At its Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch, the Sarasota YMCA recently held a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. Healthy Kids Day featured activities including the Adventure Tower climb, “Kids in the Kitchen” with the Junior League of Sarasota, Safe Place/SPRINT cell phone safety, hula hoop dancing, bounce house, face painting, lawn games, activities with the Sarasota County Fire Department, and more to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.
The annual Healthy Kids Day aims to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that it is hoped they will 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. 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.
“When a child is healthy, happy and supported, they can make great things happen,” said Rhonda Kapusta, executive director of the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch of the Sarasota YMCA. “We believe 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.”
Nearly 1.2 million children and their families were expected to participate in YMCA’s Healthy Kids Days at more than 1,600 locations across the country. For more than 25 years, Healthy Kids Day has celebrated children’s health and continues to teach healthy habits for kids and families, encourage active play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.
For more about the Sarasota YMCA’s youth programs, go to sarasotaymca.org or call 941-922-9622.
About the Sarasota YMCA
The Sarasota YMCA is committed to strengthening the community: through youth development by nurturing the potential of every child and teen, through healthy living by improving the community’s health and well-being, and through social responsibility by giving back and providing support to our neighbors. Every day, we work to make sure that everyone – regardless of age, income or background – has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. For more information, go to sarasotaymca.org or call (941) 951-2916.