07/01/2006
Bradford Co. YMCA helps in fight against obesity
FOR THE REVIEW
Summer is upon us, meaning children and families in Bradford County are enjoying warm summer days spent at the beach, lake, water park or pool. While swimming is an ideal activity for families, providing fun in the sun and quality time spent together, it is also an important tool in the ongoing fight against rising levels of obesity in the United States.
Known as “America’s Favorite Swim Instructor,” YMCAs this year celebrate 100 years of teaching Americans not only how to swim, but also how to maintain health and wellness in spite of our busy lives.
“With nearly 60 million adults and 9 million children obese or overweight, increasing levels of physical fitness for children and families has become of increasing importance in the Bradford County community,” said Jesse Newman, YMCA Program Director. “Learning how to swim is not only an important part of growing up, but it is also a fun form of exercise and a great first step in preparing kids for a lifetime commitment to physical fitness. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise because it tones the entire body while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout, and strengthens the heart muscle while improving delivery of oxygen to muscles.”
Since 1906, when George Corsan, a Detroit YMCA fitness instructor, revolutionized the way people learned how to swim, YMCA aquatics staff have been unrivaled in their training and expertise. Today, with more than 2,000 pools across the country, YMCAs are the place where Americans go to find the most trusted instructors of swimming lessons and lifeguard training. Tens of millions of people across the United States have learned how to swim at the YMCA, including Olympic medalists Mark Spitz, Greg Louganis and Janet Evans, as well as President Ronald Reagan.
“Swimming lessons provide children with essential skills to be safe in and around water,” Newman said. “In addition to building character and self-confidence, children learn about leadership, safety and rescue skills, and water activities. These important survival skills allow parents and children to enjoy a lifetime of both fun and healthy activity at pools, beaches and water parks.”
Swimming is also an ideal exercise for Baby Boomers and other older adults who want to maintain their fitness, but may need to give up high-impact or repetitive-motion activities such as running, cycling and aerobics. YMCAs also offer water fitness classes and competitive swim programs for youth and adults. This year, YMCA of Bradford County is set to help children and families ring in the swim season by providing water safety education, swimming lessons and other fun aquatics programs, available to all ages — from babies to senior citizens. The YMCA of Bradford County offers a variety of programs designed to help kids and families get fit and stay healthy this summer including:
• Swim Lessons for all ages — new session starting July 17
• Swim Clinic — for those entering 6-12 grade
• Adult open swim — Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Night Pool Parties — the third Friday of every month, 6-10 p.m.
YMCAs serve 20.1 million people, including 9.7 million children, through a broad range of programs. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities. Financial assistance is available. Visit
www.bradfordcountyymca.org to find out more about the YMCA of Bradford County.
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