Good healthy habits such as diet and physical activity that are formed at a young age are likely to impact and improve a person’s well-being. According to the CDC, only 21.6% of 6 to 19-year-olds in the US get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity on at least 5 days per week. In order to help children become more active and aware of healthy choices, Boone County Extension Services EFNEP (Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program) assistant conducted a youth program during the summer session at Florence Elementary School.

The program assistant collaborated with the school coordinator to provide 6 hours of learning time with 59 students ranging from Kindergarten to 5^th grade. Using the LEAP (Literacy, Eating, and Activity for Primary or Preschool) curriculum, the students enjoyed hearing different stories about physical activity and good nutrition as well as put it into practice in the gymnasium. According to beginning and ending data of the National EFNEP and Extension reporting system, at the end of the program, 50% of participants in grades 3-5 improved their amount of physical activities and 51% of Kindergartners through 2^nd graders improved their ability to identify healthy snacks. Looking at the whole group, 83% improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gain knowledge. These good habits of diet and physical activity will help youth become healthier adults in the future.