On April 28, 2012 the Portage Township YMCA will be celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event for kids and families in the Portage community. More than 1,900 Ys across the country are taking part in the celebration, meant to kick start physical activity and learning throughout the summer – a critical out-of-school time for kids.
Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative of the Y to improve the health and well-being of kids, is filled with fun, active play and educational activities that will help parents improve their kids’ lifestyles for the long term. Research shows that without access to activities that stimulate the mind and body, kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months.
“At the Portage Township YMCA we know that when the school year ends, many kids lose exposure to activities that keep them moving and learning. Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to stay physically and intellectually active in the summer, which YMCA Summer Camp meets those needs,” said, Ms. CC, School Age Child Care Coordinator. “Summer is just around the corner and is an ideal time for kids to get out and grow so they are healthier and sharper when the next school year begins.”
The Portage Township YMCA’s event will take place at 3100 Willowcreek, Portage, from 10-noon and will feature activities such as Kid’s I.D.’s, Zumbatomic, crafts, Ballet Folklorico, games, mascots, healthy snacks, fire truck, hearing tests, giveaway’s, raffles, D.J. and much more.
A leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to teach healthy habits and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity through active play. As part of this initiative, the Y – along with hundreds of thousands of parents and kids nationwide – is taking on summer by addressing critical gaps in health and education that cause kids to be at risk for childhood obesity and suffer summer learning loss.
Healthy Kids Day is supported by St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart, IN.
In addition, the Portage Township YMCA is proud to host representatives from Dr. Laura Hannon DDS, Topperz, Portage Exchange Club, Little Caesars, Harris BMO, Accurate Hearing Aid Service, St. Mary Medical Center physician Karen Patterson.
Summer Day Camp registration will begin on Healthy Kids Day. Free backpacks will be given to those registering for camp on that day.
Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand.
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3100 Willowcreek Rd
Portage, IN 46368
Phone: 219-762-9622
For more information, contact Amber Morris at 219-762-9622 or visit www.ymcaofportage.org.
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.