Healthy U is a "Go" for the New School Year at the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties

The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, a cause-driven nonprofit charitable organization, celebrated its 6th year participating in the Healthy U program with it’s annual kick-off event, coinciding for the first time with national Food Day.

“Holding Healthy U school-year kick-off events demonstrates our annual recommitment to Healthy U while creating an exciting program for the kids who can see how much fun healthy living can be,” said Dana Collins, vice president of operations, YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties.

Healthy U is a collaborative partnership between the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with the goal of combating childhood obesity through nutrition education, physical education and family involvement. It teaches children ages 3 -13 how to be healthy for a lifetime by using CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum to promote physical activity and good nutrition demonstrating that eating healthy and being physically active every day can be fun.

“As one in three children are overweight or obese — they are at risk to developing serious health problems in adulthood. Through the Healthy U program, we can make a positive impact on youth and their families,” said Collins.

At the Mt. Laurel Health U kick-off, more than 35 children participated in lively CATCH activities including hula-hoop and parachute games. During circle time, children discussed healthy food choices in “go, slow and whoa” categories, and made a special snack, “Ants on a Log” with celery, peanut butter or cream cheese and raisins.

Healthy U has been a part of the Y after school program since 2008, and Y preschool-age programs since 2012. The school-based program incorporates the Healthy U curriculum in physical education, the classroom setting, the cafeteria, and throughout the school community. The philosophy is to promote, educate and create a culture for healthy living and help students make positive choices for physical activity and nutrition. The program also provides support to families for making good choices and lifestyle changes.

Healthy U has been implemented at 530 YMCA sites across the state, including 400 after-school sites, 80 preschool sites and 50 elementary school sites. Nearly 40,000 children ages 3 to 13 now participate in the program. Healthy U is made possible through a grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, a division of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Since 2008, the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested $3.45 million in the Healthy U initiative.

Photo
(from left) Jeanine Green, community affairs coordinator, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Tim Kerrihard, president and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington Counties and Jennifer Strandskov, early child care director, YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties at Healthy U Day.

About the Y
The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation that is building strong kids, families and communities through programs designed to improve an individual’s spirit, mind and body. The YMCA serves more than 30,000 members in Burlington and Camden Counties through its two full facility sites in Mt. Laurel and Burlington-Riverfront, and more than 25 program sites in Burlington and Camden Counties. YMCA services include aquatics, preschool, youth and teen programs, fitness programs, family programs and childcare services. Social opportunities for seniors and the disabled, community education and summer camps are offered as well. For more information, visit ymca-bc.org.