ANTHC community educator partners with Camp Fire, develops a wellness curriculum

November 11, 2016




ANTHC’s programs are constantly collaborating and partnering with local organizations in improving the wellness of Alaskans statewide. Recently, ANTHC Diabetes Program Community Educator and Dietician Luz Smeenk partnered with Camp Fire Alaska’s Rural Program to develop a wellness curriculum for Alaska’s rural youth. Over the last several years, Camp Fire worked to develop a wellness curriculum that is holistic, youth centered, and culturally relevant for Alaska’s rural communities. Through a close partnership, Smeenk and Camp Fire took great strides to deliver activities that engaged youth in a wide range of wellness topics such as growing microgreens, strong lungs, yoga for sleep, stress management, coloring therapy and healthy cooking. Camp Fire’s objective was to engage Alaska’s youth in healthy habits, help them develop resilience, seek happiness while living mindfully, and to equip youth with the tools needed to face challenges. “Wellness is a way of life. It is a choice you make to live in a way that makes you feel good,” said Smeenk. “Wellness doesn’t mean you are free of problems; it means you are committed to taking care of yourself so you can live in the healthiest way possible.” It is collaborations like these that help ANTHC staff advance our vision that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world.

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