Lots for kids to do in Door County Kathleen Harris of the state Department of Natural Resources handed out information and taught children about animal pelts during the YMCA Healthy Kids Day event in Fish Creek. YMCA program shines a spotlight on activities By PATTI PODGERS News-Chronicle FISH CREEK - The temperatures were less than spring-like, snow was swirling and the roads were ice covered, but the atmosphere in the YMCA Northern Door Program Center was warm and inviting. The first-ever "Healthy Kids Day" April 5 invited children and their families to participate in a variety of activities and awareness programs on topics ranging from healthy eating to gun safety. "This is the first time we're holding the health fair in Northern Door," said Health and Family Enhancement Director Kathy Schultz. "We're here to promote health and safety and let people up north know what's available, and we're very excited to offer such a well-rounded representation of the services and activities here for all of us." Children and their families began arriving for the Healthy Kids Day shortly after 9 a.m. on this Saturday morning. The noise level increased as the youngsters put crayons to paper, stroked animal skins, examined kites and stood wide-eyed as tae kwon do students demonstrated their moves. Representing Open Door Productions, artistic director Liz Thomas was excited to share the thrill of the spotlight. "I'm here to show kids what the Children's Theatre Workshop is all about and what great stuff we do through theatre," Thomas explained. As director of Gibraltar High School theater productions, Thomas has been involved in Door County theater for the past 19 years. "It's so exciting to see children lose themselves in 'acting out'; they are so uninhibited," she said with enthusiasm. The Children's Theatre Workshop will present "Luminessence" Sept. 12 and 13, and rehearsals begin on Aug. 5. For information contact Thomas at PO Box 10, Baileys Harbor, 54202, 920-839-9207. Kites and parks Large kites, small kites, kites of every size and color, the Fish Creek Kite Co. was sure to please the kid in everyone. Excited for the spring breezes to blow, Valerie Murre was extolling the virtues of kite flying. "It makes everyone feel good to fly a kite, it's a very happy activity," she said excitedly. "And everyone can do it." "Professor Kite and the Secret of Kites" pamphlets handed out to the children included advice on selecting a kite, the best days to fly a kite and safety rules. "Never fly in rain or lightening. Electricity in clouds is attracted to damp kite lines and foolish kite fliers," the flier reminded. According to Professor Kite, "Never be a danger to yourself or others. Most of all Ð Slow down, take it easy, and enjoy!" Naturalist Kathleen Harris smiled as children stroked animal pelts. "The fur is really soft," she commented and explained which fur belonged to which animal. "Our state parks offer healthy recreation for everyone; there's so much going." The Department of Natural Resources' "Terrific Tuesdays" feature programming on a weekly basis for children and their families. "Each week the program has a different focus," Harris said. The activity begins at 10 a.m. each Tuesday throughout the summer. Encouraging visitors to the park to "get out and hike," Harris offers, "we have an activity pamphlet that allows children to earn a Peninsula State Park 'Like to Hike' 2003 pin. We want people to get out of their cars and hike. It's the best way to get the full experience of the park." All state park activities require a vehicle sticker. The "Peninsula" is a newspaper providing an extensive schedule of activities during each season and is available at the state park office. Health care spotlight Door County Memorial Hospital/Ministry Health sponsored Healthy Kids Day. The manager of the hospital emergency room, nurse Jeff Wilson, promoted child safety. "It's very important to take care of our children," Wilson emphasized. "Bike, gun and car safety are the most pressing issues when it comes to the safety of our children." Wilson and emergency room registered nurse Jeff Ulrich distributed donated gun locks donated to Master Lock to participants. "These locks work on the gun's trigger on all types of guns," Wilson said. "As members of the Emergency Nurses Association, we recommend the use of these locks. Something this simple could save a child's life." The locks are available free to the public through the Door County Memorial Hospital emergency room. For information call 920-743-5566. Representing Door North Shore Medical Clinic located on Highway 42 in Fish Creek, Dr .J. Joshua Rebhan greeted the children, answering their questions and those of the adults in attendance. The clinic is open on a daily basis to meet the needs of Northern Door residents. Call 920-868-3511 for appointments and hours. Sharing information on resources available to families with handicapped children, Door County parent liaison Matt Normann explained, "We want parents and families to have all the resources they need to help their children. 'Handicapped' encompasses not just health needs, but social needs as well." At a neighboring table, Normann's public health nurse wife, Myria, was distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste donated by Crest toothpaste and Procter & Gamble. Bending down to a small child she asked, "Do you brush your teeth every day?" Solemnly nodding her head "yes," the little girl smiled a toothless smile as Norman handed her a brush and paste. Summer camp "The Door County 4-H enrollment up north is not as high as in Sturgeon Bay and south of the city. We want to get the word out," Youth Development Agent Rene Mehlberg said. "We have so many activities going on for the children and everyone is welcome to join." Handing out informative pamphlets about 4-H Summer 2003 Camp Bird, Mehlberg emphasized, "Children do not have to be 4-H members to attend camp. Attendance is open to all children." With a membership of 6 million young people, 4-H is the largest youth organization in the United States. Three hundred and eighty boys and girls in grades K-12 participate in Door County 4-H clubs, in both rural and urban areas. For information on 4-H membership, call the Door County University of Wisconsin-Extension office in the Door County Courthouse, 920-746-2260. Healthy Kids Day received additional sponsorship from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "We are so grateful to both of our sponsors. We couldn't have put this event together without their support," Schultz said. "We're looking forward to hosting this event for a long time." Twenty-six organizations were represented at the first Healthy Kids Day. "Only five of our invited participants couldn't make it because of the weather," Schultz reported. "That's really great considering how bad the conditions were." Healthy Kids Day received additional support from Family Centers of Door County, Door County Public Health Department, UW-Extension, Wal-Mart, Sturgeon Bay Public Schools, EconoFoods, Coca-Cola, Culligan and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Inc. While the various activities entertained the children, their families and friends in the Barker Gymnasium, open for inspection outside were the emergency service vehicles. Healthy snacks were served to the gathering as young musicians performed. Donated raffle prizes were distributed throughout the morning. "The YMCA motto is 'We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities,' and that's what we're all about," Schultz said. "We welcome everyone to join in what we do." For information on YMCA membership and programming, call the Sturgeon Bay Program Center at 920-743-4949, and the Northern Door Program Center at 920-868-3660.