Oswego Family YMCA Healthy Kids Day® April 27 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies – Just in Time For Summer

The statistics are staggering: only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity daily and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables per day, according to the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot (a parent survey that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year). Summer can prove even more problematic for children, as research also shows kids are at risk of
falling behind academically and gaining weight if they don’t have access to
out-of-school physical and learning activities. In an effort to set children
and families on a healthy course, the Oswego Family YMCA plans to celebrate
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®  April 27 with a free community event that promotes active living and learning. The Oswego Family YMCA plans to offer a Zumbatonic® demonstration, free bounce units, sports activities, and free health screenings offered by our title sponsor Rush-Copley Medical Center.

“At the Oswego Family YMCA, we know parents struggle to keep
their kids physically and intellectually active every day, as from our YMCA
Family Health Snapshot we know children aren’t getting enough fruits and
vegetables and only 17 percent of children read books for fun,” said  Lisa Cornelius, Health and Wellness Director. “Through Healthy Kids Day, we want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity, and more kids excel in school.”

Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kickstarts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.

 “The Oswego Family YMCA offers two camps, Camp Hudson, a more traditional camp experience, and Camp Y-Be Fit, which focuses on fitness, and healthy eating.  Camp Hudson is implementing a summer enrichment program this year which will include a reading component as well as a math tutoring element which is so critical for our children’s educational success.   All day on Saturday April 27 we’ll be talking to parents about our summer day camps, sports programs and swim lessons, designed to ensure that kids don’t gain weight over the summer or fall behind academically,” said Melissa Johnson, Oswego YMCA Membership Manager. “We also will be offering some special summer savings to make sure no one misses out on these great opportunities.”

Melissa Johnson would like to invite the entire Oswegoland community
to attend this free event at the Oswego Family YMCA, April 27 from 10am until
2pm.  Oswego Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by
Rush-Copley Medical Center, UPS, and Chiro One Wellness Centers. The Oswego Family YMCA also is proud to host representatives from Boulder Hill Dental, Raging Waves Waterpark, Aurora Skate Center, Fox River Academy of Music and Art, Kickers Soccer Club, and Bouncetown.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day also is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

For more information, contact Oswego Family YMCA at 630/551-0797 or visit oswegofamilyymca.org.