Healthy Kids Day aims to help kids exercise minds and bodies
HARDYSTON — The Sussex County YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 27 with a free community event that encourages kids in Sussex County to get moving and learning, and families living healthier.
Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.
Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, or daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot — a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year — only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.
“At the Sussex County YMCA we want to help parents keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Jennifer Gardner, Executive Director of the Sussex County YMCA. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”
Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.
The Sussex County YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 15 Wits End Road, Hardyston, from 1 to 4 p.m. and is sponsored by Eastern Propane. This free community event features fun, active play and educational activities, such as a bounce house, free swim with the Wibits aquatic obstacle course, healthy food demonstrations, face painting, door prizes, and more. In addition, more than 20 local non-profit and health related organizations are partnering with the Sussex County YMCA and the Partnership for Healthy Adolescents.
During the Healthy Kids Day celebration, the Y will also host its fifth annual Community Leaders Kickball Tournament. The annual kickball tournament is a chance for adults to “lead by example” and demonstrate that one is never too old or too young to get active. Area businesses and community groups are invited to form teams of nine to 11 players to participate in the event. Teams may register for a donation of $300, which is enough to provide a child with a full camp experience this summer.
For more information, contact the Sussex County YMCA at 973-209-9622 or visit www.sussexcountyymca.org.