CLUB FUN RUN
Our family fun run is always the highlight of the Happy Feet Kids Club 10-week session. It's a time for kids, parents, grandmas, grandpas, and even the family pet to exercise together. But no family pets appeared this time. Just a lot of woodland creatures - HAPPY FEET CHIPMUNKS!
- Carol Goodrow
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 THE CHIPMUNK CHASE
If you have a running club, you just have to have an event to celebrate the culmination of the club. Our event is called "The Chipmunk Chase" - just a catchy name that I made up when I was writing my chapter book The Treasure of Health and Happiness. And as a the club leader I thought I wanted to be the chipmunk, in a cute woodland costume, running ahead of all of the kids, leading them on the trail. :) But when I did a search for a chipmunk costume, I found the purchasable ones to be not in sync with the Happy Feet attitude.
This fall, thanks to some creative people, we made my chipmunk dream come true. With a few quick strokes of face paint, any of us could be a chipmunk. I happily had my face painted with the kids, but I no longer had the dream of being chased by other chipmunks. I
opted to be the chipmunk in the very BACK of the kids to shoo the late arrivers to the trail, and to scamper along with any reluctant participants. This wisdom of letting others go first comes with time.
WHAT MAKES OUR SIMPLE FUN RUN A SUCCESS
 
- A safe off-road trail, where you can't get lost.
- A safe off-road trail, where kids can run with or without their parents and go around as many times as they want.
- Everybody exercising.
- No pressure to be the winner.
- A variety of medals for all kids. Choose the one you like best.
- Run no matter the weather. (It was FREEEEEZING at our run.)
- Leave whenever you want.
- Singing the club song before the start.
- The joy exercise brings to your body as it warms you up on a chilly day.
- The sense of family and community.
- The anticipation of returning to this run again, someday.
- The feeling of pride really earning a medal brings you.
- Turning running into play.
- Running your own way.
- Dreams of wearing your medal to school on Monday.
  As a club leader, I get a lot of joy from the club. True, there are times when I wonder why I do this - hours of preparation, what feels like hours when waiting for a child who is picked up late, and other minor hassles, but I keep coming back. And with each session, I enjoy the Happy Feet Club more.
JOY MAKERS
- Not allowing a child to fail.
- Seeing the kids share their love of exercise with their families.
- Hearing the praise the kids have for the club.
- Seeing the smiles and the energy that a day outdoors brings.
- Greeting each family as they arrive.
- The kids who come back every year.
Happy Feet Kids thank Mark Summers of CNC Software Inc. and Kevin Bouley of nerac.com, as well as Agora (our medal sponsors).
Part of our Happy Feet Song (from Kids Running Breakaway Books)
Wake Mom up early.
Get Dad up, too!
They're going to do the fun run with you.
Start out easy.
Pick up the pace.
Earn your medal at the Chipmunk Chase.
Read and write. Run and eat. You'll just love Happy Feet.
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