YMCA of Orange County Starting New Session of Earn a Bike Program to Promote Healthy Living

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. - Oct. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- The YMCA of Orange County has started a new session of its Earn a Bike program at Hidden Hills Elementary School in Laguna Niguel.  The initiative is designed to increase the amount of physical activity performed by elementary school-aged children and improve nutritional content of their diets in order to lower the rate of childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in the community.

Thirty-three students from Hidden Hills were hand selected by the elementary school’s PTA and Principal Pam Sawyer to participate in 8 weeks of nutrition, fitness and bike safety programming that meets 4 times per week from September 28th – November 19th.  Parents of the students will also take part and increase their awareness of family health by attending two nutrition classes.  Successful completion of the program will be measured by the kids’ fitness levels and perceptions of healthy eating habits, culminating with a graduation ceremony on November 19th where all kids will receive a new bike, helmet, and lock so they can continue to practice healthy living.

The YMCA of Orange County believes that solutions to childhood obesity must be community-wide in order to combat this epidemic and is actively pursuing funding to expand the program to serve even more children and families in the future.  $8,000 was raised through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign in order to deliver this program which has been growing throughout the county since its initial session at Whittier Elementary School (Costa Mesa) in 2013.

To learn more about the Earn a Bike program, visit www.ymcaoc.org/earn-bike.

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About YMCAOC: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County through six (6) Health & Wellness centers (Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, and Santa Ana) and over 50 Afterschool Program centers. YMCA programs celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of all our programs; from youth sports and group exercise classes to parent/child programs and community services– Y programs build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support our scholarship program and Our Promise – To strive to keep programs open for all. Whether you are looking to get fit, give back, or meet new friends, the Y has something for you! JOIN PLAY GIVE VOLUNTEER www.ymcaoc.org