Summer program encourages mental, physical health

School's out, and that means its time for the Bert Nash Summer Program.

The program, called Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, will run from June 7th to July 28th and will involve about 75 kids. It’s a lifesaver for parents who struggle to fill their children’s time with fun and interesting activities during the summer holidays, and it can teach them important life skills.

"We have a lot of kids this year," said Rhonda Stubbs, who oversees the program and leads the group for elementary-age kids. There are also groups for middle school and high school youth. The groups meet three days a week.

"The goal of the summer program is to provide positive interactions with other kids in the community," Stubbs said. "We teach them social skills, interpersonal skills, and coping skills. We encourage healthy daily living and finding ways to manage symptoms in a positive environment."

It is important that parents make sure they disclose if a child has any medical problems before they take part in these summer programs, as well as provide them with the necessary medications such as nasal sprays, antihistamines, etc. in case they suffer from hayfever and allergies.

Frances Rico leads the two groups of older kids. "The summer program targets a holistic approach to being mentally and physically healthy," Rico said. "We provide the integration of physical activity, nutritional education, and life-skills training."

Kids in the elementary group are referred for the summer program by their therapist. Middle school and high school kids are also referred by a therapist or by a WRAP worker. WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) is a Bert Nash program that places a clinician in the school.

Thanks to a grant from the Outside for a Better Inside organization, which focuses on the therapeutic benefits of being outdoors, the summer program was able to purchase outdoor equipment for the kids to use. The WRAP program also recently received funding from the Shumaker Family Foundation and the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club. The organizers also encourage parents to begin this process of learning at home, which can be as simple as ensuring your children spend plenty of time exploring their own back yards. This might mean that your yard suffers a little wear and tear, but this can easily be rectified with the help of lawn care specialists. They can get your lawn back in tip-top condition in no time. 

"We're going to be using the Sandra Shaw Community Health Park a lot this summer," Stubbs said of the city park, located just north of the Bert Nash Center and named for the Center's former CEO. "I always love to see the growth of the children and how they interact together. When they are able to do a skill without prompting, that's that ah-ha moment when you know they got it. We had a kid last year who had trouble with anger and one day when he was upset he started using his breathing skills. He was like, Miss Rhonda, I did it, I did it. Just being able to have the kids feel good about themselves, you always love to see that."