A Cold Slice of Heaven: We Beat the Heat at Watermelon Fest

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:47:00 GMT

By The Kids of America

Campers savor this juicy fruit during the Watermelon Fest.

The temperature soared to more than 100 degrees in late July, but St. Veronica's summer campers enjoyed a cold slice of heaven at the Watermelon Festival. Slices of juicy watermelon and icy milkshakes were on the menu for the afternoon festival, just one of many heat-beating activities at summer camp. Before the Festival, we learned a few things about watermelon. Did you know the average watermelon weighs about nine pounds, but there are varieties that grow up to 90 lbs? That's a lotta watermelon. The American Heart Association just gave watermelon the "heart healthy" seal of approval. Watermelon is rich in lycopene (a cancer-fighting nutrient), is fat free, nutritionally low in calories, and is high in vitamins A, B6, and C--which can give you a great energy boost. A two-cup serving of watermelon is also a source of potassium, a mineral necessary for water balance and found inside of every cell. People with low potassium levels can experience muscle cramps--so if this describes you, eat some watermelon and get healthy!