PRYMCA wants kids to ‘charge into summer’ at annual Healthy Kids Day

DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Saturday, May 6 the Piscataquis Regional 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 wellbeing for kids and families. The event features activities such as the 3K Mayo Fun Run, open swim, pony rides, obstacle courses, Mayo Teddy Bear clinic, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and much more to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines.

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,” said Kelly Hutchinson, child care director at the PRYMCA. “We see 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.”
In celebration of 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 seven to eight 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 PRYMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 48 Park Street from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities. The PRYMCA has partnered with the SeDoMoCha School and Mayo Regional Hospital to bring this event to the community. There will be displays and giveaways from local businesses and pony rides sponsored by Dave’s World U.S. Cellular. Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department will be here with touch a truck and the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club will hold a bike rodeo and Hooked on Fishing event at Kiwanis Park.

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 sponsored by SeDoMoCha and Mayo Regional Hospital along with many local businesses participating in the event.

For more information, contact the PRYMCA at 207-564-7111 or visit www.prymca.org and check
out the event on Facebook.