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WELLING, OK - More than 70 Cherokee 5th and 6th graders participated in the Cherokee Nation's Summer Youth Fitness Camp at the Heart o’ the Hills in Welling. The four-day camp gave the children a chance to learn about and participate in healthy lifestyles.

Each day the youngsters participated in physical activity and listened to health information. Health professionals talked to campers about diabetes, nutrition, and the importance of fitness. Physical activities included tennis, kickboxing, swimming, basketball, a ropes course, and soccer.

Each night campers were treated to traditional Cherokee activities including storytelling, stickball games, and a stompdance.

One of the staff, nineteen-year-old Preston Foreman, has made the progression from a youth staffer to an adult staffer. "It was neat to sit in the adult meetings and help make decisions about the camp", Foreman said. "I enjoy the camp experience, the wonderful kids, the staff, and all the new people I get to meet."

The Cherokee Nation’s Healthy Nation staff worked with the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, youth staff, the Association of American Indian Physicians and the Cheyenne Arapahoe tribe to make the camp a success.

While this camp was geared toward kids in the southern half of the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county area, there are other camps set for later this summer in other areas. Adair County’s Youth Fitness Camp will run from July 9-13 at Maryetta School, and another Cherokee Nation Summer Youth Fitness Camp will be held at Rogers State University in Claremore in July 14-20.

For more information, contact Cherokee Nation’s Healthy Nation program, phone: 1-800-256-0671 (ext. 2614) or Ida Sue Gray, phone: 1-877-434-8500 (ext, 7619) (Claremore camp). For additional information or applications to the Adair County camp call 1-800-850-0298 or Karen Rabon at 696-880 ext 7733.