Fit and Fun day teaches importance of exercise
By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Gentile Hall on the campus of the University of Maine Presque Isle was hopping Saturday with youngsters grade 1-5 for the 15th Fit and Fun Day — a day to learn the importance of exercise from physical education majors at the university.
According to student organizers, the children worked their minds and bodies with a variety of activities including cup stacking, parachute play and more traditional activities such as basketball and soccer.
“The state of Maine is the ninth most obese state in the U.S. so teaching kids fitness and proper nutrition can really go a long ways in a healthier life and that is the point of physical education,” said student organizer Jeremy Tarr of Ashland.
FIT AND FUN — Graham Berry 
of Ashland takes part in a cup stacking activity during Fit and Fun Day at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Saturday. Physical education major Lainey Herring of Houlton took part in addition to teaching the youngsters about the benefits of exercise.
Now in his junior year, Tarr has been a part of Fit and Fun Day several times. He said the kids really seem to enjoy it and the students get a chance to put what they have learned to use.
“The professors here are some of the best in New England for physical education and it’s good to put the games and activities they have taught us to use,” he said.
Dr. Christine Standefer, professor of physical education, agreed that both elementary and college students benefit from the event.
“The children learn that physical activity isn’t just about exercise; it can be fun as well,” she said. “It is also a great opportunity for our students to work with kids. The more they get to work directly with children, the better their teaching skills become.”
“It gives us the opportunity to work with some younger kids and get them moving,” said Joshua Williams, a senior physical education major from Mapledale, N.B. “This is what we are going to do, so this experience really helps us out and prepares us for when we graduate and go into the teaching field.”
Williams said out of all the activities they provided for the kids there didn’t seem to be a favorite.
“The kids liked them all,” he said. “And if they are having fun, we are having fun.”
Fit and Fun Day is held twice a year, once in the fall semester and again in the spring term.
Parents were encouraged to bring their kids to this free event. They even had use of the walking track so they could keep an eye on their children and get in a little physical activity themselves.
