Health, the fourth H of the 4-H clover has been a part of 4-H since its early beginnings. The physical, mental and emotional health of today’s youth is again at a crossroad. Programs that promote healthy living practices are essential for young people to establish habits that will assure healthy and productive lives into adulthood. 4-H has become a national leader in health-related educational issues including chemical health, mental and emotional health, foods and nutrition, physical health, and safety.

“Explore the World of Yoga” Beginner’s Yoga is open to all 4-H members, volunteers, and parents. All classes will be held at the Atlantic County Office Building in Mays Landing. The 5 free sessions will be held on Wednesday nights from 6 to 7 PM beginning February 15. Space is limited – register EARLY.

Explore the World of Yoga Information

The Greatest Loser
It’s that time of year when all the holiday foods that gave us such joy are making the scale needle go higher than we’d like. Losing weight isn’t always fun but can make all the difference in a healthier YOU! To help give you some incentive to weight loss, the Atlantic County 4-H Horse Council is sponsoring The Greatest Loser - you can lose a few pounds and possibly gain some money. 

The Greatest Loser will run from February 1 through May 2, 2012. All participants will need to complete a form, including a liability release, and have official weigh ins. Initial and final weights will be initialed by the participant and witnessed by two 4-H volunteers.

The Greatest Loser Information

The Greatest Loser Participant/Liability Form

GET MOVING - GET HEALTHY WITH NEW JERSEY 4-H is an interactive and fun way to learn healthy eating habits, portion sizes, the new Food Pyramid, and simple exercises. The program focuses on understanding My Pyramid, identifying portion sizes, and learning easy ways to exercise.

A key component of the program are activity kits that include the following activities - Exercise Challenge, Finding Your Pyramid, Healthy Plate, Measure Up, Portion Distortion, Read the Label, Serving Match, Think What You Drink, and What Counts. Each has a lesson plan and provides options for expanding the learning experience.
Arrangements can be made to borrow a kit or have county 4-H staff conduct an educational program for a club, school, or after-school program. The kit is also great for community health fairs since it provides quick and easy lessons.

CLICK HERE for a program summary.

CLICK HERE to visit the State's 4-H Get Moving Get Health Program web page.

4-H FOOD AND FITNESS AMBASSADORS. . .
Since 2005 county 4-HFood & Fitness Ambassadors have promoted healthy eating and encouraged people to engage in physical activities through displays at county fairs, family fun events and other community gatherings. They also provide leadership to the 4-H Club Health Officer program.  Again for the 2010-2011, clubs are encouraged to incorporate health, fitness and safety activities into their monthly meetings by electing a Club Health Officer to facilitate these activities.

We are looking for two to three teens from each county to serve as 4-H Food and Fitness Ambassadors. Their primary responsibilities will be:

• Promote the concept of 4-H Club Health Officers to the clubs in your county.
• Work with county 4-H staff to coordinate a training for your county’s Club Health Officers.
• Take responsibility for the Food & Fitness display at your county fair. This includes set–up and take–down and staffing during prime visitor hours during the fair.
• Recruit other 4-H members to staff the display at fair.

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H Food and Fitness Ambassador, CLICK HERE for a complete position description and application.

ADDITIONAL 4-H HEALTHY LIFESTYLES PROGRAM AREAS. . .

• Babysitting
• Baton Twirling
• Bicycle Adventures
• Clogging
• Child Development
• Family Fun Nights - CLICK HERE to download a sample agenda in Microsoft Word format.
• Foods – 6 Easy Bites, Tasty Tidbits, You’re the Chef, Foodworks
• Microwave Magic
• Tae Kwon Do