Article, info, and text provided by the Malden YMCA. 

To kick-start physical activity and learning throughout the summer – a critical out-of-school time for kids – the Malden YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event on Saturday, April 28 for kids and families.

The event will start with a free Mini- Marathon from Malden High School to the Malden YMCA. Free-t-shirts will be given to the first 100 who complete the race. Summer is the ideal time for kids to get up, get out and grow, but for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months. 

“At Healthy Kids Day, we’re helping parents take on summer by taking steps to ensure that their kids stay physically and intellectually active,” said Jose Mendez, Director of Youth and Family Services for the Malden YMCA. “With summer just around the corner, there is no better time than now to begin developing a healthy routine that helps kids be healthier and sharper for when the next school year begins."

A leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Malden Y holds Healthy Kids Day to improve the health and well-being of kids. As part of this initiative, the Y – along with hundreds of thousands of parents and kids nationwide – is taking on summer by addressing critical gaps in health and education that cause kids to be at increased risk for childhood obesity and suffer summer learning loss. 

The Malden YMCA’s event will take place at Malden High School at 9am with the Free Mini Marathon at 9am. The main event will take place from 10am to 1pm and will feature activities such as Laser Tag, Basketball and free bicycle helmet give away sponsored by an anonymous donor via Malden YWCA. 

For more information or to sign up for the free mini-marathon, contact the Malden YMCA at 781-324-7680 x235 or visit www.ymcamalden.org.