Kim Badgett is a “get it done” type of person. In spite of a plate already filled by her busy family; teaching second grade at Challenger 7 elementary school; studying for National Boards and squeezing in time to run, the mother of two, kicked off a free 12-week, walk and run program for the school’s students.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for two or three years because so many children have no fitness goals and childhood obesity is a big concern for everyone,” said Badgett of the Mileage Club that met after schools on Mondays and Wednesdays. “I also wanted to help them raise their self esteem and decrease their
stress.”
Badgett was amazed at how quickly the Club filled to capacity.

“We had to cap it at 100 after less than four weeks,” she said. “I was really surprised that 30 of them were sixth-graders because you think they’re at the age where they don’t want to do anything physical. They said they really liked being out there socializing with their friends instead of sitting around at home.”

Badgett spent the first five minutes of each workout providing healthy tips and then the kids would begin to walk or run quarter-mile laps, which were counted and tallied by volunteer “checkers”.

“For each five miles a student completed, we’d reward them with a little runner that attached to a small chain,” she said. “Our kids put in a total of 2,000 miles by the time this year’s program ended but more importantly, the club also built character, motivation, self esteem and the ability to focus and learn. Other teachers noticed an increase in confidence and an improvement in grades and attitude.”

Badgett was quick to point out that the success of the program was due heavily to community involvement. “My 70-year-old neighbor as well as a few parents and teachers came to count laps, offer encouragement and even do some walking themselves,” she said. “Rob Downey, an All-American triathlete came out and talked with the kids about life-long fitness; Running Zone donated socks and Space Coast Runners donated 100 medals.

At the end of the season, the kids were invited to a celebration party complete with healthy snacks and give-aways. And every child, regardless of the amount of mileage individually amassed, received one of the donated medals and a certificate commemorating their achievement.

“The Club does not focus on racing or winning, but on doing our personal best,” she said. “As a club we are meeting new people, tackling new challenges and becoming mentally and physically fitter.”

To learn more about starting an after– or before-school fitness program at your school, contact Denise Piercy at dpiercy@runningzone.com or call her at 321-751-8890.

Running Zone’s five-race running and walking series offers kid-friendly distances of 1.8 to 3.1 miles and discounted entry fees to kids 12 and under. This season, Running Zone also began offering awards to the schools with the highest participation. As Badgett discovered, kids want to be physically active and socially engaged and more than 200 kids ages 14 and under have participated in the last two series event. Go to www.runningzone.com/series.html for series information.