4-H Teen Fit Camp Returns for a Second Year at Sunchaser Fitness!

For the second summer, Wakulla 4-H partnered with Sunchaser Fitness, the UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program, the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth, and the Florida Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University to offer a pre-teen and teen-focused camp. The program, Wakulla 4-H Teen Fit Camp, is offered for two weeks this summer, one week in June and one week in July. The camp program is held onsite at Sunchaser Fitness and focuses on fitness and wellness for middle school aged youth. Youth have the option to participate in one or both weeks.

Sunchaser Fitness Instructors Emphasize Safety

Sunchaser Fitness Coaches Rochelle Thayer and Brian Jones offer fast-paced physical fitness activities with an emphasis on safety and proper form. Youth are encouraged to measure their personal progress

Youth show off muscles in a gym. — Youth enjoyed fun activities while learning how to exercise safely.

against themselves. Youth participate in activities and games to help build their confidence, stamina, and strength throughout the camp weeks.

The Florida Center for Prevention Helps Youth Set Goals

Karen Zak serves as the Prevention Program Coordinator for the Florida Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University. This is her second year serving as a Teen Fit Camp instructor. Her instructional work is part of the Drug Free Communities Wakulla Support grant funding in partnership with the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth. Zak’s programming segments includes interactive games and experiential learning activities designed to help youth develop essential life skills needed to make choices that support health and wellness goals. Areas of focus include developing media literacy skills, how to understand peer influence, and how to navigate complex social relationships. Additional skills and developmental topics are incorporated into Zak’s lessons to build on the core social skill set to help broaden the youth’s sense of self-efficacy as well as build confidence. Lessons are tailored to the intellectual, cognitive, and social development of the participating youth.

Zak commented on her experience after teaching the first of two camp weeks that will be offered this summer, “Teaching Too Good for Drugs at Teen Fit Camp has been a rewarding experience. It’s not just about steering kids away from drugs—it’s about helping them build a strong, healthy mindset. Through fun, interactive lessons, they’re learning how to set goals, make responsible decisions, and handle peer pressure, all of which support their mental and emotional well-being.”

The Family Nutrition Program Helps Youth Make Healthy Choices

During each camp week, Family Nutrition Program (FNP) educator Amy Frazier imparts essential life skills to the campers, teaching the youth about label comparison for healthier choices and leading discussions on the nutritional benefits of various fruits and vegetables. The FNP lessons emphasize moderation, particularly in choosing sugary drinks and snacks, as a core educational objective. The FNP segments of camp include engaging games and activities that facilitate conversations on portion control, the occasional treat approach, and strategies for balancing indulgences with healthier options. Each lesson included hands-on activities, such as preparing nutritious fruit smoothies as alternatives to milkshakes. Key takeaways for the students during the camp weeks include prioritizing water over sugary beverages and striving for predominantly whole foods in their diets to sustain energy and concentration throughout the day.

2025 marked Family Nutrition Program Amy Frazier second year teaching at the 4-H Teen Camp. Frazier commented on what one camper shared with her, “During a recent UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program lesson at Teen Fit Camp, I spoke with a returning camper from last summer who shared how much she enjoyed the healthy yogurt parfait introduced during camp.” Frazier further shared that the youth “said she loved it so much that she added it to her routine and enjoyed it many times throughout the school year as a healthy snack. Now back at camp, she was excited to see the new “Summer Breeze” smoothie on the menu and said she plans to enjoy that as an after-school snack during the upcoming school year too. This camp gives kids the opportunity to build on what they’ve learned about healthy eating and exercise, helping them carry those habits into the school year and beyond.”