The St.
Bernards Women’s Advisory Council is making some changes to its back-to-school
program formerly known as Kidz Fun Fair.
This year’s
program is being called Kids on the Mile … Eat, Play, Learn. The name change
reflects the fact that it’s sponsored by a member organization of Matthews
Medical Mile, and it is being held at a site that’s considered a part of the
Matthews Medical Mile. (The Matthews Medical Mile is a mile-long stretch along
Matthews -- which has more than 100 health- and fitness-related business. It
includes clinics and businesses located along Matthews and one block in either
direction of the strip. It’s considered a healthcare “destination.”)
Kids on the
Mile is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 18.
This is the
seventh year for the program which is designed for youngsters in Kindergarten
through Grade 4 and will be a fun morning of activities that will educate
youngsters and their parents about basic health and fitness as well as
entertain.
Theme for
the 2012 event is “Under the Big Top.”
Just as in
the past, the free kids program will help provide basic school supplies for
youngsters in K-4 … but there’s a little different spin. A limited number of
“sling” backpacks will be distributed upon entry to Kids on the Mile. But students
will “earn” supplies by taking part in various activities. The sling bags and
supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The doors
will open at 8 a.m., and free t-shirts will be distributed upon completion of a
special obstacle course as long as supplies last.
A number of
organizations and businesses from Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas are joining
with the Women’s Advisory Council to collect and provide basic school supplies.
A special
feature of the event will be the huge walk-through “MegaBody Adventure” display
provided by physicians of HMG. The unique inflatable is a one-of-a-kind exhibit
that youngsters can walk through. Inside the 40-foot-long structure, they will
see larger-than-life body organs – like the brain, heart, lungs, bones,
kidneys, liver, blood, muscles and intestines. Posters teaching about how the
organs function will help children learn about their own bodies.
Other
favorites will be the Arkansas Game and Fish Mobile Aquarium, a Jonesboro Fire
and Hazardous Materials truck, an ambulance, DARE and SWAT truck, the Bill and
Alice Nix Petting Zoo from Arkansas State University, Spud the Clown and a
kid-friendly snack building station where Cristina Shaw, Ph.D., will talk about
healthy eating.
Among
special booths and activities to be included in Kids on the Mile will be
presented by the Craighead County Farm Bureau, Turner Dairy, the Area Health
Education Center-Northeast, Communications Made Easy, Sylvan Learning, The ASU
Museum, the Forrest L. Wood Nature Center, the Jonesboro School of Art,
Barton’s, Blessed Sacrament School, Jonesboro Fire Department, St. Bernards
Emergency Department, St. Bernards Sports Medicine, St. Bernards Health &
Wellness Institute and many more.
Demonstrations
and activities will be provided by the ASU Baseball team, the ASU Rugby team,
the ASU A Team and more.
At three
times during the morning – at 9, 10 and 11 – Ashley Boyles, supervisor of the
Craighead County Juvenile Department, will pull children together for
interactive story times.
Another
feature will be the presentation of winners in the Kids on the Mile Art Contest
that is a part of the event.
Sponsors
include The Children’s Clinic, Turner Dairy, Arkansas Cancer Coalition, Harry
Hutchison, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, St. Bernards Healthcare Associated
Regional Providers, Stuck Associates, Walmart Parker Road and Sam’s Club.
Ringmaster
for Kids on the Mile will be Trey Stafford of Jonesboro Radio Group.
Kids on the
Mile is a free education program open to youngsters in grades K-4.