Get kids moving
Coached track and trail running, games and fun runs, at every kid's pace.
Nonprofit-led · Launching in 2027
Every kid deserves a place to run.
In summer 2027, KidsRunning is launching 3 free and sliding-scale weekend running camps on college campuses for kids from low-income families.
- 3 camps in 2027
- 60 campers per camp
- Ages 9-14
- Friday to Sunday
Goals
What we're building
Teach healthy habits
Short lectures on running form, fueling and hydration, sleep and stress, injury prevention.
Open doors
Time on a college campus with college coaches and athletes, and a look at college and careers in sports and health.
Keep it going
Every camper leaves with a gear kit, an 8-week training plan and a referral to a local club or school team.
The 2027 plan
180 campers
across 3 camps
2 nights
on campus
About 14 staff
per camp, including paid college students
1 counselor
for every 6 campers
Background-checked
safety-trained adults
Who it's for
Built for kids who haven't had the chance yet
- Kids ages 9-14 from low-income families
- No running experience needed
- All abilities welcome, every kid runs at their own pace
Campers are referred through youth-serving partners such as community centers, youth clubs, schools and parks programs.
Sample schedule
A weekend on campus
2:00 pm
Arrival, check-in and team assignments
4:00 pm
Icebreakers and relay games
6:30 pm
Lecture: "Running 101: form, warm-up, pacing"
7:30 pm
Track strides and field games, then campfire or dorm time
Sample schedule. Final schedules are set with each campus.
Cost
Free for most families. Fair for everyone.
Camp weekends are free or sliding scale from $0 to $100 per camper, based on what a family can afford.
No child is turned away for inability to pay.
Lodging, meals, transportation and a gear kit are included.
What a camper's weekend really costs
about $552
Housing, meals, transport, gear, staff, insurance. Sponsors and donors cover the rest.
- Housing and foodabout 35%
- Staffabout 27%
- Transportabout 9%
- Gear kitabout 8%
- Insurance, facilities and program suppliesabout 21%
Approximate planning estimates.
Benefits
Good for kids. Good for the community.
For participants and families
- Free overnight camp on a real college campus
- Expert coaching
- Healthy-habits education
- New friends and mentors
- Gear kit and training plan
- A path to local teams and clubs
- Buses available
For sponsors
Put your brand behind kids' health and opportunity.
Tiers (planning figures)
Camper
$552
Sponsor one child's weekend
Team
$3,312
A group of 6 campers with a counselor
Camp Partner
$10,000
About 18 campers
Title Sponsor
$25,000
Covers most of one camp's direct cost
- Logo on camp shirts and website
- Camp-day visit and employee volunteer opportunities
- Social recognition
- Annual impact report with real numbers
- In-kind gear options for running and apparel brands
Sponsor details are finalized as we confirm each camp.
Get involved
Join us at the start line
Tell us you're interested and we'll reach out as camps are confirmed.
Sign up for a camp
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