UNE Students, Faculty, Promote Health & Wellness on North Haven Island
Sixty University of New England students and several faculty and staff members traveled to North Haven Island November 20 to host a free, day-long, interactive educational fair promoting health and wellness.
Led by Alanna Martin in UNE's Department of Exercise and Sport Performance, the full-day event on North Haven Island was targeted at elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as the general community. Professionals in UNE's Health and Wellness Education/BodyWise/Outdoor Recreation, together with about 60 students in the Department of Exercise Science, addressed a wide range of topics, such as sun protection, water safety, understanding nutrition labels, blood pressure testing, and fitness. About 25 booths and activities were available throughout the day.
UNE students conduct community outreach activities as part of their required class, "Health Promotion and Wellness." For the past few years, these fairs were conducted locally in southern Maine. After last year's hugely successful health fair in the Biddeford school district, the department was contacted to create a health fair on North Haven Island.
The fair for students took place at North Haven Community School in the morning, while afternoon and evening activities for members of the community took place at Waterman's Community Center.