By Mike Dove and Susan Love, JUST RUN for Running USA Youth Programs Workshop
I. JUST RUN ACROSS THE USA (and now EUROPE)
Educational ~ allows classes to cooperatively accumulate mileage in a "virtual run" across the United States or Europe. Hundreds of geographic, historical, nutritional, and fun locations are web-linked throughout these educational journeys. This program feature lends itself for use as a history or geography lesson; the children can study the locations that their group passes through on their way across the USA or through Europe. The children also develop a sense of pride as they contribute their personal mileage to assist the group in reaching a common goal. The website www.justrun.org provides a focal point for students and volunteers to record their accumulated mileage in an imaginary run mapped across the United States or Europe.
II. ADDING FUN TO RUNNING LAPS
- Unique lap recorders (hand stamps, popsicle sticks, beans, pennies, etc.)
- Par course
- Cat and Mouse/Fox and Hound
- Teacher/principal challenge
- Buddy runs
III. SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES
- Relays and drills (soccer balls, stuffed animals, cones)
- Timed races
- Goal races
- Challenged course
- Follow the leader
- Parent challenge
IV. JUST DEEDS
in conjunction with running and physical activity, this program feature promotes good citizenship and good deeds.
V. INCENTIVE PROGRAM (also see "Incentives Suggestion list")
Congratulations certificates are provided when students accumulate mileage totals up to the marathon distance of 26 miles and have performed 26 acts of good citizenship. At 50 miles, a JUST RUN shirt is awarded.
VI. SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
Keep it fun, safe, imaginative, age appropriate, and insure the continuous activity of each child!
Leader Enthusiasm is vital and contagious!!