As kids across Ventura County prepare to head back to school — to sitting at their desks for six or more hours a day — it is critically important that parents find additional ways for their children to stay active before, during and after school. Experts agree that school-age children need to be moderately to vigorously active for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. While increased focus on academic testing has prompted many organizations to focus their after-school programming solely on academics, the alarming rise in childhood obesity and the elimination of physical education at many schools make it increasingly important for parents to strike a balance between academic enrichment and playful, recreational activities for their children.

With nearly 60 million adults and 9 million children obese or overweight nationally, increasing levels of physical fitness for children and families has become more important in the Ventura County community.

"Like adults, children need physical activity to help manage stress, reduce frustration, create energy and ensure they do not become one of the rising number of inactive, out of shape and overweight kids. Our school-age child care program acknowledges this staggering statistic and addresses the issue by providing much more than homework assistance in our before and after school program," said Megan Voshell, senior program director at the Camarillo Family YMCA.

The Camarillo Family YMCA's child care program is designed with a curriculum that includes extended learning opportunities.

"Our YMCA programs do not emphasize academics exclusively at the expense of time spent socializing with peers and engaging in games and activities in the gym or on the playground," said Megan Voshell. "Instead, we focus on developing the whole child through programs that support children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. We aim to build self-esteem through programs that focus on the abilities of youth rather than their shortcomings and provide the tools they need to be happy and productive in life."

YMCA's school-age child care curriculum includes homework support, literacy development, games, sports, arts, crafts, drama and science activities.

The Camarillo Family YMCA collaborates with local elementary schools to provide the only licensed on-site child care service in the county. With 17 years of child care experience, the Camarillo YMCA employs only dedicated, professional staff members who have the patience and experience to challenge children to be their best.

As your neighbor, the Camarillo Family YMCA child care program is here when you need it. We offer service every school day from 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with optional care for special school holidays and breaks.

To make our fees affordable for everyone in the community, a sliding fee scale is provided for child care based on annual household income and family size.

The nation's YMCAs have been engaging children in safe, quality after-school programs that meet the needs of the changing family structure for more than 50 years.

Today with more than 9,000 after-school programs across the country, the nation's YMCAs are a leading resource for parents looking to find meaningful and fun afternoon activities for their children.

The Camarillo Family YMCA is taking families for fall registration.

Check with your local YMCA for child care locations and information:

n Camarillo Family YMCA, 3111 Village at the Park Drive, 484-0423, www.ciymca.org.

n Ventura Family YMCA, 642-2131, www.ciymca.org.

n Triunfo YMCA (Serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park), 818-707-9622, www.conejovalleyymca.org.

n Conejo Valley YMCA, 523-7613, www.conejovalleyymca.org.

n Simi Valley Family YMCA, 583-5338, www.simiymca.org.

n Miller Family YMCA (Serving Newbury Park), 480-0309.

— Caree Reser is a marketing specialist at the Camarillo Family YMCA.