Campers get instruction in nutrition, good health BY ERIN O. STATTEL Correspondent FREEHOLD - The frequency of obesity in children between the ages of 6 and 11 has doubled in the last 20 years and the occurrence of obesity in adolescents has more than tripled in that same time frame, according to the Centers for Disease Control Internet Web page. But in the Freehold area the YMCA of Western Monmouth County is taking measures to tackle these statistics head on. Throughout the summer the YMCA ran a series of events to combat childhood obesity and to educate youngsters about making healthier decisions through the Y-HEALS (Healthy Eating and LifeStyles) program, which will culminate with an awards dinner tonight, Aug. 22. Children who were enrolled in the day camps learned about the importance of fitness and making healthy decisions when eating. The YMCA Community Center in the Rug Mill Towers, Center Street, has served as a home base for the programs. The center offers a variety of activities for all of the youngsters attending the various programs, including the Freehold Borough summer recreation camp; the Freehold Leaders Club; and the YHEALS program. "The kids are an extension of us and it's important we let them leave here with more than what they came with," said Mel O'Neal, the outreach director of the Community Center. "It is important they realize that their health is a priority for us." The past week's activities included a jump rope challenge, a yoga session and an aerobics class for the youngsters to kick-start their cardio workouts. Penni Schoner, fitness director for the YMCA, was in charge of brainstorming and arranging the week's fitness activities. "We want to teach these kids about fitness and that fitness is not just going outside and running around," Schoner said. Imamu Mayfield, a personal training supervisor with the YMCA, conducted the jump rope challenge. Mayfield, a professional boxer, educated the 40 participating jumpers about the correct way to jump rope for a cardiovascular workout and explained jump rope's significance in a boxer's workout. Participants were encouraged to stay focused and were urged on by their camp-mates who counted out the jumpers' repetitions. Donald Warren Jr., 18, best known as "Bubba" to the campers and staff at the Community Center, oversaw the organization of the jumpers. Warren is a sophomore at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, and a Community Center camp counselor for the summer. "I think [jumping rope] is a great idea to get the kids active and it gets the cardio up," Warren laughed as the children cheered each other on. "Plus, it is a great way to get them exercising without them even realizing it." "I think it was fun and interesting," said Bethsabeth Ramos of Lakewood, 13, of the jump rope education and challenge. "When I get home I'll keep doing it." Fellow jump ropers Shanice Statum, 11, of Freehold Borough, and Shannon Meyers, 13, of Manalapan, agreed. "I like the fact it is a healthy activity, and it is fun," Shanice said. "It's a good source of exercise," Shannon agreed. "I like how you can do it alone or with friends." Mayfield and staff encouraged the jump-roping youngsters to continue to treat one another with respect, which is a YMCA core character value. And the children did that, with claps of encouragement on each other's backs and cheers of victory for campers who could jump the full 60 seconds. The challenge was a success with the youngsters continuing to jump rope after the session was complete. "I want you all to use your ropes," Mayfield said of the jump ropes that were given to the children to keep. "You have to be conscious of your fitness and of what you eat and drink." Mayfield's daughter, Yameenah, 11, was also on hand to lend her father some help with dispensing the jump ropes and was one of the jump ropers who jumped the longest. "I like jumping rope myself," Yameenah said, "but I like teaching other kids how to do it too." The Y-HEALS program was made possible through a grant from the Mary Owen Borden Foundation and will continue for campers and Community Center children throughout the year. Parents and youngsters filled out health questionnaires prior to camp's start and the children at the Community Center have been tracking their weight progress through scales and pedometers. Chef Pete Rodriguez taught the campers how to prepare healthy snacks and prepared the food for the summer program's final awards dinner held Aug. 22 at the Community Center. The YMCA of Western Monmouth County's Community Center and Freehold Borough run the nine-week summer recreation camp at three sites: the Freehold Learning Center and the Park Avenue Elementary School, which both serve campers 5-9 years old; and the Community Center, which accommodates children who are between the ages of 10 and 13. The camp program employs about 25 counselors who were campers in the program when they were young.