YMCA teaches urban kids their P-H-Ds
2:19 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2008
They're not even in high school yet, but some Washington D.C. students are already working on their P-H-Ds -- not the academic version, but a YMCA P-H-D program that stands for physical, healthy, driven.
"The main focus of the program is for the kids to get about 50 minutes of activity with 100 percent of participation for 100 percent of the time," YMCA employee Aaron Harris said.
The after-school program is offered to city children ages 6 to 13.
It fills a fitness void for students whose schools may have cut physical education classes in order to save money.
"When we first introduced P-H-D, the kids wanted nothing to do with it. They didn't want to move. Some of the kids would go two blocks, and they were winded," Carol Gregory, with the YMCA, said.
Now, they barely stop running.
"The kids have a lot of fun just when we transition into doing the calisthenics from the games. We switch it up, so they do stay engaged in it," Harris said.
While the goal is to get the kids moving, the YMC staff hasn't totally taken away their video games. Instead, they've found a way to pair fitness with fun, with video games like "Dance Dance Revolution."
Along with working out, kids should also eat healthy on a regular basics.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, give the weather on TV.
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