YMCA’s
Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,300 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, which is a critical time for kids’
health. 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 physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically.
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 hopes to focus on wowing
them with their potential and make this their best summer ever by staying
active and learning.
“The
Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find
the Wow! factor inside 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 Laurie
Ferris, Youth Director of the Lockport Family 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 Lockport Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes
place at 19 East Avenue ,
Lockport
8:00 AM –
2:30 PM – Free Family Fitness Classes
in our Aerobic Room & Pool
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM - Niagara County
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Fitness
Screening – height, weight, BMI, strength & flexibility measured for 6
year olds plus.
- Sports
Challenge – test your sports and game skills, while you learn a few new
skills for the 12 year old and under crowd.
- Health &
Youth Fair – local community agencies will share their youth & health
tips!
- Youth Obstacle
Course – Lockport City Firefighters
will test your fire fighting abilities in our gym!
- Preschool Fun -
exercise with our Preschool staff and take home a YMCA craft project!
- Healthy Snacks – learn more about nutrition and make your own healthy snack with help from our School Age Child Care Staff!
- Outdoor
Education & Nature Activities – get ready for summer with
- Lobby Games –
share family time by playing lobby games like pool, fooseball &
ping-pong.
- Basket Raffle
(All Day Long) – to benefit our Annual Support Campaign
1:00 – 4:00 PM - Family Open Swim – enjoy free time for the whole family in the Y pool.
1:00 – 4:00 PM - Family Open Gym –
spend some quality family time shooting hoops!