I really like your project. I started cross country running when I was in high school. It's a powerful tool to help kids bond and remember the environment is there for them to play in. I only worry that for older kids/teens the title of your project might become somewhat of a joke (not that laughter does not help bring people together). Good luck!
Dear Tim
Thanks for telling us about your fun and innovative running project. It sounds like a lot of fun and integrates many lessons - as Steve says below - about leadership but also with the making the baton themselves, and making matching shirts - the idea of creating a community/group/team spirit. Congratulations.
I am wondering how you deal with a few challenges that we have with the boxgirls roadwork programme http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/2279 namely how in a small group do you deal with the different ages of the kids and the different speeds they want to run? Is there a wide age range?
What other skills do you see being developed in a mixed age group? What do the younger kids learn from older kids and vice versa?
Also, one of the criteria the changemakers contest is looking for is scalability or the ability to grow or reproduce the programme in other areas. From your project description it does not seem like this is your personal goal but could you say something about how your good example might be able to be used to encourage other active parents to do a similar project with their children and local schools. Could you also say something about the role of the parents of your runners...Do they take part? Would they help with driving if you were sick one day? Do they see themselves as part of the programme? How could you imagine involving them?
I think many of our projects started through individual initiative and energy and it is interesting to think about who could be our allies on the move to the next level of stability and programme growth.
It would be great to hear your ideas/answers to some of my questions.
All the best from Berlin
HC
Heather Cameron
Free University Berlin
University Challenge
Thanks for your observations. So far the running group is only separated by 3 years in age and they are all good friends. We do a couple of things to keep the group of varying skill-levels together. First, we always start with a slow-to-moderate runner so that the beginning pace is held in check to allow for warming up and to allow the camraderie (conversations) to begin. Secondly, it is understood that the role of the leader is to set a pace that won't separate the group, so the leader ocassionally keeps an eye on the pack. A good leader encourages all. Also, the faster runners who may also compete in school, train at another time. These runs are meant to be easy jogs. I find that when running is fun, people continue to do it.
I like your thoughts on growth and sustainability. I have enjoyed keeping the group small and manageable but now am considering testing some ideas this Spring to try to grow the idea. I also appreciate your thought to get parents more involved. You've led to me to consider meeting with the Parks and Recreation officials to discuss the success we're finding in these runs and to consider getting their support in hosting group runs through their well-maintained trails.
Thanks again for your insights. Best wishes in your program as well.
You, the young people, and the park truly make this form of running a cross-country experience, Tim. Your insistence on literally passing the baton to a new leader every five minutes also gives a new and positive twist to the old folllow-the-leader routine, but one in which everyone can serve as leader--with the attending privileges and responsibilities.
Congratulations on devising a way to make fitness and companionship running very enjoyable.
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California
I really like your project. I started cross country running when I was in high school. It's a powerful tool to help kids bond and remember the environment is there for them to play in. I only worry that for older kids/teens the title of your project might become somewhat of a joke (not that laughter does not help bring people together). Good luck!
Leora
Dear Tim
Thanks for telling us about your fun and innovative running project. It sounds like a lot of fun and integrates many lessons - as Steve says below - about leadership but also with the making the baton themselves, and making matching shirts - the idea of creating a community/group/team spirit. Congratulations.
I am wondering how you deal with a few challenges that we have with the boxgirls roadwork programme http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/2279 namely how in a small group do you deal with the different ages of the kids and the different speeds they want to run? Is there a wide age range?
What other skills do you see being developed in a mixed age group? What do the younger kids learn from older kids and vice versa?
Also, one of the criteria the changemakers contest is looking for is scalability or the ability to grow or reproduce the programme in other areas. From your project description it does not seem like this is your personal goal but could you say something about how your good example might be able to be used to encourage other active parents to do a similar project with their children and local schools. Could you also say something about the role of the parents of your runners...Do they take part? Would they help with driving if you were sick one day? Do they see themselves as part of the programme? How could you imagine involving them?
I think many of our projects started through individual initiative and energy and it is interesting to think about who could be our allies on the move to the next level of stability and programme growth.
It would be great to hear your ideas/answers to some of my questions.
All the best from Berlin
HC
Heather Cameron
Free University Berlin
University Challenge
Greetings Heather,
Thanks for your observations. So far the running group is only separated by 3 years in age and they are all good friends. We do a couple of things to keep the group of varying skill-levels together. First, we always start with a slow-to-moderate runner so that the beginning pace is held in check to allow for warming up and to allow the camraderie (conversations) to begin. Secondly, it is understood that the role of the leader is to set a pace that won't separate the group, so the leader ocassionally keeps an eye on the pack. A good leader encourages all. Also, the faster runners who may also compete in school, train at another time. These runs are meant to be easy jogs. I find that when running is fun, people continue to do it.
I like your thoughts on growth and sustainability. I have enjoyed keeping the group small and manageable but now am considering testing some ideas this Spring to try to grow the idea. I also appreciate your thought to get parents more involved. You've led to me to consider meeting with the Parks and Recreation officials to discuss the success we're finding in these runs and to consider getting their support in hosting group runs through their well-maintained trails.
Thanks again for your insights. Best wishes in your program as well.
Tim Lodwick
You, the young people, and the park truly make this form of running a cross-country experience, Tim. Your insistence on literally passing the baton to a new leader every five minutes also gives a new and positive twist to the old folllow-the-leader routine, but one in which everyone can serve as leader--with the attending privileges and responsibilities.
Congratulations on devising a way to make fitness and companionship running very enjoyable.
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California