(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 25, 2015) – Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR), along with partners Kidsplosion, Inc. and OrganWise Guys, celebrated National Summer Learning Day on June 19. Summer Learning Day is an annual national advocacy day led by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) to elevate the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer. This year for Summer Learning Day, GCPR took the pledge to #KeepKidsLearning by offering STEM activities and nutritional programs to the campers.

GCPR is dedicated to providing healthy and safe environments for residents, and since 2013 has adopted Wellness Guidelines aimed at achieving this goal. Providing consistent nutrition education and physical activity within all out-of-school time programming is a key component of GCPR’s Wellness Guidelines. Summer camp in particular has evolved over the past two years to incorporate additional nutrition based staff training, the implementation of evidence-based nutrition education and adoption of the HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) Standards. 422 campers between the ages of 5-13 learned how fruits and vegetables keep their organs active and healthy with help from the OrganWise Guys characters. Resources from MyPlate.Gov were also used to take campers on a ‘field trip’ around their lunch plate to learn about balanced meals and better beverage options. Finally campers broke-out into active dance moves to repeat the OrganWise Guys club rules: Low-Fat, High-Fiber, Lots of Water, and Exercise!

In addition to the health and nutrition activities, STEM activities were implemented by counselors to teach campers about chemical reactions through the power of Mentos and Diet Soda. GCPR has pledged to keep over 3,500 campers learning and retaining knowledge over this summer through the National Summer Learning Association. Summer Learning Day is supported by elected officials and policymakers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, museums, libraries, and summer camps across the country.

For more information visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-8840.

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