On November 29th, Mountain Heritage students participating in Cougar Fit Club had the opportunity to meet at the Black Mountain Crest trailhead off of Bolen’s Creek and go on a guided hike led by Tal Galton, owner of Snakeroot Ecotours based here in Yancey County. The students hiked around two miles that chilly afternoon and learned about the area’s designation as a rich cove forest community based on its unique soil composition and vegetation.
This “learning as we walk approach” allowed students to enjoy the feeling of limitless open space that can only be felt outdoors while learning about moss, mushroom, and tree types under the guidance of Tal. At the end of the hike, Yancey County Transportation vans picked the students up as they do every Tuesday and Thursday and took each one home.
This Fall, fifteen Mountain Heritage High School students participated in Cougar Fit Club, an afterschool health and fitness program. The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday after school to enjoy a free healthy snack, learn about healthy lifestyle choices, engage in a group workout or sport, and work toward individual fitness and wellness goals. Cougar Fit Club members also receive a free membership to the fitness center and free transportation to and from each session.
Cougar Fit Club strives to introduce participants to a wide variety of physical activities at different locations to demonstrate that there is more than one way to exercise. The students have enjoyed group exercise classes, basketball, volleyball, weight machines, racquetball, walking, tennis, disc golf, wallyball, roller skating, and hiking. These activities take place throughout the county, including the Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center, Ray-Cort Park, Mountain Heritage High School, Riverside Roller Rink, and the Black Mountain Crest trail.
Partners Aligned Toward Health would like to thank our partner organizations that make this program possible for these teens in our community: Mountain Heritage High School, Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center, Yancey County Transportation Authority, Snakeroot Eco Tours, and many other individuals who give their time and expertise to teach and spend time with these students.
