This national event encourages kids to stay active and keep learning all summer long!

On Saturday, April 29, the Rockland Harbor YMCA is holding 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 features activities such as: bike safety, dental health, summer camp information, healthy snacks, arts and crafts, to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.

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 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.

“When a child is healthy, happy motivated, and excited something amazing is inevitably going to result,” says Benjie Blake, Sports & Camping Director, Rockland Harbor YMCA. “We see the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find 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 Nicole McClendon, Early Learning Director, Rockland Harbor YMCA.

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.
• Foster an Early and Ongoing Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs, bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning and other vital functions.

The Rockland Harbor YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at Flanagan Community Center (former Rec Center) from 9:00am to noon and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as a  Bouncy House, Face Painting, Art Workshops, Animal Shelter, Bike & Helmet Safety, Summer Camp Information, Car Seat Checks, Story Time, Music Together, Children's Yoga, Healthy Smoothies, Fire Truck Tours, Finger Printing, Gardening, Gymnastics, Gym Games, Dental Health, Giveaways, and MORE!!!

Healthy Kids Day is supported by Community Partners: 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go!, Granite Coast Orthodontics, Home Depot, North Atlantic Gymnastics Academy, PAWS, Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, Raising Readers, Rockland Public Library, Rockland Fire Department, Rockland Police Department, Rockland Savings Bank, and Sidecountry Sports

For more information, Nicole McClendon, Rockland Harbor YMCA at 593.8500 or visit www.penbayymca.org.