Trailblazing for Tomorrow: Cultivating Healthy Habits through Trails and Outdoor Time

Trailblazing for Tomorrow: Cultivating Healthy Habits through Trails and Outdoor Time

Discovering nature and enjoying the outdoors creates lasting childhood memories while also promoting healthy habits. Join us for an engaging webinar on how South Carolina’s communities can provide fun outdoor experiences for kids and families through the Kids in Parks TRACK Trails initiative.

By offering an expanding network of family-friendly outdoor adventures called TRACK Trails, Kids in Parks works across communities to increase access to adventure. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided materials that turn a normal visit into a fun and exciting outdoor experience. Best of all, kids earn prizes for each adventure tracked at http://kidsinparks.com.

Kids in Parks recently received a grant through the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation to expand the network of TRACK Trails across South Carolina. By attending this webinar, you will learn how to partner with Kids in Parks to create a community-centered plan for the equitable expansion of the program that best meets the needs of the residents of your community.

Healthy Palmetto partners are increasing healthy eating and active living opportunities

Healthy Palmetto partners are increasing healthy eating and active living opportunities

Getting multiple organizations with different missions on the same page isn’t an easy task. It takes a lot of coordination, planning and communication. But, Healthy Palmetto, the coalition responsible for implementing the healthy eating and active living portion of the SC State Health Improvement Plan, seems to be doing the right things. With financial support from Wholespire, they recently released their annual report indicating the progress being made by organizations on the ground across all six priority areas. You can see more detailed data and information by downloading the Health Palmetto Annual Report.

Improve Outdoor Environments for Early Care and Education

Grow Outdoors SC is transforming early childhood outdoor spaces into diverse, naturalized environments that spark play and learning.

Prioritize Physical Activity in Schools

SCDHEC and its partners are improving student health by enhancing physical education and creating more opportunities for physical activity before, during, and after school.

Promote Trail Connectivity

The South Carolina Trails Coalition is increasing trail connectivity in the state and promoting the use of trails through increased knowledge and outreach.

Expand Awareness of WIC

SCDHEC is expanding awareness of the benefits and services of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to increase enrollment of eligible participants.

  • A new online app to make it easier for families to pre-apply for WIC was launched. The app streamlines enrollment and recertification processes for families.

Increase Senior Enrollment in SNAP

The SC Department on Aging and SC Thrive are increasing enrollment of eligible older adults in SNAP through community-based outreach.

  • Over 139,00 SC residents 51 years of age or older who are eligible for SNAP are receiving SNAP benefits.
  • The SNAP for Seniors Toolkit was created and those assisting seniors to apply for SNAP benefits were trained. Updates to the toolkit are currently in process and will be released soon.

Increase Access to Healthy Food

The SC Food Policy Council is strengthening local food systems in South Carolina, addressing food insecurity through the health care system by expanding screening and referral tools and resources and exploring strategies to address community design for physical activity and access to healthy food.

  • Seven (7) local food policy councils received support from USC SNAP-Ed in partnership with the SC Food Policy Council. Multiple organizations in South Carolina received USDA funding to establish produce prescription programs.
  • Multiple organizations in South Carolina received USDA funding to establish produce prescription programs.
  • Active People, Healthy Nation Walkability Action Institute was held in South Carolina in 2023. Five (5) local communities received training and developed action plans to address walkability/moveability through community planning and design.