NEW GLOUCESTER – The YMCA at Pineland will call special attention to the importance of children’s safe and healthy development through the 2004 YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 3.

A day of healthy family activities and learning, Healthy Kids Day will emphasize that attaining and maintaining good health can, and should be, enjoyable. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cumberland County YMCA at Pineland.

“The YMCA works all year to develop children into well-rounded adults, equipped with the resources needed to combat today’s stresses,” said Philip DiRusso, program director. “YMCA Healthy Kids Day offers fun, hands-on activities that nurture children’s creativity and promote family involvement and learning.”

The YMCA will host games and activities for youth and families, as well as invite community organizations and practitioners to educate young people and their families about healthy living.

In its 11th year, YMCA Healthy Kids Day is a national event of the YMCA of the USA, hosted by local Ys across the country. All the Cumberland County YMCA facilities will host similar Healthy Kids Day events. Nearly 600 individuals are expected to participate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of young people do not participate in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis. Smoking among teenagers and college students is sharply on the rise, and a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that, on average, teens drink alcohol more than five days a month.

Healthy Kids Day is a national event aimed at getting families to understand, accept and avoid these risky behaviors together.

The YMCA at Pineland believes there’s more to good health than physical fitness. “Our definition of good health includes things like caring for others through volunteerism, respecting the environment, being honest and taking responsibility for solving problems,” said DiRusso. “The sum of these qualities is what defines a healthy child – and the Y works with families to give kids the tools to build healthy lifestyles.”

For more information on the YMCA Healthy Kids Day events at the YMCA at Pineland, call 688-2255. The YMCA at Pineland is located at 25 Campus Drive.

The Cumberland County YMCA, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is comprised of four branches: the Casco Bay Branch, Greater Portland Branch, Otter Pond Camp and the YMCA at Pineland.