The University of Wyoming’s Division of Kinesiology and Health, part of the College of Health Sciences, recently hosted the third annual Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Healthy Kids Roundup.

The Healthy Kids Roundup aims to teach healthy lifestyle choices to middle school students as well as provide training resources for physical education teachers throughout Wyoming.

This year’s schedule included learning about healthy eating habits; various games, including pickleball; mindfulness yoga; hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency response; and team-building exercises for both indoors and outdoors.

Representing six schools from around the state — Pilot Butte Elementary School and Eastside Elementary School in Rock Springs; Rawlins Middle School; Laramie Middle School; Snowy Range Academy; and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Cheyenne — PE teachers brought with them about eight students from each school. The intent is for PE teachers and their students to replicate what they learned at the Healthy Kids Roundup through health promotion events in their communities so that the reach of the program, spearheaded by PE teachers and students, is felt all over the state.

Pre-service teachers in the UW Division of Kinesiology and Health provided support during the Healthy Kids Roundup; took part in hands-on training and demonstrations of how to exercise safely; and oversaw healthy recreation periods throughout the day.

The program’s primary directors include Deb Stephenson, executive director of the Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; PE teachers from Rock Springs, including Sam Gardner and Aubree Kledaras; Jennifer Connor of the American Heart Association; and Ben Kern, a UW associate professor of kinesiology and health. Kern’s senior students provided organizational support for the Healthy Kids Roundup as a service-learning project for their “School Administration in the Health Sciences” course.

“The Healthy Kids Roundup is a fantastic opportunity for teachers and their students to impact the health and wellness of their community,” Kern says. “It is so cool to see how the students take responsibility for leadership and are the ones who really drive change. We had a blast this year and look forward to next year.”

Schools responded to a statewide call and applied to be accepted to join the Healthy Kids Roundup. Funding to support the Healthy Kids Roundup program is provided through a grant from the American Heart Association. The grant funding, totaling $10,000 annually, covers student and teacher travel; activities and events hosted in the Corbett Building and UW athletics facilities; morning and noon meals; and other nutritional items.

UW undergraduate student-teachers included Colter Brunski, of Kemmerer; Jenica Dees, of Colorado Springs; McKenzie Earl, of Rawlins; Brandon Feketi, of Cody; Shelby Hatch and Xavia Sambrano, of Big Piney; Will Jorgenson, of Sheridan; Brad Kruger, of Fryeburg, Maine; Robert Orndorff, of Palm Coast, Florida; Jaya Smith, of Powell; Elizabeth Uhler, of Buckley, Washington; and PJ Vigil, of Cheyenne.

The American Heart Association — in partnership with the Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the Wyoming Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE); and UW — provided educational and event planning resources.

The UW Division of Kinesiology and Health plans to continue the Healthy Kids Roundup as an annual event, with a goal of supporting PE teachers around Wyoming with advanced education and training to better equip them and their students to embrace lifelong changes toward healthier lifestyle choices.

“The annual Healthy Kids Roundup just highlights the spearheading role of UW’s PETE program in leading the joint effort of educating and promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices for the next generations,” says Qin “Arthur” Zhu, interim director of the Division of Kinesiology and Health. “I am glad that the Corbett Building will be remembered by Wyoming’s future ‘healthy’ generations.”

“We are thrilled to support the Healthy Kids Roundup, as it aligns perfectly with UW’s PETE program in the Division of Kinesiology and Health,” adds Michelle Hilaire, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences. “By promoting physical activity, healthy habits and wellness among children, we’re investing in the future of healthier communities. Encouraging kids to lead active lives not only improves their physical health, but also enhances their academic performance and emotional well-being.”