Each summer, the staff of the West Feliciana Parish Parks & Recreation hosts their summer camp for youth 6-11 years old. LSU AgCenter Nutrition and Community Health Agent Layne Langley has been delivering nutrition programs at this camp for years and this summer was no different. She brought energy and enthusiasm to the camp, visiting four times to inspire the children with fun, hands-on lessons about healthy eating and nutrition.

During the Snacks Program, Langley led an interactive session on smart snacking, teaching campers how to make healthier food choices using the fun and easy-to-remember “Go, Slow, and Whoa' method.” Campers learned how to spot the difference between 'Go,' 'Slow,' and 'Whoa' snacks—where Go snacks are great for anytime, Slow snacks are best enjoyed occasionally, and Whoa snacks are treats to save for special moments. To put their new knowledge into practice, campers explored a variety of nutrient-rich snack options, learning how to fuel their bodies with tasty, wholesome choices throughout the day. One of the highlights was the Go Go Go for Go Snacks activity, where campers teamed up to sort food cards into 'Go' and 'Whoa' categories. To wrap up the program, the campers prepared Herbed Popcorn & Pretzel Mix, an easy, nutritious snack they found both fun to make and tasty to eat.

The campers had a blast during the Physical Activity Program, where they got moving with fun games and exercises. They also discussed why staying active matters. Langley encouraged them to brainstorm the many benefits of daily physical activity, from boosting energy and mood to building strong muscles and bones, helping them connect movement with lifelong health. Laughter and excitement filled the gym during Activity Charades, where campers acted out different physical activities while their teammates guessed. It was a fun and energetic way to reinforce the importance of movement! Campers also enjoyed playing Hit the Deck, a lively relay game where they drew cards that challenged them to perform different physical activities. It was a fun way to keep everyone moving. Each camper created their own festive Red, White, & Blue Parfait, layering creamy yogurt with sweet strawberries and juicy blueberries for a delicious and nutritious treat.

As part of the Fats of Life Program, campers explored the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats. In a fast-paced team challenge, campers raced to sort food cards into buckets labeled 'Healthy Fat' and 'Unhealthy Fat’. To help campers visualize how much fat can be hidden in everyday meals, Langley led a powerful hands-on demonstration. Several campers wore a neck card featuring a food item from a typical day’s menu, while their fellow campers guessed how much fat was in each item. As answers were revealed, Langley measured out the fat using shortening, placing it on plates for all to see. A second group of campers wore cards representing a healthier, modified menu, and the shortening was again used to show the reduced fat content. Campers were amazed by the visual difference and quickly realized how a few simple substitutions could significantly cut back on unhealthy fats.

Power Up with Breakfast was the final summer program Langley delivered. She led a discussion on nutrient-rich breakfast foods and the many benefits of starting the day with a healthy breakfast, like improved focus, better energy, and stronger bodies. Campers shared creative tips for helping youth make breakfast a daily habit, from preparing the night before to choosing quick, wholesome options. Campers swapped the traditional Egg Spoon Relay for a creative twist, racing across the gym with tennis balls balanced on spoons. They also teamed up for the Pass the Milk Jug challenge, where they raced to pass empty milk jugs overhead and under their legs in an exciting relay. The program wrapped up with the campers preparing Peanut Butter, Banana, and Strawberry Quesadillas. It was not only sweet but also a satisfying snack that could be made for breakfast!

Thank you goes to Lorie Grezaffi with the West Feliciana Parish Parks & Rec Department for providing the ingredients that made all the delicious recipes possible, and to Coach Preston King for his support and assistance throughout the programs.

For more information about the nutrition programs in West Feliciana Parish, contact Layne Langley at 225-635-3614 or at lalangley@agcenter.lsu.edu