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Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA Full of  Educational Fun

(MARK H. STOWERS, Nov. 23, 2017)

Royal Oak, MI – The South Oakland YMCA was a bit busier than a normal Saturday. The celebration of Healthy Kids Day brought up more than 50 children and their families to participate in the Y’s back parking lot. A bouncy house, game table, planting station and healthy snack station were all set up to teach kids about healthy living and participate in it.

 

Melissa Opsahl oversaw the event on the cool spring day that was also Earth Day and Science Day across the country.

“Today was Healthy Kid’s Day and Open House. It’s a free community event where we are promoting healthy living and physical activity for the kids. We gave them the opportunity to plant a flower or plant a vegetable to take home,” Opsahl said. “We had a tasting station where they could make their own trail mix and a couple of bouncy houses.”

The event brought in families surrounding Royal Oak including Clayton Long as well as Mia Clemons. Each of the children enjoyed the events and the other YMCA offerings throughout the year.

“I enjoyed making the flower the most,” Clayton said. “I’m going to give it to my mom.”

Clayton also “enjoys playing in the gym” when he’s at the YMCA as well.

Long thought the best part was the bounce house but she took part in all of the activities.

“I’m going to take my flower home. I like to do all of the things here,” Mia said.

Located at 1016 West 11 Mile Road on Royal Oak, the South Oakland Family YMCA also offers summer activities for the whole family including Day camps for the kids.

“We have Summer Day Camps for kids 3-15 and we are state licensed but we run lower ratios (counselors to kids) than the state requires,” Opsahl said. “We do nutrition activities, STEM activities, math activities, literacy, small and large group games, sports, swimming and field trips.”

To learn more about the South Oakland Family YMCA, call them at (248) 547 0030 or check them out on the web, www.ymcadetroit.org/south-oakland.