HAPPY FEET in SAGINAW, MICHIGAN
The number 1 ingredient for a successful kids' running/fitness club is an enthusiastic leader and role model. Roxanne Menapace is that special leader. She has taken my Happy Feet, Healthy Food Kids' Club and RUN with it. Her emails pour in, each more impassioned than the one before.
- Carol Goodrow |
HAPPY FEET FIT AND FUN by Carol Goodrow
My original club was a success. Afraid to ask my school system and sponsors if I could name my club after my book, I called it "Miles of Math" club.
I planned on running it if 15 children signed up. Instead I received over 100 applications. The next year, I renamed the club, "The Happy Feet, Healthy Food Kids' Club".
A few other clubs have popped up around the country based on my club. I share my lesson plans, often design tees for the club, and am always thrilled when the clubs use my books. I designed a special logo for Roxanne's fun run bib numbers, sometimes design ribbons for clubs, and am always here to advise.
 This year, I was approached by Roxanne Menapace, a community developer and avid runner from Michigan. She wanted to start Happy Feet clubs and she did.
Things of note:
- Roxanne uses two of my books in club. Each child receives a Happy Feet, Healthy Food journal AND the newer Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther book.
- Roxanne says her favorite activity of all was "Jump Rope Day". She used the jump rope rhymes from the Kids Running book.
- She gave out pumpkin medals at a fall fun run.
- Her kids love the Squirrels and Chipmunks running game.
- She adapts the club to meet her needs and has added her own healthy food activities.
- Roxanne is often in the local paper an has been asked to speak at state conferences.
  Roxanne emails me occasionally and tells me about her clubs. I hear about the ones that are affiliated with the YMCA, the ones at the inner city schools, the fun runs, the activities, her favorite games, and the healthy snacks. She is usually excited, often raising funds, writing for grants, and always praising the kids.
Roxanne's clubs grow exponentially every time I hear from her. She writes, "The YMCA is going to offer Happy Feet at Camp Timbers this summer! I will go to camp and educate the camp staff and the children will experience Happy Feet in a camp setting."
Here's a sample of an event Roxanne puts on to raise money:
"Remember! Magic Bean Cafe on State and Weinike from3p-10p FREE live entertainment, Clown from 4p-6p, WGER 106.3 from 3p5p, RAFFLES all night Kid's Bike form Chicky and Wesleys, Autographed Basketball from Pistons Many, many more raffles. Proceeds go to Strong Kids Campaign YMCA and Happy Feet Kid's Fit and Fun Club!
Musicians all night long and good fun FREE."
LINKS
menapace2002@yahoo.com - To email Roxanne
Club and Lesson Plans - Carol's original Happy Feet, Healthy Food Kids'
Archives for Miles of Math Club Right here on the kidsrunning.com Web site
The Children's BOOKS Carol has written 3: Happy Feet, Healthy Food, The Treasure of Health and Happiness, Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther
Club Games Here are 10 basic games.
|
