National Gymnastics Day to be hosted in Marlboro
BY REBECCA MORTON
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - She inhales deeply to gain a better focus on her target, rubs her palms together, pauses, then sprints down the stretch. In about five seconds she will lift off the springboard and must master not only her flip, but also her landing.

On Aug. 4, visitors to the Monmouth Gymnastics Academy will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a gymnast during National Gymnastics Day. Monmouth Gymnastics Academy, 600 Campus Drive, off Route 520, will host the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. Participation in the activities is free of charge.

Children are invited to hone their gymnastics skills during an event that will feature games, demonstrations and instruction provided by professional and certified instructors. The event is open to children and teenagers. No previous training as a gymnast is required to participate in the activities.

"We're hoping for nice weather since some of our activities will be outdoors. If it rains, we'll have the inflatable objects set up on the gym floor," said Wendy Roman, who is in charge of special events at the academy.

The day's proceeds will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network by the Monmouth Gymnastics Academy. Money will be raised through the sale of refreshments and through parent sponsorship.

Parents of academy students may sponsor their children for a cartwheel-a-thon or for the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a program to help improve the fitness level of the nation's youth. The money collected will be presented to the Children's Miracle Network.

According to its Internet Web site, the Children's Miracle Network is an alliance of premier children's hospitals. Every year, Children's Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for many different diseases and injuries. There is a Children's Miracle Network hospital dedicated to serving children in every community across the United States and Canada, according to the Web site.

Roman said the academy has never hosted National Gymnastics Day before. She said any amount of money that can be raised for the Children's Miracle Network will help the organization.

According to a press release, National Gymnastics Day is celebrated by thousands of gymnastics clubs throughout the United States. The day was designed to promote physical fitness and community service nationwide through the sport of gymnastics.

"It's going to be a fun day promoting fitness and health, while helping the Children's Miracle Network," Roman said.