5 Reasons to Start a Kids Run Club

The Kids Run Club program has been helping schools and community groups get kids moving for over 10 years! Keep reading to see why you should start an Active SWV Kids Run Club in your community.

1. Plug-and-play curriculum

If you are a first time coach, you might be wondering ‘how do I fill up an hour of activity time a week with the kids’? Not to worry – the Kids Run Club Coaches Manual contains extensive activity examples including warm up exercises, a running curriculum, games, and cool down stretches. The manual allows coaches to customize the program to fit their club according to the number of kids, their abilities, and the space that’s available. Activities in the manual have educational components to teach kids healthy skills while they are having fun with activity. 

2. $300 Mini-Grant funds, PLUS medals for kids

When you apply and receive the Kids Run Club Mini-Grant, your school or community group receives $300 to spend on healthy items for the club. This can include healthy snacks, water bottles, team t-shirts, wellness materials, physical activity equipment, and more! Additionally, Active SVW provides an end of season medal to each child who participates in the program. These medals are mailed or delivered during the season, so kids can receive them at the final practice Fun Run. 

3. Support from Active SWV

You’re not alone – Active SWV is here to support you every step of the way! If you have questions or problems that come up as you go through the program, we are here to help and provide technical support from program start to finish. 

4. Great way to be active for coaches and kids

The Kids Run Club program is designed to get kids moving, but it’s a great way to stay accountable to yourself as a volunteer coach as well!

Here is what one volunteer coach had to say about her experience, and how she found the program fulfilling:  

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 White, Principal and coach at Aurora School

5. The data speaks for Itself

Kids Run Club participants fill out pre and post surveys each season to measure the impact of the program around activity levels, nutrition, hydration, screen time, and confidence in physical activity. In 2025, 1,000 kids were surveyed. Here are some of the results: