Summer Camp Offers Food & Food For Thought
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - During the long summer break when kids are out of school and have no access to regular school meals, hundreds are being fed and taught about nutrition through Miami-Dade's non-profit summer programs.
The need for the program is real and startling statistics show that more than 17 thousand households lack access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle,
Gone are the days of soda and sweets. These days children are focused on proteins, carbs and healthy fats.
More than 200-children are attending summer camp in North Miami where they are learning about what they eat.
Coach Marco has been a health educator for more than twenty years and makes sure that the campers know and understand the importance of good health.
"We educate the kids as well about their eating habits, you know, portion control which is important for our children," said Marco.
This summer the City of North Miami Parks and Recreation Department, along with schools all around Miami-Dade County, has dozens of camp sites for children needing a place to go and have a hot meal.
More than 21 million children depend on free or reduced-price school meals during the school year.
According to Food Research and Action Center only one-in-six children who needed summer meals received them last year. The Miami-Dade program serves underprivileged children and offers parents a safe haven for their kids.
David, a nine year old camper, loves the camp, the meals and the information.
He has learned that, "you should drink eight glasses of water a day, and if you do sports camp you could do two more glasses."
Derrick Corker, camp director, says these camps are open to the public and meals are provided through a grant partly funded by the Walmart Foundation.
The camp in North Miami is one of dozens around Miami-Dade County that are open to any child whether they are in the camp or not to get access to a hot meal.
Lunch is served at noon and snacks around 3pm.
Click Here to find out more about where the sites are located. The program runs until August 14th.
