With another day of PSSA testing in the books, students at Park Forest Middle School headed to the school’s gymnasium to unwind.
Inside the gym, which bustled with activity, they found a variety of different activities.
There was a golf station, an inflatable hockey goal, an aerobic dance booth and, of course, healthy food. It was all a part of the school’s annual Health Fair, which was held last week.
More than 850 students and 125 members of the school’s faculty and staff took part in the fair, which featured more than 40 businesses from Centre County and beyond.
“The kids just finished PSSA testing this morning and each day after the test, we have a special afternoon activity,” said Andrea Buchan, a math instructor at the school. “Today, it just happens to be the health fair. We have vendors coming in. They’re showing the kids how to be active, how to eat healthy. This is nice. It’s a way to decompress after the test.”
The goal on this day was simple — get the kids moving and teach them something along the way.
“It’s really important. We need to make sure that kids just aren’t sitting at home, playing video games. We want to make sure that they’re outside. Go outside … go for a walk, go hit balls. This is just something to give them ideas and keep them active.”
The students certainly made the most of the opportunities to blow off some steam.
Matt Shaffer, an orchestra instructor at the school, was there representing CrossFit Nittany. CrossFit is a popular form of exercise that is growing by leaps and bounds.
“It’s really for anyone,” Shaffer explained. “No matter where you are on the spectrum, it’s all scaleable. We have elite athletes in our gym who go to the CrossFit games in California, but we also have the average person who just wants to stay in shape.”
Several students stopped by the CrossFit Nittany table to find out what it was all about.
“Anybody can do it,” Shaffer explained. “You can come in off the street and workout next to an elite athlete. Everyone is doing the same thing and people see results when they do it. That’s the big thing that drives it. It definitely changes you.”
Shaffer said that it’s important to get in on the ground floor with kids as far as working out is concerned.
“If we can give them the building blocks of fitness, it will help them throughout their life,” Shaffer said.
Nearly every sport was represented at the health fair.
Danny Orton is the president of the Penn United Soccer Association and the State College Area High School boys’ squad.
With two children of his own, Orton said he realizes the importance of keeping children fit and healthy.
“Kids who are involved in organized sports or stuff through schools or just playing out in the front yard … that’s huge, it’s important,” Orton said. “The research is out there. At the end of the day, they’ll flat out be healthier. That’s the way it is.”
Orton has played soccer his entire life. He knows first-hand the benefits of the sport.
“With soccer, you’re required to run a lot,” Orton said. “There’s not a lot of down time. You’ve got to be very fit, no doubt.”
With summer on the horizon, most students gravitated toward the outdoor sports.
However, one table getting a lot of action was manned by Elizabeth Horner. She’s a volleyball player and coach for Relentless Club Volleyball.
Those stopping by the table could hit a volleyball and learn about the club’s travel teams, summer camps and league play.
Horner talked about her passion for the sport.
“I know for me and a lot of people, once you get involved in a sport, it becomes a lifestyle and a love and passion,” she said. “We’re here to introduce kids to a sport that maybe they’ve never played before. We can start them at a young age and teach them the right way. We’ve seen them go and do great things.”
For some students, maybe traditional sports aren’t their thing.
That’s OK, because there were options for them as well.
Elizabeth Hansen is the team building facilitator of Stone Valley Vertical Adventures, which runs from April through October at the Stone Valley Recreation Area.
“We have a summer camp — Camp Adventure, which involves a lot of climbing on our ropes course and team challenge course. It’s a lot of fun,” Hansen said.
But if the ropes course or climbing isn’t quite your speed, there’s also a day camp which involves sailing.
“We have a camp that teaches kids how to use boats on the lake safely and effectively,” Hansen said.
One of the most popular tables at the health fair, once again, was the one being run by LaCreta Holland of State College.
Why? Her station featured food.
On this day, Holland was making chocolate chip banana crepes. She also had fresh-cut cucumbers and carrots with a spicy yogurt dip.
“These (crepes) are really super easy to make,” Holland explained to a group of students watching her cook. “They’re made with tortillas. They’re a better alternative to the Hostess-type snacks.”
Parent Jennifer Walter was impressed with the health fair. She said that she always tries to get out to school events. You never know what you might learn, she said.
“I’ve learned a lot coming to our fairs,” Walter said. “You can always find something to bring home, try out and make your life better.”
