Hi there! My name is Heather McKeating, Director of Community Engagement at J&A Racing, and I am pumped to be writing my very first blog about a subject that is close to my heart: Youth Fitness. For 15 years in my previous job, I was fortunate to have built and run a youth summer camp at Harbor Park. So, when I transitioned to J&A Racing last Fall, I was eager to bring that knowledge and experience with me.

Why Youth Fitness Matters

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommend that children should have 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day to promote lifelong health and well-being. Unfortunately, many American children fall short with roughly 21% actually regularly attaining this. Research has shown that students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (e.g. memory) and classroom behaviors. Don’t we all want that for our kids?

Introducing the J&A Racing Youth Fitness Camp

The good news is, physical activity can be extremely fun and rewarding for children if approached correctly. That is why J&A Racing makes Youth Programs an important branch of our racing portfolio, and this summer, we are proud to be hosting our first ever Youth Fitness Camp.

I am extremely excited about the inaugural camp taking place at the Brock Environment Center from August 5^th – 12^th. This camp is built for children 7 to 12 with all ranges of running and athletic abilities.

Here’s a breakdown of how camp will go…

• Mornings will start with a group warmup and a 1 mile run. The goal will be for the kids to gain confidence and feel comfortable with 1 mile. At the end of the week, the campers will be given medals for completion of the 4 miles they ran!
• After the morning one-mile run, there will be two separate activity sessions. These sessions will include:
  • Nature Lessons
  • A Scavenger Hunt
  • Yoga & Stretching
  • Agility
  • Tour of Brock Environmental Center
  • Fitness Pointers
  • Arts & Crafts
• We will conclude the week with a Pizza Party and a canoe ride in the Lynnhaven Inlet (weather permitting)

It is our hope that this first camp will be the beginning of many camps on the J&A Summer Schedule and truly use our mission to live healthier lifestyles through our children’s eyes.

For More Camp Details And To Sign Up Your Child: CLICK HERE.

You don’t need to attend camp to get moving this summer!

Fitness isn’t about being fit, it is about having fun!

There are so many ways for the children in your life to get in the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of recommended activity each day:

1. Go for a bike ride
2. Plan a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood
3. Swim at the pool, beach or play in the backyard with the sprinkler
4. Visit your local park
5. Play tag (or freeze tag or spotlight tag)

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just get moving!