Healthy Life and a Healthy Mind

In college I had several opportunities of being involved throughout the campus with many organizations. While pursuing my degree in business I worked with a great group that is centered around community service named Enactus. One of the things I loved about volunteering with them was the ability to still understand the business side of a non profit while we were volunteering and helping others. Our number one project my senior year was the healthy initiative with the Boys & Girls Club of Columbia County. We had a specific age group of students that were divided into 3 groups every week. Those groups would rotate to three different stations. Two stations would be activities for them to learn how to be active each day for at least 60 minutes. The last rotation would be a training session about the correct snacks and foods to choose that are healthy and fun for their age. Each child that participated in our activity was given a Sqore bracelet. This bracelet is similar to a fit bit. It tracked how much each day they were active. At the end of our semester the top three students who moved the most were awarded a prize. We gave three wonderful students trampolines and a basketball goal. 

oved every thing we did. Not only were we able to help the kids use what they were taught in that hour and a half but they could take this home and use this information with their families. It taught them about a daily healthy life style. I enjoyed every aspect of this project because I not only got to educated children on a healthy lifestyle; I also taught them about positive ways to have healthy relationships, minds, and being bully free. My platform helps me continue my support with the Boys & Girls Clubs and share what it stands for. Did you know that the Boys & Girls clubs across America not only provide a safe place for the children to go to after school and Summers, but these students have the opportunity to learn while they are there. They have tutoring available for the students along with arts and crafts, sports and fun and games. I recently was introduced to the campaign, "Victory over Violence" in Central Arkansas. To choose Victory over Violence every day, which the Boys & Girls Clubs supports. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas during their telethon hosted by KARK and FOX 16. It was an all day event where I was introduced to former members of the club and listened to how it changed their lives. All of the funds raised that day went to the Central Arkansas Boys & Girls club. The funds help them provide resources for the children to learn and half fun, but also provide field trips for them during the summer.  

 love getting the chance to visit as many Boys & Girls Clubs across the country because each has their own uniqueness. The Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club of St. Louis, Missouri has over 300 members enrolled in just summer camp. It was so amazing to see what this facility had to offer for the children. From a swimming pool to a rock climbing wall, they have it all. Most importantly they help the boys and girls to grow into amazing people. The Boys & Girls clubs are one of my favorite ways to educate young children on being bully free.  

"Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Bully Free Starts With Me Miss Arkansas International 2017, Haley Bird