Saturday April 18th, 2009
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Ventura Family YMCA will join more than 1,700 YMCAs nationwide in hosting its 18th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day, on Saturday, April 18th, from 8am to 1pm. An opportunity for kids and families to “Put Play in Their Day,” this special event uses free, fun, engaging, and creative activities to encourage children and families to adopt behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day exemplifies Activate America®, the YMCA’s response to our nation’s growing health crisis. The YMCA is redefining itself and engaging communities across the country to better support Americans of all ages who are struggling to achieve and maintain well-being in spirit, mind and body.
Throughout its nearly 160-year history as a volunteer and charitable organization, the YMCA has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities and individuals it serves. Today a new set of issues are calling the YMCA to act.
Our nation’s lifestyle health choices are contributing to increased rates of disease and reduced quality of life.
Families are finding it difficult to balance their work, family and civic life.
Youth, regardless of family income, are not receiving the support they need to develop positive skills and values that can guide them throughout their life.
“The challenge is that many families see healthy living as an all–or-nothing proposition. Through this lens, achieving a healthier lifestyle can seem overwhelming or out of reach,” said Lynette Ferrari, Activate America® Project Manager for the Channel Islands YMCA. “YMCA Healthy Kids Day shows families and kids that making healthy choices can be easy, fun and accessible to everyone.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day activities and incentives for kids and grown-ups will include:
No join fee to sign up at the YMCA
Registration for summer camps, childcare, swim lessons, and youth wellness classes
FREE eye exams and hearing tests sponsored by the Ventura Downtown Lions Club, Vice District Governor Dan Lyon Multiple District 4-A3
FREE safety seat checks sponsored by the California Highway Patrol/Ventura Division, Officer Michael Untalan
FREE games and activities designed to illustrate the fun in fitness
FREE bounce houses
FREE healthy snacks and treats
2K for runners, joggers and walkers
Exciting prizes and giveaways from local sponsors
Representatives from local health, safety, and educational organizations
Additional resources will be available to help kids and families achieve their greatest potential from strengthening their financial health to building better bonds together to improving their physical health and nutritional well-being.
The Ventura Family YMCA is proud to host representatives from California Highway Patrol/Ventura Division, Ventura Downtown Lions Club, Ventura County Public Health, City of Ventura Fire Department, City of Ventura Police Department, Oxnard Children’s Dental Group, College Chiropractic, Game Crazy, and others who will be providing a variety of educational opportunities for children and parents. Activities that day will also include face painting, arts & crafts, and sports activities for all ages.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day is supported by the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Sponsors include the Disney Channel, Eli Lilly and Company, Northwestern Mutual Foundation and Tropicana.
For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day activities or general information on programs and events offered, call the Ventura Family YMCA at 805-642-2131, or visit www.venturaymca.org.
About the Ventura Family YMCA
The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Saticoy. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. Visit www.venturaymca.org for more information.