RRCA: Kids Run the Nation ®

Give Parents Peace of Mind Screen Your Volunteers

In 1986, in response to the growing national concern for children's health status in the United States, the RRCA launched their children's running program. Developed by a team of experts including former Olympic marathoner, Don Kardong, the program included a sixty page Teacher's and Coach's Curriculum Guide and a twenty page booklet about running designed for children and parents. These materials were reprinted in 1994 and have continued to be sought after resources for over two decades.

As a leader in the health and fitness industry, the RRCA has embarked on a long-term investment in promoting running as a significant opportunity to address the growing obesity epidemic with our youth. In 2007, the organization will launch the revision efforts for the RRCA Teacher.s and Coach.s Curriculum Guide and the children and parents booklet. The goal of the revision process is to ensure the materials contain the most up to date theories and best practices in youth running.

Once published, the revised curriculum will be called "RRCA: Kids Run the Nation". RRCA: Kids Run the Nation materials will outline proper running form, training cycles, proper nutrition, goal setting and recovery. The central focus of the materials is to develop self-motivation to run and to adopt running as a lifelong activity. The program can be utilized in the classroom setting, as an after school program, as a parent led activity or as a running club led program.

Copies of the current RRCA Teacher's and Coach's Curriculum Guide and kids running booklets are still available in limited quantities. Please contact the RRCA National Office at 703-525-3890 to obtain copies of these materials.

The Road Runners Club of America has a guideline encouraging the practice of criminal background checks for RRCA members or anyone working with minors such as coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, or employees engaged in working with youth (legal minors) involved in youth running programs or kids events. To help clubs implement this guideline, the RRCA has partnered with TC logiQ, Inc. to provide an affordable background screening service for our members. For more information call TC logiQ at 877-825-6447 or visit them online at http://www.tclogiq.com.

RRCA: Kids Run the Nation Fund

Major Doners

• Give to the Kids Run the Nation Fund

In 2007, the RRCA developed the Kids Run the Nation Fund to assists running clubs, events, and schools that are interested in implementing or currently have a youth running program. This small grant program will be funded by restricted contributions from RRCA members, individuals, foundations, and corporations. Grants will be awarded on an annual basis through an application and selection process overseen by a volunteer selection committee.

Criteria for a Grant from the RRCA: Kids Run the Nation Fund

A total of $5000 will be awarded in a combination of grants ranging from $500-$1000. Running clubs, events, or other organizations with the IRS 501(c)3 designation are eligible to apply. Elementary and middle schools that provide an organized after-school running programs are eligible as well.

Important criteria for receiving a grant include:

• The running program should be more than just a one time event. It should be a structured running program that ideally utilizes the RRCA youth running materials. The goal of the program is to have kids running regularly, at least once a week for multiple weeks, as opposed to participating in a single event. However, the program may culminate in participation at a kids. race.
• The program may be a start-up program or a pre-existing program.
• The program should not be gender specific but open for both girls and boys. The program may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic origin, or economic status. The program may outline age groups and may place a minimum and maximum age for participation.
• The program may focus on participation or may emphasize competition or a combination of both.
• The running program has adopted policies and procedures that ensure the safety of the participants and outlines expectations of the program leaders including submitting to criminal background checks.

What the Kids Run the Nation Grants May Fund:

• Marketing materials . brochures, posters, fliers, etc informing parents about the program
• Advertising the program in a community newspaper or website
• Hosting a program website
• Fees for permits or usage fees for a local park or running track
• Purchase hydration supplies -- water, Gatorade, cups, etc.
• Participation awards (ribbons, shirts, patches, etc) for the program
• Mileage logs or other written materials for the program
• Other items that the RRCA Grant Selection Committee sees fit to fund

What the Kids Run the Nation Grants Will Not Fund:

• Sponsoring individual runners
• Travel for competitive teams to events
• Race entry fees for competitive teams
• Social events for program staff or volunteers
• Salaries or travel costs for paid program staff
• Other items the RRCA grant selection committee determines to be ineligible for funding

Application for a Kids Run the Nation Grant (Word doc file)