How Kids Can Stay Healthy and Active Out of School
The end of the school year is fast approaching, which means that summer is just around the corner. This also means that many parents are looking for ways to keep their kids healthy and active while out of school.
The good news is that this is possible – right in your own community! From summer camps to a variety of programs, your local parks and recreation provide the essential out-of-school activities.
Children across the country have been reaping the benefits of a national out-of-school time initiative aimed at improving childhood nutrition and increasing physical activity through local parks and recreation. Now in its third year, the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Commit to Health campaign has been implemented by 1,250 park and recreation sites nationally – impacting more than 228,000 kids enrolled in out-of-school time programming.
In partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and PHA, NRPA is working closely with its members to ensure children everywhere have access to healthy foods and physical fitness opportunities during out-of-school time.
And what healthy foods and physical fitness opportunities, you may ask? The park and recreation sites that have been participating in the Commit to Health campaign have been utilizing the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards first adopted by the National AfterSchool Association. Some examples include:
Physical Activity Standards:
Dedicate at least 20% or at least 30 minutes of morning or afterschool program time to physical activity and at least 60 minutes for a full-day program.
Provide physical activities in which the kids are moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of the physical activity time.
Ensure physical activity takes place outdoors whenever possible.
Healthy Eating Standards:
Serve only whole grain-rich products.
Serve only non-fat or reduced-fat yogurt and cheese.
Serve only packaged snacks or frozen desserts that meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Serve no soda, sports drinks or juice drinks to elementary school or middle school students.
Just check out the progress NRPA has made in their Three Year Anniversary Commit to Health Video!
