Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Healthy Kids Day

The YMCA of Darke County recently held 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 featured activities such as Zumba®, a tricycle race and an obstacle course. Kids also participated in educational activities such as learning about and making healthy snacks. The Y’s goal is to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.

Brian Phillips and Nate Frazee of Greenville Township Rescue joined the Y to promote child car seat safety at Healthy Kids Day. They were on hand at the Child Development Center to talk about the importance of keeping children under the age of 2 in a rear-facing position while riding in a vehicle.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,600 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy 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 – this summer learning loss is more pronounced among students from low-income families. 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 “charging” kids up with enthusiasm for themselves and their potential.

Pictured, from left, are Y Child Development Center Director Katie Roberts, Brian Phillips of GAR, Sam Casalano, CEO of the YMCA of Darke County, Nate Frazee of GAR, and Tyler Roberts, Program Director at the Y.

“We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids reach that potential within themselves. 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 spirit, mind and body throughout the summer,” said Sam Casalano, CEO, YMCA of Darke County.

For over 25 years Healthy Kids Day has celebrated kids’ health and continues to teach healthy habits, encourage active play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

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