Broccoli sitting in puddles of orange and purple paint adorned the tables in Mount Nittany Middle School yesterday as kids and members of the Second Mile organization came together for "healthy adventures day."

Kids participated in a healthy snack relay, bobbing for apples and ultimate Frisbee throwing events which were meant to demonstrate how to make healthy food and exercise choices.

The Second Mile, founded by former Penn State football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, helps at-risk boys and girls in Pennsylvania. The program provides events such as the healthy adventures day free of charge for the kids as well as their foster families.

"It's a powerful experience for a kid with a touchy situation," said Brett Cowan, director of programs for The Second Mile. "[The program] opens their eyes to life and opportunities that are out there that they may not realize."

For about 50 area children and 65 Penn State students, yesterday was solely about goofing around while learning.

In the eyes of 11-year-old Lewistown Middle School student Logan Deavor, the day was a success.

"Pretty much my favorite part was bowling, spending time with my cousin and having a great time," he said.

Andrea Stewart (junior-elementary and kindergarten education) has worked with The Second Mile for three years as a counselor at The Second Mile's summer camp. The Penn State student said the program has given her a chance to see the effect students can have on kids. By returning to the camp consecutive years, she said she saw changes in the kids she had met the previous year.

"I got to see their excitement that they knew me, and that I knew their situations last year. I got to see them develop a changed attitude. They came back with a whole new outlook," Stewart said. "You can see how much camp has made an impact on them each year."

The program's Summer Challenge Camp, the organization's flagship program, is an opportunity where Penn State students can come and help out most extensively. There is an application process, but once accepted into the program, each student is assigned to about five kids and becomes a mentor for the week of camp. The program is intensive, and as a counselor, 24-hour days are expected.

"We are looking for hard-working people for youth who need it. We search hard and have a lot of interviews. We want the best people out there to work with our kids," Cowan said. "The neatest part about it is how many people come back as full-time teachers and counselors. We call them lifers."

For more information on The Second Mile organization and its programs, visit the Web site www.thesecondmile.org.