Camp Vacamas Training Day

First a bit about the Camp Vacamas and then about Cindy G.:
Camp Vacamas is a sleepover camp off of route 23 in West Milford, NJ, bear country. They’ve been around since 1924, helping children from low income families throughout the NY-Tristate area come enjoy a fun-filled summer experience. Programs like canoeing, lifeguard training, creative cooking , basketball and hiking are just some the many activities available around camp.

Vacamas.org -To learn more about Camp Vacamas and what it has to offer:

But what makes Camp Vacamas is different from any other camp? There are so many reasons but I'm here to tell you about The Healthy Lifestyle Program. The HL Program provides the campers with healthy choices in what they eat and how they work it off. All the campers at Vacamas eat well due to a talented and dedicated staff in Chef Andrew's kitchen. But to get so many mouths and minds to pay attention to their sugar intake, caloric intake, portion size and, eating a balance and fulfilling diet, we needed a special program for teenagers that wanted to be more aware of what is a healthy choice is!

Last year Camp Vacamas implemented Healthy Lifestyle to their already impressive roster.
That’s where I come in. This summer I introduced Fun, Food and Fitness to the HL program.

My first day at Camp Vacamas my purpose was to fire up the Camp Vacamas Team 2007. The staff and counselors did not look too fired up, more like they were ready for a snooze. It was hot out and they were tired from some late night pre-opening day festivities. But that didn't stop me from taking them on. So I asked, "Who had breakfast this morning?". Every one raised their hands except for 5 people. So, on that day forth, they received a buddy who would make sure they had breakfast every morning. The rest of the gang was asked to join their breakfast flunkies and stand up for group stretching exercises. Then I quizzed them on the food pyramid and statistics about the obesity epidemic and how they can make significant difference this summer in all the campers' lives.

For more information on what we discussed with the staff please check out some of these cool websites below:

MyPyramid.gov - A USDA website
KidsHealth.org- A fun website for health tips and recipes for kids, teens, and adults
The pyramid above brought to you by -TheFeltSource.com
CDC.gov - Information on the over eating and the obesity epidemic