Miami-Dade Parks put fun in fitness for Miami-Dade youth programs

After-school programs 'Fit2Play,' 'Fit2Lead' will begin in August

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department invites parents to enroll their children in the "Fit2Play" and "Fit2Lead" after-school programs.

The "Fit2Play: Health, Wellness and Obesity Prevention" after-school program is designed with activities focused on fitness, nutrition, science, the cultural arts and the development of nature appreciation to help children discover the fun in fitness and develop healthy habits for a lifetime.

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The Fit2Play after-school program will be held Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. from Aug. 22  through June 9, 2017 for ages 6 through 14.

The program fees range from $25-$35 per week.

Registration begins Aug. 1 and the program will be available in 31 Miami-Dade park locations.

Miami-Dade Parks also introduces the first of its kind -- the new "Fit2Lead Youth Enrichment & Sports (Y.E.S.)" program. Its aim is to empower at-risk youth through sports and recreation with leadership skills toward personal, academic, career and citizenship goals. The program is for ages 12 to 14, and it is presented in collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Services and local universities.

Fit2Lead is offered free of charge during the regular school calendar year from Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 12 county parks.

The program is supported by the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez through a $3 million grant. Fit2Lead also serves as a stepping stone to Miami-Dade Parks' internship programs for teens ages 15 to 17.

"We are proud to provide Miami-Dade families with truly transformative and successful resources for their children. Our Fit2Play program is a national model and a proven tool in fighting childhood obesity and the new Fit2Lead program utilizes proven strategies to help at-risk teens realize their potential and build pathways toward a brighter future," said Miami-Dade Parks' chief of planning and research, Maria Nardi.

Launched in 2005 as a health and wellness solution for children living in Miami-Dade County, Fit2Play is a partnership with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Click here for more information about Miami-Dade Parks' Fit2Play after-school program, including a listing of participating parks.

Click here for more information about Miami-Dade Parks’ Fit2Lead after-school program.


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