NJ Athletes Carli Lloyd & Jay Williams Team Up to Support Physical Activity and Nutrition in Schools

October 14, 2015 | Community News, Statewide

On October 14, about 620 fourth and fifth-grade students in the Middletown Township School District got to play with the pros in a free joint soccer and basketball ProCamp. The ProCamp was led by New Jersey natives Carli Lloyd, a World Soccer Cup MVP, and Jay Williams, an All-American basketball player and first round draft choice.

The three-hour Healthy U Be Active ProCamp kicked off with team photos with the pros followed by camper drills. Then the games began. Throughout the event, Lloyd and Williams spoke to the kids about the importance of good nutrition and physical activity. More importantly, they modeled their messages. An awards ceremony capped off the event.

The camp was presented by the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. Middletown Township hosted the event.

Middletown Township Schools are among the first and the largest in the state to incorporate Healthy U into their daily curriculum. The program, established in 2007, promotes physical activity and good nutrition in YMCA afterschool and preschool programs, as well as in partnering schools like Middletown.

Established in 2007, the Healthy U program is the result of a collaborative partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. Through pre-school, after-school and school-based programs, Healthy U impacts more than 46,000 children, ages 3 to 13, at over 500 YMCA and elementary school sites statewide. These YMCA afterschool and preschool programs and partnering schools are implementing environmental strategies and activities, and education to increase physical activity and promote good nutrition for students and their families.

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance also provides technical assistance and direction to the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids.

 

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