Partners After School Students Learn about Healthy Eating

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

Student participants of Partners After School @ Oakland Summer Program were treated to a special field trip during one of their program days recently. The group visited the Wednesday Mountain Fresh Farmers Market in Oakland, armed with $5 to purchase produce and lunch items, which were then prepared for lunch the following day.

“The summer program was a great time for the students to reunite and bond,” said Kris Walker, Program Director. “During the 2-week session, students were provided an opportunity to cook breakfast with staff each morning, visit state parks, go hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and mountain biking. Students also cooked over a campfire, and visited the Discovery Center, the museums in Oakland, and Funland in McHenry. Stephanie’s Sweet Shop on Alder Street hosted the group for lunch during a visit downtown and earned the first Partners After School Kindness in the Community Award.”

Partners After School @ Oakland begins their school-year program on September 26^that Southern Middle School (SMS). The program accepts 3^rd through 5^th grade students from Broad Ford and Yough Glades Elementary Schools as well as 6^th through 8^th grade students from SMS. For more information about any after school program coordinated by the Garrett County Health Department call 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111 and ask for the Health Education and Outreach Department.

Pictured above are some of the Partners After School @ Oakland Summer Program students preparing to eat some of their Mountain Fresh Farmers Market produce. In front, left to right are Alex Dewitt, Andrew Shillingburg, Kaiden Keiper, and Violet Walton. In the back are Linzie Darr, Jakob Powell, and Carson Keiper. Not all participants were available for the photo.