Local Churches Work on Childhood Obesity Prevention
 North Carolina ranked fifth highest in the nation in the percentage of obese 10- to 17-year-olds, according to a report titled F as in Fat from Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting good health.
The Dare County Department of Public Health enacted The Childhood Obesity Prevention Projection in  2008 to help combat obesity by raising community awareness of the problem and providing some of the solutions.  Grace Church of Christ and Haven Creek Baptist Church were recently awarded funding through the  Project (COPP).

The funding was awarded in recognition of their efforts in encouraging healthier choices within their congregations.  Through a partnership between the DCDPH and Northeastern North Carolina Partnership for Public Health Diabetes Sentinel Project, the churches began their endeavor last spring with establishment of a church wellness committee comprised of members from each church who share the goal of providing the skills, policies, and environmental support to eat healthier foods and be physically active.  Both churches have adopted a healthy food and beverage policy ensuring that a healthy option will be offered at each church event as well as water as a beverage choice.  They held a fall health fair at the local Head Start entitled Hallelujah for Health, where over 100 children and adults participated in various activities aimed at promoting healthier lifestyle choices. 

Gladys Melvin of Haven Creek Baptist Church (left) and Jake McClease of Free Grave Church of Christ accept checks from Dare County Department of Public Health nutritionist Laurie Elian on behalf of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project for their efforts in increasing awareness of health and well being to their churches

 Over 25 Girl Scouts put their science skills to work at the Girl Scout Science Camp held at the Pilmoor United Methodist Church in Currituck from June 15 to 19.  Each day the girls conducted experiments and learned about different scientific topics while gaining the confidence to explore their passions. 
 
Above Junior Girl Scouts Kayla Wilkins, Erin Scully, and Kaleigh Sands wear their handmade "science goggles".   The girls learned a new scientific topic each day through fun hands-on activities. 
Michelle McPherson, Director of School Programs at Port Discovery, a children's science museum, was a guest at the camp.  She introduced the girls to the cell and all its parts through hands-on activities involving Jell-O, candy, parachutes and balloons.   "When most girls reach high school, they're already thinking they don't belong in the sciences," Michelle says.  "It's important to get them excited about science early on."
 
During the week the girls planted flower seeds, made volcanoes, and hopped inside a life-size bubble.  Being true to the Girl Scout way, the girls also completed a community service project each day including making dog treats for the local animal shelter, fans for senior citizens, and collecting canned food for the church food pantry.

Girl Scout camp opportunities are still available at several locations throughout northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.  For more information on Girl Scouts or to register for summer camp, visit the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast Web site at www.gsccc.org or contact Misty East via phone at (252) 335-2291 or email at mistye@gsccc.org.