For the past six years, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) hosted the YMCA Camp High Hopes summer camp. This year, the 1st through 6th graders participated in character development activities, literacy instruction, sports and swimming lessons. Recently, the more than 800 campers also had an opportunity to learn about health, nutrition and received free health screenings in the Martin Luther King Jr. Building.

Linda Barrett, manager of WakeMed’s Corporate and Community Health, expressed how excited she was to partner with SAU to host the annual Healthy Communities Day. “This is a great opportunity for our kids to learn about good eating and healthy habits,” said Barrett. “Our hope is that the students will go home and share the information they have learned with their parents and other family members. Also, it is exciting to have our community partners here to provide eye and blood pressure screenings and information on eating healthy.”

Camper Kendra Judge, a student at Holly Springs High School, stated she felt the health fair was good. “We are learning more about what we should eat,” said Judge. “I think it is good for the young kids to understand what healthy eating is because some may not know. This fair is very helpful.”

SAU cafeteria staff collaborated with the YMCA to provide the campers with a nutritious breakfast and lunch throughout the summer. The camp is scheduled to end August 2.