I’ve found my new, favorite place at MBS. It’s the colorful kids’ nursery complete with flowery murals and a portrait of Ariel, the little mermaid. Dozens of games, blocks and other toys scatter the area and in a second room, there’s pinball machine and video equipment for the older kids.

Best of all, the nursery is filled with smiling faces. The kids look like they’re having a ball, and the supervisors echo the mood.

“Many of our kids become best friends here in the nursery,” Nancy Crane, 42, who is in charge of the wee ones. “And many of the children who spent time in the nursery have grown up and become assistants themselves.”

Nancy has been working at MBS for 12 years and is very much a fixture both at the front desk and in the nursery. She’s the mother of Jessica and Jocelyn who also lend a hand with the kids.

“I know how important it is to get a good workout and have a clear mind about your children,” she says. “We even change diapers so that moms don’t have to be interrupted.”

The nursery is kept spotless and snacks are allowed for hungry little tummies. The hours coincide with most of the more popular classes and the nominal charge is $2.00

Mackenzie Brock, one of the charges during my visit, says she enjoys the nursery.

“I always have friends here,” she says.

“I choose my staff carefully,” says Nancy. “They need to love children and love to be around them.”

KEEP KIDS ACTIVE

With the national obesity rate for kids climbing at an alarming rate, it has now become essential for parents to encourage physical activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, over the past 30 years the rate of obesity in the United States has doubled for preschoolers and adolescents and tripled for kids between the ages of 6 and 11.

Brett Rabbat, 34, runs a fitness camp for kids at MBS. He works with children aged 8-14 for an hour twice weekly. I asked him about his thoughts on childhood obesity.

“When I was a kid, we rode our bikes after school and stayed outdoors,” he said. “Today, kids are getting too much screen time. They’re in front of the television or the computer.”

Brett says that parents love the six week camp, which will begin again on June 10.

“They don’t want me to take a break, but I think it’s good for the kids to have a change of pace,” he says.

The kids’ favorite activity is the climbing wall. Brett also teaches them the fundamentals of weight training, and weather permitting includes outdoor exercise.

“I’m seeing much more co-ordination from the kids who have never played sports,” he says. “And for the kids who do play sports, they’re getting more skilled and confident.”

This excellent camp may help your child learn the joys of physical fitness.

“We also develop mind-body relationships,” says Brett. “I try to teach them how important it is to take care of your body.”