YMCA of Gloucester County Aims to Bring Out the Wow! Factor in Local Kids During 25th Annual Healthy Kids Day

[April 25, 2016: Gloucester County, NJ] On Saturday, April 30 from 12-3pm, the YMCA of Gloucester County is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The day-long event features activities such as healthy snack demonstration, sports demonstrations, games, arts and crafts, obstacle course, moon bounces and more to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home. Over 20 vendors will fill the event with giveaways and information on community services.

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 Melissa O’Neill Walczak, Chief Executive Officer.

The YMCA of Gloucester County’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 235 East Red Bank Avenue, Woodbury, NJ from 12:00PM to 3:00PM and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as healthy snacks, sports demonstrations, dance demonstrations, moon bounces, facility tours, camp open house, swimming, arts & crafts and more!

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Graphic Solutions, Jump Around Inc., NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation, Inspira Health Network, Bounce U & Learn With Me Daycare.

For more information, contact Jodi Gilbert at 856.994.3293 or visit ymcagloco.org

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About the Y

The YMCA of Gloucester County is one of the leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across Gloucester County, YGC engages 3,500 men, woman and children - regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. With a full facility in Woodbury, NJ and program sites throughout the county, YGC has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymcagloco.org