One of the questions we get here at the Säjai® Foundation is what it takes to run the Wise Kids® programs successfully. There are a number of elements that affect how the program works, but without a doubt, one of the biggest factors is the site running it and the staff's interest and enthusiasm. Starting now, we'll profile sites across the country that have taken the Wise Kids programs and run with them, using their resources and energy to create a successful program for leaders and participants alike.
Spotlight On: Camp Thoreau
The largest city in Wisconsin, Milwaukee is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. It’s the main cultural and economic center of the state, with recent additions such as the Milwaukee Riverwalk, Miller Park, Milwaukee Art Museum and Pier Wisconsin. It’s also well known for its brewing and manufacturing.
Within the city, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) provides quality education to approximately 90,000 students and is the largest school district in Wisconsin. During the summer of 2009, Milwaukee Recreation (a division of MPS) coordinated a 9-week trial of the Wise Kids® program at the 65th Street School in their afterschool camp program.
After very positive research results, Northwestern Mutual Foundation agreed to provide grant dollars to facilitate an expansion of the program in 2010. "Studies show that we can help tip the scales against childhood obesity when we teach kids about healthy habits," said Northwestern Mutual Foundation President Kimberley Goode. "The partnership with Milwaukee Recreation and the Säjai Foundation enables us to address the core causes of childhood obesity, make a long-term investment in local children and help secure future generations."
Thanks to this grant, six MPS after-school camps were able to implement the 9-lesson Wise Kids program this spring. A standout among them was Camp Thoreau. The staff and kids at Camp Thoreau took the program to a whole new level and got the whole group of staff and 60+ kids fired up about living a healthy life. They embraced the program from day one and added their own activities and field trips along the way, including a trip to a local organic garden/farm, morning calisthenics, and even physical challenges for parents, leaders and janitorial staff. Camp Director Karen Rosio recalls, “during Spring Break the kids watched the movie Supersize Me. One little girl's father would bring her fast food every day for lunch but on Friday he came at noon and just grinned and said his daughter had requested that he bring a lunch that was healthy and contained fruit. We were really amazed that it took hold that quickly and the parent responded in such a positive way.”
The program concluded with a family night that included a gym full of kids and parents doing “Hip Hop Abs”, kickball and double dutch on the playground, and a wonderful salad bar prepared by the kids.
Camp Thoreau—another great group taking active steps to create Healthier Kids, Healthier Communities, and a Healthier World!
