Life Time Fitness will be kicking off a 12-week camp this summer to educate children from the ages of 4 to 12 on health and nutrition, while combining summer and fun. Using weekly themes in order to augment instruction, themes will educate kids on what foods properly fuel their body, what foods are healthy, how important water is for their well-being, and other healthy tips. Jennifer Veres, the Senior Program Manager for Life Time Kids Activities, answered some questions about the camp and what it will offer children and parents:
Q: Why did Life Time decide to make a camp specifically for children?
A: We see our facilities as a great opportunity for children to be in a safe environment with all the amenities within our four walls. We offer the same experiences as other off-site camps, but close to home, and without homesickness, like rock climbing, swimming with water slides, gym games, arts and crafts – just to name a few. Each year we develop a theme for our signature camp. In 2012, the theme is “We’re Going on Road Trip.” Every week there is something different for the children to experience. We only go off-site once a week for field trips. Kids can also take swimming lessons during camp. Most importantly, we have great people. Our counselors go through an extensive audition process and have over 24 hours of training to keep the children having fun and being safe all summer long. They are certified in CPR and First Aid as well.
Q: Is this the first time Life Time has offered the camp?
A: No, we have offered camps for the past 15 years in our facilities.
Q: What kind of educational experiences will the camp offer?
A: We offer nutrition education through a unique approach. We don’t just sit the kids down in classroom and teach them how to eat – instead, we infuse the education into their physical activity. This will help them create positive images of exercise and nutrition and hopefully help create some pester power at home when it comes to food choices. Our camps are very active. We also have a healthy lunch option for an additional fee that the children can purchase through Life Time’s Life Café. Life Café offers delicious, naturally healthy, made from scratch menu items. Life Café strives to serve foods that do not contain artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives – which reinforces our healthy eating education.
Q: Is the camp only offered in Minnesota? If so, are there plans to offer camps in different states in the future?
A: Camps are offered in about 80 Life Time clubs across the U.S. We will also be opening a club in Canada in March which will have our Signature summer camp program as well.
Q: How much does the camp cost?
A: [Cost] varies by region. [We] encourage parents to check with their local club for details. [In] Minnesota, [it costs] $160.
Q: Do the kids stay overnight at the camp? Or do parents just bring their children?
A: Children can attend camp from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday – which helps accommodate parents’ busy schedules. We also have a variety of other camps that are half day or sports specific camps for children.
Q: Why should parents choose your camp over others?
A: Life Time is a Healthy Way of Life company and our goal through Life Time Kids Activities is to grow happy, healthy kids. We offer much more than just a day full of activities through our summer camp program – we weave in valuable information that children can take with them and put to use for the rest of their lives.
* Check with a local Life Time Fitness near you to see if a similar summer camp is offered in your area.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
