Fall Season Recap
The fall Kids Run Club season had a great turnout, with 27 groups running and one opting for a hike club. Over 600 kids and 50+ volunteer coaches ran and hiked their way to success this season. Most clubs have wrapped up their fall sessions, but a couple are continuing into December to finish up with a Fun Run before the holiday break.
Fun Run Fun
Kids Run Clubs work hard and have fun for the 6-8 weeks they are in session. Kids learn warm up exercises, leadership skills, how to properly stretch their muscles, do foundational exercises, and pace themselves running. At their final practice, clubs have a ‘Fun Run’ where they celebrate the season, and run a goal distance they have been working towards. Some clubs keep it simple for their Fun Run, and others mix it up with color runs, inviting families to join, or other themes and ways to celebrate.
See how some clubs celebrated this fall:
The Kenna Elementary Kids Run Club continued their years long tradition of a color run, with parents and siblings coming out to cheer on the runners and cover them in color.
Stanaford Elementary had to postpone their color run plans to the spring because of rainy weather, but were still able to get outside and run their usual mile around the school before finishing up by getting their medals.
Lewisburg Elementary participated in the Kids Run Club program for the first time, and celebrated their Fun Run with a mile run, followed by playing their favorite games.
Alum Creek Elementary also held their annual color Fun Run around campus, before receiving their end of season medals.
Melrose Elementary had their Fun Run on a chilly Halloween, adding some seasonal fun to the event with pumpkins and spooky masks.
Thank You, Volunteer Coaches!
Kids Run Clubs wouldn’t be possible without the volunteer coaches that lead them! Teacher, parent, and community volunteers dedicate their time to facilitate practices so kids in their communities have a free opportunity to be active. These volunteers see improvements in the kids that participate, and find coaching to be a rewarding experience.
“I love our run club,” says Kara Vance, who coaches at Kenna Elementary and Alum Creek Elementary. “The kids and community look forward to it and I have teachers who ask me if they can help because they love it. We have such a fun time building healthy habits and building a positive and strong bond with the community.”
“I have 3 students who do not participate in [other] school activities,” says Maria Webster who leads the club at Montcalm Elementary. “They started in run club and have shown increased physical activity and also are excited weekly to be involved with a group. The students over all love run club day and are always active and interested to see what we are doing each time we meet.”
“[The club] has definitely impacted our students’ physical activity level,” says Mandy White, coach at Aurora School. “We have several students who have decided to run in races outside of the school program. We also have students joining the cross country and track team who had no interest before.”
“I will volunteer again because I find it helps me hold myself accountable for my own fitness level. Plus, it brings me joy each time and gives me something to look forward to each week,” Mandy adds.
Thank you to all the volunteers who make the Kids Run Club program possible!
Spring Kids Run Club Mini-Grant Launching in February
The next cycle of the Mini-Grant will open in mid-February to support Kids Run Clubs starting in the warmer spring months.
Recipients of the Kids Run Club Mini-Grant will receive:
- Coaches training and curriculum manual
- Medals for all youth participants
- Technical support from Active SWV
- $300 funds to spend on healthy items for the club
Visit the Kids Run Club webpage for more information, and to find the application when it’s live. Please reach out to us at hello@activeswv.com with any questions.
KIDS RUN CLUB CHAMPIONS
Email Active SWV’s Development Director, Jenni, at info@activeswv.com to find out how to become the next Kids Run Club Champion!