Program encourages kids to keep physically active
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Children from Eugene Field Elementary School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, and St. Gregory’s School in Maryville are shown taking part in Joggin’ Dogs, an eight-week program offered each fall and spring that focuses on physical fitness in an effort to combat juvenile obesity and other health issues associated with lack of exercise.
In the United States only one in three children are physically active every day, according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. But a couple of local teachers are hoping to change those statistics, at least in Maryville.
With the help of colleague Crystal Boyt, a third-grade teacher at Eugene Field Elementary School, music instructor Erika Jeter created the Joggin’ Dogs program, an effort to keep children active and fit.
“It was two summers ago that Crystal and I and some others started working at it,” Jeter said.
“Last fall we did a small group, and then last spring we did Eugene Field, Horace Mann Laboratory School, and St. Gregory’s Barbarigo Catholic School plus a citywide challenge. This fall, we did just a smaller program, and then we’ll do a big one in the spring leading up to the Speedy Spoofhound (run).”
Last year, more than 100 local children took part.
“We used the Kids Run the Nation curriculum, so it’s a health-and-fitness safety program,” Jeter said. “We incorporate the family.”
A unique aspect of Joggin’ Dogs, she said, is that children set their own fitness goals leading up to a mile-long fun run.
The eight-week program also includes a hydration challenge, nutrition challenge, and a physical activity challenge.
“There are so many reasons why children can sit inside on the couch in front of the television,” Jeter said. “There’s a big running program in Kansas City that’s popular, and we’re trying to do these things on a smaller scale and hopefully make it a year-round program.”
In addition to participation by students and teachers, Jeter said Joggin’ Dogs has also received support from the community in general.
“The (Nodaway County) Health Department has been awesome and gave us some funding for it,” she said. “They teach some of the lessons, and it’s been helpful.”
This fall Joggin’ Dogs program has concluded, and Jeter said she was pleased with the number of youngsters who took part.
“We had our pumpkin parade in October, and we had about 50 kids and families,” Jeter said. “For the fun run we always have the families involved. It’s just great to see the families be so supportive and come to the program after school”
Besides Joggin’ Dogs, Jeter said, some students and their parents participate in yoga, Zumba, and other forms of cross training.
“It’s so much fun to see them have fun,” she said. “We have a good group of older kids that help teach, but they are also competitive to where they encourage other students to do extra laps of running.
“During the spring session we had kids running two or two and a half miles per session. The teamwork and camaraderie is really great to see.”
When the program is in session Joggin’ Dogs children meet once a day to engage in physical activity. This fall’s instructors were Nic Mattson and Holly Clement.
