Poe Center lines up virtual programs for kids, families that focus on everything from puberty to healthy relationships, bullying prevention

The Poe Center for Health Education's schedule of virtual activities is packed for October. The nonprofit near downtown Raleigh has both a youth program series and a family program series with a range of programs aimed at keeping kids' minds and bodies healthy.

Programs that are part of the youth series take place at 3:30 p.m, Wednesdays, via Zoom. The cost is $10 per student.

Upcoming sessions include "Don't Stand By: Be a H.E.R.O. for Youth," on Oct. 7 for fourth and fifth graders. It focuses on helping kids speak up when they see bullying.

There's "Menus, Muscles & More," on Oct. 14 for third to fifth graders about how to make healthy meal choices.

And "Changing Lanes," for sixth graders on Oct. 21 explores the development that's associated with puberty.

Other topics include "Plant Parts Detectives" for third to fifth graders on Oct. 28 and "Healthy Relationships 101" for eighth through 12th graders.

The family program series features workshops for parents and kids. They take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays via Zoom and cost $25 per family.

Topics include "Don't Stand by, Be a H.E.R.O: Family Edition," on Oct. 6.

For fifth and sixth graders and their families, there's "Choices and Consequences: Family Edition" on Oct. 10 about substance abuse.

Parent-child puberty workshops are set for fifth to eighth grade boys on Oct. 13 and fourth to seventh girls on Oct. 17. I've attended the virtual Girl Talk session with my younger daughter, and I highly recommend it.

There's also a parent-child cooking program on Oct. 20 and a "Healthy Habits Game Show" on Oct. 24.