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04/21/2015 03:37 PMWith warmer weather finally here, it’s time for parents to find ways to pry kids’ attention away from TV and computer screens and get them engaged in physical activities—and the Valley-Shore YMCA wants to help them do that.
The Y once again has organized an active day of fun and activities for kids and youth on Saturday, April 25.
“The idea of Healthy Kids Day is to encourage kids to be active, especially in the summer months. This is a kick-off for the summer,” explained Y Program Director Lynn Wheeler.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Kids Triathlon, an event geared to youth from ages 6 through 14. Four different age brackets will be assigned different age-appropriate distances for the Triathlon’s swim, bike, and run race elements.
Following the morning race, the Healthy Kids Day will continue through the afternoon with a variety of youth and family-friendly activities and demonstrations—and hot dogs and other snacks are available to all.
Demonstrations already scheduled include a scuba presentation in the Prymas Pool at 2 p.m., sample youth exercises classes, and three, 20-minute student dance programs starting at 1:10 p.m. Three dance schools are participating: Dance Hutch in Clinton, Rayna’s School of Dance in Chester, and Westbrook Dance Academy from Westbrook. Two students from the Y’s Teen Leadership will talk to youth and families on the topics of stress and bullying.
Other activities include kid fun like jumping in two bounce houses, field games and archery, as well as the opportunity to make arts and crafts and designated tables.
Music will also be playing. One DJ will spin musical tunes outside and another, in the basketball gym. And various exhibitors will be there to offer information and demonstrations. The Westbrook Fire Department members, for example, will bring their Smoke House and talk about fire safety. The Clinton Rotary will offer Amber Alert IDs.
“An array of things will be happening throughout the day,” said Wheeler.
All area families are invited to join in the fun—and start down the path to fitness.
Triathalon Details
Youth participants aged 6 to 8 years will do a 50-yard swim, a one-mile bike ride, and a half-mile run. Those aged 9 and 10 will do a 100-yard swim, a one-mile bike ride, and a half mile run. The 11 and 12 years olds will also swim for 100 yards, but they will bicycle for two miles and complete a three-quarter mile run. The oldest group, the 13 and 14 year olds, will swim 200 yards, do a two-mile bike ride, and run three-quarters of a mile.
To participate, youth athletes can sign up in person at the Valley-Shore Y on Spencer Plains Road, online at www.vsymca.org, or can call the Y at 860-399-9622. Everyone who participates will get a T-shirt and a medal.
“We will even register youth on race day,” said Wheeler. “We have about 30 to 40 participants each year.”
Those waiting until April 25 to register should leave some extra time to complete the paperwork. The race begins promptly at 8 a.m. Pre-registered racers will be able to pick their packets up starting at 7 a.m. on race day.