National organization providing support and resources such as grants and curriculums for schools, professionals, and communities to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Visit the website for a resource library in English and Spanish with wellness advocacy data, curriculum ideas, and printable activities.
actionforhealthykids.org
Use this national online database to find information on local races, team sports, recreational activities, and camps for kids in your city.
(888) 543-7223
activekids.com
This website is a great source of verified health information for parents on a wide range of health topics, such as healthy living, family life, immunizations, child development, and medical conditions. They offer articles with topics including safety, fitness, school issues, dating, substance abuse, emotional wellness, psychiatric medications, grief and more. You can also use the website to find a pediatrician in your zip code.
healthychildren.org
This organization is the publisher for the official guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Use the website to find CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) trainings near you, or to purchase training materials. They also have helpful information on heart-healthy living (such as eating, fitness, quitting smoking), heart conditions (heart attack and stroke symptoms, congenital heart defects, and more), and tools for healthcare professionals and educators.
(800) 242-8721
Main Website: heart.org
CPR Classes: cpr.heart.org
Nationally-acclaimed after-school and summer programming for youth ages 5-18. Programs are oriented around Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, Character & Leadership, and Mental Health & Wellbeing. Club members have access to tutoring, sports, teen-specific areas, career-readiness opportunities, leadership opportunities, and mentoring. Go online for a full list of locations, including Newark and 3 Marion Clubs in Ohio. Some clubs are hosted at schools at are open only to students enrolled at those schools. Columbus Clubs open to the community are listed below:
(614) 221-8830
bgccentralohio.org
This church provides several important community programs in the Merion Village neighborhood of Columbus, along with worship services. Programs include daily Fresh Markets with free produce for income-eligible individuals, nutrition education, free health and wellness classes, community events, an after-school program at Lincoln Park Elementary, Free Store, and ID 4 All People.
Fresh Market Website: heal4allpeople.org/all-people-s-fresh-market
Main Website: 4allpeople.org
Columbus has parks and recreation centers throughout the city and surrounding areas. They provide a variety of programs, camps and classes for children, teens and adults. Financial assistance/Scholarships for programs may be available. Click below to find local programs in your neighborhood.
Provides community programming for families on the South side of Columbus. Programs include a free fresh market, urban gardening, cooking classes, family fitness classes, access to healthcare through OSU Wexner Medical Center Community Care Coach and family gatherings. FACCES Life Ready Urban Gardening Class is a free, weekly program for youth to learn about how to grow their own food, careers in agriculture, and environmental stewardship. They offer additional Afterschool programs and an Afterschool Cafe with free meals for children ages 1-18. Go online to register for programs and find upcoming events.
2515 Lockbourne Road, Columbus, OH 43207
(614) 319-6070
thefacces.org
Offers family-friendly exhibits, classes, workshops, and summer camps in gardening, cooking, fine art, and wellness. Check the website Calendar for upcoming events and classes, which are sometimes free. General admission is free on the first Sunday of the month for Community Day. Active or Retired service members get $1 off each ticket. SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid recipients get tickets for $3 each with ID and proof of participation. Visit the website for a full list of Admission Discount programs.
1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 715-8000
fpconservatory.org
A community bike shop specializing in bicycle repair and refurbishment. The Open Shop provides access to work stations and tools for ages 16+ to come and repair their bike for free, with help from volunteer mechanics. They sell new, used, and electric bikes at a variety of price points, and new and used bike parts at an affordable rate. They also offer free bike maintenance courses and programs for youth. Visit the website for shop hours or to shop online.
897 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 228-1852
franklintoncycleworks.org
A program for girls in Grades 3-8 to develop physical fitness, communication, empathy, and friendship skills. Trained coaches lead small teams through activities, running games and lessons. The 10-week program runs in the spring and fall seasons and ends in a 5K event. Camp GOTR is a summer camp experience for girls Grades 3-5. Fee assistance is available and they are committed to ensuring access for all participants regardless of financial situation. Programs are available in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Licking, Madison, Knox, Pickaway, and Union Counties. Visit the website to find a program and register.
Main Office: 1145-L Chesapeake Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 681-4687
girlsontheruncentralohio.org
Provides programs and education on nutrition, wellness and arts in Columbus. Their programs bring together community members of all ages to participate activities such as crafts, open mics, exercise, nutrition / wellness education and more. Go online to volunteer or find their next event.
sites.google.com/view/growin-cbus/home
This website was created by a pediatrician to help break down the science behind nutrition and weight management. The website has free science courses on Nutrition & Weight Management, General Exercise, and Childhood Obesity. They also post educational videos on Youtube. The Full courses are a good fit for students or professionals, while the Condensed courses may be more helpful for families looking for an overview of the science.
Website: healthierwithscience.com
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCrUPKyjMCWMLdqmf6SCWkgQ
Combats childhood obesity through programs aimed at teaching youth and families healthy lifestyle habits. They provide free resources for parents, schools, and community organizations such as downloadable lesson plans, activities, and Parent Guides focused on physical activity, healthy eating, and achieving personal goals.
(602) 252-3453
healthylifestars.org
Dance company and studio in Clintonville, Ohio with classes in a variety of dance styles. They offer somatic movement for ages 2-5, ages 6-12, teens, and adults. ChoreoLab is a student performing ensemble for students to create and perform a dance together. They also offer online classes, private lessons, and week-long summer camps for ages 3-10. You can also book a trial class before enrolling.
5080 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(380) 222-4196
hixondance.com
Athletic recreation center in Central Ohio offering a variety of classes, training opportunities, and competitions for youth, preschool and up. Classes include gymnastics, tumbling, martial arts, and HUGS gymnastics for special needs youth. They also host a preschool open gym, special events, summer camp, and camps for school closures/holidays. They partner with Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine to provide specialized athletic training.
8185 Business Way, Plain City, Ohio 43064
(614) 733-0818
integritygym.com
Provides a wide range of recreation and cultural arts opportunities in an inclusive environment defined by Jewish values and culture. All are welcome to participate in their programs. Programs include teen recreation, summer and spring break camps, after school programs, preschool and daycare, fitness classes, theater, and more.
A national wellness and character development program for boys in Grades 3-8. Twice a week for 7 weeks, two trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practices that utilize running to help boys gain confidence, self-expression, and respect for peers and coaches. Each fall and spring season culminates in a 5K race. Scholarships and financial assistance may be available. Visit the website to register for a program near you.
Columbus Region: PO Box 163, Amlin, Ohio 43002
(614) 517-9591
columbus.letmerun.org
Community health and wellness center providing free holistic health and wellness programs in an inclusive space. Programs include cooking and nutrition, diabetes prevention, exercise classes, wellness and stress management, financial education, healthy babies, and mom support groups. The Cooking Demo & Discussion Course includes a live cooking demo, sample of the recipe, meal kit, and entry for a free kitchen appliance for attendees who make the recipe at home. Go online to find healthy recipes, program descriptions, and to register for a program.
(614) 234-4660
777 West State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222
mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/community-benefit/outreach-programs/healthy-living-center
The only museum in the United States dedicated to preserving the stories of veterans from all branches of service. Visitors can experience a narrative journey of veterans’ stories through history, explore curated exhibitions, and enjoy community events. The NVMM Cares Program offers fitness classes, wellness retreats, creative workshops and more for service members and the Columbus community. They offer a graduate-level, 12-week Military to Civilian Leadership Certificate course in partnership with The Ohio State University. The website has resources for veterans and Gold Star families for mental health, educational opportunities, and more.
300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 362-2800
nationalvmm.org
A free, monthly e-newsletter written by pediatric specialists. Sign up to get expert insights on trending wellness topics straight to your inbox.
nationwidechildrens.org/e-newsletter-sign-up
A medically-supervised wellness program that uses play to help children build confidence and learn that exercise can be enjoyable. The program includes group exercise classes, 1:1 rehabilitation sessions, field trips, and family engagement. Children are referred to this program by a healthcare provider and the cost is billed to medical insurance. The program is available at three locations:
(614) 355-8735
nationwidechildrens.org/Play-Strong
This website from Nemours Children’s Health offers tons of important health information for kids, teens, and their parents. Kids can find fun videos on how the body works and approachable answers to questions like, how do casts work? The Teen website covers topics like depression, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, body image and much more. Parents can find medically-reviewed articles on how vaccines work, how to choose a car seat, developmental milestones, supporting kids’ emotional wellbeing, healthy eating, and more. Educators can also find free health-related lesson plans for PreK-12.
Kids: kidshealth.org/en/kids
Teens: kidshealth.org/en/teens
Parents: kidshealth.org/en/parents
Offers helpful information for parents and healthcare providers to promote healthy habits and prevent obesity. Click the links under Parent, Caregiver & Provider Resources for printable handouts in English and Spanish on topics including breastfeeding, stress-free mealtime, meal planning, nutrition, positive parenting tips, and encouraging physical activity.
ohioaap.org/education-cme-moc-ii/parenting-at-mealtime-and-playtime
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) website has information on parks, trails, state park lodges, and historic places to explore throughout Ohio. Find upcoming events, hunting licenses and regulations, safety tips, or make a camping reservation. Use the Ohio Trails Partnership Map to find out where to go hiking, biking, birding, paddling, and horseback riding in Ohio.
ohiodnr.gov/home
The OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences works with families, farmers, business owners, and community leaders to offer programs for community enrichment across Ohio. Programs in Franklin County include:
2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 866-6900
franklin.osu.edu/program-areas
Offers a variety of sport-based positive youth development programs for elementary, middle, and high school youth. LiFEsports summer camp teaches healthy lifestyle behaviors, sports skills, and social skills for ages 9-14. The camp takes place at The Ohio State University and select elementary schools and Community Centers in Columbus. The Youth Leadership Academy is a 4-year program for high schoolers to experience professional development, mentoring, career visits, and college prep; with free meals and transportation. Visit the website for registration details.
Bricker Hall: 190 North Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 514-5942
osulifesports.org
Offers a variety of fitness and recreation programs at The Ohio State University. OSU students can find information on fitness classes, disability accommodations, and more. Offerings open to the community include Red Cross swim safety classes from 6-months old to adults, and private swim lessons. Camp Recky is a sports and recreation summer camp for ages 6-12. Esports Summer Camp offers esports learning for all skill levels, ages 10-13.
Recreation & Physical Activity Center: 337 Annie & John Glenn Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Main Office: (614) 292-7671
Summer Camps: (614) 688-8787
recsports.osu.edu/programs/summer-camp
Provides learning opportunities and resources to promote community wellness, environmental sustainability, and conscious consumer culture. Use their directory to find locally-owned and sustainable restaurants, retailers, refilleries, wellness services, and more. They host regular free and low-cost community events including yoga, bird-watching, and mindfulness. They also offer opportunities for internship or volunteering.
659 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 447-0296
Business Directory: directory.simplyliving.org
Main Website: simplyliving.org
A network of partners in the South Side of Columbus working to holistically improve quality of life for residents. Their website has resources for finding healthcare, healthy eating, resilience, mental and physical wellness, and managing chronic conditions. Use their Resource Map to locate food assistance, childcare, healthcare, legal help, and more in the South Side. They also host community conversations and helpful trainings for professionals. Go online to contact the organization.
southsidethrive.org
Provides no-cost eye safety wear to protect kids’ eyes during sports and other recreational activities. Sports leagues, schools, 4-H groups, and Girl Scouts troops may apply for baseball and softball helmets, sports goggles, and safety goggles for career-technical activities. Families who meet income guidelines or have a foster child may apply to receive free prescription sports goggles. Find eligibility details and apply online.
Ohio Ophthalmological Society: 4400 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 527-6799
superspecs.org
Adaptive fitness program for people with physical, neurological, and developmental challenges, and their caregivers, to achieve optimal health and fitness. Athletic trainers, gyms, and recreation centers can become certified in the program. They provide personal training and group fitness classes at their partner gyms in Central Ohio. Individuals can call or go online for an intake meeting where Valemee will get to know you and your goals, perform an assessment, and find a gym near you.
(614) 937-8309
valemee.com
A free community walking program for all ages and abilities. Each event starts with an educational talk from a doctor or healthcare provider and offers an opportunity to chat while walking or rolling at your own pace. This program started in Columbus and is now available across the country. Groups typically meet once per week. Use the online map to find a program near you.
(614) 714-0407
Central Ohio Locations: walkwithadoc.org/columbus
Main Website: walkwithadoc.org
This website from the National Institutes of Health offers resources for parents to help children 8-13 years old maintain a healthy weight and live an active lifestyle. Find helpful articles and printable worksheets on healthy eating, play and physical activity, and screen time.
nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan
A transportation and bicycle advocacy organization in Columbus. They offer a variety of free community bike rides to teach bicycle safety, tour the city, raise awareness, and have fun. They also offer bike parking consults for businesses. Visit their website to find upcoming community rides.
921 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 470-4220
yaybikes.com
Hosts programs for all ages, including health and fitness, swimming, childcare, summer camps, juvenile justice, and housing services.
Locations & Contact Info: ymcacolumbus.org/locations
YMCA Columbus Main Website: ymcacolumbus.org