Contact Us

University of Illinois Extension serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell Counties

Main Office (Tazewell County)
1505 Valle Vista
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: 309-347-6614
FAX: 309-347-5472
Email:uie-fmpt@illinois.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Fulton County)
15411 N IL 100 Highway
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: 309-547-3711
FAX: 309-547-3713
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Mason County)
127 S High St, Ste 1
Havana, IL 62644
Phone: 309-543-3308
FAX: 309-543-6239
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

Branch Office (Peoria County)
4810 North Sheridan
Peoria, IL 61614
Phone: 309-685-3140
FAX: 309-685-3397
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Closed 12 - 1pm)

News Release

4-H Health Jam Helps Peoria Area Fourth Graders Get Fit

August 20, 2012

Peoria area youth are learning how to live a more active and healthy lifestyle through an exciting and innovative program developed by University of Illinois Extension's Illinois 4-H Program. Sixty fourth- grade students from Trewyn Elite School and seven fourth-grade students in the Day Treatment Program participated in nine weeks of 4-H Health Jam. Participants discovered the fun in healthy eating, the importance of physical fitness, the basics of first aid, and the diversity of health careers they can pursue.

Funded through the Wal-Mart Foundation, the National 4-H Council awarded 15 states with grants to develop, strengthen, and implement healthy living programs at the community level. Illinois 4-H was one of the recipients of that grant to execute the 4-H Health Jam youth program. University of Illinois Extension collaborated with several community partners, including Methodist Medical Center, Landmark Racquet & Health Club, and the American Red Cross to provide nine weeks of fun and educational programming for the students.

Health Jam began with a two-day, hands-on educational experience, immersing youth in creative exercise activities, exploration of health careers, and an assessment of personal eating habits. Youth spent the first day at Methodist College of Nursing focusing on good nutrition, proper hand washing, and understanding how one's body changes with age. The second day was spent at Landmark Racquet & Health Club where youth learned about the importance of physical fitness and creative exercise activities, such as ZUMBA. Following the two-day event, youth met weekly in their classrooms with Methodist nursing students, American Red Cross volunteers, and University of Illinois Extension staff for additional learning activities about healthy eating, physical fitness and basic first aid. Youth were also challenged to put what they learned into practice by participating in a "Walk Across Illinois" activity with the goal of each youth completing thirty minutes of daily activity. In teams, they were encouraged to walk the length of Illinois from East Dubuque to Cairo-a total of 448 miles.

Teachers participating in the event observed that their students enjoyed the learning about healthy eating and physical fitness. Mr. Guthrie, a teacher from the Day Treatment program, commented, "Thank you so much for the GREAT program!! Our kids are hard to reach at times but you and your team were great!! The kids loved it and responded well!"

For more information about the 4-H Youth Development program in the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell unit, contact Judy Schmidt, 4-H Youth Development Educator, at schmid7@illinois.edu or 309-347-6614.

Source: Judy Schmidt, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth and Youth Metro, schmid7@illinois.edu