YMCA invites community to Healthy Kids Day

Published 3:44 pm Friday, April 8, 2011

Chilton County’s YMCA will have free fun, food and games everyone can enjoy during its Healthy Kids Day. The event will be held at the facility’s soccer field Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Healthy Kids Day is a nationwide event observed at all YMCAs to celebrate and teach good health for kids, encourage active play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

“There is no age limit, and we hope parents bring their children so they can participate with them,” said Cara O’Neal, gymnastics director/head coach. “We are really excited and hope the entire community comes out.”

The soccer field will be sectioned off into five sections, with different events taking place at each section.

For example, one section will be for preschoolers, and they will play games such as Duck, Duck, Goose and Mother May I, while another section will play flag football, relay races, Tug-of-War and jump rope, said O’Neal.

Several booths will be set up outside the field where Clanton Police Department and medical professions will pass out materials regarding staying safe and healthy.

Free water, Gatorade and healthy snacks will also be distributed.

“Everything is centered around health,” said O’Neal. “The police department will set up materials on everyday safety, alcohol and drug abuse; the hospital will educate on germs and the dentist dental hygiene.”

In addition to the educational booths, a pledge booth will be set up for children to make a promise to be more active, eat healthier and take good care of themselves, O’Neal said. Bracelets will be given to each child that pledges to help remind them of that commitment.

“This event is to help boost the awareness of staying healthy and to boost activity in children,” said O’Neal. “We welcome all ages to come out and enjoy the fun.”