Y Talk: Hop the Gap! by Cate Mellen

All kids face gaps that can prevent them from reaching their full potential. Never is that more evident than in the summer months, when the lack of structure of the school day puts kids at risk of falling behind—the typical “summer slide.”

The “summer slide” has long been written about in terms of education; studies have shown that over the summer months, most students lose two months of grade-level math skills, and lower-income students can lose up to two months of reading achievement as well.

But the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot Study, conducted recently in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight, has shown that most kids also are vulnerable to weight gain over the summer, due to a slide in healthy eating habits and inadequate physical activity. And as with learning, low-income kids are the most at risk.

For many kids, healthy habits decline over the summer months. According to the Y’s Family Health Snapshot, only half of those families surveyed say their children get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. And 64% of parents report that their kids spend three or more hours per day online—playing video games or watching television—that’s a 30% increase over the school year.

And so YMCAs across the country are helping kids to Hop the Gap with a series of programs through the summer focusing on the ways in which children are at risk for falling behind—in matters of learning, water safety, safe spaces, food insecurity and health.

Solutions to childhood obesity, lack of physical activity and food insecurity require difficult lifestyle changes. Teaching healthy habits is at the heart of how the Y supports the development of over nine million youth annually.

Hopping the Gap in Carlisle

That’s why here at the Carlisle Family YMCA, we’re introducing a program this summer called the Summer Sizzle Kids’ Fitness Camp. This free, community-focused fitness program is designed to teach youth about exercise, and the importance of getting out and being active not only during the summer, but all year round. This program is free to any kid between the ages of 11-14, whether they are Y members or not.

We also have a lot of other great programs that will keep kids physically active and engaged all summer long, like swim lessonss, soccer and summer camps. But physical health is only one part of the whole. The Y focuses on the whole child—nurturing their spirits, minds and bodies so they can reach their full potential.

Help Us Strengthen Our Community

Because we know the kids who need our programs the most are often those whose families have the greatest struggle affording them, we offer scholarships and reduced fees for our programs to kids who qualify. We don’t want to have to turn anyone away because of an inability to pay.

We receive generous support from the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County to help kids in need, and our Annual Campaign helps to make up the difference. So far this year we’ve raised over $85,000 to help local kids Hop the Gap this summer and beyond. With your help, we can reach our goal of $100,000 to make a difference in the lives of more children in our community.

Donate today to our Annual Campaign, and you can help the Y to help kids develop the building blocks for healthy habits that last a lifetime.

-by Cate Mellen, Development Director and Board Liaison