Families learn ways to stay active in summer
FREMONT – County residents played games, painted and learned about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the 2nd annual Health Kids Day on Saturday at the Sandusky County YMCA.
As the school year comes to an end many parents are looking for fun ways to keep their kids safe and active, said Lindi Cahill, program director at the Y.
"This is an incentive program leading into the summer from the National YUSA," Cahill said.
The idea behind the program, in its 15th year at the Sandusky County YMCA, is to give families a chance to see what the YMCA offers. Cahill said the Y is a great place for families or individuals to keep active through several different programs.
A 2013-14 Sandusky County Health Assessment revealed 29 percent of children in the county are overweight or obese.
To reduce that number, Cahill said the health day educates parents and children about the benefits of healthy eating, sleeping and exercise habits, especially during the summer months.
"We encourage 60 minutes of play each day. The parents were given a calender to mark off the minutes," Cahill said.
With a bag full of healthy habit ideas, a healthy snack and education on healthy lifestyles, parents and kids also were able to take advantage of the fieldhouse at the Y, filled with games and activities for children of all ages.
"My favorite thing was the basketball. You had to shoot a free throw or 3-pointer. If you made three in a row you got a prize. I made a 3-pointer," Evan Gerwin said.
Cahill said the day was a success with a larger turnout than expected with the event taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"We were expected about 100. We had more than that (by 11:30 a.m.)," she said. "(The event) is a great opportunity to see what we have to offer."
cshoup@gannett.com
419-334-1035
Twitter: CraigShoupNH
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