Students from eight Rochester city schools are staying physically and intellectually active at the new Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp at MCC. The five-week camp will help 325 students, ages 6 to 13, reduce health and learning declines that sometimes occur over the summer months. The healthy learning experience is made possible by Greater Rochester Health Foundation’s $597,000 grant to the Monroe Community College Foundation, announced yesterday morning, July 14 at the PAC Center.
“There are natural synergies between the missions of the Health Foundation and the Monroe Community College Foundation, including our shared belief that physical activity and healthy eating play a significant role in a child’s overall health and academic success,” said John Urban, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Health Foundation. “We’re pleased to support outstanding programs like the Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp that encourage children in our communities to lead healthy lifestyles.”
“This exceptional summer learning experience, made possible by Greater Rochester Health Foundation, will benefit these children for the rest of their lives,” said MCC President Anne M. Kress. “Over the next few weeks, MCC will help campers make healthy choices and reduce learning loss that often occurs over the summer. We hope members of this first group of campers become role models for their peers,” she said.
“We thank Greater Rochester Health Foundation for their generous grant that will impact the lives of 325 children this year and, hopefully, even more children over the next two summers,” said MCC Foundation Executive Director Diane L. Shoger. “The Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp demonstrates how public education becomes even more impactful with philanthropic support.”
Led by MCC’s Athletics Department and Program Director Elizabeth Fell Kelly, Ed.D., the camp incorporates:
* 20 hours per week of fitness activities such as swimming, Zumba, yoga, football, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse
* 10 hours of high quality academic enrichment programs in reading and mathematics aimed at eliminating summer learning loss
* Health education instruction in proper nutrition, character development, drug and alcohol avoidance, team-building and personal decision-making
* Healthy breakfasts and lunches every day
* Bus transportation between several City of Rochester sites and MCC
Twenty-four junior counselors, ages 13 to 18, selected by the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau, will assist in instruction, mentoring and role modeling. The junior counselor program is funded by the City of Rochester’s Summer of Opportunity Program and RochesterWorks!
“Childhood obesity has become a serious issue not just in our community but nationwide, as some of our children lack both access to healthy food and safe, affordable ways to get physically fit,” said Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. “Here in Rochester, we are lucky to have such incredible community support to put on programs like the Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp, which will help our children learn to eat right, stay active and grow up to be strong, healthy adults.”
“With its high quality academic and fitness facilities, MCC is the perfect host for the Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. “Through education and encouragement, we can help our youth develop an important foundation for their future health and happiness, which benefits our entire community. I thank Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the Rochester City School District, President Kress, MCC faculty and staff, and all partners involved for their commitment to this vital effort.”
The camp will run from July 7 through August 8. To support the Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp, contact the MCC Foundation at (585) 262-1500 or <mailto:mccf@monroecc.edu>.
About Greater Rochester Health Foundation
Greater Rochester Health Foundation was created in 2006 to improve the health of the Greater Rochester community, inclusive of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties. Between 2007 and 2013, Greater Rochester Health Foundation has distributed $53 million to hundreds of organizations in the nine-county service area that are working to improve the health of their communities in our strategic areas of focus, health care delivery, neighborhood health status improvement; and prevention.
Rosanna Yule
Marketing and Community Relations
07/15/2014 |