RUMFORD – Using a Healthy Maine Partnership grant, young people from 11 schools and youth organizations will have a chance to get more exercise, eat better food, and learn more about the perils of smoking.

Carol Emery, partnership director for the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, said the $4,528 grant will fund materials and programs for outdoor activities during recesses, sponsor a nutritional cooking class, and offer help for high school students who want to stop smoking.

Other activities include sponsoring a community and family 5K foot race and buying a camcorder that will record and present healthy living issues as they relate to Maine Learning Results.

“There have been major strides through the school health coordinator,” said Emery. “We’re trying to look for ways for kids to get active and to play some old-fashioned games.”

Some of the games were likely played by their parents and grandparents, such as “Tag,” “Red-light,” and playing ball.

Teachers and other staff in the schools will lead the activities, with some already started.

Schools that have received the mini-grants are Rumford Elementary and Mountain Valley High schools, Dixfield and Peru elementary schools, Dirigo Middle, Crescent Park and Woodstock elementary schools. Organizations are the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project and Voices Changing Choices, and the Western Mountain Girls Association.