Healthy Kids Day®

Sussex County YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® on April 26 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies

On Saturday, April 26, the Sussex County YMCA is holding a free community event, sponsored by Eastern Propane, to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, bounce house, open swim time and more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.  

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, 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.

“One in three U.S. children is obese. This statistic, coupled with the fact that once summer hits, children will be more idle, demonstrates why it’s important to help families develop healthy habits now,” said Jennifer Gardner, Executive Director, Sussex County YMCA. “As part of the Y’s commitment to healthy living, through YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day our goal is to improve the health and well-being of kids and inspire habits they can continue into adulthood.”

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.
• 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, and 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.
• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how rewarding that experience is.
The Sussex County YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 15 Wits End Road, Hardyston from 1:00-4:00 pm and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as make your own slime, tie dye Bandanas, build a healthy kid recycle craft,  bounce house, swimming, Lacrosse shooting contest and so much more. In addition, more than twenty local non-profit and health related organizations are partnering with the Sussex County YMCA and the Partnership for Healthy Adolescents to bring this fun and free children’s health expo to our community.

During the Healthy Kids Day celebration, the Y will also host its sixth annual Community Leaders Kickball Tournament. The annual kickball tournament is a chance for adults to “lead by example” and demonstrate that one is never too old or too young to get active. Area businesses and community groups are invited to form teams of nine to eleven players to participate in the event. Teams may register for a donation of $300, which is enough to provide a child with a full camp experience this summer.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported Eastern Propane and also supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

For more information, contact Sussex County YMCA at 973.209.9622 or visit www.sussexcountyymca.org.

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The Y is for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility and is accessible to all people.  Financial assistance is available to individuals and families who cannot afford the full cost of our programs and services.

The Y is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 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 while providing opportunities to give back and support the community.

The Sussex County YMCA is a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, which is the largest YMCA Association in the State of New Jersey.  Our mission is to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Its six branch facilities, located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne, provide a wide variety of services and activities:

• Quality all-day and after-school childcare, pre-school classes, recreational and enrichment programs including swimming, sports, arts, computer activities and day and sleep-away camps.
• Programs for adolescents and teens that help build self-esteem and leadership skills.
• Programs for adults and seniors.