On Saturday, April 20, the Portage Township YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages kids in the Portage community to get moving and learning, and teaches families how to live 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, reading, and 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 Portage Y, we know parents struggle to 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 Dr. Frataccia, Superintendent of Portage Township Schools. “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. On April 20, the Portage Y’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.
The Healthy Kids Day Event supported by St. Mary Medical Center will take place at the Y from 10 am to Noon and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as fitness, games, crafts, sports, wellness opportunities, DJ, giveaways, kid’s ID’s, and healthy snacks. Summer Day camp registration will begin on this day. Summer Day Camp runs from June 10 thru August 16 at the Portage High School West from 9-3 Monday thru Friday. Before and after camp is available as early as 6:30 am and as late as 6:00 pm.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.
For more information, contact the Y at 219-762-9622 or visit www.ymcaofportage.org.