HEALTHY KIDS DAY AT THE C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA will celebrate Healthy Kids Day® with a free community open house from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 26, at its Plainfield location, 15120 Wallin Drive.

Designed to raise awareness about the importance of establishing healthy habits in kids at a young age, this national YMCA initiative 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.

In celebration of the 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 Ongoing 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, bike rides and fun runs.
 
• 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.

As the prevalence of obesity among young children in the United States continues to rise, experts agree that children who develop healthy eating and exercise habits early in life will carry those lessons with them into adulthood. The Y’s Healthy Kids Day is designed to help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to embrace a healthy lifestyle all summer long.

As part of this free family-focused event at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, residents of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in a health and wellness expo with nearly 40 community vendors, participate in a family Zumba class and enjoy a performance by the Y’s Dance Ensemble. Other festivities will include kids’ games, face painting, bounce houses, cooking demonstrations, exciting prizes, giveaways and YMCA membership specials. Representatives from the Plainfield Fire Department and the Boy Scouts will also be on hand, as will the Plainfield Public Library and a host of area businesses, including the Joliet Slammers, Help Save Pets and 95.9 The River.

To learn more about Healthy Kids Day at the C.W. Avery Family Y, please contact Youth and Family Coordinator Sarah Porzel at (815) 267-8600 or via e-mail at sporzel@jolietymca.org.