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July 24, 2006 N.D. 4-H Clubs Eating Smart, Playing Hard North Dakota 4-H clubs are getting the “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” message. “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” is a statewide community service campaign that emphasizes combining healthy eating and physical activity. The NDSU Extension Service and Bison Athletics teamed up to coordinate the campaign. 4-H clubs can earn a Healthy 4-H Club designation by incorporating health, nutrition and food safety topics into their monthly meetings and participating in physical activities. “I introduced the program to clubs because it is a great way to increase awareness about these issues,” said Sue Isbell, an Extension agent in Sioux County. “It is also a nice way for clubs to involve parents and kids who are ages 8 to 19 by allowing them to do activities together.” About 400 4-H’ers from 20 clubs in 12 counties participated this year, the first year of the Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs initiative. The clubs participated in activities, such as archery, during the recreation portion of their meeting, or did demonstrations on how to make healthy snacks. Some clubs took tours of food pantries or bakeries, and others held their meetings in special locations, such as a kitchen, ice skating rink or bowling alley. Some clubs also showcased their healthy activities at county fairs and local achievement days. Some of their posters and scrapbooks are on display in the 4-H building at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Every club recorded its activities and submitted its information, along with photos and handouts of its activities, to Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension Service food and nutrition specialist. She is pleased with the outcome of this year’s program. “The program really encourages clubs to work together and practice healthy habits,” she said. Clubs received a recognition certificate, and all participating youth received a glow-in-the-dark bracelet sponsored by a grant from the National 4-H Council with funding from Cargill Inc. The Healthy North Dakota 4-H Clubs campaign will be an ongoing project. 4-H clubs interested in participating should contact their county Extension office. Clubs that participated this year are Blazing Saddles, Barnes County; Farm & Home Improvement, Benson County; Dakota Pride, Rainbow Kids, Triple "C" and Wheatland Pioneers, all of Cass County; Flickertails, Divide County; Buffalo Kids, Logan County; Rising Stars, McHenry County; Washburn Cowboys, McLean County; Aliceton and Helping Hands, Ransom County; Rolette Roughriders, Shell Valley, and St. John Boys and Girls Club, all of Rolette County; Pahin Sinte', Sioux County; Northern Lights and Souris River Wranglers, Ward County; and Clever Clovers and Wonder Wizards, Williams County. ### Source: Julie
Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
