The Learning Lamp, a nonprofit educational organization, worked with East Hills Recreation to create an after-school and summer camp program for students in the Richland School District. Both are aimed at keeping kids active.
When the staff started using the Highmark Healthy High 5 SPARK Active Recreation program, the number of students skyrocketed — a 20 percent leap in just two years.
"SPARK is one of the reasons parents choose our program," says The Learning Lamp's Leah Spangler. SPARK helps kids of all skill levels discover what's inherent in all of them — their built-in energy and their innate enjoyment of fun and fitness.
A nationally recognized physical activity program, SPARK is designed for children ages 5-14, promoting moderate to vigorous activities for up to one hour daily and establishing lifelong healthy behaviors.
At Richland Elementary School and summer camp in Johnstown, everyone succeeds in the SPARK after-school recreation program. SPARK is used at more than 140 sites across Pennsylvania.
"They really enjoy SPARK," Spangler says. "The activities encourage kids of all ages and all abilities to get involved. The parachute, for example — it's big and colorful, and they have a great time running under it and running back out." And the kids enjoy the bean bags and crazy cones.
"The program is not competitive," she says. "It's inclusive and lets everybody have a good time. That's so important — that all the kids participate and have fun. Highmark Healthy High 5 really made a difference," Spangler adds. "There aren't a lot of funds for small after-school programs. So we're deeply grateful to the Highmark Foundation for having the vision to support this in our community."
And support the children, too. "SPARK is designed so every kid can be successful, which helps build self-esteem," says Spangler. "It gives kids the courage to be more active in other areas, to try other things. It's a real resource in our region. Kids want to come here."
Learn how to encourage kids to exercise daily for good health by reading our Physical Activity pages.
Learn more about the SPARK program in Pennsylvania.
This story was originally published in an April 5, 2009, advertising supplement for Highmark Healthy High 5.