On April 27, the YMCA of the Coosa Valley is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages kids in the Gadsden area to get moving and learning, and families living healthier. Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.
Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.
“At the YMCA of the Coosa Valley we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Mindy Rains, Personal Trainer, YMCA of the Coosa Valley. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”
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. On April 27, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.
The YMCA of the Coosa Valley’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 100 Walnut St in the back parking lot of the Y from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
City of Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton will kick off the event and the Physician’s Who Care Fun Run. Other activities feature fun, active play and educational activities, such as Aqua Zumba, Kids Yoga, Face Painting, Crafts, Summer Day Camp Games, Zumbatomic for Kids, Swimming and more. CharACTers Children’s Theater will provide entertainment. The Chik-fil-a Cow will make an appearance along with Gold’s Gym and Buffalo Rock will provide healthy snacks.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Gadsden Service Guild and Riverview Regional Medical Center.
The first 100 kids will receive a goodie bag of prizes including a YMCA t-shirt and YMCA HEALTHY FAMILY HOME Activity sheets for the whole family.
YMCA of the Coosa Valley is proud to host representatives from Sarrell Dental, Success by 6, Barrie Center, American Heart Association, Family Success Center and Gadsden Runners Club.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.
YMCA sponsors Healthy Kids Day for Gadsden area children
