For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA
Marketing & Communications Department
smcevoy@madisonymca.org

For Immediate Release 

CAPTION: Melissa Waterstredt, from Madison, and her son Wynn, 5, enjoy last year's Healthy Kids Day

The Madison Area YMCA Wants Kids to “Charge into Summer” During Annual Healthy Kids Day^® on Saturday, April 29

(Madison, NJ) April 7, 2017— The Madison Area YMCA‘s Healthy Kids Day®, a free community event, will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on the Y’s fields near the parking lot. Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families, is intended to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active all summer long.

To “Charge into Summer,” Healthy Kids Day will include: a DJ, field games for all ages, a bounce house, arts and crafts, face painting, healthy snacks, raffles, Ga-Ga and children’s races. More than 20 local organizations and businesses will be present. Additional parking for attendees is available in the Commuter Lot and on Keep Street.

Attendees may sign up for the Madison Area YMCA’s The Mind Matters 5K and Family Run at Healthy Kids Day®. The run, which benefits the Y’s programs that heal the whole person emotionally, mentally and physically, will take place at Giralda Farms on Wednesday, May 17.

The Madison Area YMCA’s Kids Swim for Our Cause will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., following Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 29. Donations to Swim for Our Cause will benefit the Y’s Annual Fund. Swimmers may pick up a pledge form at the Family Center’s Welcome Center, Aquatics office and pool area. Swimmers may also register at Healthy Kids Day.

Adults who attend Healthy Kids Day®, are invited to take the pledge to help prevent child sexual abuse. As April is National Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month, the Madison Area YMCA is designating April 24-28 to raise awareness and understanding through 5 Days of Action for Child Abuse Prevention, a series of events and activities designed to inform the community about how to recognize, prevent and report child sexual abuse.

During Healthy Kids Day®, the Y will also Diapers/Wipes Baby Item Collection for Moms Helping Moms; and sports equipment for Let’s Play it Forward, spearheaded by a local Girl Scout for her Silver Award.

The Madison Public Library on Keep Street, right across the street from the Madison Area YMCA, is holding its Annual Green Fair from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Stop by and find out more on: Home energy efficiency including solar power; The importance of native NJ plants Alternatives to landfill hogs (i.e. plastic disposable water bottles and plastic bags); Understand the nutrition we get from “whole foods”; Hear from MJS 7th graders about select science projects; Local green organizations such as the Madison Community Garden, Sustainable Madison and Madison Shade Tree Commission 

Please note: All guests must present a valid state/government-issued photo ID to enter the Madison Area YMCA facility.

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, which is a critical time for kids’ health. 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 physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. 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 hopes to focus on wowing them with their potential and make this their best summer ever by staying active and learning.

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.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At The Madison Area YMCA, we nurture the potential of every youth and teen, improve the community’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. We believe everyone, regardless of age, income or background, should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Visit our pages for more information about financial assistance or to make a donation.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day, please contact Madison Area YMCA Community and Member Engagement Manager Gwen Riddick at 973-822-9622 x2235 or griddick@madisonymca.org.

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