From YMCA of Reading & Berks County
On Saturday, April 25, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County and the Berks County Parks & Recreation are co-hosting Healthy Kids Day & Kids Color Fun Run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berks County Heritage Center, located at 1102 Red Bridge Road in Reading, PA.
“We’re excited to get people outdoors and finally out of winter hibernation! Healthy Kids Day will be a great time and will give families a chance to see and try new things that might interest them to stay physically active or mentally engaged over the summer,” said President & CEO Ken Borkey Jr., YMCA of Reading & Berks County.
Healthy Kids Day is a family-friendly day outdoors and features a variety of engaging activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season. This rain-or-shine event is open to the public. Admission is free; some booths and food vendors will have items for sale; families are encouraged, but not required, to bring cash/cards for any purchases.
Schedule of Kids Color Fun Run and featured fun:
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Activities and food trucks
- 11 a.m. to noon – Color Fun Run check-in and t-shirt pick-up
- Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Color Fun Run (ages 12 and under)
The Color Fun Run is the ultimate experience as runners “race” to the finish line and are showered with colors by those cheering on the sidelines. Registration is $5.00 per child for the run and a white Healthy Kids Day t-shirt (while supplies last). All proceeds benefit the Y’s Open Door Scholarship Funds, which help kids and families benefit from the Y’s programs and memberships regardless of their ability to pay.
Featured activities at the event include basketball and gaga ball inflatables, games, and activities. Also back by popular demand are Nolt’s Chicken BBQ meals, which can be pre-ordered online by Tuesday, April 14, to be available for pick-up at the event. Each meal is $16.00 and includes a chicken half, baked potato, applesauce, dinner roll, and a drink.
The YMCA of Reading & Berks County will display:
- Spin art bicycle – Spin up your latest work of art with some extra muscle.
- Yoga and/or fitness class demonstrations for anyone to join in.
- Information on programs.
- Summer Camp sneak peek – Get a flavor for this year’s Summer Day Camp and Playground programs with this year’s weekly themes, swim/water days, and exceptional field trips in Berks and beyond. Register on the spot or learn more about the Summer Camp Open House dates.
- Parenting Pathways program – Learn about the free classes and resources the YMCA has for parents, caregivers, and guardians to give their children a successful start on life and learning.
- Preschool and Pre-K Counts – YMCA Early Learning Centers will have activities for budding preschoolers. Families can register for preschool at the Fleetwood and Reading ELCs as well as Pre-K Counts (Reading Y) and learn more about how the Y nurtures and motivates learning and prepares students to thrive.
The Berks County Parks & Recreation will feature:
- Kite building station – Children will be supplied with the tools and directions to design their own kites and fly them.
- Face painting for kids – No fair is complete without it.
“We love this time of year to be outdoors in our parks and to help Berks residents rediscover the beautiful places to visit this spring and summer! With all the local organizations with booths, we have activities to interest the kids – without their smart devices! We’re looking forward to making more memories this year,” said Lisa Gauker, Recreation & Special Events Supervisor, Berks County Parks & Recreation.
Other vendors include the following local businesses with giveaways and demonstrations: Berks County Park Rangers, Berks County Sheriff’s Department, Berks County Public Libraries, Yocum Institute for Arts Education, Wyomissing Walmart Vision Center,
Golden Home Health Care, Strive Physical Therapy, Berks Technical Institute, and more.
Local businesses are invited to set up a table and activities to showcase their offerings, engage with Berks families, and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the day for free. Participation is free, but all vendors must register at YMCArbc.org/hkd.
For more information or to register for the event, please visit ymcarbc.org or contact Brandon Shurr at bshurr@ymcarbc.org.
About the Healthy Kids Day Partnership
Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s annual, nationwide initiative and free family event designed to inspire all youth, parents, and caregivers to get active. It is co-hosted by Berks County Parks & Recreation to reacquaint the community with the beautiful resources they have locally, where they can enjoy the upcoming warmer months.
About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County
For 167 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has strengthened the local community through putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice with programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates five branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring, and Tri Valley; two Early Learning Centers in Reading and Richmond; and seven transitional housing programs for residential care at the Reading Y and Camp Joy locations.
The Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y strives to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment, and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States.
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