FAQs
General information
What is Kids on the move?
Kids On The Move is a program of Sports Backers that supports running and fitness clubs at schools and youth-serving organizations across the Richmond region.
who do you serve, and what ages are the kids?
Kids On The Move hosts run and fitness clubs in elementary, middle, and high schools and various community sites across the Richmond region. We serve kids as young as 4 and as old as 18!
What kind of activities do you do with the kids?
Each club is different. Some clubs focus solely on running and running-based activities, while others focus more on fitness-based activities. Some popular activities are: Running intervals, laps, stations (strength training, cardio, etc.), fitness-based games, HIIT, etc.
Is there a cost to participate?
No! All Kids On The Move clubs are free to join!
How do you include kids with different fitness levels or abilities?
All of our clubs are open to all fitness levels and abilities. All Coaches embrace the Kids On The Move Coaching Philosophy, which includes promoting inclusivity, emphasizing gradual and sustainable progress, and implementing a “no one left behind” motto so each student is supported through every session. Coaches offer modifications for exercises as needed.
what’s the policy on snacks, hydration, or breaks?
We encourage each club to provide water breaks during practice. At the very least, water needs to be available to the kids. We also encourage ending practice with a nutritious snack. Mini-grant funds can be used to purchase snacks and water for clubs.
how can our school or organization host a kids on the move club?
We’re always looking to support new running and fitness clubs in the Greater Richmond region! These clubs are run by an affiliate of the school, but we’re here to support! If you are interested, reach out to Jacki Quinlan or Noelle Hart!
how do you recruit and train coaches or volunteers?
Each of our clubs is led by a Head Coach – usually someone from the school or community who is passionate about helping kids stay active. At many schools, this role is filled by a P.E. teacher or other staff members. To support them, we recruit volunteer Assistant Coaches at the start of our Fall and Spring seasons. Interested volunteers complete a Coaches Application and are then matched with a club that’s the best fit for them. Outside of those recruitment windows, anyone interested in volunteering can submit a Kids On The Move Interest Form and we will be in touch when the application opens!
new coaches and volunteers
what is my role as a kids on the move coach?
Head Coach: As a head coach, you serve as the primary point of contact between your club, Kids On The Move, other coaches, and parents. Head coaches are responsible for the bulk of the admin work. This includes things such as race registration and packet pick up coordination, conducting surveys, plan practices, and serve as a liaison with the school
Assistant Coach: As an assistant coach, you are mainly there to help carry out the practice plan. This can look like leading certain sections of practice (such as warm-up and cool-down), provide direct support to students, and help supervise activities.
will there be training or orientation for volunteers?
Yes, each one of our volunteers through a “New Coach Training” online module and complete a short quiz to reinforce what they’ve learned. During the training, we cover important need-to-knows such as how Kids On The Move supports clubs, what it means to be a coach, how to structure a club, managing student behavior, and how to keep kids safe.
do i have to create my own activities, or are activities provided?
No, you do not need to create your own activities! We’ve developed over 80 fitness activities, games, and workouts that can be used to get kids moving. Many of these are theme-based so they can be used as active ways to celebrate holidays and seasons. We are always adding to our library of resources so this will continue to grow.
how much time should i expect to commit each week?
We recommend hosting practice at least once per week for no less than 45 minutes per session. Many of our groups meet twice a week for an hour. This is ideal, especially for clubs participating in an end-of-season race!
what training or orientation will i receive?
All of our Coaches complete a 30-minute training video where we provide an overview of Sports Backers and the Kids On The Move program, the role of a Kids On The Move coach, go over how to structure your club, manage student behavior, and so much more! After watching the video, coaches will complete a short quiz to reinforce what they’ve learned. Additionally, we host Fall and Spring Season Kick-Offs prior to the start of each season where we go over the season’s timeline, important updates, and all the things you need to know to successfully lead or assist your club the upcoming season. We are always available to provide one-on-one training and support as needed.
Do I need prior coaching or teaching experience?
No! Of course, having prior coaching experience is great, but definitely not a requirement. We do ask that our coaches have some experience working with kids, and above all, have a passion for inspiring active living!
are there any rules about discipline or behavior management?
Having a good rapport with the kids in your club makes it easier for coaches to manage behaviors as they arise, ensures a healthy coaching relationship, and, ultimately, results in a better experience for everyone!
Beyond building rapport, another aspect of managing student behavior is providing structure for the club. Be sure to create structure from the very beginning.
Have a plan for recognizing and rewarding positive behavior! Rewarding positive behavior is going to be the best way to get the desired behavior from a child.
One other simple strategy to help manage student behaviors is simply to be near students that may be less focused or starting to misbehave. This can be as simple as moving where you are standing so you are between two students who aren’t paying attention or standing beside a student who may need a little extra help.
what safety protocols should i follow?
Kids On The Move has a few key policies in place to make sure we’re creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Please review the Mandated Reporting and Concussion Protocol documents.
what should i do if a child gets injured or doesn’t feel well?
Remove them from the activity immediately. Take them to a nurse if one is available. Be sure to be in touch with the student’s parent or guardian.
how long does the program run, and how often do sessions happen?
For clubs training up for an end-of-season race, we recommend running for no less than 10 weeks. This should give you enough time to properly train your kiddos. We recommend holding practice at least twice a week.
do you provide coaches or do we supply our own staff?
While we do our best to recruit volunteer assistant coaches, head coaches are typically someone affiliated with the school. This can be a teacher, a parent, or an administrator.
what space or facilities are needed for the program?
Enough space to safely run and move around. This looks different for each club depending on the club structure and overall goal of the club. Clubs that are training for an end-of-season race will need enough space to run and build mileage.
are background checks required for coaches?
Yes. All coaches are required to complete a background check prior to their first practice. Current teachers are not required to complete an additional background check, as they have one on file with their school.