A new track at Nampa’s Endeavor Elementary School gives children the opportunity to participate in running and walking programs and to begin a lifelong habit of healthy activity. The track is funded by the High Five Children’s Health Collaborative and St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in partnership with the Nampa School District and Healthy Nampa.

Hundreds of kids helped welcome the new track during a special community celebration on Friday, Sept. 11.

About 600 students are enrolled at Endeavor Elementary School, located at 2824 E. Victory Road in Nampa. Endeavor is among 11 Title I schools in Nampa; 100 percent of the students at the schools receive free or reduced price breakfast and lunch.

The new track helps support fitness-based activities at the school.

“Childhood obesity has more than tripled over the past 30 years,” said Kirstin Armstrong St. Luke’s community health manager. “St. Luke’s is pleased to support a neighborhood asset that will improve the health of children and adults of all ages.”

 

The collaboration between High Five, St. Luke’s and the Nampa School District includes an elementary school walking track pilot project aimed at promoting healthy styles and reducing obesity rates in children. The three-year project includes:

• New striped walking tracks at Endeavor and Central schools
• Upgrade tracks at Greenhurst and Franklin Roosevelt elementary schools
• Paint stripes on existing tracks at Sherman, Owyhee and Willow Creek elementary schools
• Maintenance agreement at Central, Endeavor, Greenhurst and Franklin Roosevelt Schools
• Program materials and students incentives at four schools
• Membership in the EZMileageClub for all district elementary schools

 

In addition Endeavor students, the track’s recent dedication was celebrated by parents, neighbors, Nampa firefighters and community leaders.

“I want to thank Nampa for caring about our children,” Armstrong said during the event. “Children are our future.”