K.Y.D.S. Take Charge!

Our K.Y.D.S. Take Charge! (Keeping Your Diet Straight) is a free after-school program that targets Title 1 elementary and middle school students who are at-risk of being overweight or obese.

A classroom full of young students sitting at desks, working on assignments with notebooks and colorful pens, while a woman stands at the front talking to the class.
A group of five people, including children and an adult woman, are preparing vegetables in a kitchen. They are chopping and arranging tomatoes, peppers, and greens on a countertop with kitchen appliances and cabinets in the background.

The program is held throughout the school year and during the summer at partnering schools and community centers. K.Y.D.S. Take Charge! educates youth about age-appropriate nutrition and exercise. Components of the program include healthy cooking classes, tennis lessons, and BMI measurements to monitor their progress. Tennis lessons are provided weekly by Posh Rock Tennis, while our registered dietitians provide nutrition education. The K.Y.D.S. program utilizes the USDA’s evidence-based Team Nutrition curriculum which has activities for elementary, middle, and high school students. The program encourages youth to eat more fruits and vegetables, increase water consumption, and maintain a healthy weight. Lessons focus on identifying healthy foods, making healthy snacks, healthy vs. fast food, portion control, and drinking healthy beverages.

Based on prior classes, an average of 82% of youth completing the K.Y.D.S. program show improved knowledge in nutrition and healthy eating habits based on pre-and post-tests and surveys. In addition, approximately 60% of youth who fall under the “Obese” or “Over-Weight” guidelines, reduce their BMI by the end of the program.

The availability of the program is dependent on grant funding.

Children participating in a cooking class, wearing aprons and gloves, gathered around a table with baking trays and cooking supplies in a kitchen or classroom setting with large windows and wooden shelves.

K.Y.D.S. Summer Camp!

Summer K.Y.D.S. is a fun and interactive program hosted yearly that educates youth about proper nutrition from registered dietitians. Campers will participate daily in healthy cooking classes to prepare lunch, healthy snacks, activities, and more!

Program Activites:

  • Cooking Classes: Campers will have the opportunity to prepare delicious and nutritious meals under the guidance of our experienced chefs. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided!

  • Nutrition Education: Certified nutritionists ensure that our camp curriculum is designed to make learning about healthy eating fun and accessible for all participants.

  • Outdoor Fun: We believe in the importance of staying active. Campers will be supervised at Lake Lorna Doone Park where they have access to a playground, splash pads, and a mini golf course.

Group of children indoors holding certificates, with a glass door and plants behind them.
Person wearing gloves creating tie-dye fabric with bottles of colorful dye and a white container of water on a table.
Multiple children and adults planting small green plants in pots on a table, some are transferring soil into pots, and others are handling the plants.

Interested in having K.Y.D.S. at your location? Contact Us.

A group of young girls wearing aprons and caps cooking chicken on a grill inside a kitchen at a restaurant.
People serving and preparing various dishes in a kitchen or dining area, including salads, cooked chicken, and rice.