Collaboration Brings Health and Wellness to North Huntsville

The Alabama A&M University Department of Health Science and Human Performance, in partnership with the Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center, hosted the 7th Annual Action Kids Tennis Camp from July 7-26 on campus. This year, sixty children aged 5-13 participated in the camp, which aims to promote healthy and active lifestyles among children from underserved communities in Huntsville, Alabama.

Dr. Janet M’mbaha-Zarnesky, founder and director of Action Kids Camp, led the camp's physical activities, which introduced the basics of tennis.  Dr. Sadguna Anasuri, co-director of the program and associate professor of human development and family studies, served as the lead health education instructor, covering essential topics such as nutrition, self-concept, morality, intrinsic worth, creative self-expression, and social responsibility.

Alabama A&M Head Tennis Coach Willis Mbandi provided additional guidance, advising students on educational and scholarship opportunities within the sport. The camp culminated in a closing ceremony at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium, where Dr. Peter Eley, Interim Dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, served as the guest of honor. Eley emphasized the importance of health and commitment in shaping the future of the young participants.

“We are proud to support programs like Action Kids Camp with our faculty and financial investment,” said Dr. Eley. “These initiatives offer vital community services and provide young people with opportunities to learn new sports under certified instruction. We look forward to collaborating with community partners to develop more programs like this to serve a greater number of students in the Greater Huntsville area.”

Corporations and organizations interested in partnering with Alabama A&M University, please visit www.aamu.edu/partnerwithus or contact the AAMU Office of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement at 256.372.8344.