Decorah Teens Lead Afterschool Health Club

by Liz Hovden, Decorah FFI Youth 4-H Team Member

What started as a distant dream of an active school district has now blossomed into a lively afterschool program.

Four Decorah High School seniors, Abby Meirick, Liz Hovden, Bre Pierce, and Rachel Haindfield, created the idea of a weekly wellness driven program for students kindergarten through fourth grade. This program was made possible with the money earned from the "That was Easy Fun Run" the students held on November 5.

Once a week around 70 children partake in active games, a health or wellness lesson, and a healthy snack. Under the supervision of many high school volunteers, hidden sugar lessons were taught, obstacle courses created, food lessons delivered, and healthy snacks encouraged. At the conclusion of the two-hour program, each child walks away with a smile across their face and a worn out body, an example that activity can be fun.

One week each child ran a mile. While this activity may have seemed like a daunting task, smiles spread across faces as they raced themselves and their friends around the track. At the conclusion, one little girl begged to run another, and she did.

The excitement these children express while being active provides an encouraging hope for the health of their future.

Tag: youthengagement