The swimming pool at the Carl E. Sanders YMCA in Buckhead. Image via YMCA.

On Saturday, April 27, 18 YMCA locations across metro Atlanta will be celebrating the organization’s 28th annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day. The event is a national initiative to improve health and well-being of children and their families.

The events will feature obstacle courses, family Zumba and yoga classes, healthy snack stations and other activities designed to help families develop healthy habits at home. Georgia has the 18th highest obesity rate for youth ages 10 to 17, according The State of Obesity. To combat this trend, the YMCA says its critically important to establish healthy habits in children – particularly during the summer, when their time is less structured.

“When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential,” YMCA materials state. “Research shows that without access to physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during the summer than the school year.”

Events will take place at the Arthur M. Blank Youth Center, The Villages at Carver the East Lake YMCA and many others across the metro area. To find an event near you, click here. To learn more about programing and volunteering efforts, click here.