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Weight No More! BET Summer Camp is Back

With obesity in young children rising at alarming rates in our nation, the BET Foundation is back with its acclaimed “Summer Camp For Girls” running from July 20-27, 2008. Sponsored by BET Networks, General Mills, SUBWAY(R) Restaurants, and Wal-Mart Stores, the BET Foundation’s “Summer Camp For Girls” will take place at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center campsite located in Columbiana, AL. This year’s program supporters include the University of Alabama-Birmingham, School of Social Work, African-American Health Coalition of Houston, TX, Nek Nak, Charles the Chef, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

 

The week-long camp was specifically designed as an effective approach to help African-American girls and their parents identify and practice lifestyle changes that will assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight and a positive self-image through health literacy, physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, proper nutrition, and self-appreciation. The program components include: daily exercise & fitness activities; nutrition classes, healthy cooking demonstrations for kids, Media Smart Youth; art therapy; group counseling and self-esteem workshops; trust and confidence building exercises; arts and crafts; talent and fashion shows; movie nights; and special celebrity guest appearances. This year, Toccara Jones, Keri Hilson, Tiffany Evans, Teyanna Taylor and Miss Black USA, Kristen White will be on hand to share their experiences and encourage the young ladies to meet their goals of achieving a healthy lifestyle. The camp will also feature special guest nutritionist, Shirley Dolland from the Bell Institute for Health and Nutrition, an extension of General Mills.

The BET Foundation created this special camp as an innovative weight reduction and nutrition-based program for African-American girls ages 10 – 12 from low to moderate-income families. “The purpose is to provide young girls with the vital information and tools necessary to aid them in making healthy lifestyle choices, and to serve as a “health” advocate for their family and peers,” states Lynda Dorman, Executive Director and Vice President. The camp curriculum will provide simple nutrition strategies; instill positive leadership and decision-making skills; and provide a fun-filled, memorable camp experience.

 

“General Mills is proud to extend its partnership with the BET Foundation’s Summer Camp For Girls. The camp aligns with our corporate mission to ‘Nourish Lives’ and encourage consumers to lead healthier lives by

making small changes that yield big results,” states Kimberley Bow Sunday, Multicultural Marketing Manager.

One hundred and fifty young girls from various states including Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, New York, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois and Pennsylvania were selected for this wonderful, free of charge camp experience based on essays their parent/guardians submit expressing why they should participate in the one-week fitness program and how the experience will influence a healthier lifestyle. This summer, 120 girls were chosen.

“SUBWAY(R) Restaurants are very excited to be partnering with the BET Summer Camp for Girls,” said Shannon Bowers, Brand Manager for the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. “Grass roots initiatives such as this truly give the Subway brand a platform to support the African-American community as more people are choosing healthy, active lifestyles.rs.

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