YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties' Healthy Kids Day® on May 4 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies

On Sunday, May 4, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties is holding a free community event 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, features interactive games, sports, swimming lessons, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts and more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home. 

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 Tim Kerrihard, President and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties. “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 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, 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. 

The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties’ Healthy Kids Day takes place at 59 Centerton Road in Mt. Laurel from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities and relay races and obstacle courses, swimming and youth sports, Zumba® and class demonstrations, games and much more. Additional attractions include arts and crafts, performances by the Philadelphia Soulmates at 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., exhibits from the military, local police and fire departments, healthy refreshments, and seed planting activities. The first 1,000 children in attendance will receive free giveaways.

In conjunction with Healthy Kids Day, those who join the Y on April 28-May 4 only can take advantage of the Y’s Waive the Joiner fee special and save up to $150. Additionally, those who register and pay in full for four weeks or more of Day Camp on Healthy Kids Day on May 4 will receive $50 off the cost of camp. 

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Virtua, TD Bank and SJ Magazine.

For more information, visit www.ymca-bc.org or call 856.231.9622 x215.

About the Y
The YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties is a cause-driven, community based, charitable nonprofit organization that strengthens community by building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults and families. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the community's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Throughout neighborhoods across the two counties and its 50+ sites, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 30,000 people each year to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymca-bc.org.