The latest session of the “WE CAN! Healthy Berrien” program ended Sunday afternoon at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, and program coordinator and dietician Pam Kurtz said she hopes to see more area families take advantage of the program in the future.

“This is a great program,” Kurtz said.

“WE CAN! Be Healthy” is the latest initiative of “WE CAN! Healthy Berrien.” “WE CAN!,” which stands for “Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition,” is a program from the National Institutes of Health designed to encourage healthy lifestyles by promoting good nutrition, physical activity and less time in front of the computer or television.

The program isn’t just an opportunity to get children active and interested in nutrition but in sharing that educational component with their parents, Kurtz said. Children get about 30 minutes of exercise during each class, followed by a one-hour class session learning with their parents or guardians how to make healthier lifestyle choices.

“WE CAN! Be Healthy” provides those kids who take part with a healthy snack, and it operates as a partnership with other organizations. Kurtz said Walmart has helped sponsor the program, Andrews University has provided two aids to this season’s program and the YMCA provided the use of its facilities.

The program, Kurtz said, is flexible.

“It can be in a church, it can be in a boys and girls club,” she said.

The six-week program has been offered through Lakeland for two years. Kurtz said anyone interested in taking part need only to call her at (269) 556-7171.

There is no set date for the next session of “WE CAN! Healthy Berrien,” but Kurtz said once she has enough participants sign up, a time for the next session will be scheduled and she expects another to take place as soon as during summer vacation.