On Saturday, April 26, the Christian Street YMCA, located at 1724 Christian Street, is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® , the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, fitness programs, and much more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long – a critical out-of schooltime for kids’ health. 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.
“One in three U.S. children is obese. This statistic, coupled with the fact that once summer hits, children will be more idle, demonstrates why it’s important to help families develop healthyhabits now,” said Michele Stevenson, Executive Director, Christian Street YMCA. “As part of the Y’s commitment to healthy living, through YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day our goal is to improve the health and well-being of kids and inspire habits they can continue into adulthood.”
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.
• Foster an Early and Onging 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.
• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how rewarding that experience is.
The Christian Street YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place on Saturday, from10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as arts & crafts, fitness classes, hopscotch, coloring contest and much more. In addition, local organizations will be on-site such as the Community Council Health Services, Trader Joes, ShopRite and the 17th District Police Department.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported locally by Independence Blue Cross. “Both the Y and Independence Blue Cross support the health and wellness of the vast communities we serve in the Greater Philadelphia Area,” said Chris Cashman, IBC executive vice president and president of commercial markets. “This will be the third year we are partnering with the Y to provide giveaways and vital information at Healthy Kids Day® to inspire more youth, adults and families to keep play in their days. Chris Cashman is a member of the Philadelphia Freedom ValleyYMCA Board of Directors. In addition, Healthy Kids Day is also supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.
For more information, contact Christian Street YMCA at 215-735-5800 or visit philaymca.org.
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