Your Ticket to Healthy Skin

It seems like at least twice a year there is a perfect storm of stuff - hormones, weather, stress, diet - that cause me to have an awful break out. For about two weeks every few months I have a spot on my face that is just covered in little (and sometimes not so little) red bumps. It’s horrible. Now I do realize that I am luckier than a lot of people. I don’t break out all the time. But still I’m 23 years old. You would think that it would stop by now.

Acne is a problem that most of us college students deal with at some time. Acne occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog up pores. This blockage can be present on the skin as blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, or cysts. There are a lot thoughts on what causes acne, like eating too much chocolate, but stories like that are myths.

Acne can be caused by a variety of things. Not washing your face enough can cause dead skin to clog pores. However, washing your face too much will strip the natural oils on your face causing your skin to over produce and making your acne worse. Also, unfortunately for girls, if you have acne, oil-based make-up can cause your acne to get worse. And girls are more likely to suffer from hormonal acne. Add in the stress of school and you have a recipe for a horrible breakout.

So what are we college students to do?!

Well there are several ways to treat mild to moderate acne without going to the doctor. Most dermatologists recommend that people with acne wash their face twice daily, and not just with soap and water. The skin care treatment is a three part medicated system that exfoliates, tones and moisturizes. And this treatment system works at all ages. My grandma has been doing this since she was a teenager and she doesn’t look a day over 65 even though she’s 85.

This is a start, but there are other ways to help prevent acne. For girls, use a water-based foundation, as this will be less likely to clog your pores compared to a oil-based foundation. This is other thing to remember; if you start a new treatment, stick with it! These treatments do not magically cure your breakouts overnight. It takes a few months to see full results.

Your Ticket to Campus Rec - Erin

Your Ticket to a Healthy Thanksgiving!

It’s finally here! Thanksgiving! The holiday where you don’t have to buy anyone anything or worry about wrapping gifts. This is the one holiday where all you have to do is eat.

However, for most of us this means the beginning of our 5-10 pound gain that we don’t shed until around April when the bikinis hit the shelves at the local Target.

But how can we prevent this gain in the first place, so we’re not killing ourselves later

trying to run off that dressing from six months earlier? Well, the answer maybe simpler than you think. And I don’t mean not eating, as that would defeat the point of Thanksgiving.

First off, don’t starve yourself the day of waiting for that awesome dinner. This will lead to overeating when you do get to the dinner. You’ll actually take in more calories than if you ate breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Secondly, keep in mind your portion sizes. Just because you can eat a whole pound of turkey doesn’t mean you should. Try just putting a few spoonfuls of each item on your plate and not huge piles of everything.

Thirdly, start your meal with salad and vegetables. This will ensure that you don’t fill up on less healthy foods.

Finally, watch your pace. There is a link between how fast you eat and how much you weigh. Eating slower gives your body time to register that it’s full before you get too full. This means that you’re less likely to overeat.

These are just some helpful tips to keep in mind this Thanksgiving. But remember if you overdo it, you can always come work out at the Rec Center when you get back to school.

The Rec Center will go back to regular facility hours Sunday, November 27^th.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

Your Ticket to Campus Recreation – Erin

Your Ticket to Healthy Living

So I love caffeine. I mean to the point where I would probably cry if I had to go a day without it. Pretty unhealthy, I know, but we all have our issues.

My obsession started when I became anemic at the beginning of my freshman year of college. I literally couldn’t stay awake unless I had at least two if not three cups of coffee a morning, and an energy drink during the day. Now, if I don’t have that much everyday, I get caffeine migraines…not fun.

But what I didn’t know is that that much caffeine isn’t good for you. It seems like common sense - too much of a good thing isn’t good - but whatever, I was tired.

This love/addiction to caffeine isn’t just a problem that I have, it’s a problem for people all over the U.S. The main issue isn’t coffee consumption (coffee has many health benefits that we won’t go into this week), but energy drinks.

The caffeine content in energy drinks here in the U.S. can range from 50mg to 505mg. This is because the U.S. has some of the most lax regulations in the world when it comes to energy drinks. Energy drinks are fine in moderation, but let’s face it - most of us don’t usually just stick to the recommended serving size.

The main issue with these drinks is the amount of caffeine they contain. Studies have shown that if you consume 500mg-1000mg within an hour (one or two energy drinks), you can experience dizziness, irritability, nausea, nervousness, jitters, headache, and fatigue later on.

Also, consuming this much caffeine can lead to caffeine intoxication (who knew?). Some of the signs and symptoms of Caffeine Intoxication include a racing heart beat, palpitations, arrhythmia, fatigue that worsens during the day, insomnia, upset stomach, dehydration and muscle cramps. Caffeine can even become lethal at extremely high doses (5-10g).

This has to make you wonder whether drinking this stuff is worth it. As for me, I’m planning on cutting down my caffeine consumption.

Your Ticket to Campus Rec - Erin

www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871608002858

Homecoming 2011

Happy Homecoming!

Get your axe handles ready Lumberjacks because there is a lot to do.

SFA Soccer plays Sam Houston State TONIGHT at 7 p.m. The women are on an 11-game winning streak, and are already secured part of the Southland Conference title. If they win tonight, SFA will be the outright conference champions. The soccer field is right across from the Rec Center and the Intramural Fields.

I’m sure you’ve heard some buzz about there not being a traditional SFA Homecoming Bonfire this year. Officials say East Texas has experienced too much extreme drought this year for the massive Lumberjack fire to be considered safe.

Here’s what’s happening instead according to SFA Public Affairs:

The torchlight parade, which kicks off at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the SFA statue, will feature lanterns, glow sticks and other portable lights as opposed to the customary flaming torches. As always, students and alumni will join the SFA spirit teams and marching band as they proceed down Raguet Street and Starr Avenue to the bonfire site on the intramural fields.

The bonfire structure will not be lit this year, but it will be set aglow with electric lights, providing a spirited backdrop for the introduction of the Lumberjack football team and the SFA Homecoming king and queen. The a capella group Nota, season-one winner of the NBC show "Sing Off," also will perform at the bonfire pep rally, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

No one was happy about this, but at least we’re safe, right? I know true Jacks won’t let this ruin our spirit.

OK, fast forward to Saturday, Oct. 29. Campus Rec and the SFA Alumni Association are hosting the 2nd annual Lumberjack Homecoming Fun Run or Walk.

For a small fee anyone can participate in this 5k run/walk and all proceeds will benefit the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham scholarship fund.

Start Time: 8:00 a.m. for runners, 8:10 a.m. for walkers (Please be on site 15 minutes early to sign in, register if needed and get number and stretched.)
On-Site Registration: starts at 7 a.m.

Student: $10
Faculty/Staff/Alumni Member: $25
Community: $30

Prizes:

1st & 2nd place for males and females for associates of SFA

1st & 2nd place males and females for non-SFA associates

1st & 2nd overall guess your time

Largest group participating

Best Homecoming-themed outfit

After the race, take a nap and then make sure to head to Homer Bryce Stadium to watch the Jacks face McNeese State at 3 p.m.

Have a good one Lumberjacks. Come early….be loud....stay late…..wear purple.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Homecoming Fun!

SFA is full of traditions, especially when it comes to Homecoming Week. There’s a bonfire (in a different sense this year thanks to the burn ban) Friday night, a parade in downtown Nacogdoches Saturday morning, and of course the Homecoming football game, where the Lumberjacks will face off against the McNeese Cowboys at 2pm.

But did you know that Campus Recreation has its own traditions for Homecoming as well?

WE TIE-DYE T-SHIRTS!!!

Every year at Homecoming, the Rec Center gives white t-shirts with a cool Homecoming-themed graphic to patrons and lets them tie-dye their own shirt to wear at the football game. In honor of this year’s Homecoming Week theme, "There’s No Place Like Home", the shirt design features a flying monkey right out of Oz holding the traditional SFA Lumberjack axe.

This year the fun will take place at the Student Rec Center courtyard Wednesday, October 26th, starting at 3pm. The event will last until 5pm, but it’s first come first serve, so be sure to get here early!

Another great event that Campus Recreation hosts for Homecoming Week is the Homecoming 5K Fun Run/Walk. This event will take place Saturday, October 29th starting at 7:30 am with registration, and runners taking off at 8am in the parking lot behind the Schlief Tennis Complex. Walkers will depart at 8:10am. The cost is $10 for SFA students, $25 for faculty, staff and alumni, and $30 for the Nacogdoches community. For those who registered before October 15, event t-shirts are guaranteed, but the remaining shirts will be first come, first serve for participants the day of the event. All proceeds will be going to the Dr. Raymond Lee Worsham Scholarship fund for Campus Recreation.

So come out and enjoy the fun this upcoming Homecoming Week!!!!

Go Jacks!!!! - Erin

A Simple Stress Buster

Well, it’s the middle of October and we all know what that means….MIDTERMS!!!!!!!!!!!! This can be one of the most stressful times in a college student’s career, besides finals. The funny thing is that everyone reacts to stress differently.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of stress can range from headaches, to chest pain, fatigue, upset stomach, insomnia, overeating, under-eating, and much more. I personally can get so stressed out with school that I can’t eat without feeling like I’m going to throw up.

Fortunately, even with the numerous effects that stress can have on the body, there are a few simple tricks to manage your symptoms. Web MD offers a lot of tips for stress reduction. A few of these have to do with attitude. Keeping a positive attitude and accepting that you can’t change/fix everything can go along way to improve stress. However, one of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to just relax.

Easier said than done I know. But this is where the SFA Student Recreation Center can help. We have a full time, licensed massage therapist, Therese Hostetter, on staff ready to help you reduce your stress. Who doesn’t feel relaxed after a good massage? And the best part is you don’t have to be a member at Campus Rec to get a massage.

Not only does getting a massage relieve your stress, it is very beneficial to your health. Massaging reduces built up lactic and carbonic acid in the muscle, which causes cramping. Massaging also improves circulation and increases the number of red blood cells in your system, which can help people like me who have anemia feel better. Plus, if you don’t have that much time to work out, massages can help improve muscle tone and prevent muscle atrophy.

To make an appointment to get a massage please call the Campus Rec Wellness Service Center at (936) 468-3507. Prices vary depending on the length of your appointment. For more information, please visit our website at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec.

Your Ticket to Stress Relief - Erin

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-symptoms/SR00008_D

http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/reducing-stress-tips

http://www.unitedmassagetherapists.com/orange-county-massage-benefits.html

Breast Cancer Awareness

October brings cooler weather, brown leaves, scary costumes and awareness to a serious disease: breast cancer.

Last weekend, Campus Rec hosted a 4 on 4 sand volleyball tournament in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Facts from nationalbreastcancer.org were displayed as an effort to educate people. The volleyball tournament, as well as other events like it, offer support for people affected by the disease.

Here are 7 common breast cancer myths & facts:

1. The Myth

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, and scheduling regular mammograms.

2. The Myth

Men do not get breast cancer.

The Truth

Quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes to their physicians.

3. The Myth

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth

A mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools available for the early detection of breast cancer. It CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people's experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

4. The Myth

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.

The Truth

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

5. The Myth

Breast cancer is contagious.

The Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body. However, you can protect yourself by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

6. The Myth

Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer.

The Truth

While alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5% to 10% of patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a family history of breast cancer, it's a factor you just can't control. But you can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-exams, and focus on the fact your chances of not having this disease

are greater than 90%.

7. The Myth

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

The Truth

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

Knowledge is power Lumberjacks.

YOUR Ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Eat This Not That!

Hey Lumberjacks! I hope you are making it through the first round of fall tests in one piece. I can always tell when it’s this time of year because people start wearing pajamas to class.

I’d like to propose a question. As your to-do list increases are you taking care of yourself? Or, are you letting yourself go in order to fulfill other needs?

I am guilty of putting other needs first lately, so I thought it would be a good time to give my fellow ‘Jacks a reminder.

One way that people tend to neglect their physical health is by going on fast food binges in stressful times. I could never tell anyone not to do this, because that would make me a hypocrite. I am however going to share a little secret my mom told me about. It’s called Eat This Not That! by David Zinczenko.

The genius in this book is that it tells the truth. Unlike the South Beach Diet, or Weight Watchers, Zinczenko is willing to acknowledge that Americans, especially in their twenties, will consume an abundance of fast food.

One way you can regain control of your wellness is by modeling the book and taking a few more minutes to decide what to eat. Just because fast food seems to be the most reasonable option, doesn’t mean that you have to get the worst thing on the menu.

Here is a calorie, fat and overall badness grading scale Zinczenko outlines:

A+ Chick-Fil-A -Not a single sandwich breaks the 500-calorie barrier.

A Subway -An impressive selection of 6-inch sandwiches with less than 400 calories each.

A- Boston Market -Its expansive menu of healthy sides and nutritionally reasonable three-piece chicken meals gives diners plenty of choices.

B+ Taco Bell -It's okay to "make a run for the border," as long as you limit yourself to just two tacos or a single burrito.

B Wendy's -Although calorically comparable to McDonald's, Wendy's edges out the Arches with less trans fat and a range of healthy sides.

B- McDonald's -Burgers are reasonable, but others, like pancake platters, send McDonald's numbers soaring.

C+ KFC -It's hard to have "fried" in your name and still make a decent grade. To halve

calories, order your chicken without skin.

C- Arby's -The array of sandwiches suffers from an abundance of creamy dressings,

spreads, and melted cheese sauce.

C- Burger King – Thousand calorie plus burgers like the Quad Stacker give this chain a

below-average score.

WOW! Chick-Fil-A is above Subway! Amazing.

This information is out there. It’s just a matter of taking the time to look or ask about it.

Think about YOU this weekend Lumberjacks. Make sure you are getting adequate rest, exercise and nutrients.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Grab a partener and get to the Rock Wall!

Hello CAMPUS-RECers! Today is the first day of fall so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce an up-and-coming CREC advocate, Erin Rose (sitting to my right in the polka-dot dress) for her first blog. Erin is an upper level interior design student with a lot of advice to give. Enjoy her guest entry.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

With the present-day economic difficulties America is enduring, a social debate has arose about proper date etiquette. Does he pay? Does the person who asked pay? Or is it proper to split the bill? This can lead to some awkward situations.

I consider myself a traditional girl, but I would never expect a guy to pay each and every time we went out. Life is expensive these days! Dinner and a movie can cost anywhere from 30-50 dollars. Most of us starving students will never make more than the bare minimum while we’re in school.

So what’s the solution to this expensive and potentially awkward situation? Believe it or not, there are more options than staying in and doing nothing, or eating off the dollar menu at McDonalds.

Try using a resource that you already have access to, but don’t have to pay out of pocket for: the Student Rec Center. Plan a date with some kind of fun physical activity! The Rock Wall would be a great way for a couple to enjoy each others company. Climbing the Rock Wall is physically beneficial, light on the pocket and a great way to bond by building trust.

Exercising is proven to build positive energy between people, which can also be great for nourishing friendships. So what are you waiting for? Grab a partner and get to the Rock Wall!

The Rock Wall is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Sunday from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

YOUR ticket to a healthier YOU- Erin

Which vitamins are right for YOU?

Vitamins are one of those subjects that frustrate me in life. There are so many different kinds! I know they are important, but how am I supposed to know which ones are right for me?

Throughout my life, I have received a variety of suggestions--most of which are pictured on the right. I have been recommended Vitamin B for energy, extra Iron for womanly blood loss, and Zinc to prevent infections and illnesses. But if I take three, plus a multivitamin, I get sick to my stomach.

And when I Google "vitamins" to find information, I am bombarded by ads from drug companies.

So, I set out to get through the clutter and find some answers once and for all.

Campus Recreation graduate assistant and personal trainer Steve Dooling says college students should at least take a daily multivitamin.

OK. One pill a day, I can do that.

However, according to the National Institutes of Health there are no FDA standards for which vitamins must be contained in a multi. So how do I know what to look for?

According to Jane Higdon, LPI research associate at Oregon State University, an expensive name brand does not always mean a quality product.

On her website (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w03/multi.html) she states:

“The nutrients found in standard multivitamin supplements play important roles in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. A daily multivitamin supplement ensures an adequate intake of several micronutrients that are not always present in the diet in optimal amounts”

Prevents caner? Sounds good to me!

Hidgeon says to look for a multivitamin containing the following:

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Biotin

Calcium

Iron

Magnesium

Selenium

Great! Now I can go to the store with some knowledge, and finally make an informed decision for my optimal physical health.

Happy Friday Campus Recreation!

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Welcome Back for Fall 2011!

Hello Campus Recreation! Long time, no talk. I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready to dive into Fall 2011 full force.

New school year, new you right? If you are looking for ways to improve your life this semester, you have come to the right place. I will be posting once weekly with health advice, fitness tips and any other great ideas or funny stories I stumble upon. SO whether you are new to campus or you think you’ve got the college thing down, I hope to become a helpful resource.

Top Five Ways to be Successful this Semester:

5. Go to class. This may seem redundant, but I promise you will see results. In my experience, Must professors are concerned about much more than what you made on your mid-term. They care that you are actively learning and taking chargeof your education. So, wake up and smell the coffee! See you in class.

4. Stay organized.

Don’t be ashamed to care about your life. Go ahead and buy yourself a planner, or at least use your smart phone calendar. Don’t forget that college is hard! It’s OK to make lists and write down everything that must be done.

3. Look for ways to expand your skill set and further you in the direction of your chosen career path. Maybe for you it’s asking questions in class that you would normally shy away from. Or maybe it’s seeking a mentor in the field, or applying for related jobs and internships. Whatever works for you DO IT. If you apply yourself while you are in college, you will be ahead of competitors when you are out of college. Plus, SFA has too many resources not to use them. Try SFA Career services, Counseling Services, Student Activities Association, the Ralph Steen Library, or check out one of the many student organizations on campus. The opportunities here are endless.

2. Laugh. I cannot stress this one enough. Like I said: COLLEGE IS HARD. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people that you can always count on a good laugh with. It’s the most natural and easy stress reliever!

1. Come to the Student Rec Center and get some exercise. Talk about endless opportunities! If you have an image of the Rec Center as a place to merely lift weights or run, please think again! The Rec Center offers Group Exercise classes four days a week, Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs, Wellness programs, including professional massages, and even an Outdoor Pursuits program area to take you on adventures! Don’t forget about Aquatics and the TWO pools you have access to (Rec and HPE). And if you are looking to change up your workout while staying indoors, don’t forget about the 34-foot rock wall managed by Outdoor Pursuits and the two upstairs racquetball courts.As an SFA student, you also have access to the HPE gym and other workout areas!

Time-challenged this semester? Here’s a tip:

Plan a physical activity around your schedule. Last week I knew I had an extra hour so I came to Campus Rec and took Yogaloties taught by Samantha Walker. She fused a perfect combination of both art forms accompanied by an engaging and intense soundtrack.

And you know what? It took away all of my first week gitters! I felt great and slept great that night.Where can you find all the information you need to

get going? The Rec Center of course! Printed publications can be found at the Welcome Desk kiosk, or in the Admin Office. Most current and updated information can be found at the Campus Rec website: www.sfasu.edu/campusrec so check there often! Also, here is a link to the Fall 2011 electronic only program guide which can always be found on the website: http://issuu.com/sfacampusrec/docs/fall_2011_program_guide.

Next week I will investigate vitamins. Which kind is right for YOU?

Until then,

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Empowerment tip #23: empower yourself INTELLECTUALLY by visiting Tabu Coffee

TGIF and the weekend is here.

But the question is, what to do? A whole weekend, no class, no 9-5 grind; just you and an abundance of free time. If that isn’t extraordinary I don’t know what is.

Contrary to popular belief, life is not all about work; so this is an opportunity to let loose and pursue those activities you normally don’t have time for.

Here are some suggestions for activities this weekend: start reading a new book, create your own blog or try your hand at drawing. There is a ton of stuff that you could do that is both intellectual and artistic.

Art and the intellectual is definitely a liberating aspect of life. Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” So embrace something new and different this weekend.

A great place to actually get into an intellectual mindset is Tabu Coffee, located on North Street.

The end of the semester is the time that I realize pursuing intellectual past times isn’t just for when you’re taking a class in college or a requirement at work. There is something fulfilling and relaxing about just reading a book, painting or writing a journal/blog. The act of making something out of nothing is, in a way, part of being human.

Tabu is a very eclectic and unique environment, especially here in Nacogdoches. It hosts live music on the weekends, displays art from local artists as well as art students and has an delicious array of coffee and food.

So go sit in a contemplative atmosphere this weekend or whenever and try your hand at something new. See where your mind takes you.

Tabu is open Monday-Sunday 6a.m.-12a.m. And when you drive by check out their sign, which lists all live music dates and times.

Also “Like” Tabu on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tabucoffee

Just Grindin’ the ax- Liza

Congratulations, graduates and closure

And so another semester passes.

It is clear that another semester has come to a close; everywhere you look there are parents and moving trailers scattered all over the SFA campus, which is the international college signal of either move-in or move-out.

While I sat in traffic on the way to work this afternoon, I watched the masses of people sweating, carrying boxes, laughing faces, somber expressions and tearful farewells. The seasons in our lives are bittersweet. It puts me in mind of the musical RENT and its song “seasons of love.” “How do you measure a year in the life?”

Looking back at this semester it is hard to imagine that another four months of life has passed by. I feel at times that a year is simply the blink of an eye, how is that possible? Another one of life’s mysterious I suppose.

So as this season comes to a close I would like to congratulate all SFA students. For those of you simply relieved to have passed your classes and most of all to those who are graduating, congratulations on a job well done! I hope your walk across that stage, the weight of a diploma in your hands and the flash of a camera is everything you’ve imagined it being, for the past four years.

Every successful step in life should be celebrated. So ring in summer with the people you love and celebrations that will be forever remembered.

Just grindin' the ax- Liza

Empowerment tip #22: empower your kids socially by signing them up for little jack rec camp!

As humidity slowly infiltrates Nacogdoches, it is becoming more and more apparent that summer will soon be making its appearance.

I went home for a four-day weekend on Easter and I spent a lot of time with my oldest sister, Katie Greene. My sister is the mother of a 2-year old and an 8-week-old. I love my nieces, but something that I observe every time I spend time with them is how intense motherhood is.

Kids are wonderful high-energy beings, but planning activities is definitely a key part of survival. And summer time is definitely the time to let your kids be active and make new friends.

So this summer sign your kids up for the Little Jack Rec Camp.

The SFA Campus Recreation Department will be hosting multiple, one-week "Little Jack Rec Camp" sessions during June and July of 2011 for children between the ages of 5 and 12.

A broad range of exciting activities have been arranged for the kids to participate in. Activities in the camp include: outdoor games, indoor soccer, recreational games, rock climbing and free swim every day. All activities have a noncompetitive nature, and camp staff will work with campers to improve basic skills used in most sports. The camps will emphasize some core values of our department: teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and fun.

There are 7 sessions total throughout the summer between June 6- July 29.

The SFA Community cost is $145 per session and for Non-SFA Community is $175 per session. You can sign up for however many sessions you would like your kids to participate in.

For more information and camp applications go online at www.sfasu.edu/campusrec and look under “camps”. Or you can go into the administration office at the rec center and sign up and pay for your sessions, today!

Little jack rec camp is something that will be a fun and memorable experience for your kids.

Just grindin’ the ax- Liza

Earth Day: Growing Seeds of Sustainability

Saturday April 16^th is Earth Day, and Campus Rec will be celebrating this much-needed holiday outside at the Pineywoods’ Native Plant Center, located on Raguet Street between 10a.m. and 2 p.m.

In a world where we buy all-things disposable, leave our water running, pump gallons of gas into our cars and pave everything possible, it’s easy to forget that we’re actually impacting our environment. And the reality is that there is only so long until we’ve destroyed our environment beyond repair.

The purpose of this Earth Day celebration is to create awareness. These types of events are not intended to create guilt and manipulate people, but rather to invest in making lifestyle changes as a community.

This year’s theme for the festival is “growing seeds of sustainability”. There will be free food, guest speakers, kids’ activities, live music, plant sales’, info booths and much more.

So come out to Earth Day tomorrow from 10-2 and celebrate change with SFA and Campus Rec.

Just Grindin’ the ax- Liza