WAYNESBORO, Pa. – For over three hours the YMCA was filled will laughter and excitement as community parents brought their children to enjoy a Saturday filled with fun and festivities, all centered around making healthy choices such as exercising and eating healthy snacks.
The theme for the event was the classic children’s cartoon and comic strip, Peanuts. Nearly every room in the YMCA facility was used to educate and entertain area children to choose a healthier lifestyle opposed to that of a more stationary sugar-filled life.
In the Youth classroom, there was Lucy’s Coloring Corner where kids could enjoy some popcorn while they painted and colored in books provided at many of the vendor tables which were located in gym one. There parents and children could visit with many of the community businesses such as the Antietam Humane Society, Buttonwood Nature Center, Children’s Advocacy of Franklin County, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, the Waynesboro Learning Center and so many more.
In gym two was Schroeder’s Entertainment, featuring several camp games as well as face painting and a balloon artist from the company Adventure in Fun. In the Child’s Watch area of the YMCA, kids could channel more of their artistic side by making a craft with Marcie’s Makers. Finally, in the pool area, kids could make waves in Franklin’s Splash Pad. All in all, a fun way to spend a warm spring day!
The fun times were not exclusive to just inside the YMCA building. Families could venture outside for even more entertaining excitement. Local emergency teams from the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department and Waynesboro Police Department were present with a squad and fire engines to provide photo ops and an opportunity to connect with local emergency men and women.
There was also the Peppermint Patty Playmakers where kids could play ball games and learn new sporting skills while enjoying the sunshine and getting plenty of exercise.
The event which took place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on April 18 was more than just an afternoon of fun and games. It was a chance for local families to learn the importance of getting exercise and eating healthier. Child obesity is a serious danger many kids face not just in Franklin County, but all through the nation. Companies like the YMCA and their sponsors work hard to help educate kids and their parents on the importance of getting outdoors and choosing more suitable snacks.
Fun days like Healthy Kids Day should not be exclusive to just a few hours on a Saturday afternoon, but a lifestyle that is lived every day of the week. The YMCA offers many programs that continue to educate and support a healthier lifestyle. Visit the link below for more information about the programs and opportunities they offer.
Waynesboro YMCA:
Photos by Toya McCleary:
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