Achieve Balance at the Y!

Serving families has always been at the heart of the Y. With school now back in session, kids (and parents) often find themselves consumed with balancing rigorous schedules. Our desire is to provide opportunities for families to build stronger bonds, achieve greater work/life/school balance and stay engaged with each other and their communities.

This school year, The Y wants to make sure that parents and kids have the tools necessary to live a healthy and balanced life. Below are some tips for healthy eating and physical activity:

1. Start your day off with breakfast. Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired and irritable. Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refuel it needs. Studies show that kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier and are more likely to participate in physical activities (Source: www.kidshealth.org).

2. Get active and moving! On average, children and teens spend an estimated seven hours a day engaged in some form of media. This trend has contributed to increased rates of childhood obesity. Studies show that by decreasing screen time and increasing physical activity helps to kids maintain a healthy weight, improve psychological well-being and help kids gain more self-confidence. More importantly, physical activity helps to increase life expectancy rates  (Source: www.medpagetoday.com).

3. Make healthier food choices. Grabbing dinner out or at a fast food restaurant is often easier than cooking at home. Often these foods, although convenient, are loaded with high calories and fat content. Preparing healthy meals in advance is a great way to save money and control what your child consumes.

4. Eat together! Mealtime is a great time to talk to your kids about what’s going on in their lives. In fact, studies show that the more families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, use drugs and engage in other negative behaviors. Eating together as a family also helps to promote healthy food choices  (Source: www.time.com)

5. Include physical activities in family time. Our busy schedules often keep us from spending quality time with our families. One of the ways to change this is to plan activities with the entire family. Instead of watching TV, try spending time at the park, going for a walk or participating in a family fun activity at the Y!

Though life can be hectic and unpredictable, one thing remains certain – the Y is, and always will be dedicated to building healthy, confident, secure and connect children, families and communities.

Experience family time at the Y! http://ymcacolumbus.org/family-time

After the Bell...Discover the Y!

This weekend marks the end of summer for most kids as they return to school next week.  After the bell rings at the end of the school day, children and teens need a safe and nurturing place to go until their parents return home from work.  In Ohio, 30 percent of K-12 youth are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. and are responsible for taking care of themselves. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y offers quality after school programs that not only help youth learn, grow and thrive, but keep them safe and surrounded by caring adults.   

Combining play with academics, the Y’s after school programs fill gaps in schools and in the Central Ohio area by offering enrichment through arts, music, physical education, sports and nutrition. Youth in the YMCA of Central Ohio's after school program receive an educational based curriculum, which includes a school literacy program and homework assistance.  Our programs not only keep children and teens safe but engaged in fun and productive activities.

Studies show that youth who participate in after school programs demonstrate increased school attendance, academic performance and develop skills such as problem-solving, team building, negotiation and critical thinking.  Additionally, after school programs help to reduce achievement gaps among children from disadvantaged households. It’s also a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends.

Enroll your child or teen today! ymcacolumbus.org

This Saturday, August 11th has been designated by the global organization, Kids for Peace as a day of kindness.  It’s one day out of the year that kids all over the world are encouraged to perform small acts of kindness.  This year, the YMCA of Central Ohio has joined other organizations around the world to participate in the The Great Kindness Challenge.  Instead of doing just one day, we have decided to dedicate an entire week for our YMCA campers to perform good deeds for others in our community. 

Over the next week leading up to our annual Spirit Day on August 17^th, more than 1,000 Y campers will be performing as many good deeds they can complete within the week.  One of their acts of kindness will be to write notes of gratitude to our military for their service to our country.  The kids that complete 20 or more acts of kindness will be recognized on Spirit Day.

There are many ways for your kids to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge.  It can be as simple as smiling at 25 people, hosting a lemonade stand and donating proceeds to someone in need or even sending a card to a military family.   For a list of more acts of kindness, click here!

If you decide to participate, please be sure to post photos or share stories on our Facebook or Twitter pages.  

Nurturing the Potential of Every Child

Like millions across the country, we have been glued to our television sets watching in anticipation in who will capture the gold.  One of the many raising stars of the 2012 Olympics has been Gabby Douglas. 

Recently, Gabby made history and shattered world records in becoming the first African-American and first woman of color to win the individual all-around champion.  She also became the first American gymnast to win the gold medal in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics.  What's most impressive has been her journey to the 2012 Olympics.  At a young age, her mother recognized and nurtured her potential. 

At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe that all kids should have the opportunity be active and discover who they are and what they can achieve.  We believe that all kids have great potential and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals and aspirations. Gabby Douglas is an example of just that!  We are proud of her and everyone representing the United States in the 2012 Olympics!

Here is Gabby’s story, we hope that it will inspire you!  Who knows, your child may be a future Olympian.....Go Team USA!