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Health notes

July 16, 2008

Six local college students are taking messages about smoking prevention, healthy eating, physical activity and sun safety to hundreds of children at day-care centers and summer day camps, through the peer educator program sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's Learn to Live program.

Nusinyo Kakrada of Annapolis, a freshman at Towson University, and Stephanie Norton of Linthicum, a sophomore at Towson University, will teach campers about the dangers of tobacco with the Smoking Stinks program. Children at 37 day camps will play a trivia game and win prizes such as pencils and stickers.

Skylar Klamp of Queenstown and Laura Rogalski of Annapolis, both sophomores at the University of Maryland, College Park, will conduct a new project to help kids make positive choices. Every week they will be visiting 250 kids at six day camps to get counselors and campers moving and show how healthy foods and drinks provide energy. The sessions will conclude with a trip to a farmers' market or farm to learn about local produce.

The third team will teach children at 37 child-care centers how to be sun-safe. Nicole White of Severna Park, a sophomore at James Madison University, and Joy Wentz of Annapolis, a sophomore at Oral Roberts University, will tell children why it's important to use sunscreen and cover up during outdoor play. Children will learn a dance and meet Alex the Alligator, the program's sun safety mascot.

For more information on services offered by Learn to Live, visit www.aahealth.org and www.smokingstinks-aaco.org, or call 410-222-7979.

Baltimore Washington Medical Center is offering these activities, all in the first-floor conference room, Tate Center, 305 Hospital Drive, unless otherwise stated:

• Today, 4 p.m., Joint School, educational session on preparation, recover and benefits of keen and knee replacement surgery. Reservations. 410-553-8282.

• Today, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., education and support group meets to discuss common experiences and problems related to being a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient. 410-787-4367.

• Today, 4 p.m., Joint School meets for free discussion on preparation, recovery and benefit from hip and knee replacement surgery. Reservations. 410-553-8282.

• Today, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Joslin Circle, a diabetes support group, meets to discuss current issues regarding diabetes, Suite 223, Joslin Center, 300 Hospital Drive. 410-787-4940.

• July 23, 6 p.m., University of Maryland Center for Weight Management and Wellness will offer free weight-loss seminar. Registration. 410-328-8940.

Information: 410-787-4367.

Baltimore Washington Medical Center will offer these activities at its Outreach Center, Arundel Mills mall, between Dave and Buster's and Entrance 4:

• Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., computerized neck and back screenings.

• Monday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., county Department of Aging representative will offer information on services and answer questions.

• July 24, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., free foot screenings

Information: 410-787-4367.

For the 20th consecutive summer, Baltimore Washington Medical Center is sponsoring "Camp Airways" to give children with asthma the opportunity to attend summer camp.

This year's camp for children ages 6 to 12 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4-8 at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.

Campers will participate in a range of activities including asthma and nutrition education, arts and crafts, swimming and other outdoor activities.

The medical center also seeks junior counselors ages 15 and up. Responsibilities include serving as a mentor or "camp buddy" for two assigned campers and assisting campers with daily activities.

The cost of the camp is $70. Registration is required. For more information or for an application, visit www.bwmc.umms.org or call 410-787-4367.

Related topic galleries: Diseases, College Park, Obesity, Academic Progress, Severna Park, Teaching and Learning, Linthicum

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