Children of all ages have the opportunity to participate in a variety of healthy, fun and educational activities this summer at West Virginia University.
Programs such as Splash and Play, a swimming program for younger children, encourage parents to volunteer and participate. For older kids, Camp Choosy and the National Youth Sports Program help give area youth the tools to make informed and healthy choices throughout their lives.
In addition, an innovative new program called Camp NEW You has been created to help youth and their parents identify and practice lifestyle changes that will assist in achieving and maintaining healthy body weight through increased physical activity and good nutrition. The camp is a collaborative effort between the School of Physical Education and the Department of Pediatrics at WVU s School of Medicine.
More about the programs follows:
Camp Choosy
Children can join Camp Choosy, part of the Choosy Kids Club initiative, organized by the West Virginia Motor Development Center in the School of Physical Education. The registration deadline is June 1.
This is a great opportunity for children to have fun this summer, while learning healthy life skills,said Michelle Jeffrey, program coordinator.
Camp Choosy is a weekly day camp for children ages 6-11. Camp begins June 11 and runs through Aug.10. Children can be registered for one or more weeks. Activities include swimming, games, rollerblading, hiking, nutrition, crafts and many other activities conducted on and off-campus during field trips.
Call 304-293-3295, ext. 5252 for details and registration fee for Camp Choosy. Discounts are available. Children will meet in room 132-S (Blue Gate area) of the WVU Coliseum on the Evansdale Campus. A pre-camp (7:30-9 a.m.) and post-camp (4-5:30 p.m.) option is available for each day.
Splash and Play
The West Virginia Motor Development Center is also offering a program called Splash and Play, which includes water activities for children ages 9 months to five years. Groups include Baby, Toddler, Preschool and Family Splash.
All pool activities will be on Saturdays from June 2-Aug.11 at the E. Moore Hall Pool on the Downtown Campus.
Baby Splash, for children 9-23 months, includes water play activities, pre-beginning swimming, toys, songs, safety information, socializing opportunities and sign language. Baby Splash takes place between 9-9:45 a.m.
Toddler Splash, for children ages 2-3, is an aquatic play program designed for toddlers to learn basic aquatic skills, safety reminders, water play, group activities, songs and socialization experiences. Toddler Splash will be from 10-10:45 a.m.
Preschool Splash is for children, ages 3-5. It provides children an opportunity to practice skills, sign language and movement in the pool. Children attend with a parent or grandparent from 11-11:45 a.m.
Family Splash is fun, water play with at least one adult partner for children ages 9 months to five years. Family Splash is from noon-12:45 p.m.
Call for more information on the cost of splash classes.
In addition, children and parents can also celebrate birthdays, milestones, accomplishments, or life in general with Choosy, the centers mascot for healthy life choices. Groups of 25 children spend two hours in the gym or the pool at E. Moore Hall, enjoying games, songs and activities. Choosy provides invitations, play leader or lifeguard, trained teachers, a group photo and party favors. Call today; spots are filling up quickly.
To register for classes or for more information, visithttp://www.bechoosy.orgor contact Jeffrey at 304-293-3295, ext. 5252 or michelle.jeffrey@mail.wvu.edu .
Camp NEW You
Camp NEW Youfor 11-14 year oldsfocuses on goal setting and decision making and will emphasize the importance of parent participation in helping create healthier home environments that provide opportunities for healthy eating and regular physical activity.
The camp will take place July 22-Aug. 3 on the WVU campus in Morgantown and in local recreational areas. There will be three additional family workshops throughout the year. The registration deadline is July 2.
Camp NEW You is a family-based camp,said Emily Murphy, a researcher in WVU s Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine who works with the program along with faculty in the School of Physical Education.Were working with parents to change the home environment. One of our goals is to get parents and children to work together.
Campers will have opportunities to participate in a variety of individual and group physical activities. They will also learn skills in making healthier lifestyle choices, applying nutrition knowledge to everyday life. Campers will participate in other fun enrichment activities with new friends.
Daily activities include individual choice physical activities, educational sessions, enrichment opportunities, hands-on nutrition classes and group outdoor activities.
Participants will be lodged in the Evansdale residential Complex. Three meals and two snacks a day will be provided.
Classes and outings will be lead by trained nutritionists, physical activity experts, behavioral health experts and others each day during camp. Materials such as pedometers, journals and T-shirts will be provided for all participants.
In addition, each child will be assigned a personal lifestyle coach who has been trained to provide support both during camp and after the child returns home. Each coach will provide encouragement and accountability. Between camp meetings, coaches will communicate with participants weekly and parents monthly, and will provide e-mail support throughout the 11-month program. Health care providers will evaluate each participants health status through a complete health screening.
Total cost of the camp and program is $2,000. Included in the cost is the two-week program this summer and the three follow-up weekends for youth, as well as the required participation days for parent/legal guardian.
Parents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Limited spaces are available. To obtain a registration form, physician referral form, scholarship form or for any questions about Camp NEW You at WVU , call 1-866-347-4757 or visithttp://www.fitinfotech.com/cny/index.htmlorhttp://www.cardiacwv.org.
National Youth Sports Program
The National Youth Sports Program will be June 21-July 20 at WVU . The program is free to economically disadvantaged youth aged 10-16 from Monongalia County and surrounding areas.
Parents are encouraged to register children from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday (May 16) and June 13 at the Gold Gate of the Coliseum. For those who cant make it during those times, youths may be registered until the first day of camp, June 21, by calling 304-293-3295, ext. 5286. Physicals will be conducted that day from 9 a.m.-noon.
The NYSP is a cooperative project between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The project is about physical fitness and foundations for learning and character.
A full range of fun, fitness activities are offered, from swimming to tchoukball (CHUKE-ball), an indoor variation of soccer played on a cushioned court with trampolines.
But the program goes beyond simple fields of play. It also stresses study habits, emphasizes self-esteem and gently steers youngsters away from the potential traps of drugs and alcohol.
We arent just a �€~sports camp,Bruce Wilmoth, program director and associate professor in physical education and sports studies, says of the enterprise, which is marking its 20th year this summer at the University. Wilmoth has been with the project since its beginning.
This years session is abbreviated compared to years past. A substantial amount of federal funding that has kept the NYSP going since 1968 was diverted to the Homeland Security effort last year. WVU is now seeking donations from individuals and business to keep it going.
To find out how you can donate, call the School of Physical Educations main line at 304-293-3295.