On a lovely spring morning on Saturday, April 28, dozens of south Arlington families turned out to join Mayor Cluck at the YMCA of Arlington's Cooper Street branch location in celebration of Healthy Kids Day, a national Y initiative.

The event featured a geocaching activity, a family Zumba class, bounce houses, face painting, story time, healthy snacks and summer safety presentations. To kick off the festivities, the mayor led a half-mile nature hike through a wooded area on the southwestern portion of the Cooper Street campus.

"This year's event was special because it was the inauguration of our developing Outdoor Center," said Dr. Willie Dean, president and CEO of YMCA of Arlington. "This new facility will feature a rustic walking path, exercise stations and a chapel when completed."

According to the Y's website, Healthy Kids Day was developed as part of the organization's commitment to improving communities by addressing gaps in community health and education. This year, nearly 2000 Y organizations across the country hosted free events designed to inspire families to keep minds and bodies active during the summer months, when lack of access to healthy activities causes many children to gain weight or fall behind in their academic development.

Formed in 1958, the YMCA of Arlington provides free or affordably-priced health and enrichment programs that strengthen families and communities. Activities offered through the Arlington organization include father-child programs, group exercise classes, fitness center memberships, teen programs, water safety classes, youth and adult sports leagues, activities for seniors, licensed after-school child care programs and summer camps.