VALPARAISO — On Saturday, April 30, the Valparaiso Family YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMhCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The day-long event features activities including: obstacle courses, bounce house, fitness demos, information stations for better eye, dental and health, representatives from our local police, fire and health department, St. Mary Medical Center screenings, pool time, community initiates for better living and plenty of games and activities to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long, which is a critical time for kids’ health. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y hopes to focus on wowing them with their potential and make this their best summer ever by staying active and learning.
“Start your child’s summer off right at Healthy Kids Day. Research shows that when the school year ends, kids tend to lose up to two months of learning!” said Chuck Gutzwiller, Senior Director of Aquatics and Wellness. “Through Healthy Kids Day, we want parents to know that the Y is here for them during the summer ─ and rest of the year ─ to help kids thrive in the classroom, on the playing field and in life.”
In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:
• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.
• Foster an Early and Ongoing Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs, bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning and other vital functions.
The VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities.
To learn more Healthy Kids Day, the benefits of Y membership, summer camp and swim lessons, please visit our website at www.valpoymca.org.
