Local elementary students are hitting the streets of Detroit Lakes, "actively" searching for a place to stay healthy.
The physical education departments of both Rossman and Roosevelt received a grant for $5,000 from SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program), a state-run program designed to help fight childhood obesity.
Roosevelt Physical Education Teacher Kris Nelson said the school and the city formed committees a couple of years ago to address this issue, and applying for the grant was one action taken.
Schools receiving the grant include Detroit Lakes, Perham, Breckenridge and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton.
Nelson said they will use the money to bring each grade on a field trip to a place within the community where they can be physically active.
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"Our plan is to show these kids where they can go to exercise or be active, so that maybe they will then urge their parents to take them there on a regular basis."
Kindergarteners are taking a trip over to the gymnastics facility; first graders will go to the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center; second graders are going bowling; third graders are going skating at the ice arena; fourth grade girls will try out the gymnastics facility, while the boys visit the wrestling facility; and fifth graders will spend the entire day at MapleLag sledding and skating.
"At school we try to give them nutritious food and snacks, and most grades have phy-ed every day. This is our way of trying to help them form healthy habits outside of school," Nelson said.
Even though this is a one-time grant, the schools hope to continue these fieldtrips in the following years through service projects or donations.
