YMCA sponsors Healthy Kids Day

April 28, 2013 at 12:05a.m.

BOARDMAN

When reaching for many of her ambitions, Jennel Benson aims high, though when it comes to certain types of recreation, she’s more of a straight shooter.

That promises to bode well for the 11-year-old Youngstown girl who plans to join the 4-H of Mahoning County’s archery club next year.

Meanwhile, she spent time with bow and arrow in hand making her best shots as part of Saturday’s Healthy Kids Day at the D.D. & Velma Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road.

Jennel, a fifth-grader who is home-schooled and is a YMCA member, was among those who took part in the three-hour, indoor and outdoor gathering that featured about 22 vendors dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle choices while encouraging participants to be more active.

The effort also was part of a national initiative that features fun, fitness and educational opportunities for people of all ages.

Such a lifestyle seems to be in the cards for Jennel, if she continues with her plans.

“I like working out, and I like swimming, and I like going on the computer. It’s so fun,” said Jennel, who came with her parents, Ed and Anngel Benson.

Jennel added that after she turns 12, she intends to be a junior lifeguard aide to help youngsters learn to swim.

“Archery is a good family sport, and a lot more ranges are opening up,” said David Shaffer, an outdoor- education instructor with North Springfield, Pa.-based Camp Fitch, which brought archery to the event and was assisting Jennel and other children.

Thanks to Camp Fitch, kayaks replaced the usual swimmers in the Y’s indoor pool, but that suited 11-year-old Jordan Scheller of Columbiana just fine.

Jordan, a YMCA member, and 12-year-old friend Stephen Moore of Salem enjoyed the challenges of rowing and maneuvering the two narrow vessels in the small, watery space.

Kayaking is a unique way to promote good health and exercise while teaching youngsters new skills, noted Jay Campbell, Camp Fitch’s aquatics director.

The gathering also had brochures and information on the value of physical fitness, healthful snacks and foods, the effects of alcoholism on families, inspirational books and diabetes prevention. In addition, Akron Children’s Hospital offered asthma and allergy screenings.

Other children’s activities included a high Bounce-A-Round apparatus and a mini-triathlon. A ribbon was given to those who completed the triathlon, which consisted of swimming, bicycling and running or walking around an outdoor track.

For those who wanted something a bit out of the ordinary, they needed to look no further than Emily Kreusler.

Kreusler, a swimming instructor at the Y, brought a fitness program called aerial silks, which is an aerobic art form for children and adults performed with two strips of fabric hung from a single point. A typical routine combines climbing, twisting and hanging moves, explained Kreusler, who demonstrated a variety of moves using two red strips.

In addition to offering fun, challenging activities, Saturday’s gathering was designed to call attention to the incidence of obesity in the U.S. while encouraging youngsters to remain active, especially when school is in recess, noted Adele Taylor, the YMCA’s preschool family director.

Complicating matters is the fact that many families lack health insurance for their children, which makes it more difficult for them to participate in athletics and good health initiatives, explained Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, which helps fund the YMCA.

“We want kids to be active; we want to get them off the couch. This is one of our best partners,” Hannon said of the local YMCA.

For more information about health insurance for children, call 211 or United Way at 330-746-8494.