WARSAW — Through a grant from K21 Health Foundation, Baker Youth Club recently added equipment to its Exergame Room.

In 2018, Baker Youth Club approached K21 Health Foundation with an idea to get kids to move more by incorporating their love of technology with physical activity. A $50,000 grant was used to establish the K21 Exergame Room which houses interactive games and equipment that encourages and requires kids to be more active, according to a news release from K21.

For example, one piece of equipment purchased was a video gaming system that is hooked to a recumbent bike that kids must pedal in order to keep their controllers functioning.

A recent grant of $14,970 has now helped BYC to add to the offerings in the Exergame Room.

“We have kids from kindergarten through junior high in our program,” said Executive Director Tracy Furnivall. “After the opening of the Exergame Room, our staff began noticing that most of the original equipment was geared towards older kids.

This grant helped add a new activity, Stomp Up, which is a great addition to the game selection, especially for the younger kids, according to Furnivall.

The grant also helped purchase fitness trackers that will be used by the kids while they’re at BYC.

“K21 is thrilled that BYC is focusing on increasing the physical activity of the kids they serve and we want to help them achieve that goal,” said Rich Haddad, K21 President & CEO. “We are particularly excited with the incorporation of fitness trackers in their programming.”

“We believe that once kids see their numbers, and learn what activity can impact them, they will work hard to see them rise,” Haddad said.

K21 Health Foundation exists for the benefit of Kosciusko County residents to ensure health care services are provided, and to advance prevention and healthy living.  For more information about the K21 Health Foundation, call (574) 269-5188 or visit www.k21foundation.org.