Bicycle Rally closes the Wheatland County Fit Kids Program on a successful note
A program designed to encourage fitness and healthy eating habits among elementary and junior high aged youth began mid-March with 96 students participating. Judith Gap had two teams, 30 students total, Hillcrest Elementary had five teams, 54 students total and Harlowton “Chill Zone” was represented by a team of 12 students.
The youth were asked to keep a chart of activities and the number of hours of exercise they completed on a weekly basis for the 2-month program. The structure and execution of the compilation of charting failed, yet the youth were enthusiastic about all activities they now labeled as exercise and came to understand the concept related to good health.
Bringing the program to a successful ending evolved through a conversation with a brother and sister(ages 8 & 10), who thought having a “Bicycle Rally” would be a wonderful event! Judith Gap youth were unable to attend due to the mileage distance. The rally took place Saturday, May 17 at the Youth Center with 26 youth participating and 9 adults volunteering to accompany the youth on their ride to Chief Joseph’s Park on their bicycles, scooters, tricycles or anything with wheels. The event involved decorating individual bicycles with streamers, ribbons, pipe cleaners, playing cards for sound effects, etc., a bicycle safety course instructed by the Harlowton Sheriff’s Department, a safe bike route from the Youth Center to Chief Joseph’s Park with volunteers not normally involved providing supervision, and a healthy snack consisting of a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit and clean water. The healthy snack was a huge success enjoyed by all the youth and volunteers!
Through partnering with Hillcrest Elementary, Partnership For Youth, AmeriCorps Vista, and Horizons, Wheatland County Fit Kids program ended on a positive and successful note. Youth are continuing to ask if we are going to do “Fit Kids” when school begins. My answer is alway YES!!! Charting results of physical activity is in the revision stages for Fall 2008.