Active Southern West Virginia urges everyone to do their part by following CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining safe distances, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding contact with eyes, nose, and mouth, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and most importantly, staying home if sick. For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, Active SWV is encouraging extra caution and adherence to CDC guidance, especially for those who are at higher risk of serious illness.
Active Southern West Virginia is committed to the health and well-being of southern West Virginia’s youth. In order to reduce the risk of spreading viral illness, at this time we are limited in physical meeting locations for our usual Kids Run Clubs. In lieu of our usual programming, on this page you can access links to resources for FREE physical activities and educational tools to keep kids moving.
- Kids Run Club Manual: This is the resource guidebook that Active SWV’s Kids Run Club program is based off of. You can find examples of stationary exercises, stretches, running games, and more that kids and adults can both have fun with.
- Activity at home tracking sheet: Kids Run Club participants are encouraged to get moving at home on their non-practice days. This is a tracker sheet where kids can make goals and record their physical activity with an adult buddy.
- Move Your Way provides information on the amount of physical activity kids should be getting every day, as well as giving ideas for how to fit activity into their daily routine.
- Go Noodle: provides videos designed to get kids up and moving throughout the day. They have videos with yoga, dance parties, mindfulness sessions, and more, enabling kids to stay engaged, use their minds, and move their bodies.
- Action For Healthy Kids is a national nonprofit that brings together dedicated volunteers and partners to make schools healthier places where kids thrive. While everyone is stuck at home, try some of the following:
- Practice yoga techniques and poses to build strength and flexibility and help relax.
- Get “family fit” using activity points to encourage movement.
- Create a backyard (or basement) fitness circuit course.
- Have recess at home by playing old school throwback games, jumping rope, or doing any of these 50 ideas.
- Play! Try sensory play or play on the go to encourage kids’ imaginations whenever, wherever.
- Do a nature scavenger hunt to get kids exploring the outdoors.
- Have active screen time using these fun, kid-friendly physical activity videos compiled by Active Schools
- Videos from PE teacher Jason Runk: Jason is a PE teacher in VA, and has a great website with dance videos and more designed to get kids active throughout the day. Follow him on Twitter (@jrunk3) too for updates!
- Trail Resources: If you are able to safely do so, gets kids outside! Here is some information for hiking/biking trails serving our four county area.
- Recommendations for speaking to young athletes: Some kids whose sports seasons have been disrupted will undoubtedly be having a tough time coping with their new reality. This article from the Positive Coach Alliance gives advice on how to talk to kids going through this, and suggests some things adults can do to help kids redirect their energy.
- Kids Run The Nation: The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) put together this 10 module program for schools, community groups, worship centers, and more to use to get kids active. Right now they are offering their Program Guide for Teachers, Coaches, and Program Leaders available for free download for anyone to use as a tool to get active.
- YMCA360: The YMCA has a whole library of fitness videos for people of all ages. Check out the youth sports performance and youth soccer sections designed for young athletes.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga: Check out this collection of themed Youtube videos (more added weekly!) designed to get kids to love yoga. They combine story time with different themes like Frozen and Harry Potter to keep kids engaged and excited about moving.
- Kids Run RVA: Sports Backers is Active SWV’s mentor organization based out of Richmond, VA. Like the Kids Run Club, they have a similar program called Kids Run RVA. This YouTube channel has kids and coaches doing some workouts and exercises that you can easily follow along to.
