FCH Committee announces results of Walk Across Texas program

• Courtesy Photos By Bosque County Agrilife Extension Office Teams of kids and adults recently completed the Walk Across Texas program spearheaded by the Bosque County Agrlife Extension Family and Community Health Committee partnered with the EpiCenter in Meridian and Bosque County employees.

The Bosque County AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health (FCH) Committee and the EpiCenter in Meridian teamed up to participate in the Walk Across Texas Youth program.

The youth program is a four-week, team-based walking program to increase awareness of and encouragement of regular physical activity.

This program included three teams of 35 participants. They received pedometers, fitness tips, and attended a Fruit Facts workshop. They identified fruits, nutrients, and used measuring skills to make fruit parfaits.

All members committed to increasing movement and improved health for the two days a week they attend the after-school program. They logged 91 miles as a group.

Prizes were awarded to top individuals and participation awards were donated by Jennifer Lumpkins, EpiCenter Director, and Terry Taylor CEA-FCH.

Team members enjoyed walking, running, playing basketball, and just being outside.

“Thank you to the team captains and participants for encouraging a healthy lifestyle,” Terry Taylor, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Bosque County Extension Agent – FCH, said.

Adult teams

The FCH Committee and the Bosque County employees also teamed up to participate in the Walk Across Texas program.

The program is an eight-week, team-based walking program to increase awareness of and encouragement of regular physical activity.

This program included four teams of 32 participants. They received Be Well newsletters with healthy recipes and fitness tips, and attended a Fruit Facts workshop.

In first place, the Walk It Like You Talk It team logged 1,908 miles and received Stanley drink tumblers.

The first place individual Danielle Spooner logged 506 miles and received a Yeti cooler.

The prizes were donated by ANCO Insurance which is the Bosque County employee provider.

All members committed to increasing movement and improved health for the total mileage of 7401 miles or almost nine trips across Texas.

Other teams included Walking on Sunshine, All Law No Order, and Office Ninjas.

Dianne Bernhardt received second place individual with 413 miles. Other incentives were donated by FCH members and the Better Living for Texas Program.

Team members commented, “It got me moving and it was fun.”, and “We spent more time outside than being on our electronic devices.”

About FCH

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Family and Community Health (FCH) unit helps Texans better their lives through science-based educational programs designed to improve the overall health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.

Programs are developed by subject matter experts and delivered throughout the state by a network of local educators and volunteers. FCH focuses on topics such as child and adult health, nutrition, child care, financial management, passenger and community safety, and building strong families. The goal of the FCH unit is to encourage lifelong health and wellbeing for every person, every family, and every community.

For more information on the program, visit the website Howdyhealth. tamu.edu/programs/ walk-across-texas/ or the Bosque County Extension Office (254) 435-2331.