City: Healthy Redlands Day Camp is a Success for Local Children

On Monday July 8, the City of Redlands started a five-week children’s Healthy Summer Day Camp, offering an opportunity for area children to examine their favorite food items such as cereals, cookies, chips, candy, juices etc. and teaching them how to make better choices.

The interactive summer camp joined forces with the Dairy Council of California to provide education for parents and children on how to eat and prepare healthy snacks and meals. Some of the workshops provided extensive details about the origin, industrial uses, health benefits and risks of various food additives commonly found in food these days.  

The camp also collaborated with nutritional enthusiast Chef Lee Burton who focused on how to make healthy food choices and more responsible buying decisions in the future. In theory, if a child experiences food in exciting hands on projects, the chances are they will want to participate in the kitchen, the grocery store and even with their own personal health choices. Chef Lee Burton helped turn theory into reality as he conducted hands-on do-it-yourself, educational demonstrations.

Each child registered in the program worked up strong appetites for these demonstrations, as they participated in two hours of physical play provided by Sportball.  Sportball is a program that teaches children the fundamentals for a variety of sports at all skill levels. Taught by a team of patient and knowledgeable coaches the program begins with stretches and exercise designed specifically for young and growing adults. After the kids were warmed up and ready they, then participated in a variety of skill-enhancing activities such as volleyball, basketball, softball and even creative games such as a Star Wars inspired game, “Welcome to the dark side”.

A total of 107 children registered for the program, many with the Boys and Girls Club of Redlands, who brought a group of children to the program daily. The camp also provided a choice to the parents to stay and participate or drop their children off and return at the end of the program.

The Healthy Redlands Summer Youth Day Camp was held at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave., Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon, July 8 through Aug. 9.

The camp was coordinated through the Recreation Division of the Quality of Life Department whose mission is to maintain quality recreation facilities and services, and facilitate leisure opportunities to encourage healthy lifestyle choices that foster healthy living.

City of Redlands press releases and other information are available on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofredlands or on the City’s website at www.cityofredlands.org