Raritan Bay Area YMCA Wants Kids to “Charge into Summer” During Annual Healthy Kids Day® 

Event Encourages Kids to Stay Active And Keep Learning All Summer Long 

Press Release 4/17/17

PERTH AMBOY – On Saturday, April 29, the Raritan Bay Area YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The event will commence with a “MOVE” With Mayor Diaz Walk and will include activities such as outdoor group fitness classes, obstacle course, games, bounce house, live music, arts and crafts, and giveaways to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,600 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically – this summer learning loss is more pronounced among students from low-income families. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y wants families to focus on “charging” kids up with enthusiasm for themselves and their potential.

“When a child is healthy, happy motivated, and excited something amazing is inevitably going to result,” says Steve Jobin, President and CEO, Raritan Bay Area YMCA. “We in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer,” said Sholonda Chipepo, Vice President of Organizational Development, Raritan Bay Area YMCA.

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. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.

• 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.

• Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning and other vital functions.

This year’s Healthy Kids Day will take place at the Historic Perth Amboy Waterfront on the intersection of Madison Avenue and Sadowski Parkway from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities. Also, joining us will be Mayor Diaz which will help us kick-off the event with a walk down our beautiful waterfront.

All kids deserve the best summer ever, and Delta is proud to be the national sponsor of Healthy Kids Day, which kicks off a healthy, active and engaged summer for kids throughout the country. Locally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the City of Perth Amboy, WellCare, U.S. Foods, Premier Supply, PRAHD Inc., PNC Bank, and Perth Amboy Fire Department.

For more information, contact Jennifer Roche at 732.442.3632, jroche@rbaymca.org.