Despite a light midday rain, kids turned out to run, jump, swim and learn at the Lake County YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day event on June 8.
The event included bouncy houses, crafts and athletic activities stationed throughout the YMCA’s Outdoor Family Center at 4540 River Road, Perry Township. Visiting families were also able to eat at food trucks, swim in the facility’s pool, get an up-close view of a fire truck and learn about local community resources.
“Healthy Kids Day reflects the YMCA’s mission to strengthen our community through youth development and healthy living,” said Lake County YMCA Community Engagement Director Lisa Berrow in a news release. “We’re proud to offer a fun and impactful day for everyone, including YMCA staff, volunteers of the event and families across the community.”
Activities were clustered under a pavilion between the facility’s pool and soccer fields. Kids could work on crafts, play games with items ranging from pool noodles to mini frisbees or go down an inflatable slide.
In a nearby parking lot, the Perry Fire District led a touch-a-truck activity with one of the department’s fire engines. In addition to showing kids different tools on the truck, firefighter and paramedic Dalton Bode also discussed topics like smoke alarms.
Soccer drills and games lined the facility’s soccer fields, while tumble and dance-related activities were available up at the facility’s lodge building. Local community resource groups shared information in the nearby chapel.
Up at the facility’s pool, two water safety demonstrations were scheduled throughout the day. Lake County YMCA Central Branch Aquatics Director Doug Land showed kids how to throw items like pool noodles, kickboards and life-preserve rings to swimmers in danger. Kevin Hoskin, his counterpart from the East End branch, pretended to be stuck in the water.
Lake County YMCA Marketing and Communications Director Kelly Penzenik said that YMCA facilities across the country hold Healthy Kids Day events.
“It’s to invite families and the community into our resources, the Y, of being a place of healthy living and youth development,” Penzenik said.
She said this year was the Lake County YMCA’s second Healthy Kids Day following the COVID-19 pandemic, with last year’s event being held in September. She estimated that likely more than 50 volunteers helped out with the event.
Penzenik said the event allows visitors to come and see the Outdoor Family Center.
“We’ve always known the Outdoor Y here in Perry to be kind of that diamond that is lost out here, and so when people find it, they are like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this, this is part of the YMCA,’ ” Penzenik said.
She said the YMCA is open year-round at its indoor locations in Willoughby, Painesville and Madison, while the Outdoor Family Center and the outdoor Houston-Fisher pool in Eastlake are open until around Labor Day.
“This is truly one of the highlights of our year,” said Central Branch Membership Director Gina Walsh. “The Outdoor Y is a special place, and Healthy Kids Day is the perfect way to showcase everything it has to offer – from the pool to the energy of community connection.”
Berrow said afterwards that around 175 people turned out for this year’s event.
“It was heartwarming to see the kids’ smiles and excitement as they played together with their families, new friends and our volunteers,” she said.
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