This summer, in partnership with PNC and McCormick Flavor For Life, the Y in Central Maryland introduced 3,000 children in Baltimore City to Y on the Fly! Over eight weeks this summer, our Y on the Fly Mobile Van and ambassadors traveled to Baltimore City neighborhoods lacking the benefit of summer camps or enrichment programs.

At each of the 67 Y on the Fly visits children, their families, and community members – including local police officers! – participated in sports like basketball, Frisbee, and whiffle ball, jumping rope, hula hoops, parachutes, Short Order (a color and matching game) and other gym games.

For 90 minutes, Y on the Fly ambassadors enthralled children with physical activity and a chance for hands-on participation in preparation of Flavor For Life healthy snack recipes! Children helped prepare and enjoy recipes such as strawberry salsa, pizza hummus, apple sandwiches and more. Through this, Y on the Fly ambassadors taught children kitchen safety skills, proper food preparation techniques, health benefits of herbs rather than salt or sugar, and the history of each McCormick spice. After enjoying their snacks, children were given recipe cards to take home and share with their families!

Following the success and fun this summer, several Y centers organized sports equipment donation drives to assemble sports bags for pilot centers. This will allow an adaptation of the Y on the Fly fun to continue during the school year. We’re already looking forward to more Y on the Fly fun in 2018!

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