Active SWV has partnered with the WVU Extension Energy Express program to offer the Kids Run Club program to all Energy Express sites across West Virginia this summer.
Energy Express Summer Program
Energy Express is a 6-week long summer program for youth in West Virginia offered by WVU Extension. It is an award winning program that includes reading, writing, art, drama and non-competitive recreational activities as part of it’s curriculum. Each Energy Express site is staffed by AmeriCorps volunteers who mentor kids through the weeks of programming and activities.
“With Energy Express, more than 3,000 children statewide gain or maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful and captivating uses of art, drama and vocabulary. Our program also provides children with two nutritious meals each day during the program, helping to ensure our youths are fed each day even after the school year comes to an end.
With the help of volunteers and mentors, students enjoy a daily read aloud to further enhance comprehension and fluency.”(From the Energy Express webpage)
Find more information on how to get involved with Energy Express here.
Taking the Kids Run Club Program to New Heights
Active SWV has partnered with individual Energy Express sites to offer the Kids Run Club program in years past, but this is the first year of offering it to all participating sites statewide.
This June, Active SWV attended the Energy Express site mentor training at Jackson’s Mill to give the AmeriCorps volunteers the tools they need to start a Kids Run Club program at their site. Active SWV administered coaches training to around 240 total AmeriCorps volunteers at the training, going through the Kids Run Club manual and program structure with them. Each site will be able to incorporate the Kids Run Club curriculum into their week during the non-competitive recreational part of the day.
The following counties will have one or more Energy Express sites this summer: Boone, Brooke, Doddridge, Fayette, Grant, Greenbrier, Hancock, Harrison, Kanawha, Lewis, Logan, Marshall, Mineral, Mingo, Nicholas, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston Raleigh, Roane, Tucker, Wayne, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood, and Wyoming.
Looking forward – Fall Kids Run Clubs
While the summer Kids Run Club programming is going strong, we can’t help but look forward to the upcoming fall season of the program too. Active SWV will be offering the Fall Kids Run Club mini-grant available in August. Check this webpage for the link to apply, and stay tuned for a blog announcement coming soon.
