MAKING A PUSH FOR KIDS' FITNESS.Byline: Marci Wormser Staff Writer PALMDALE - Mayor Jim Ledford leaned back and allowed his constituents to push him around - literally. The mayor, Antelope Valley Union High School District The Antelope Valley Union High School District (A.V.U.H.S.D.) is located in the Antelope Valley area of California, in northern Los Angeles County. The district includes eight public high schools, one trade school, and two continuation high schools in the cities of Palmdale trustee Donita Winn, Highland High School Highland High School or Highlands High School may refer to: In the United States:
n. 1. A training course filled with obstacles, such as ditches and walls, that must be negotiated speedily by troops undergoing training or participants in an obstacle race. 2. to promote a new local youth fitness program. In button-down shirt and tie, the mayor closed his eyes, folded his arms across his chest and leaned backward so a circle of people could shove him to and fro to and fro adv. Back and forth. to and fro Adverb, adj also to-and-fro 1. - an exercise called ``Wind in the Willows,'' intended to build the participants' confidence in one another. ``This kind of exercise would be good for city councils,'' the mayor said afterward. Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Parks and Recreation Department and Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Partners for Health hosted the event to promote the fitness program in light of recent statistics that show 40 percent of California children and most Antelope Valley youngsters are unfit. The event took place at Antelope Valley Union High School District's Venturing Center, located at the former Palmdale hospital on Avenue S. The obstacle course - made of rope, logs and large wooden blocks - has participants jumping rope, swinging on parallel bars, hopping from one log to another, and climbing a ladder. County parks and Partners for Health officials intend to use the course to train facilitators - mostly parks employees - to lead fitness and team-building programs for high school students. Training just started, and no sessions for youth have been scheduled yet. Peg Lee, a supervisor at Jackie Robinson Park in Littlerock, suggested the program to combat childhood obesity childhood obesity Public health Overweight in a child, an average BMI of ≥ 85% for age and sex; ≥ 95% for age and sex is very obese. See Body-mass index, Obesity. Cf Adult obesity. . ``We're trying to address physical inactivity physical inactivity A sedentary state. Cf Physical activity. because so many kids are inactive,'' said Jean Syer, program manager with Antelope Valley Partners for Health, a 3-year-old nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. . ``We want to think of ways we can make kids more physically active.'' ``You can design (the course) to be as physically challenging as you want to, or you can heavily stress team building,'' Syer said. The Venturing Center obstacle course has been used predominantly by students enrolled in the school district's leadership or special education programs, said Bob Porter, director of teacher support and employee development. However, Porter said local officials hope to change that by increasing awareness and eventually operating the course several more days a week. The course is currently open on Fridays only. `'I think ultimately the goal is to get more people to use it,'' Porter said. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Boot camp participants in Palmdale do an exercise called ``All Aboard,'' in which they crowd into a small space. (2) Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford takes part in the ``Wind in the Willows'' drill, in which he trusts the others to catch him. (3) Peg Lee, a supervisor at Jackie Robinson Park in Littlerock, tries to get untied. Lee suggested the anti-obesity program. (4) Boy Scouts trainer Judy Toothaker walks a ``human ladder'' during Friday's boot camp to promote youth fitness. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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