"52 weeks, 52 activities, one fit kid:" Grafton teacher fights childhood obesity



GRAFTON -- Obesity is a growing problem among our youth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years.

But one Grafton teacher has made it his mission to get kids moving. Exercising isn't a burden for Kennedy Elementary Physical Education Teacher Sam Huber, it's a lifestyle that's fun.

"It connects what we do here in school with what's going on out in the community," said Mr. Huber.

Sam Huber



Mr. Huber created what he called Kids Fit 52.

"52 weeks, 52 activities, one fit kid," said Mr. Huber.

Throughout each week of the year, he teaches his students a different physical activity to help them learn what they like to do

"Last year, in my other gym class I didn't learn as much as I'm learning this year," said 3rd grader Josstyn Durst.

He then teams up with organizations who provide coupons for the children to try this sport out in the community.

"If they can find that one activity that they love and is their passion then they can go out and do that for life and become what I call on the website a fitness ambassador," said Mr. Huber.

Fitness program at Grafton school



For his hard work, he just received a $2,000 Unsung Heroes Grant for Innovative Teaching from Voya Financial. This will help him grow the program as he's been using his own money to help fund it.

"I can take that money add a new activity or activities to the program and then slowly we can complete all 52 weeks," said Mr. Huber.

3 of the 100 people who received this grant will win an additional $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. Mr. Huber will find out if he's selected next month. Along with Mr. Huber, two other teachers in Wisconsin won the Voya Unsung Heroes Grant.

If you're interested in learning more about Kids Fit 52, Mr. Huber created a website for teachers, parents, and children who want to use the program. CLICK HERE to check out the Kids Fit 52 website.