Salem YMCA Celebrates Healthy Kids Day® on April 26

On Saturday, April 26 from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm, the Salem YMCA is holding a free community event on the Salem Common 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, will include the following:

Activities:

Summer Camp games

Swim tests, swim safety, demos and family swim relays in the pool

Family Zumba

Theatre Games 

Vendors:

Smoke House, with the Salem Fire Department

K9 Dogs, with the Sheriffs Department

McGruff Crime Dog, with the Police Department

North Shore Physical Therapy

Plummer Home for Boys

Walgreens

Energy assessments

Children Fingerprinting with New York Life

Woodworking workshop with Home Depot

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 Jason Silva, Executive Director of the Salem Y. “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 Onging 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, 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.

For more information, contact visit www.northshoreymca.org. 

About the YMCA of the North Shore

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For over 150 years, the YMCA of the North Shore has been strengthening the foundations of community for the more than 40,000 members it serves in 25 cities and towns. We nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support our neighbors; regardless of age, race, ethnicity or socio-economic background. www.northshoreymca.org.