A Kids Club Sure to Inspire You: Running and Reading

The KidsFest Running & Reading Club is a unique, life-changing program offered to children living at or below the poverty line. It’s a program that will help improve academic achievement, physical fitness and social interaction among elementary school students.

The Running & Reading Club after-school program was launched under the directorship of former Olympian and Canadian marathon record holder, Silvia Ruegger. It operates directly within inner city schools across the country one afternoon per week for two hours from the beginning of October to the end of May.

This 32-week adventure helps children to improve their physical, mental and emotional health while developing a love of reading. The afternoon plays out as follows:

• Students spend the first 45 minutes of each session in circuit training, running-based games and relays.
• This is followed by a 20-minute character building component and snack.
• An inspirational “word of the day”, is shared by one of the team leaders and the group is invited to hear a story and participate in a discussion about this special word.
• The next 45 minutes are devoted to improving the children’s literacy skills (each child keeps track of their progress in physical fitness and reading through a journal).
• They then choose books categorized according to reading levels, and read either on their own, with another student, or with the help of a volunteer.

The program culminates in a 5km race, as well as a jeopardy-style reading challenge, at the end of the school year.

The Running & Reading Club also incorporates several special opportunities as part of the program for economically-challenged students. Celebrations include an annual KidsFest Holiday Celebration at a movie theatre and sport game outings.

The nurturing environment created at this after-school club will help to build confidence and discipline within the children, giving them hope for future success.

Our dedicated matrix of community volunteers forms a key part of the program. Acting as role models and mentors, this rich and diverse community of coaches play a key role as challengers and encouragers to children in need.

We need volunteers for this important program. Note: you are not required to attend every week as you may share your volunteer duties with someone else. Are you interested? Send us an email volunteers@kidsfestonline.com or call (888) 320- 8844 or (905) 319-1885 as soon as possible. Running and Reading Club is Thursdays from 3pm - 5pm. It starts on October 14 at Dr. J Edgar Davey School on Ferguson St. in Hamilton!