The importance of keeping teens active in the summer

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Studies show active kids are more likley to be successful. Regular physical activity helps with concentration, teamwork, and problem solving. With school getting ready to let out for the summer, now is a good time to make plans to keep your kids busy.

A regular routine in the gym helps strengthen your heart, bones, and muscles. For Lucas Bradford-Kolb leading an active lifestyle started as soon as he was old enough to walk.

“From 2 years old, I started swimming at the YMCA. And then at age 4, I started playing soccer here, soccer and basketball, ” said Lucas Bradford-Kolb, former youth sports referee.

At 14 years old he was recruited by YMCA athletics director Lee Spooner to work as a youth sports referee.

“Teaches them growing skills to become an adult. We are a lot of kids first job, teaches them our values and then that trickles into life,” said Lee Spooner, YMCA Director of Athletics.

Now when Bradford-Kolb comes back to the YMCA to work with kids, he sees himself at that age and realizes everything he did here continues to help him today.

“A big part of what I do now is talking to people and meeting with people, speaking to people. It teaches you that leadership skill, the skills to be resilient through that, and then also you know have a great time doing it,” said Bradford-Kolb.

Whether it’s a program at the YMCA or somewhere else making sure your child does something productive over the summer could make a big difference later in life.

“Being active is such an important part of life. It keeps you healthy, it keeps you happy,” said Bradford-Kolb.

“Studies show that active kids do better in life. They get higher paying jobs, they have higher grades, more go to college, you have lower teen pregnancy rates with kids that are active. So staying active just pays off because the kids that are active when they’re younger tend to raise healthier families when they’re older and have their own families, so there’s so much more benefits to staying active,” said Spooner.

The YMCA has special teen rates and other programs for your child that could lead to a free membership.

Planet Fitness also has a high school summer pass for teens to work out for free.

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