Southern Md. jump-rope project moves kids off the sofa

Jonathan Ferguson, 9, of Prince Frederick said he used to prefer video games to sports.

But on a recent Friday afternoon, he munched an apple and said he might take up jumping rope at home. If that happens, the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau will be on its way to accomplishing its mission.

With a grant from Youth Service America, the bureau has launched a program, the Jump Rope Project: Jump 2 B Fit, that is designed to fight childhood obesity, said Patricia Wheeler, the bureau's director.

According to its Web site, Youth Service America is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve communities by increasing the number of young people, ages 5 to 25, serving in important roles.

The program kicked off this month at the Yardley Hills Community Center in Prince Frederick with snacks, jumping rope, balloon tossing and other fitness-related activities.

Wheeler said the youngsters -- most of whom are part of the School Success Center -- will go door-to-door in the community with adult volunteers and distribute jump-ropes and brochures about fitness and healthy living.

The School Success Center, Wheeler said, is an after-school program in which students receive help with their homework and "exposure to role models and social skills development."

The Jump Rope Project will organize a health and fitness fair next month, a community walk in March and a grand finale celebration in April, she said.

"The main thing is, we're trying to raise awareness about childhood obesity," Wheeler said. "The weakness is that children are just fixed to the TV and video games and not getting out and getting exercise . . . and also not making the right choices of what to eat."

Recreational therapists Joy Weir and Erica Haines of the Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation led the children in activities during the Jan. 15 kickoff. Haines said she thinks childhood obesity stems from "a sedentary lifestyle."

Tianna Robinson, 10, of Prince Frederick said she enjoyed jumping rope long before attending the day's program.

"It's good to let kids exercise," Tianna, adding that she is usually a healthy eater and that she got some good snack ideas that afternoon.

"Like yogurt and a lot of healthy stuff," she said.