GREENVILLE — The 2016 Great Darke County Fair Queen Molly Hunt and friend Hayley Maher will be presenting a workshop for Darke County youth — from kindergarten through high school — during Healthy Living Day on Nov. 5.
They are doing this through the Ohio 4-H Health Heroes initiative.
“It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the All Season Place [on the campus of Lighthouse Christian Center off of 5256 Sebring-Warner Road.
Hunt and Maher, members of the Ohio 4-H Health Heroes, also brought part of their “work” to the Great Darke County Fair one day recently. One day between revues in the Youth Building, they introduced their bike and smoothie project, and demonstrated its use to let others try it out. One person would pedal the bike, while the smoothie was forming in a blender-type container and, once it was done, the smoothie was sampled by those who helped create it.
That same apparatus will also be at the Healthy Living Day, along with games, fun activities to learn about health, snacks and the workshop.
Hunt said other 4-H teams in Darke County have volunteered to help out with the event.
Cost of the event is $15, which includes food and a t-shirt.
“You don’t have to be in 4-H to participate,” Hunt noted.
Those wanting to register can contact Rhonda Williams at the Darke County Extension Office at 548-5215.
The purpose of Ohio 4-H Health Heroes is to expand healthy living programs in Ohio’s 4-H program. Fifty teens were recruited to serve as healthy living advocates, and were trained to help educate younger youth and peers about nutrition and physical activity.
The teens from across the state have been trained in teen health issues, youth advocacy, dietary and physical activity guidelines, social media, and teens as teachers of healthy living curriculum.
The 4-H Healthy Living program provides youth with the opportunity to represent 4-H and promote healthy living in their communities. 4-H Health Heroes promote healthy eating, encourage people to engage in physical activities, and promote positive community change. Additionally, Ohio 4-H Health Heroes help Ohio 4-H accomplish the goals of the National 4-H Healthy Living Mission Mandate, which encourages youth and families to gain optimal physical, social and emotional well-being.
Benefits of being an Ohio 4-H Health Hero:
• Gain valuable leadership and communication skills
• Meet other 4-H youth from across Ohio who are invested in healthy living
• Leave a positive impact on your family, friends, and community
• Earn community service credit
Requirements to serve:
• Be in grades 9-12 at the beginning of this academic school year (2016-2017).
• Be available to serve as a 4-H Health Hero from November 2016 through August 2017.
• Be interested in learning about healthy eating and leading an active lifestyle.
• Be excited to teach younger youth about nutrition and physical activity.
• Be responsible and trustworthy.
• Be passionate about making a difference in your community.
Responsibilities:
• Attend and actively participate in an all-day training session.
• Participate in periodic conference calls as needed.
• Keep up-to-date on 4-H Health Hero activities by consistently checking and responding to communication from project staff in a timely manner.
• Choose and complete a teaching activity and an advocacy activity promoting healthy living at the state level and/or in your community.
• Record and report activities conducted as a 4-H Health Hero to project staff.
• Actively share the message of Healthy Living within your local 4-H clubs and/or school clubs.
• Model healthy eating and physical activity to family, friends, and 4-H members.
