Body Walk is a YCCHS program designed to address health trends among youth and engage children in positive healthy behaviors. We know that health education at an early age is important for forming healthy habits that will follow children into adulthood. Body Walk is a biannual field trip for third graders across Yavapai County that is hosted in Prescott and Cottonwood with many rural schools attending the event. In two hours, the students learn about the body, how it works, and healthy habits. Each student receives a bag of health-related items (i.e. toothbrushes, healthy foods, coloring book, etc.) to take home with them to reinforce the messages they learned.
This beloved community event has been running for 25 years. This field trip is free for schools to attend. Approximately 900-1,000 third graders attend each year. That means at least 22,500 third graders in Yavapai County have been to a Body Walk.
Body Walk has not received a significant update since its inception. We’ve learned a lot these past 25 years about how children learn and trauma informed practices and wish to make necessary updates. Coming this 2024-2025 school year it is becoming “Body Expedition” should you decide to sponsor these updates. In doing so, you will be contributing to a long-standing, educational field trip that is more interactive, fun, and informative for third graders.
School gardens have been around for over 100 years, and school districts continue to use them today to establish healthy eating habits; as educational tools in the classroom; and to promote community inclusion. If your school would like assistance starting a garden at your school, teaching garden education, or assistance with your school, we are here to help.
Self-Awareness: Lessons about optimal nutrition teaches children the importance of taking ownership of their own health. Encourage students to think about how they feel physically and mentally depending on the foods they eat. Exploring the mind-body connection leads to students’ greater self-awareness and skills to make better choices to nourish their bodies and help them feel their best.
Social Awareness: Nutrition education serves as an opportunity to teach children about food and its relation to culture and family heritage. Discussing culinary variances across cultures helps expose children to different foods and traditional practices, increasing their understanding and appreciation for diversity.
Community Health Education also offers nutrition education at eligible schools through AZ Health Zone. We use the evidence-based curriculum Food Smarts.
For more information on the curriculum please visit Food Smarts
If you are interested in School Garden Assistance or Nutrition Education, please contact CHE@yavapaiaz.gov
Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions.
Community Health Education strives to make physical activity fun and something we continue to do throughout our lifetime. CHE can assist with Tai Chi classes, bike to school or walk to school programs, bike rodeos, mountain bike clubs, and much more.
CHE assists with the Dr. Daniel Bright School bike club, getting more kids on bikes throughout the Verde Valley. For more information or to become a coach for Verde Valley Wheel Fun – visit their website.
Yavapai County Community Health Services’ Active Living and School Wellness Programs are funded through AZ Health Zone provided by the USDA SNAP Education Grant.
About AZ Health Zone
The AZ Health Zone supports moms and communities across Arizona to make healthy changes in homes and neighborhoods. From local gardens in your community, to working with your kids’ schools to create healthy environments, the AZ Health Zone provides your family opportunities to be active and healthy your way.
For more information visit https://www.azhealthzone.org/
