Health & Wellness

Taking a comprehensive approach to wellness—which includes healthy eating and physical activity and extends to additional aspects of health, such as social and emotional skills and competencies—provides the necessary supports to help healthy children grow into healthy adults.

Carver’s after-school and summer learning programs are well-situated to be a component of solutions that address the whole child.

Children and youth have access to healthy snacks and meals, take part in physical activities, feel safe and supported by caring mentors, work collaboratively with peers, develop new skills, and gain confidence as they learn to set goals and make responsible decisions for themselves.

Carver after-school and summer programs teach students the importance of eating healthy foods and exercising in accordance with Connecticut’s Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum Framework for Comprehensive School Health Education and Comprehensive Physical Education.

Carver students can identify health problems associated with excessive weight and what foods and beverages to avoid. Carver's physical fitness and nutrition programs (such as cooking classes) allow students the opportunity to explore various wellness themes through a variety of activities and cultures.

The goal of the wellness and recreation programs is to encourage students to ask questions, analyze, test theories, problem solve, increase physical activities, and have fun. All Carver students must participate in physical activities. Special attention is given to students who have not previously been involved in any form of sports.

The Fairfield County Sports Commission (FCSC) established its major initiative called the Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy at the Carver Community Center. The Academy acts as an umbrella organization to supplement and complement existing countywide FCSC fitness programs, as well as provides Carver youth year-round access to the best available trainers, coaches, dietitians, and health and wellness experts. The Academy is designed to be the rallying point to engage community stakeholders in children’s health, nutrition, and in the fight to combat childhood obesity. 

FCSC sometimes funds special programs. For example, a few years ago FCSC created and funded an early evening initiative at the Carver Community Center for female athletes who were late leaving school because of practice, training, and games. This customized program involved coaches, tutors, and mentors to help female student-athletes to meet their educational and wellness needs.

Carver has also partnered in the past with Stamford Hospital’s Kids' Fitness and Nutrition Services (KIDS' FANS), a program designed to promote smart eating, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight by promoting the preventive health message of 5-2-1-0: For each day, 5 fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 to almost no sugar-sweetened beverages.

Carver programs also include Zumba, Drill Team, Latin Dance, Hip Hop Dance, Tennis, Dodgeball, Basketball — and many more wellness activities.