SALEM - Area families can relax, get fit and learn to eat healthy during a three-night summer camp from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday in the auditorium at Kent State University Salem campus on state Route 45.
Dubbed Families Involved Together (FIT) Summer Camp, the idea behind the event is to show families some easy steps they can take together at home, focusing on nutrition, stress management and physical fitness, according to event coordinator Danielle Dillon, who also serves as coordinator for AmeriCorps and the CASH Coalition.
During the school year, students in area schools took part in various activities aimed at fitness and nutrition. This event stresses the same areas on a family level.
"You're never too early or too late to do this," Dillon said.
The first night will feature presentations by Katrina Moore and Mary Brown of the Columbiana County Educational Service Center on relaxation techniques, positive stress and negative stress and simple yoga techniques. Participants will receive a compact disc of relaxing music and a chance to win a back massager.
On the second night, staff from the Salem Community
See CAMP, Page 5A
Center will show attendees some physical exercise techniques they can do at home using simple items, such as a chair or a phone book. All attendees will receive fitness DVD and a pedometer and the directions to use it, along with a chance to win a ladder golf set and a pass valued at $60 to the SCC.
On the third night, a board-certified nutritionist will speak about proper nutrition and meal planning. Dillon said part of the presentation will focus on "how you can make healthy foods stretch during the week." A drawing will be held for a container garden set and all participants will receive a gift card for groceries.
A grand prize drawing will be held the final night for a $100 gift card from Dunham's in Calcutta.
Free childcare will be available for children from age 3 to 8 years old, with similar activities planned for the children.
The free program will be funded by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, with FIT Camp made possible through the ESC.
To register, call Dillon at 330-424-9591 extension 185.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net
