Munch, Mingle and Move 2018
Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County held their 13th annual Munch, Mingle, and Move Event on May 24, 2018 at the Jumonville Retreat Center in Hopwood, Pennsylvania. The event was based on educating families on good health/nutrition habits. The theme of the 13th annual event was “The Hungry Caterpillar Eats in the Garden.” This year 565 adults and children attended the Munch, Mingle, and Move event.
The day started with families arriving at 10:00 am either by Head Start buses or by transporting themselves to the Jumonville Retreat Center. The families were welcome by our staff where they signed in, filled out a pre-survey and received a bag with a welcome letter, along with a map of Jumonville. The families then were able to explore the activities, community agencies and dance with the DJ. There were 23 community agencies and 13 different activities for the families to explore.
Some of the activities included making a caterpillar, caterpillar crawl, making butterfly wings, planting a flower, exploring in the dirt, face painting, and a caterpillar photo booth. Families were able to make caterpillar logs out of celery, tomatoes and olives and then eat their creation. Parents and children were provided healthy snacks of salad and yogurt dip. A bagged lunch was provided from 11:00 to 1:00 which included a ham or turkey croissant, piece of fruit, gold fish crackers and water. In addition, water stations were available around the event area throughout the day. During lunch the families were able to enjoy our own Mr. Walter, the bus driver, and his partner in the “Wacky Wally and Flip Music Show”. Mr. Walter played a number of songs from his children’s music CD/book titled Color Blind while the children engaged in IMIL activities.
The event was over at 2:00 pm. When families were done at the event they filled out a post survey and receive a book to take home for their child. Pre- and Post- survey responses below showed positive results:
HOW MUCH OF YOUR PLATE SHOULD BE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES? ONE HALF
- Pre Survey: WRONG – 53% RIGHT – 47%
- Post Survey: WRONG – 15% RIGHT – 85%
WHICH FOOD GIVES YOU ENERGY? GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
- Pre-Survey: WRONG – 11% RIGHT – 89%
- Post Survey: WRONG – 3% RIGHT –97%
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A GROSS MOTOR ACTIVITY? CRAWLING
- Pre-Survey: WRONG – 51% RIGHT – 49%
- Post-Survey: WRONG – 11% RIGHT – 89%
Ninety-seven percent of the families said they would attend another event and would refer another family to attend. In addition, some of the activities families noted as enjoying most were making butterfly wings, singing, planting flowers and crawling through the tunnels. Some suggestions made by families were to have more activities for EHS children and more water activities. Last, some comments by families were “it was a super fantastic day”, “staff were friendly and helpful”, and “awesome healthy event and vendors to visit as well”.
