Indian Health Care Resource Center - Indian Youth Program

IHCRC's Indian Youth Program for Healthy Living

In 2011, for the 10th consecutive year, the Health Education and Wellness Department of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) hosted the popular camp program. The camps emphasize the role of healthy lifestyle choices to maintain an active lifestyle, nutritious diets and healthy weight.

Nine weeks of summer camp programs were offered to over 300 Native children and youth. Indian Health Care Resource Center uses a combination of federal grants, state contracts and philanthropic support to support our Indian Youth Program for Healthy Living. With this funding, IHCRC's Health Education and Wellness Department to promote the delivery of preventive health, physical activity and youth development services to Tulsa area American Indian children and youth. The youth services are provided in a culturally appropriate manner that supports the functioning of an authentic, interdependent urban Indian community of healthy children, youth and families.

Participants enjoyed the Tulsa Public Schools HelmZar Challenge Course. This experiential adventure program gave the Indian youth an opportunity to participate in a series of activities involving mental, physical and emotional risk in a safe environment. The course consists of a series of ropes, cables, steel and logs that combine in such a way to simulate challenges that might be encountered a natural setting. Other activities focused on nutrition and fitness, diabetes awareness and prevention, cultural awareness, making healthy choices and problem-solving skills. A healthy breakfast and lunch was served. This camp was held at the Tulsa Public Schools HelmZar Challenge Course at 1006 N. Quaker. In our Wellness Adventures Camp, kids in grades 3-8 had a one-day field trip to Camp Okiwanee for kayaking, hiking and other adventures. This provided some exciting new opportunities for the campers.

Sports, Healthy Trails and Basketball Camp used experiential learning concepts (learning by doing) to promote healthy change in children's diet and physical activity behaviors. When these behaviors are instilled when the children are still young, the likelihood of the behaviors becoming a part of their adult lives increases.

Basketball Camp was for boys and girls who have completed grades 3 - 6. Emphasis was on fundamentals, shooting skills and basics of offense and defense. Friendly tournament competition engages youth to highlight the week.

Healthy Trails Camp featured CATCH curriculum fitness and nutrition lessons, experiential learning activities, vegetable gardening activities and traditional Indian games.

Sports and Recreation Camps provided youth with fundamental skills for 8 -10 sports. Sports included basketball, softball/baseball, football, soccer, and more. Emphasis was on skill development.

2010 Summer Camp photos are now available for viewing!

camps@ihcrc.org

IHCRC welcomes Tim Shadlow IHCRC Youth Program Coordinator

Ha-We is my traditional way of welcoming others or saying hello in my native Osage language. My name is Tim Shadlow and I became the new IHCRC Youth Program Coordinator in summer of 2009.

I am extremely excited about serving as the Youth Program Coordinator at IHCRC. As a Native person myself, use my knowledge of Indian culture and integrate it into our youth programs with a specific focus on wellness and educational achievement.

I also serve as the coordinator of the Native Nations Youth Council (NNYC), sponsored by IHCRC. NNYC offers a great opportunity for Native youth to get involved with other Native people, build strong and lasting friendships, contribute to Native America and make a difference in our community." Read about it in the Fall Healthy Spirit issue.

To spark interest and promote youth enrollment in the Native Nations Youth Council, fun and informative activities are offered. For more information, contact me Tim Shadlow, IHCRC Youth Coordinator, at 382-2217 email: tshadlow@ihcrc.org.

REACH for Fitness

REACH for Fitness is a physical activity program for Native American children and families. REACH is designed to reduce the risk for diabetes and heart disease in the Native American population through physical activity programs and education about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Children are involved in physical activity programs and fitness assessments to monitor their progress during school and after-school programs. Most REACH programs are offered to participants at no cost.

For the past four years, IHCRC's REACH program has maintained a unique relationship with Tulsa elementary schools to integrate health, fitness and nutrition concepts into the curriculum and school day. In 2003, IHCRC's REACH program was recognized as a special "Partners in Education" program by the Tulsa Metro Chamber. REACH is designed to reduce the risk for diabetes and heart disease in the Native American population, by encouraging increased physical activity and improved nutrition in Indian children and youth. The REACH program is funded in part with a grant from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Kids, parents, and other family members can participate in REACH simply by signing the consent forms, and keeping an activity log. Patients of IHCRC can utilize the services of the Dietitian and Exercise Specialist to assist with healthy lifestyle changes.

Please call Jennie Howard at (918) 382-2212 for more information.

The Oklahoma Native American REACH initiative will support local efforts to address and overcome the unique causes of health disparities among the American Indian population in the Southern Plains Area of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. The funding will be used to address cardiovascular disease and diabetes through training and policy changes focusing on reducing risk behaviors related to physical activity, nutrition, breastfeeding, and tobacco cessation. Read the complete story in the Dec-Jan. issue of the IHCRC Healthy Spirit Dec.- Jan. 2007 newsletter page 15.

The Wellness Camp used the CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) curriculum to promote physical activity, healthy food choices and prevent tobacco use in elementary school-aged children.

By teaching children that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be FUN, the CATCH Program has proved that establishing healthy habits in childhood can promote behavior change that carry into adulthood.

The CATCH physical activity programs taught children a variety of motor skills and movement concepts, such as throwing, catching, kicking, striking with racquets, dodging, transferring weight, balancing and rhythm skills. We use the CATCH curriculum to help Indian children learn about becoming physically fit for the rest of their lives.

For on next summer's camps call the IHCRC camp staff at 918-588-1900 ext. 2279 or 918-382-1220 or email

camps@ihcrc.org