Queen City Striders - Houghton

For our littlest striders, we are encouraging movement and body awareness while finding joy in learning basic running form. Utilizing engaging games and fun drills with the use of toys, we will teach the basics of running form that will be relatable for this age range. We will also do group activities/games that will encourage focusing on the task at hand while also increasing their endurance. (For example; Frogger Runs, Bean Bag relays, Which Animal Am I Runs etc.) This age group will start with shorter distances and work to increase throughout the camp.

The big striders will navigate through much of the running form taught at the little strider level, but in greater detail. Implementing more running for time vs running for distance. They will participate in games and activities with their peers that promotes camaraderie and showcases the team atmosphere of what is generally seen as an individual sport. Basic stretching and muscle groups will also be introduced at this level. The goal with our big striders will be to start off with how long they can run for without stopping and work to increase that distance throughout camp.

For our older elementary crew we will be teaching the pure basics of running in a fun and engaging manor. Activities involved will help them learn the proper techniques at a young age and in a fun-filled way. Our hope is to make well-rounded athletes and for our participants to learn healthy lifestyle habits. We will work on pacing with this crew as they dabble into distance running. Dashers will also learn the importance of warming up and cooling down with dynamic and static stretches.

For our middle school group we hope to improve upon the form and efficiency of our runners. This is the age where our participants are transitioning from play to training and introduction to competition. Most of their time will involve building upon their skills through drills and proper technique activities. Plyometrics, bodyweight strength exercises and dynamic stretching will also play great factors into their time with the club. The pacers group will be introduced to workouts seen on a middle school cross country team (fartlek runs, intervals, paced distance runs). It will be fun group to meet with twice per week to improve upon training for all general sports to avoid injury and lead healthier lifestyles.