INA, Ill. (April 8, 2016) - Over five hundred local grade school students visited Rend Lake College's James "Hummer" Waugh Gymnasium throughout the day today to learn about their bodies and staying healthy at the Children's Health Fair. Every student made their way through the Healthy Body Walk to physically travel through the human body, interacting with exhibits and learning about the different systems. Outside of the Body Walk, 15 more exhibits and three presentations were hosted by many different local and state agencies and businesses to promote a healthy lifestyle, such as cycling, fitness gaming, Jiu Jitsu, yoga, and much more.
The goal of the fair is to help the students gain an early awareness of healthy lifestyle choices. For more information, contact Beth Mandrell at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1276 or mandrell@rlc.edu. Click on the images below for a larger view.
RLC Foundation Children's Center students Brennan Jensik of Christopher, RIGHT, and Kadyn Stanton of Ina, CENTER, jump through an obstacle course set up by Tyler O'Daniel, RLC's Strength and Conditioning Coach and Rec Director, Friday morning at the fair. The course helped the students get active and increase their heart rate.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Students between kindergarten and sixth grade explored the different exhibits throughout the day on the gym floor. Here a student gets active with a hula hoop at a table sponsored by RLC Nursing students.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Other students took part in virtual fitness by following along to dance moves. No matter what exhibit the students attended, an interactive component helped them stay active or learn about their bodies.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Bianca Harris, a kindergartener at Bethel Grade School in Mt. Vernon, bounced around after an obstacle course designed by RLC's Project CHILD Friday morning. Harris and her classmates also enjoyed face painting during the fair.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Jared Jessup of IQ Athletics in Benton teaches a student some Jiu Jitsu moves in the Aquatics Center lobby Friday morning. Jessup and the other instructors from IQ Athletics also spoke to students about self defense and anti-bullying.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Illinois State Trooper Christopher Watson spoke with students from Rome Grade School about internet safety. During his presentation, students watched videos and answered questions about how to make good choices when online.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Cycle 1 Studio of Benton brought in several different cycle bikes for students to try out on the gymnasium floor Friday afternoon. Here, two students learn how to increase the resistance on their bikes to make spinning more difficult.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
RLC Nursing students participated in face painting during the Health Fair, along with many other activities, such as poster sessions and the Healthy Body Walk. These students, many in their first year at RLC, used their education from the classroom when interacting with the grade schoolers.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
