This summer, 4-H has joined the United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. summer service initiative, an effort to keep America’s youth learning during the summer months, as well as keeping them active and healthy.
The program is lead by the Corporation for National and Community Service and first lady Michelle Obama.
“And a lot of kids sometimes find that they forget some of the things that they learned throughout the school year, and as a result, if they stop learning through the summer, they can fall behind and then they’re struggling throughout the year,” said Mrs. Obama at the event launch.
“This summer, though, through United We Serve, we plan to address these problems head on by getting our kids, number one, to exercise. And not just their bodies, but we want you guys to exercise your minds, and to improve what you eat as well.”
4-H is encouraging members and volunteers to support this initiative by encouraging members to participate in the President’s Challenge Active Lifestyle program, and to work in their communities to provide fresh produce to their neighbors.
Suggested ways to help support healthier eating are to start a community garden, and to glean produce. Gleaning involves collecting leftover produce from farmer’s markets and fairs and donating it to local organizations that can use produce to serve those in need. For information on community gardens, visit the United We Serve site here: http://serve.gov/toolkits/comm-gardens/index.asp.
“When it comes to the health of our children, the statistics are always staggering. One in three kids in this nation are either overweight or obese,” said Mrs. Obama.
She reported that a recent study by the CDC found that only 17 percent of high school students reported getting the 60 minutes a day of physical activity that experts recommend. The President’s Challenge Active Lifestyle program shows youth how to make a commitment to staying active and how to stick with it. The program helps set realistic goals to encourage physical fitness for a life time.
4-H Clubs can help keep kids healthy and active by encouraging kids to take the challenge during camps and other summer programs. It includes traditional activities such as cycling, aerobics and organized sports, but also includes things like sledding, fishing and dancing. For more information on the President’s Challenge Active Lifestyle program, visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx.
4-H’ers can share success stories from Let’s Read. Let’s Move. with United We Serve online at www.serve.gov/share, and set the trend for all 4-H Clubs to get healthy and active and learn this summer.