Healthy Kids Day will feature YMCA information, activities and a book starring a squirrel

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• The Waynesboro Area YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is scheduled for April 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The event will feature information on Y programs, community organizations and free activities like games, sports, and swimming.
• Attendees will receive a free copy of “Sylvester’s Adventures at the YMCA,” a children’s book inspired by a real-life squirrel in the Y.
• The book giveaway is sponsored by the Waynesboro Owls Club.

Visitors to the Healthy Kids Day at the Waynesboro Area YMCA will find something a little squirrely to go with the usual family-friendly activities.

The annual day dedicated to kicking off “a safe, healthy and fun summer season” will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 at the Y, 810 E. Main St.

The book “Sylvester’s Adventures at the YMCA” by local author Nancy Funk will be given away, thanks to sponsorship from the Waynesboro Owls Club.

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What’s the story behind Sylvester’s story?

Five rooms at the Y recently were renovated and Kim Eaton, executive director, remembers hearing sounds from the ceiling while hanging a wallpaper mural of a forest in the Child Watch space.

It wasn’t the first time a squirrel has gotten into the Y and at one point, its tail was hanging down from a vent. The squirrel eventually got out, but the antics inspired Funk, a member of the Y, to put a squirrel named Sylvester at the center of No. 6 in her “The Bunny Tales” series. Illustrations are by Janie Moltrup.

The story follows Sylvester as he wakes up then goes in search of donuts, eventually ending up in the Y. His time in the Y is more adventure-filled than the real-life squirrel, but Sylvester, too, ultimately makes his way to freedom.

What’s happening on Healthy Kids Day?

“Sylvester’s Adventures at the YMCA” also will be given to children at the Y’s new summer camp for preschoolers. That’s one of the many programs about which information will be available at the local Healthy Kids Day. In keeping with the national observance, it will have a Peanuts theme.

Here’s what the Waynesboro Y’s website says about Healthy Kids Day: “Are the kids in your life already dreaming of summer? When kids are inspired, they can do anything. Let’s awaken their imagination so they can explore new activities and healthy habits.”

There will be information about Y programs, including summer camps, swim lessons, water safety, the swim team and the Strokes, Spokes and Strides coming up on June 10.

Members of Leadership Franklin County are helping with Healthy Kids Day and a variety of community organizations will be on hand with information and free activities. According to the Y website, participants will range from Antietam Humane Society Inc., Buttonwood Nature Center and Cumberland Valley School of Music to Waynesboro police and fire departments and WellSpan Health.

The schedule includes games, sports, water safety demonstrations, dancing, crafts, coloring, tattoos, games, bounce house, obstacle course and balloon animals.

There will be open swims in both the large and small pools from noon to 1 p.m. Adults must accompany children younger than 12 and be in the pool with non-swimmers.