4-H Munchy Adventures Project Book

The 4-11 Munchy Adventures project book is a healthy lifestyles curriculum for youth ages eight to ten. It teaches youth how to balance healthful eating with regular physical activity to support normal growth and development, prevent disease, and encourage a lifetime of wellness. Youth journey through fun and engaging activities promoting consumption of healthy snacks and participation in physical activity as part of an appropriate healthy lifestyle plan. The curriculum follows the experiential learning model and contains five eye-appealing chapters plus a creative pre/post test crossword puzzle. Chapters provide a logical flow of information supported by thought provoking and reflective written activities. Chef Nicky, the fruit and vegetable loving guinea pig mascot, guides youth through activities designed to be done individually as well as with family, club and community members. Activities can be easily adapted for use by all cultures and ethnic audiences. The Take Charge section focuses on goal setting and community involvement, encouraging youth to identify local needs to help others make healthy lifestyle changes. The final chapter, set up as a board game, is an additional tool reinforcing healthy lifestyle behaviors. It combines the concepts learned throughout the curriculum for the ultimate learning experience. The curriculum has been pilot tested and internally and externally reviewed by Extension curriculum specialists and agents. The 4-11 Munchy Adventures Project book will be available from the University of Florida/IFAS bookstore in early 2009.