Springfield - Last year, Mayor Susan R. Dawson visited the children involved in FitZone, and was so impressed with the athletic performance program that she said “ every city should try to duplicate it ”
Last month, Dawson revisited the program when it came to Fitness First in Agawam and had the same congratulations for the children in their efforts to become physically fit and develop positive lifetime habits in exercise and nutrition.
I recently paid a visit to the FitZone program at Kiley Middle School in Springfield to get a better sense of the program’s goals and just how effectively the program’s creator, Mark Laurenzano, is sowing the seeds of emotional, spiritual, and physical fitness in his students.
I am 21 years old, have played multiple sports since I could walk and work out regularly. But unlike the children in FitZone, I do not know how to properly take my pulse, much less “graph” it. Here at the summer FitZone camp, children as young as the second-grade willing work together to learn lifelong lessons in how to keep themselves healthy.
Laurenzano, also a personal trainer at Fitness First, showed me his program at his primary operating facility at the school where he also teaches physical education and runs after-school fitness programs. Laurenzano said there is really only one reason why his program is gradually gaining attention in the Pioneer Valley.
Last month, Dawson revisited the program when it came to Fitness First in Agawam and had the same congratulations for the children in their efforts to become physically fit and develop positive lifetime habits in exercise and nutrition.
I recently paid a visit to the FitZone program at Kiley Middle School in Springfield to get a better sense of the program’s goals and just how effectively the program’s creator, Mark Laurenzano, is sowing the seeds of emotional, spiritual, and physical fitness in his students.
I am 21 years old, have played multiple sports since I could walk and work out regularly. But unlike the children in FitZone, I do not know how to properly take my pulse, much less “graph” it. Here at the summer FitZone camp, children as young as the second-grade willing work together to learn lifelong lessons in how to keep themselves healthy.
Laurenzano, also a personal trainer at Fitness First, showed me his program at his primary operating facility at the school where he also teaches physical education and runs after-school fitness programs. Laurenzano said there is really only one reason why his program is gradually gaining attention in the Pioneer Valley.
A Local View
By Jacob Foley
Turley Publications intern
Campers excited to learn self-reliance
Mayor Susan R. Dawson recently visited the participants of the FitZone program when it came to Fitness First facility in Agawan.
“ It’s all the kids ” said Laurenzano. “They’re the ones that make the program what it is. I just set the foundation, and they’re the ones that initiate the change in themselves and make the program what it is. And I don’t consider this a job - this is what I do”
As a former summer camp attendee, I spent year after year being prodded into monofonous arts and crafts activities and the same team building exercises that also included heavy adult guidance. At FitZone, Laurenzano urges the campers to design their own groups based on the values of self confidence, nutrition, character development, and leadership - the cornerstones of the program. In this camp, the children not only participate in arts and crafts, math, and summer reading but also keep a health diary of what foods they can eat for dinner and are actually excited about it.
The results of this self-reliance can be seen in the small groups of 7-14 year olds as they graph their own pulse rates as they do push-ups. One observes that there are no staff members guiding the children and staff is only present to make sure the routines are being followed and to answer any questions the participants may have. Savino Serafino said he loves the 20 minute workouts. The 10-year old said he has been attending the program for the full six weeks every summer since he was old enough. “We do crunches and use weights and it’s really fun,” he said, adding that he only regrets that he will be too old to attend again next year.
Often times, staff members find themselves learning from the children. Alyssa Robinson, a 22-year old senior at the American International College and veteran camp counselor, said she is constantly surprised by both the camper’s attitudes towards the program and Laurenzano’s ability to instill a sense of self-significance in them. “This is unlike any other camp I’ve ever been to or worked at, without question,” she said. “Mark has the great ability to motivate the kids and build a strong emotional and physical foundation for themselves. It’s really unlike any other camp in the area.
Staff member Briana Santinello said Laurenzano “constantly reinforces” the message to the students and always gives them second chances.
“He tells them they can do anything. He really believes in them,” he said. Like many others, I too can almost see Mark as a super hero, and not just because he has Batman and Superman tattoos on the inside of each of his arms.
As a former summer camp attendee, I spent year after year being prodded into monofonous arts and crafts activities and the same team building exercises that also included heavy adult guidance. At FitZone, Laurenzano urges the campers to design their own groups based on the values of self confidence, nutrition, character development, and leadership - the cornerstones of the program. In this camp, the children not only participate in arts and crafts, math, and summer reading but also keep a health diary of what foods they can eat for dinner and are actually excited about it.
The results of this self-reliance can be seen in the small groups of 7-14 year olds as they graph their own pulse rates as they do push-ups. One observes that there are no staff members guiding the children and staff is only present to make sure the routines are being followed and to answer any questions the participants may have. Savino Serafino said he loves the 20 minute workouts. The 10-year old said he has been attending the program for the full six weeks every summer since he was old enough. “We do crunches and use weights and it’s really fun,” he said, adding that he only regrets that he will be too old to attend again next year.
Often times, staff members find themselves learning from the children. Alyssa Robinson, a 22-year old senior at the American International College and veteran camp counselor, said she is constantly surprised by both the camper’s attitudes towards the program and Laurenzano’s ability to instill a sense of self-significance in them. “This is unlike any other camp I’ve ever been to or worked at, without question,” she said. “Mark has the great ability to motivate the kids and build a strong emotional and physical foundation for themselves. It’s really unlike any other camp in the area.
Staff member Briana Santinello said Laurenzano “constantly reinforces” the message to the students and always gives them second chances.
“He tells them they can do anything. He really believes in them,” he said. Like many others, I too can almost see Mark as a super hero, and not just because he has Batman and Superman tattoos on the inside of each of his arms.