DALLAS – Heart of a Warrior Charitable Foundation (HOAW) and Equinox, the high performance fitness and lifestyle leader, team up again to promote healthy living with Fun Fit Day 2014 on Friday, July 11 from 9 a.m. – Noon. Trainers from Equinox Preston Hollow and Highland Park will join students of the Young Warrior Summer Learning Program (YWSL) at the St. Philip’s School and Community Center at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Dallas for a day of exercise and fun.
With activities ranging from basketball drills and obstacle courses, to team games including tug of war, students in grades K-7th will have fun while learning about healthy eating habits and the importance of daily exercise. Following small group training sessions with
Equinox’s expert trainers, students will enjoy a healthy lunch provided by the Heloise-Munson Foundation.
“The Young Warrior Summer Learning Program strives to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and in life,” said Gail Warrior, founder and chairwoman, Heart of a Warrior Charitable Foundation. “Healthy living and understanding the importance of a balanced diet is paramount to the overall well-being of our students. We are pleased to be partnering with Equinox for a second year and look forward to the years to come.”
Continuing its partnership with HOAW throughout the summer, Equinox is hosting a Backpack Drive May 17 through July 25. The Preston Hollow location is accepting new backpacks from members and non-members. Donors are asked to bring the backpacks to the Kids Club. As a thank you for the generous donation, donors will receive a complimentary day pass and Kids Club pass for each backpack donated. The backpacks will be presented by Equinox trainers to the YWSL students during the August 1 graduation ceremony.
With former Dallas Cowboy Herschel Walker as the keynote speaker, the graduation ceremony at University of Dallas will give students and their families the opportunity to celebrate the educational successes of the summer program. YWSL’s STEM-based curriculum, which has been named “High Quality Summer Programming” by the Dallas Afterschool Network, places a heavy focus on math, science, engineering and technology, with a secondary objective concerning nutrition, leadership and civic engagement, and social-emotional learning. YWSL strives to provide a safe environment of learning for students in underrepresented communities and help close the gap that a break from school leaves.
During the summer, 300 students in grades K-7th meet Monday through Friday at the four YWSL Dallas locations:
- Choices Leadership Academy, a Multicultural College Preparatory Middle School serving North Dallas area youth
- Hamilton Park Community Youth in Northeast Dallas in partnership with Hamilton Park United Methodist Church and City of Dallas Park and Recreation
- Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center at the Baylor Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute, serving youth in and around the Frazier Courts community in East Dallas
– Saint Philip’s School and Community Center assisting South Dallas area youth
