Daniel Joseph Becnel
June 20, 2008June 25
June 25, 2008Parents who don’t want their kids’ entire summer activity to be limited to video games have other options.
One is the Fit Kids Summer Camp at Renaissance Health & Racquet Club. The camp began earlier this month and runs through Aug. 1. It is designed for youngsters ages 4-12.
Activities are divided between the younger kids, 4-8, and the older kids, 9-12.
“They are going to be playing games that involve movement,” said Mickey Lusco, group exercise coordinator at Renaissance. “Volleyball, racquetball, swimming, tennis, aerobic exercises, light weight training. I’m talking one and two-pound weights.”
A dietician will come in to educate the children about healthy eating habits, food models and what an actual serving size is.
But not everything campers do is exercise-related. They will also participate in arts and crafts and take several field trips per week, Lusco said.
“It started off strictly as a sports camp, and has evolved into more of a day camp where we do different activities,” said Robin Lirette, director of the Fit Kids Summer Camp.
Renaissance has been running a summer camp since 1994. Participation has steadily increased from 20 to 25 campers that first year to over 70 participants.
With more counselors available this year, the camp has accepted more kids.
Renaissance general manager Tony Lawrence sees the camp as an early deterrent to a sedentary lifestyle.
“There’s nothing wrong with going outside and doing something instead of watching TV,” he said.
“That new Nintendo Wii, it’s good, but it doesn’t take the place of eating sensibly and exercising.”
Fit Kids Summer Camp runs Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For Renaissance members, the camp costs $100 a week; for non-members, $115 a week. There is a $10 discount for each additional child enrolled in the camp.
For more information, call (985) 872-2582.
