Kids Days to Be Held August 12-14

It’s one of the most eagerly awaited activities on the Union’s annual calendar of events and it’s less than two weeks away.

We’re talking about Kids Days, of course. This educational and fun-filled event will take place at the Health Centers and the Midtown Dental Center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 12, 13 and 14, and parents should make note of those dates now.

As always, no appointments will be necessary for families to take advantage of the benefits of this health and wellness event. Unlike Seniors Days, where each facility plays host to participants on a specific day, all the Health and Dental Centers host Kids Days for all three days. Members must only remember to bring their children to the Health Center they use regularly.

While children outgrow most of their childhood fears, the truth is that a dread of doctors and dentists lasts a lifetime for many. That’s the reason the Union’s Health and Dental Centers came up with Kids Days, a great program to combat children’s fear of medical and dental visits.

As we have reported in the past, Kids Days is always an interesting, entertaining and happy event for children and parents alike. It has a timely and appropriate theme this year, “The SUPER Mind and Body Connection,” which explains how kids can be super heroes by eating healthy and exercising. The event will also teach the younger members of our Union’s family how a healthy mind equals a healthy body.

Visitors to Kids Days can expect raffles throughout the day at each facility with great prizes like tee-shirts and games, and a few other surprises, too. All kids who attend will receive free book bags (backpacks) filled with school supplies and free lunch bags filled with dental supplies! Other gifts will be distributed.

There’s more. Representatives from New York’s Bravest – FDNY – will be present to give children safety tips. At some of the Health Centers there will be representatives from local YMCAs to talk about exercise and to tell kids about the after school programs that are available to them.

Even two weeks before Kids Days takes place staff members at the Health and Dental Centers were making preparations to make this year’s event very special. Children who are brought to the Health Centers on Kids Days will be able to have a brief medical and dental exam that includes a screening and immunization check that is needed before the beginning of the school year. Parents may also use the event to set up future medical or dental appointments, if needed. Any school forms that need to be completed can be left with the Health Centers’ staffs and will be completed and returned in a self-addressed envelope.

And yes, there will be plenty of entertainment. There will be clowns, magic shows, face painting, puppets and more. There will be lots of fun and games like bean bag toss. Healthy snacks will be handed out, as part of the effort to teach children about good nutrition.

Kids Days has always been an event where children can have great fun while visiting with doctors and dentists. This year will be no exception. So mark the dates on your calendar and get ready for a day of fun and health education at the Midtown, Harlem, Brooklyn or Queens Health Centers on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 12, 13 and 14, where children will be able to see a dentist and a doctor during the same visit. Kids Days will also take place — for dental visits only — on the same dates at the Midtown Dental Center (at 14 Penn Plaza).

Are you planning to bring your children to Kids Days 2015? If so, here are some important reminders:

• Parents must remember to bring their children to the Health Center to which they (the parents) are assigned. This is very important because of the need to have medical and/or dental records on hand.
• Members (or children of members) using any of the Health Centers for the first time on Kids Days will need to be enrolled.
• To become enrolled on Kids Days (or at any other time) members need to bring their picture ID and their pay stubs, as well as the birth certificates of any children they are enrolling. Please note: Only actual birth certificates will be accepted for enrollment. Copies of birth certificates will not be accepted.
• No appointments are necessary for Kids Days!