Providence Academy Running Club Raises $2,000 for Charity

(July 15^th, 2008) – Endurance, both in running and in fund raising, was the main goal of the Providence Academy Lower School Running Club.  Inspired by extra-curricular involvement, health, wellness and service to others, enthusiastic runners from the third, fourth, and fifth grades joined in bi-weekly distance and fun runs.

“We used scavenger and treasure hunts, games, relays, sprints, and long distance runs to get our bodies in shape,” said program coordinator and fifth grade teacher Rachel Fogle.  She instructed the students in proper running technique and the importance of stretching before and after runs.  “When I joined Running Club I wasn’t a very good runner.  Everyday the things we did got a little bit harder and by the end I could run so much farther than when I started,” commented Emily Schmidt, a Providence 5^th grade student.

The students were often put into teams and given a task to complete cooperatively.  Sometimes the club members used water balloons as batons while running relays.  Other times they were asked to follow clues running from point to point in search of “hidden treasure”.  “The games were really fun,” said Schmidt, “We had to work together.  Plus it was fun to be with my friends while getting great exercise.”

This motivated group of more than 30 youngsters found that fun often accompanies fitness and service to others.  “A goal of the club was to get students involved in raising funds for a local charity,” explained Fogle.  During the Running Clubs’ last scheduled meeting in June the student participants ran a combined 85 miles in an effort to raise funds for New Life Family Services of Minneapolis.  Students pushed themselves to meet their goal, and in final reports raised over $2,000.00 for New Life Family Services of Minneapolis.

Fogle has also initiated a program to help interested students maintain their new skills during the summer months.  “Once they get hooked on running and being physically active it’s hard to put an end to it,” said Fogle.  With a successful first year behind them, Fogle looks forward to continuing the Running Club in the future.

Providence Academy Running Club members take off during the final run of the season in an effort to raise funds for New Life Family Services of Minneapolis.

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