For many years, the University Fitness Center (UFC) has offered membership to the facility to youth ages 12-18. Recently, UFC became a host location for SPARK: Sport, Play and Active Recreation. For two days during the Christmas school break 2007, the UFC offered SPARK sessions that engaged 18 youth, ages 5-14. Following up on this success, UFC is offering a weeklong SPARK camp in July which is open to the dependents of all Penn State Hershey campus-affiliated employees. This camp will get kids ages 5-14 moving in quality inclusive, non-competitive, recreational activities. The camp will be lead by Rob Mikesell and Niki Lazarz, trained SPARK leaders.The dates for the camp will announced shortly.
With rising obesity and diabetes rates among young people, increasing opportunities for kids to be more physically active and make healthy eating choices, is a national health priority. At Penn State Heshey Medical Center, people can contribute to this agenda locally by going to the UFC's survey at http://www.pennstatehersheyufc.com.
Health-care providers are encouraged to consider SPARK as a resource for their patients, as well, and may direct their patients to the survey. Participants are able to identify themselves as being referred by a health-care provider.
For information about SPARK programming or the summer camp, contact Mikesell at rmikesell@hmc.psu.edu or Lazarz, nal13@hmc.psu.edu, or phone (717) 531-7075.