INCREASING PARTICIPATION in events Dear Carol, This year we added a cash prize for the school group or youth club with the most participants. I would like to increase the amount each year or offer more. We also give 1st-10th plave trophies to our youth 1 mile finishers. Since you are familiar with kid's races, can you tell me some other incentives you have seen for increasing youth participation? Thanks for your help, Deon Tucker Dear Deon, Please follow this check out the Run to your Dreams program from Syracuse, NY. This is one of the best programs I've seen for getting kids involved. It has some low-keyed, low-budget ideas. Here are some of the ways they increase participation: -Each school that has 25 or more registered participants receives a framed participant certificate. -The top 3 participating schools receive plaques. - A traveling cup is awarded to the school with the greatest participation. The school's name in engraved on the trophy. - A traveling festival cup is awarded to the school outside the Syracuse area to the school which has the greatest participation. The school's name is engraved on the trophy. -The school with the most participation is invited to design the T-shirt for the next year's event. Good luck, Carol Feel free to email the kid's editor at rwedit@rodale.com.