Children and Nutrition Services of Wyoming plans to promote an active lifestyle and healthy habits for Natrona County children and their families with a "Walk for Wellness."

"There's a problem with childhood obesity, and obesity, quite frankly, with the American public in general," said Jackie Brown, president of the CNS board. "So we thought, what a great way to help the organization bring awareness to the health side of things, as well as the childcare-provider side of things."

CNS is a nonprofit agency that refers people to licensed childcare facilities, provides training for childcare providers, and encourages providers to give nutritious meals to kids in their care.

"So often, you hear about people complaining that they cannot find licensed daycare providers," Brown said. "That's a big issue, and it affects employers and families."

CNS works to prevent such problems, she said.

The two-mile walk will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Crossroads Adventure Park in Casper, and will include free nutritious snacks "so we can show you that you can not only walk, but eat nutritious foods at the same time," Brown said. And while the course lasts for two miles, she added, participants can walk as little or as much as they'd like.

No registration fee is required for participation in the walk. Walkers are encouraged to make a donation to CNS, which will go to childcare provider training programs.

Any provider who participates in the walk will be eligible for a special prize drawing. Those participants donating $100 or more will be entered to win a Nintendo Wii from Dr. Diane Edwards, and all other participants will be entered to win a "back-to-school backpack" including stationery items from Office Max.

Several community organizations plan to erect booths in the park during the walk. Participants can collect water bottles and health information from the American Red Cross, pedometers and back to school information from Natrona County School District, brochures and immunization information from the Natrona County Medical Reserve Corps, and foster parent information at the Pic n Pen Foster Parent table.

"It's a great way to get the family out there and it's a great organization," Brown said. "The things they do impact the community. Children are such a vital part of the community, so we want to try and show people healthy habits not only in terms of physical fitness but also in terms of nutrition."

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com