Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, receives funding to launch first-ever afterschool program

Ashburn, Va. (Sept. 12, 2017) — Thanks to a newly formed partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Bemis Company, the city of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, is launching its first-ever afterschool program. The launch of this program is part of the city’s Commit to Health pledge, a nationwide movement formed by NRPA to create healthier out-of-school time programs.   

An extension of the Pauls Valley Parks and Recreation Department’s Xtreme Summer Fun program, this new afterschool program will provide care to children who need food, homework help, security and fun activities between the critical hours of 3–6 p.m. Available for little cost to families living in Pauls Valley and the surrounding area, the program will follow the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards first adopted by the National AfterSchool Association.        

“NRPA is thrilled to partner with the Bemis Company to expand the city of Pauls Valley’s Commit to Health program,” said Rebecca Wickline, NRPA senior vice president of partnerships and business development. “Through partnerships like this, we are helping improve the health of communities everywhere.”    

“By supporting youth in our Bemis community of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, with this grant to the National Recreation and Park Association, we hope to give more children the opportunity for fun and engaging afterschool activities that not only help develop strong, physically active kids, but also help in developing strong and lasting friendships among all participants,” said Kim Wetzel, director consultant of Bemis Company.

Now in its third year, NRPA’s Commit to Health campaign — which aims to improve childhood nutrition and increase physical activity through local parks and recreation — has been implemented by 1,250 park and recreation sites nationally, impacting more than 228,000 youth enrolled in out-of-school time programming.

To learn more about Commit to Health, visit www.nrpa.org/committohealth.

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.

To learn more about the Bemis Company, click here.

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About The National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.