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Sussex Family YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day

Seaside Dojo student Kavin Prattipati, left, holds the board while fellow student Anthony Argueta snaps the wood with a side kick during a demonstration at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 18 at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
April 22, 2026

The YMCA of Delaware hosted its annual Healthy Kids Day April 18 at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach, where hundreds of youngsters enjoyed a family-friendly event all about helping kids and families kick off a healthy, active summer.

The day was filled with music, giveaways, art and crafts, games and activities. More than 30 local community resources were available to assist the young people with healthy choices and fun activities. Attendees also enjoyed skateboarding and karate demonstrations and visits with personnel from local police and fire departments. Additionally, Sea Green Bicycle gave out more than 200 bike helmets to attendees.

Healthy Kids Day is celebrated by YMCAs across the country to inspire kids and families to stay active, connected and engaged all summer, while connecting them to programs and resources that support healthy, thriving lives.

“Healthy Kids Day was a wonderful celebration of community, health and family,” said YMCA Community VP and Executive Director Lorikay Paden. “At the Sussex Family YMCA, days like this reflect what we believe – when community comes together, every child and family has greater opportunity to grow and thrive.”

 

 

Giving information about the Cub Scouts are (l-r) Everett, 9, Julius, 5 1/2, and Maizie Silverman.
Krivi Prattipatti, left, and Lucas Reed play a game of corn hole during the YMCA Healthy Kids Day.
Alya, 10, and Aryn Cluck, 8, get free stuff from Community Bank Delaware’s Pam McCutcheon and Jessica Johnson.
Gemma Facciolo, 7, hops through the obstacle course during the event.
Gemma Facciolo, 7, performs situps on the obstacle course as YMCA volunteer Aura Downes looks on during the event.
Audrey Scheib, 5, fills her sand bottle during the arts and crafts booth.
Luca Facciolo, 2, gets a little help from dad’s hand as he fills the sand bottle.
Dylan Hershberger, 7, gets a spine lesson from chiropractic physician Ryan Sod from First State Health and Wellness.
Faith Luff gets her picture with 911 dispatcher Paige Warren and Rehoboth Beach Police officer Rocko Esposito.
Blake Gustafson gets air as part of the skateboarding demonstration.
Gary Bird of Sea Green Bicycle hands a new helmet to Katrina Ogundare for her child. Sea Green Bicycle gave out more than 200 bike helmets to attendees.
Alyson Chenosky, 7, straps on her new helmet from Sea Green Bicycles.
Mary Beth Murray gives out information about home safety from the Delaware State Fire School.
Enrique Quijada, family engagement coordinator from Children’s Beach House, gave out info about the CBH programs.
Sussex Family YMCA Senior Child Care Director Shannon Downing gives updates about the activities at the YMCA Health Kids Day.
Jackie Knoll of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays speaks with Jay Berkey and his son Carter, 12, about different shells and skeletons found in the inland bays.
Virginia Leitner, 3, and her sister Willa, 5, show their happy smiles during the Healthy Kids Day at the Sussex family YMCA.
Leon Franklin gets speed going down the slide on the YMCA playground.
LoriKay Paden, left, community vice president and executive director of the Sussex Family YMCA, stands with Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, during Healthy Kids Day.
Spreading information about Beebe Healthcare are (l-r) Dr. Kaitlyn Ruffing, Monica Javacian and Melsiia Keiluhn.
Ally Clagg, left, and Gabrielle Pardocchi present information about Delaware Guidance Services.
Shawna Steinmann gives out information on the Ronald McDonald House.
Indian River junior firefighters Marlow Karpin and Trenton Pearce greet attendees and demonstrate firefighting knowledge. Shown are (l-r) Leon Loi, Kalea Loi, Karpin, Pierce and Kai Loi.
Working the Schell Brothers Project Kudos booth are (l-r) Devon Messick, Kerrigan Bledsoe and Tyna Bledsoe.
Kerrigan Bledsoe shows the hats given away at the Schell Brothers Project Kudos bus.
Carabella Cook and her brother, Jameson, show what they are thankful for on the Project Kudos bus.
Willa Leitner writes down what she is thankful for and sticks it on the Project Kudos bus.
Hunter Kilpatrick from the Seaside Dojo performs a front kick during a demonstration.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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