May 22, 2007

Purdue's Camp Calcium to admit girls between ages 12-14

Conducting a bone scan
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This year's camp will focus on measuring the effects of vitamin D on calcium absorption. The camp, which takes place in two three-week intervals, is scheduled for June 13 through July 3 and July 11 through Aug. 1.

"We're especially excited this year to be celebrating our 10th Camp Calcium," said Connie Weaver, distinguished professor and head of Purdue's Department of Foods and Nutrition. "It shows that our work has not only made an impact, but also that there are still pertinent answers to be found."

Results from previous camps have been used in part to form the dairy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid.

"We've learned a great deal over these previous nine sessions about how young people of all races process calcium differently," Weaver said. "We also know for certain that calcium intake during the adolescent years can shape bone health for the remainder of a person's life."

The girls will take part in swimming and other sports, arts and crafts, classes taught by university staff, and field trips to nearby locations. Campers pay $100 for programs offered during the camp but are paid $10 per day for their participation.

Campers are housed in university residence halls.

"We do our best to make the camp fun for the kids," said Berdine Martin, research associate and camp director. "They participate in educational and recreational activities and have daily access to computers to keep in touch with their families. Purdue's campus has much to offer, and these children experience the range of it."

To learn more or to register for the camp, contact Martin at bmartin1@purdue.edu  or call (765) 494-6559 or (800) 830-0175.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Connie Weaver, (765) 494-8237, weavercm@purdue.edu

Berdine Martin, (765) 494-6559, bmartin1@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

PHOTO CAPTION:
Connie Weaver, center, and Berdine Martin, at right, conduct a bone scan in 2004 on former Purdue student Breanna Rayl. The scan, a procedure to measure bone density and body composition, is one type of assessment the researchers will perform on students attending Camp Calcium, Purdue's annual summer program that investigates various aspects of calcium metabolism in adolescents. (Purdue News Service file photo/David Umberger)

A publication-quality file photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/weaver-calcium.jpg

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