For St. Tammany Fire District 1 Chief Larry Hess, the best part of this year’s Fit as a Firefighter summer camp was actually the repeat customers.

“We have one little guy who came back this year that has lost a significant amount of weight,” said Hess proudly. “Another girl was too old to participate this time, but she still wanted to be involved so she came back with the Tammany Twirlers.”

Hess went on to note that the girl informed him she had not had a single soda, diet or otherwise, since last year’s camp. They’re listening, he says, and the message is sinking in: move more, eat less.

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Presented by Fire District 1 and Slidell Memorial Hospital, the camp is aimed at children ages 7 to 12 that are struggling with weight issues. This is the second year the camp has been held, and about 80 boys and girls took part in a week of activities centered on fitness and nutrition.

Each day featured a different theme, such as Fire Awareness and Travel Safety, Keeping Me Safe, Healthy Hearts and Bodies, Staying Safe and Stress Free, and Wacky Water Day.

More than 20 community organizations and public agencies participated in the camp, such as the Louisiana National Guard, Acadian Ambulance, the Slidell Police Department K-9 Unit, Volunteers of America, the U.S. Coast Guard, Pearl River Line Dancers and Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, to name a few.

SMH dieticians were on hand for nutrition classes, and personal trainers from Cross Gates Athletic Club led fitness sessions and group exercise. A number of companies also donated food and other items for the camp, such as Smoothie King, Blue Bell Creamery, Feast Catering and Pontchartrain Hardware.

“There is no fee to attend, and we couldn’t have put it on without these organizations sponsoring and giving of their time,” said Camp Director Taffy Morrison, an educator with the SMH Parenting Center.

Not only did campers learn to read labels and learn portion control, but self-esteem and emotional development played a big role as well. Parents were invited to participate on several occasions, and a healthy meal for campers and their families was served on Friday, featuring lean steaks, low-salt seasoning and whole wheat bread.

For Chief Hess, the week served as a poignant reminder of the importance of fitness and nutrition. As he addressed a group of campers Friday, he related the sad news of Percy Smith, a fellow firefighter who had died suddenly of a heart attack the previous evening. Smith was 45, and quite overweight.

“Mr. Percy was the nicest guy in the world, but he loved to eat, and he had many, many things wrong with him,” said Hess. “Always remember that nothing can be more important to you than you.”