FORT SILL, Okla. (May 9, 2013) -- Every parent at one time or another has heard this phrase from their children,"I'm bored."
So, what can you do? Where can you go? Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma has started a variety of activities to answer those very questions.
Fit Kids was created in 2006, by a group of local leaders concerned about the affects of childhood obesity in their community. Many kids today will not outlive their parents because of the health implications of obesity such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. This group of leaders said, "No, not our kids" and refused to accept this idea.
According to Kyle Rogers, program coordinator of Fit Kids, they are a support organization which helps put civic groups, schools, city offices and other organizations in touch with one another. They spearhead new programs by pooling resources and working together as a community to foster healthy eating and encourage more physical activity by kids.
The Farmers Market is one such project. It was designed to offer people fresh fruits and vegetables that are locally grown as a more nutritional option. The group now has leadership of its own to manage the program independent of Fit Kids.
Another example is when the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge wanted to start a hiking program, they didn't know where to begin. Nature Quest was birthed from the efforts of several organizations coming together and giving what they could to help put it together. One donated a bus, another offered housing to student leaders that lead the hikes and so forth. The program now offers young people a chance to experience nature first hand through hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor adventures.
Fit Kids recently sponsored a national poster contest. Fifth graders from across the country were given the theme "Bikes make life better" and asked to show how bike riding affects their lives.There were many entries received locally, and the winner for Comanche county was Brianna Perkins from Park Lane Elementary School.
The Duty Rowe Fit Kids Fitness Trailways were a collaborate effort by area organizations such as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the City of Lawton, Cache and Medicine Park. Each organization submitted information about the trails they knew existed and a map was created to include all the different trails available. By connecting the communities through the trails, families are encouraged to get out and be more active while having fun together. The trails run from Cache to the Wichita Mountains and offer areas for running, biking, hiking or walking.
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