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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WANT TO GET HAPPY? GET HEALTHY AT YOUR LOCAL YMCA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Celebrate the 13th annual YMCA Healthy Kids DayÂ® and join in cool activities like obstacle courses, fun runs and fitness challenges

Chicago, Mar. 10, 2004 - Get to your local YMCA on Saturday, April 3 and join kids and families at more than 1,150 YMCAs coast-to-coast, in a synchronized celebration honoring the thirteenth annual YMCA Healthy Kids DayÂ®. This day is designed to highlight the wide range of wellness activities and youth sports available to kids at local YMCAs, so more of them see firsthand how fun it is to get active. Activities will vary at each YMCA, but may include fun runs, softball games, and obstacle courses. Registration for summer programs like swimming lessons, summer day camp and sleepover camp will also take place at many Ys.

"YMCA Healthy Kids Day shows kids that physical activity is fun, and that their options aren't limited to sit-ups, jumping jacks or running laps," said Mike Spezzano, national health and fitness specialty consultant for YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for America's 2,540 YMCAs.

"Getting exercise and being healthy doesn't have to be boring or tedious," added Spezzano. "Even cool activities like skateboarding, rock, and wall-climbing are available at many YMCAs to increase kids' heart rates, burn calories, and provide fun."

Convincing kids to get active in their spare time is more important than ever, now that childhood obesity has become a national epidemic, and PE classes have been practically eliminated during the average school day. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than three out of 10 U.S. kids attend physical-education classes; and according to the American Heart Association, less than a quarter of high-school students got 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity each day.

"With 9 million U.S. children overweight -- more than double the percentage in 1980 -- increasing the levels of physical activity in the lives of our children is a critical component of this country's effort to fight childhood obesity," said Ken Gladish, Ph.D., national executive director, YMCA of the USA.

YMCAs are helping to lead this fight. Currently, 743 YMCAs nationwide provide physical education for school-aged children on and off school grounds, and 989 Ys offer youth fitness/exercise programs.

"It is encouraging that the health of our nation's young people is part of a national debate, and reassuring to know that YMCAs have the infrastructure, committed staff, volunteers and essential programs to help our youth and their families strengthen their spirits, minds and bodies," Gladish added.

"YMCAs are dedicated year â€˜round to helping children develop into healthy, strong, moral adults," said Spezzano, "but YMCA Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to shine a national spotlight on how important and fun physical activity is for the whole family."

Other family-friendly activities offered at Ys may include parent-child basketball leagues; family yoga classes, infant-parent aquatics classes and Adventure Guides. This new a program is designed to strengthen the relationship between a parent and a child, typically between the ages of 5 - 9 years-old. Typical Adventure Guide activities include ceremonies, games, crafts, songs, stories, skits, and outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, and swimming.

"When kids and parents spend quality time doing physical activity together, they're doing more than making memories" said Spezzano. "Kids tend to pattern their behavior after their parents. So if a parent works out or enjoys outdoor activities - it's likely his or her kids will too - ultimately developing a lifelong commitment to physical activity and respect for their health."

YMCA Healthy Kids Day is nationally sponsored by Tropicana Pure Premium Healthy Kids^tm. To find the closest YMCA in your community hosting an event, log on to www.ymca.net.

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for America's 2,540 YMCAs. Collectively, YMCAs are the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization and largest provider of child care, serving 18.9 million people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes, including 9.3 million children. YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism, and financial assistance is available. To learn more visit www.ymca.net.

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For more information contact:

Media Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8418