That focus on physical exercise is important, because current statistics show Michigan children are among the most unhealthy and unfit in the nation. They're inactive and sedentary and a large number of them are overweight. Physicians all across our state are treating children with clogged arteries, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, all previously considered only adult conditions! The statistics are scary: Twelve percent of high school students are overweight and another 15 percent are nearly in that range. 74% of Michigan's high school students do not participate in the recommended amount of moderate daily physical activity levels of 30 minutes or more.
Camps can help foster a love of physical movement. Here are three options nearby in Southwest Michigan:
4-H Camp Kidwell: A youth camp located near Bloomingdale, on Eagle Lake near the border of Allegan and Van Buren Counties. The 150-acre facility also hosts family gatherings, school, church and business outings. “We've been here since 1949 and now offer a variety of programming year-round, including seven weeks of summer camp,” K.J. Kelly, director of Camp Kidwell points out.
“With the usual camp activities, like swimming, horseback riding, nature hikes, games and sports, some of the kids find it difficult to keep up with the level of activity,” he says. “By the second or third day, we see children who are completely worn out. Just the amount of walking we do is more than they can handle. They do end up going to sleep a lot earlier than they do at home,” Kelly notes. “Nine years ago, when I started here as a counselor there were a few kids who were out of shape or a bit overweight. Now, I see so many children in that particular state that it has become a definite issue of concern to me as director of Camp Kidwell.”
Pretty Lake Vacation Camp: A special free scholarship camp program for “at risk” children, taking referrals from Kalamazoo County schools and local social service agencies. “Some of our children are alienated socially, so they really know the top video games or what shows are on TV, but they're not in sports or other physical activities,” says Maria Neal, Executive Director of Pretty Lake Camp. “We watch them closely and the first two days they are here, many are exhausted. We're doing what kids used to do, play outside all day. Eventually, they get into the swing of it.”
Pretty Lake, located on Q Avenue, serves kids in grades 3 through 8. “We also focus on healthy food here, with less sugar and preservatives. It's a challenge for some of the children to accept at first, but with the increased activity levels, their appetite comes back rather quickly,” Neal notes. “This is a safe haven for our kids - a place to play and be free in the fresh air with three square meals and a bed. That's not always present in everyday life for some of these children.” Maria Neal is also pleased to see teens and young adults who once were campers coming back as assistant counselors to share their success stories. Some still practice kayaking, canoeing or swimming because they were first exposed to the fun of fitness as a child at Pretty Lake.
S.W.A.T. Juniors: Located at the Twin Star Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, S.W.A.T. Juniors hosts specialty camps year-round for kids, ages 7 to 18. “Young Guns” is geared toward helping young athletes achieve a higher level of sports performance and “Kid Zone” helps youth become more physically active while achieving personal fitness goals, such as losing weight.
Kerry Keefer, general manager at S.W.A.T. Fitness Club, says, “We have a few kids who are struggling with their weight and our certified trainers are very sensitive to that, working on nutrition education as well as exercise. The children become aware of the need to force their bodies to become more physically active. They think about their eating choices, like avoiding fast food in this drive-through world. Adults spend too much time on the Internet, sitting at computers. My daughter is five and she already knows how to use the computer,” Keefer says. “She'd rather be inside watching TV than outside playing in the fresh air. I have to encourage her to get outdoors, especially in colder weather.”
One week's camp experience at S.W.A.T. Juniors or at a lakeside camp in the woods isn't enough. Keefer stresses, “It has to start from the moment a child is born. Everything the parents feed that child, the type of physical activity they encourage or model for that child helps mold behavior patterns. The lifelong goal is living a healthier lifestyle.”
Ready? Set? GO!
