Thursday, April 16, 2009
Encouraging activity for Healthy Kids Day
Two Roanoke YMCAs join forces to teach youngsters about health.
Photos by Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times
Cyrus Chrenshaw, 17, jumps over Vinson Powell, 18, during a practice for the Battle Breakers, a Christian hip-hop troupe, at the Gainsboro Family YMCA in Roanoke. The group plans to perform Saturday during Healthy Kids Day at the Kirk Family YMCA.
Cyrus Chrenshaw, (from left) Charles Dudley and Aaron Leftwich practice at the Gainsboro Family YMCA. Jonee Moore, 16, said the Battle Breakers are excited about attending Healthy Kids Day. "We plan on showing them dances and then teaching them steps," she said.
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Shaking maracas. Crawling across an obstacle course. Getting your face painted. These are just some of the events planned for Saturday at the Kirk Family YMCA in Roanoke.
Across the country, more than 1,800 YMCAs are planning to celebrate Healthy Kids Day, an annual event designed to educate youngsters and their families about safety, nutrition and exercise.
Because they are located so close together, the Kirk Family and Gainsboro Family YMCAs plan to join forces, holding one event at the Kirk location.
Valerie McKnight, the Kirk YMCA membership director, said she is planning on a turnout of at least 1,000 to 2,000 people. And even though the fun is geared toward children up to age 12, everyone in the community is invited to the free event.
Some of the groups that offer classes at the YMCAs will be demonstrating their talents at the event. Participants from fencing, aerobics and dance classes will strut their stuff, in hopes of teaching kids that exercise can be a lot of fun.
The Battle Breakers, a Christian hip-hop troupe that practices at the Gainsboro YMCA, is one of the groups performing Saturday. The dance troupe consists of about 20 performers, ages 6 to 19.
Jonee Moore, 16, has been a member of the troupe for more than two years. She participated in last year's Healthy Kids Day and loved it.
"The group is excited to be working with the kids," Jonee said. "We plan on showing them dances and then teaching them steps."
The YMCAs also have arranged for more than 20 area organizations and vendors to attend Healthy Kids Day.
Among them will be the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, which will bring maps and a small bike, and plans on "promoting a safe cycling summer," said Barbara Duerk. Helping children find a better helmet fit and learning traffic safety are also on the group's agenda.
A representative from Carilion Clinic will conduct car seat safety checks. The Roanoke Police Department will help children make their own fingerprint cards and give a K-9 unit demonstration. McGruff the Crime Dog will be there, too.
Liz Lugeberner, the education director for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, is bringing the symphony's petting zoo -- filled not with animals, but instruments. Percussion instruments will be brought out for shaking and pounding, she said.
"Playing instruments is a healthy activity, too," she said.
The Salem YMCA will hold its Healthy Kids Day on April 25. Martha Pinard, the youth and family program director, said that many of the same events are planned. Pinard said they also have a biathlon planned, asking kids to "run then swim."
