IF YOU GOWhat: YMCA Healthy Kids Day.When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.Where: Hamilton Place mall, I-75 at Shallowford Road; Downtown YMCA, 301 W. Sixth St.; North River Family YMCA, 4138 Hixson Pike; Cleveland Family YMCA, 220 Urbane Road NE; and Rhea County YMCA, 232 Fourth Ave., Dayton.Admission: Free.Website: www.ymca.net.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga will get a jump on summer Saturday with its annual celebration of Healthy Kids Day.
More than 1,900 Ys across the country, including those in Chattanooga, Cleveland and Dayton, Tenn., are taking part in the free event. The goal is to give children an early start on physical activity and learning for when they get out of school this summer.
Research shows that without access to activities that stimulate the mind and body, kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months, according to a news release from local Y officials.
"At the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, we know that when the school year ends, many kids lose exposure to activities that keep them moving and learning," said interim CEO Rick Madison.
"Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to stay physically and intellectually active in the summer."
Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative of the Y to improve the health and well-being of kids.
The day is filled with fun, active play and educational activities that will help parents improve their kids' lifestyles for the long term. Keeping kids active this summer, Madison said, means they'll be "healthier and sharper when the next school year begins."
Locally, events will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at five locations: Hamilton Place mall, Downtown YMCA, North River Family YMCA, Cleveland Family YMCA and the Rhea Family YMCA. Games, races, healthy snacks and information booths will be part of the fun.
RIDE & DRIVE
Chattanooga's Crown Dodge will have its line of family vehicles available for test drives Saturday to promote passenger and family safety. Ride & Drive takes place in 20 locations across the country, including the North River Family YMCA. For every test drive taken at the event, Dodge will contribute $20 to the local facility. In 2011, Dodge donated more than $21,000 to participating Y's from Healthy Kids Day test drives.