The Burbank Community YMCA currently provides a Physical Education Program to five schools in the Burbank Unified School District. These schools include 2nd graders at Washington, Edison, Disney, Bret Harte and Miller Elementary. The objective of this program is to present physical fitness as fun and positive, while educating students about the benefits of exercise and healthy food choices.  The Physical Education Outreach instructors will implement a structured physical fitness program specific to the individual needs of the students twice a week for each class.  This instruction will include vigorous physical activities, neuromuscular skill development, information about health, fitness, nutrition, and finally, the time to enjoy the use of the skills and knowledge that will lead to a life-long commitment to fitness. 

The instruction will focus on age-appropriate skills designed for students such as speed and agility drills, relays, games, walking/running, strength training and dance skills as well as coordination and flexibility exercises. All sessions begin with warm up exercises followed by an instructional phase, an activity phase, discussion and/or processing phase and ending with a cool -down phase. The curriculum for this program was developed in accordance with the guidelines from the California State Board of Education, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Fitness Gram from the Copper Institute for Aerobics Research.

Studies show that children who enjoy regular exercise and physical activity tend to stay active throughout their lives. The Burbank Community YMCA Physical Education Outreach Program is one way that your YMCA plays a strong role in helping the youth of our community stay fit, have fun, and establish healthy habits for life.  With childhood obesity on the rise, it is our responsibility to provide measures to combat this illness and keep our future fit.

This program is made possible through a generous contribution from the Forest Lawn Foundation.