4-H Takes Giant Steps for Healthier NH Kids

UNH Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program is inviting all youth, their families and communities to participate in 4-H Get Up and Go: putting your best foot forward  for WalkNH.  This state-wide 4-H health initiative has been developed to support the WalkNH program, initiated by Dr. Susan Lynch, First Lady of New Hampshire, and designed by the Foundation for Healthy Communities. WalkNH is a public awareness campaign to promote walking for youth  in the state of NH – an effort to help stem the tide of childhood obesity through promotion of  healthier lifestyles and better nutrition. 4-H Get Up and Go, is attempting to further that effort by fostering adult partnerships with youth through parent or community mentoring.  Youth are encouraged to welcome adults to participate and adults are encouraged to provide positive role models for healthy lifestyle choices for youth – both in terms of nutrition and exercise. The 4-H Get Up and Go project for Walk NH is challenging youth and adults to walk 70 miles, the width of New Hampshire, by June 1st 2006.

4-H Get Up and Go participants will receive a WalkNH log book to record their miles and a special 4-H Get Up and Go Footprint Banner Kit. These banners from all over the state will be sewn together and  presented to Governor and Dr. Lynch at a special celebration in June as a pledge of each participating groups commitment to the immediate project and lifelong better health.  Adults and youth who reach their goal will receive an “I Walked NH” certificate from Gov. John Lynch on behalf of the State and UNH Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and will be invited to participate in the Governor’s June Celebration. 

Community groups including 4-H clubs, after-school programs, church, youth and community groups, are all encouraged to become  4-H Get Up and Go partners and “put their best foot forward” for WalkNH.  For questions or to register, please contact Jay Martin or Julia Steed Mawson,  UNH Cooperative Extension at 603-641-6060. 

4-H Get Up and Go is sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Foundation for Healthy Communities, PlusTimeNH, and Operation Military Kids with support from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation.