The next program starts in early January 2026
DECEMBER 11, 2025 — In early January, the YMCA will start an affordable program for families to help their kids build habits to grow up healthy. The Anchorage YMCA will offer the program from Jan. 8, 2026, through July 2, 2026. It will be provided at the YMCA at 5353 Lake Otis Parkway.
Anchorage YMCA staff started this program a year ago because they knew it was a need among families to improve physical activity and nutrition for children and parents, said Erin Widener, the YMCA Healthy Community Director. With Widener’s initiative, the YMCA built a teaching team that leads the program.
The YMCA staff reports that during the past year, Anchorage families signed up and invested in making changes for their health. Almost all families who signed up attended and participated in the weekly sessions. The families made improvements in choosing healthier foods and drinks at home. Participating family members were physically active together at the YMCA, during and after the program sessions.
The YMCA offers the program at no cost to YMCA members, Widener said. If families want to join but aren’t members yet, that’s not a problem. The YMCA will work with interested families to sign up for a membership at a significantly reduced cost. Enrolled families will be able to keep that reduced-cost membership after the program ends.
|
Children and parents attend the program together
The YMCA’s program is open to children who are 7-13 years old who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) in the 95th percentile or higher. The child also needs to receive approval from a doctor or other health care provider to participate in physical activity. One parent or another adult caregiver must attend all sessions with the child. The YMCA does offer an online option for families when they are out of town, on vacation or sick. The YMCA provides a healthy dinner at every session.
Evidence shows that programs like this are more effective when the whole family gets involved and commits to healthier habits, Widener said. Parents are the ones who buy the groceries and often decide how to spend time, including time being active. The program focuses on improving awareness of healthy eating, physical activity and behavior change that can improve health for a lifetime.
Families focus on nutrition, activity and meeting health goals
Throughout the program, a child and their parent or caregiver will attend 25 group sessions from 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Thursday. During the first hour of each session, two instructors will meet with all of the children and parents together. They will share information and support for choosing healthy foods and drinks, focusing on portion sizes, reading food labels, and being active. The trained staff will help children and parents set family health goals and stay motivated to meet them.
During the second hour of each session, children will work with a trained staff member to learn fun and engaging ways to be active. That could be learning how to lift weights, swim in the pool, and participate in other physical activities. Meanwhile, parents or caregivers will remain with another staff member to continue their own discussion and learning sessions. Children and parents reunite in the final half hour. The kids teach their parents the activities they practiced. That helps the family enjoy these activities together later.
Learn more and find other resources statewide
Click the button below to learn more about this YMCA program for families in the Anchorage area. You also can call the program enrollment staff member, Andrea, at 907-563-3211, ext. 111, or email andrea@ymcaalaska.org.
Families living outside the Anchorage area can find helpful resources year-round to support increased physical activity and choosing healthier foods and drinks. You can read more about those resources below.
|
