The Community YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® Gives Families a Jump Start on Summer

More than 250 children got a jump on summer Saturday at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® in Red Bank, Wall and Marlboro. The Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, featured games, physical activities, arts and crafts and healthy snacks to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home during the summer and throughout the year.

In Red Bank, families started the day with a family breakfast in conjunction with The Family Dinner Project of Boston and Cheerios, that included Cheerios, yogurt and fresh fruit, at the Y’s Family Healthy and Wellness Center.

At Camp Zehnder in Wall, kids made their own lures and participated in a Fishing Derby and other “fish” related activities such as fish painting.  Afterward all enjoyed a lunch that was donated by My Three Uncles Food Services of Howell and Geoff Schaber of Silvia Woods Food Company.

Camp Arrowhead’s morning started off with an obstacle course, followed by basketball games and activities. Meridian Pawsitive Action Team shared nutritional activities and Colts Neck Center for Orthodontics gave advice for healthy smiles. Whole Foods Market of Marlboro provided healthy fruit and water.

Students from Rutgers School of Health Related Professions were at all locations, giving advice on healthy eating and enjoying the activities of the morning.  Also providing materials and healthy advice were Hulafrog Red Bank and Southern Monmouth, and NJ Sharing Network organ donation services.

“The Community YMCA is pleased to connect our families to community partners who share our commitment to nurturing the development of kids and supporting families in building stronger bonds,” said Rhonda Anderson, President and CEO of The Community YMCA.

Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, and statewide attracted more than 6,500 children and families, 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.

Statewide, more than 6,500 children and families came out to their local Ys to play games, exercise, dabble in arts and crafts, sample healthy snacks and discover that fun and fitness to together.

Healthy Kids Day was established in 1992 in response to the alarming statistics that one in three U.S. children is obese, and when summertime hits, kids will be more idle. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

About The Community YMCA
The Y is a leading nonprofit charity that strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Community YMCA serves more than 20,000 residents in greater Monmouth County through programs such as: preschool, before and after school care, health and wellness, leadership, arts enrichment, personal and family counseling and summer day camp. With a mission to serve all, more than $660,000 in reduced and free membership fees and programs is provided by the YCares financial assistance program to individuals and families in need. For more information, visit TheCommunityYMCA.org.