. The quarter-long program will culminate in a Family Fun and Fitness Night. Students will prepare and serve a nutritionally balanced meal as well as organize a fitness activity for the guests.
Wellness is Cool
Columbia Valley Community Health
Wenatchee, Washington
This program works primarily with Hispanic and Caucasian WIC families and their two to four year-old children. Several community locations such as the library, YMCA, gymnastic center, school gym and city pool will be utilized to conduct several evening family programs. Age appropriate games will be offered for the children while the parents learn to cook healthy snacks. Parents and older children will be encouraged to exercise at home through a pedometer walking contest. Each program will count as a nutritional contact for each WIC family that attends, and WIC vouchers will be distributed. Wellness is Cool will illustrate that physical activity is not expensive or difficult. In all, 1,300 youth will be involved in the program.
Wyoming
Choose F.U.N.! (Fitness Understanding Nutrition)
High Country Counseling and Resource Centers
Afton, Wyoming
Choose F.U.N.! is a program for nine to fourteen year olds. This program will serve 100 youth this year, but will continue for many years. The program is based on understanding the relationship between caloric intake and what it takes to burn off what you eat. Initially, the youth will keep journals to track what they eat and how physically active they are. The students will study calories, saturated fat and sugar and will use pedometers while hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Community members and school staff have volunteered to help teach and mentor the participants.