On Sunday, April 26, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is holding a free community event to inspire more kids and families to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s “Healthy Kids Day” is the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being and help families develop a healthy routine at home.
This year’s theme “EAT, PLAY, MOVE” aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long — a critical out-of-school time 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.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years,” said Tim Kerrihard, President and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. “In an effort to beat this statistic and help families develop healthy habits and promote healthy living, the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day aims to improve the health and well-being of kids and inspire habits that will be common practice in their lives into adulthood.”
This year’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Mt. Laurel YMCA located at 59 Centerton Road from 1 to 4 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities, a fitness challenge, gymnastics, stand up paddle boarding and swimming in the pool. Additional attractions include arts and crafts, face painting, fly fishing demonstrations, exhibits from local fire departments, cooking demonstrations and healthy snacks provided by the Silver Diner of Cherry Hill and Wegmans. The first 1,000 children in attendance will receive free giveaways. This event is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to bring their bathing suits and towels for fun pool activities along with bicycle helmets and car seats for safety checks.
In conjunction with Healthy Kids Day, those who join the Y on April 26 only can take advantage of the Y’s Waive the Joiner fee special and save up to $150. Additionally, those who register and pay in full for two weeks or more of Day Camp on Healthy Kids Day can take advantage of the Y’s Waive the Program Member fee special and save up to $200 on the cost of camp.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Virtua Health System, MedExpress Urgent Care, TD Bank and SJ Magazine.
For more information, visit ymca-bc.org or call (856) 231-YMCA (9622).
