THETA Camp offers guide to health, wellness

Friday, May 25, 2018
Collin Fleecs, left, helps unload aquaponic materials at the YMCA to prepare for an 8-week day camp focusing on health and wellness. The University of Nebraska-Kearney intern is joined this summer by fellow UNK interns Tyan Boyer and Bradley Schoch for THETA Camp, “Teaching, Health, Exercise, Technolgy and Aquaponics.”
Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. — The experience in McCook last summer must have been good for two University of Nebraska-Kearney interns, because they have returned to Southwest Nebraska for the entire summer to lead a day camp focused on health and wellness for elementary and middle school students.

After launching the pilot program last year, Tyan Boyer of Plainview and Collin Fleecs of Sutherland return to lead THETA Camp, “Teaching Health, Exercise, Technology and Aquaponics.” Tyan and Collin will be joined by Bradley Schoch of Marquette, a fellow exercise science major.

THETA Camp begins Tuesday, May 29 for eight weeks at the McCook YMCA, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants are encouraged to attend all 8 weeks but may register for individual weeks.

Collin Fleecs, left, helps unload aquaponic materials at the YMCA to prepare for an 8-week day camp focusing on health and wellness. The University of Nebraska-Kearney intern is joined this summer by fellow UNK interns Tyan Boyer and Bradley Schoch for THETA Camp, “Teaching, Health, Exercise, Technolgy and Aquaponics.”
Courtesy photo

THETA Camp is designed for middle-aged kids, ages 10-14 years old. Space is limited but registration is still open online at www.mccookne.org. Thanks to financial support from Community Hospital, there is no charge for THETA Camp.

On the first day of camp, May 29, participants are asked to meet in the lobby of the YMCA but will be utilizing the entire YMCA facility as well as taking walking field trips in McCook over the summer.

Over the eight weeks, the campers will follow a curriculum designed by UNK professors Greg Brown and Nate Bickford, where they will learn about sustainable agriculture, making healthy food choices, and including exercise in their everyday lives.

THETA Camp was developed as part of a project funded by Rural Futures Institute to explore rural obesity and health awareness.

In addition to McCook, RFI is working with 10 other communities this summer with a total of 24 students from UNL, UNO and Peru State College.

Along with the THETA Camp at the YMCA, the three UNK interns will spend time at Community Hospital, gaining experience in job shadowing opportunities.

The UNK intern program in McCook is supported with funding from Community Hospital and the McCook Community Foundation Fund. For more information about the program, contact Sarah Wolford at Community Hospital, 344-8550, or Ronda Graff with MCFF, 340-3412.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: