Body Walk

The Louisiana Body Walk is…

One part of the Smart Bodies program is designed to involve kindergarten through fifth grade students in learning the skills and choices for a healthy lifestyle. Children learn about the importance of good nutrition choices and being physically active through interactive activities.

Body Walk consists of…

• A 35-foot by 45-foot enclosed walk-through exhibit representing the human body
• Classroom activities for use before and after the students’ walk through the exhibit
• A take-home activity book for students to read with their families
• A list of additional nutrition education resources
• Information to help publicize the event and communicate with the media

The Body Walk experience…

The Body Walk consists of these 10 stations:

1 Brain
2 Mouth
3 Stomach
4 Small Intestine
5 Heart
6 Lungs
7 Bones
8 Muscles
9 Skin
10 Pathway for Life

At each of the Body Walk stations, a volunteer presenter engages the students in a five-minute activity focused on healthy choices. Students have the opportunity to meet the OrganWise Guys and become familiar with their nutrition message, “Be Smart From the Inside Out.”

As a result of Body Walk…

• Children will learn about healthy behaviors and practice new skills.
• Children will learn about the digestive system.
• Children will learn the importance of physical activity for overall good health.
• Children’s eating and health behaviors will improve.
• Awareness will increase among parents, school personnel and the
community.

Body Walk exhibit details...

• A group of 8-10 students can start through the exhibit every five
minutes.
• It takes each group approximately one hour to experience the Body
Walk exhibit.
• A minimum of 300 students and a maximum of 550 students can
participate in Body Walk on a school day.
• Indoor space required: 40 feet by 50 feet.
• Body Walk can go from school to school or be set up in a convenient location where several schools can participate.

Volunteers Needed for Body Walk Experience:

• 6-8 volunteers (parents, other adults or high school students) are needed to set up and take down the exhibit. No children should be present.
• 12-24 presenters are needed to engage the children in the activities provided at each of the 10 Body Walk stations (12 for all day or 24 for 2 shifts).
• The more enthusiastic the presenter, the more the children will enjoy and remember.
• Parents, 4-H Jr. Leaders, 4-H volunteers, community members, college students, PTA volunteers, Louisiana Volunteers (community education leaders), Council on Aging volunteers or others are great for these important roles.