COLUMBUS – The Columbus Area YMCA is hosting its annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday to encourage children to maintain a healthy mind and lifestyle in the summertime.
“What the event basically focuses on is bridging those gaps between summer and the school year,” said Betsy Eckhardt, membership director of The Y. “It helps with reading loss prevention.”
A majority of the YMCAs throughout the nation are hosting this event on the same day, with it running from 9-11 a.m. Admission is free for members and non-members. The event attracts an average of 100 to 150 attendees every year.
Eckhardt said that it is common for students to forget what they’ve learned during the school year at the end of the term. The event encourages these students to continue studying in the summer, as well as adopting an active lifestyle.
“Kids through the summertime might not have access to libraries or have access to any sort of daycare that helps in the educational fields,” she said.
Staff members at the Y will be leading games to encourage children to continue practicing spelling and language. Participants will have the opportunity to continue playing these educational games at home.
Eckhardt said children coming from low-income homes might not have access to lunches or certain schools’ BackPack Programs throughout the summertime which can lead to overall health issues and complications.
Nearly 30 percent of Nebraska youth ages 10-17 are either overweight or obese, information from the 2012 National Survey of Children’s Health says. These numbers are alarming and The Y hopes to combat the issue through activities and educational programs provided at the event.
Healthy Kids Day has a variety of programs and activities, including: Zumba Dance Party, Gaga Dodgeball Pit, Water Safety Presentation with Aquatics Staff, Summer Day Camp Games and Art Wall.
The event will also help foster healthy eating habits. The Healthy Eating Snacks and Tips program will be led by Hy-Vee dietitian Kay Taylor. Kids can utilize what they learn by making their own delicious, nutritious, snacks at home.
There are four new activities introduced this year. The Columbus Fire Department will be teaching the children about fire safety and the Columbus Police Department will be speaking on bicycle safety.
Volunteers from The Y’s TOGETHERHOOD program will be leading the new family play section called, “Way to Grow.” They will be helping the children plant tomatoes in cups that they can take home with them.
Eckhardt encourages parents to participate in the activities with their children.
“I am just excited for kids to be able to come and experience The Y when they might not have in the past and see what we have to offer as far as camps and any sort of sports clinics,” she said. “I am also excited for families to come and experience that they can come as a family and play together.”
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