Healthy Heart Camp:

We are grateful for a Community Benefit Fund Grant which was given from IU Health Goshen for Healthy Heart Camp 2014!

Elementary schools in Elkhart County nominate 8-10 year old children to receive scholarships to attend this camp.  The camp focuses on heart health and is directed by Dr. Jewel Lehman and Registered Dietician from IU Health Goshen, Michelle LeCount.  Goshen College faculty and students serve as activity leaders and mentors during the two week camp.  About twenty children from four districts in the County attend every morning from 8:30am – 12:00pm Mon. through Friday

The primary goals are to improve heart health by:

• increasing consumption of vegetables/fruits and reducing intake of junk food.
• increasing levels of physical activity.
• limiting screen time (computer, TV, etc.).
• providing the child with a college-age mentor for modeling and building self-esteem.
• empowering children/families by discussing choices and providing options
• having fun

Each day includes two activity sessions separated by a snack break and an educational session.  Physical activities included swimming (with instruction), pillo polo, developmentally appropriate weight training, Exercise DVDs for children, campus golf, pickle ball, disc golf, DDR, table tennis and others.

We deeply appreciate assistance from Dr. John Hutchings, Michelle LeCount and IU Health Goshen, Courtney Kipker and Elkhart General Hospital, Susan Stiffney, John McClure, Dan Bodiker, John Ingold, Chris Kauffman, RN Val Hershberger, Stephanie Jenkins, Molly Kaufman, Cassie Greives, Jonathan Kawira, Maritza Chavez, Kelsey Hershberger, Melanie Meyers, Maddie Kritzman, Linda Kaminskis, Rocio Diaz, Josh Keister and Elkhart County School administrators, nurses and physical educators.