Like good South Dakotans, we have been leaning into the wind, continuing our work and play through the drifts and flows of our snowy landscape. Although I enjoy the winter’s beauty, I also noticed some signs of spring in the activities of our staff and our wonderful volunteers.
One of the best signs of spring?
We’ve opened registration for our summer camp programs, most with multiple sessions. Our camps range from babysitting to an introduction to FIRST® Lego® League, from Camp Changemaker to Leadership Camp for Middle School Girls. The first camp is scheduled for May, so be sure to check your calendar and register.
We’ve had incredible response to registration for Girls on the Run (for girls in grades 3 to 5), with 800 girls across the state already signed up and coming together to create teams. We’ve also opened registration for our spring 2019 boys program, Let Me Run, and are excited to see growth there, too.
For each team, there are two coaches that dedicate time twice a week to sharing lessons and helping the girls and boys move towards their goal. The life lessons they impart cover everything from communication to self esteem and nutrition. They weave in gratitude, staying positive, and respecting people’s different abilities and experiences.
And, of course, running.
Whether the team is experienced, new to running, or a blend, the coaches help them focus on the 5K race that caps the season. For many (including the coaches!) this may be the first time that running has been a weekly activity. The point is not to be the best, but to be your best. It is to meet your goal, completing the distance, and demonstrating that they CAN. With that in mind, everyone has the same number on their running bib: 1, and everyone who crosses the finish line is honored with a medal for their achievement.
Our Sioux Falls 5K will take place on May 4, 2019, and we would love to have you join us! Whether your role is to cheer or to run alongside, plan to be at the W. H. Lyon Fairgrounds to catch the inspiration!
We need a few more coaches! Please consider coaching Girls on the Run at Oscar Howe, Robert Frost, or Tea Legacy. For Let Me Run, we need coaches at John Harris and Harrisburg Journey.
