Youth Days at the America’s Cup Inspired Children With Health Innovation, Fitness and Sailing Expertise

Kaiser Permanente works with local non-profits to host health-focused events

As part of its commitment to prevention and community health, Kaiser Permanente sponsored a Youth Day event Tuesday, July 23rd at the America’s Cup. More than 120 grade-school children from North San Mateo, San Francisco and Marin County experienced a full day of healthy eating/active living activities, and learn about sailing from America’s Cup Youth Team members.

“We were excited to get the call from Kaiser Permanente,” said Mark Washbush, Development Director at the Mid-Peninsula Boys & Girls Club.  “Having the chance to attend a world-class, global sporting event like this is not something that these kids would normally have a chance to do.”

The youngsters participated in a number of events throughout the day starting off with learning to make a healthy snack.  Then they were taught how using technology can help them to stay fit and how Kaiser Permanente uses technology in our medical centers every day.  Up next was the America’s Cup Youth Red Bull Team who talked about training, the importance of eating healthy and being active… and, how they serve as environmental stewards.  Of course, one of the day’s highlights was watching the race in which New Zealand handily beat Italy for the third straight time and clinched the top spot in the challenger trials.

After a healthy lunch there were a lot more activities for the kids.  They learned how the America’s Cup boats work with the Flying on Water exhibit and experiencing a simulation; then getting active with an obstacle course led by staff from Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Group and tips on hip hop dancing from the Youth UpRising instructor.  All in all, it was a great day on the bay.

Kaiser Permanente is the Official Medical Services and Health Care Partner for the America's Cup in San Francisco, and it has a history of bringing its medical expertise to community events, such as the California International Marathon in Sacramento and the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.

Emergency room physician Vivian Reyes is one of the clinical leads at the clinics that she and other Kaiser Permanente physicians are staffing at the event, and she said the health-care leader is again demonstrating its commitment to total health.

“The America’s Cup has a commitment to community and sustainability efforts, and we welcome the opportunity to bring some of our local partnerships and ongoing community-service initiatives to those efforts,” said Reyes. “We’ve worked with our community partners, including Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs, to identify youth who could most benefit from this experience—and then worked with Fresh Approach, Youth UpRising and our own Educational Theatre, and Innovation Center  to provide fun, health-focused, and culturally diverse events that these youth will remember for years to come.”

Another Youth Day at America’s Cup is planned for Tuesday, July 30 with more grade-school children from the East Bay getting share the same great experience and enjoy the excitement of another race on the bay.