The summer program for youth, which started July 30, has engaged the young participants in anything active imaginable, McNevin said — from football to pilates, games to races.
Eight children were at the park Monday, but program leaders said they average 10 to 15 children a day.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Maya Alvarez, 11, who has been with the program since it started. “I like working out and exercising. I like going to the gym, but I don’t go because I’m too young.”
The company has been talking to the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department to plug the West Coast Boot Camp program into existing health-focused programs with the county, McNevin said. They have also been talking with schools in the area to develop after-school programs, he said.
What sets this program apart, McNevin said, is its focus on nutrition education. The participants get health-conscious snacks during breaks — nothing processed or remotely junk-like was on the picnic table Monday.
The company’s nutritionist, Jon Weber, said part of his mission is to dispel misconceptions on healthy eating.
“Today people have the idea that starving themselves and working out really hard is the way to lose body fat,” Weber said. “You need to be giving back what the body needs, replenish what you use up.”
Teaching people how to eat healthily is also an uphill battle in this country’s culture and society, he said — with fast food and unhealthy choices being the quickest and cheapest options.
“You don’t have to eat this way but at least you know the difference,” Weber said.
McNevin said getting younger children to understand the difference is crucial.
“We’re trying to help them understand what healthy choices to make to live a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
ANTHONY KIM covers education. He may be reached at (818) 637-3238 or by e-mail at anthony.h.kim@latimes.com.
