Kids will learn water safety during the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day.
Submitted photo
YMCA of Darke County Hosts Annual Healthy Kids Day®
Event encourages kids to stay active and keep learning all summer long
GREENVILLE — On Saturday, April 26, the YMCA of Darke County is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The event features activities such as games, arts and crafts, educational displays, a healthy snack station, and ideas to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.
The YMCA of Darke County’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Greenville YMCA, 301 Wagner Avenue, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and features fun, active play and educational activities. Kids can participate in a running mechanics activity from the Healthy Kids Running Series, visit with the Greenville Fire Department, learn about the WIC program and the Help Me Grow program, try a healthy snack, including a Refresher drink courtesy of WIN Nutrition, and get healthy living tips and do an art project from the I Am Well Foundation. There will also be a family and kid-friendly Zumba® class at 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,200 Ys across the country by over one million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long. 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 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 wants families to focus on helping children imagine what they can accomplish over the summer.
“A child’s development is never on vacation, and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in mind, body and spirit throughout the summer,” says Sam Casalano, YMCA of Darke County CEO. “We believe in the potential of all children and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. When a child is healthy, happy, and supported they can make great things happen.”
Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer Long
In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:
· Give ‘em a try! – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development. Encourage tasty explorations by adopting a “polite bite” practice, where all members of the family try at least one polite bite of new or previously tried fruits and veggies.
· Foster a Love of Words. Reading together doesn’t need to stop in the summer. Dedicate thirty-minutes or more a day to boost skills and confidence in reading. Take advantage of local libraries, book clubs, and other creative opportunities to engage in stories.
· Movement and Mindfulness. Seek opportunities for physical activity through games and play for physical and mental wellbeing. Make DIY prompts and equipment to take activities to the next level. Seek out opportunities to train the brain in mindfulness to increase focus and reduce stress.
· Game On. Set aside time every day or week to play together. These opportunities allow for adults to model a love for activity and showcase play as something that doesn’t stop with age.
· Get Your Zzz’s. Doctors recommend 10–13 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-9 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.
For more information, contact the YMCA of Darke County at (937) 548-3777 or visit www.ymcadarkecounty.org.
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