SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Children in San Antonio are learning about nutrition, exercise and other healthy habits through a free eight-week program that ends with a reward: a bicycle they build themselves.<\/p>\n
Earn-a-Bike serves children ages 7 to 12 and is offered at four locations, through six programs, across San Antonio. Two programs are held at University Health\u2019s Vida location, while two others are hosted at the YMCA Najim on Roosevelt and another two are held at SAISD schools.<\/p>\n
The programs at University Health Vida and at the YMCA are free to the community, while the programs at Irving Dual Language and Mission Academy are exclusive to students who attend those schools.<\/p>\n
The program is one of the community partnerships supported through University Health\u2019s Institute for Public Health.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an incentive-based program to help educate youth between ages 7 and 12 on health and wellness and being active,\u201d Trish Menchaca, Earn-a-Bike\u2019s program manager, said.<\/p>\n
Menchaca said the program is designed to keep children engaged while teaching them about their health and environment.<\/p>\n
Each week, participants attend a lesson focused on topics such as nutrition, mental health, physical health, bike safety, air quality and more. The children also receive healthy snacks and take part in activities connected to the lesson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have experts in their field teaching diabetes prevention, teaching air quality,\u201d Menchaca said. \u201cThere is a lot of need for some type of inclusion of activities for kids after school that is free and available.\u201d<\/p>\n
For parent Jake Lemeron, the program offers his children a chance to learn about healthier choices in a setting that is accessible to families. One of his children has already completed the program, and his 7-year-old is now participating.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want them to learn more about healthy habits,\u201d Lemeron said. \u201cIn this day and age, we do eat a lot of fast food and everything, so they might think that\u2019s the normal, so we want them to understand that there\u2019s other options out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program being completely free is a major factor for families participating.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, having it free, it\u2019s the difference between doing it or not doing it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n