Summer Youth Running Camps for 2014

Summer is right around the corner which means children will be looking for something to do. Parents, here is a helpful guide to local summer camps dedicated to your young runners.

2014 Summer Multi-Sport Speed, Agility & Explosion Camp
Where: Lehigh University
Dates: Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays from June 18-Aug 5
Ages: grades 3-12
Children will be split by age and ability.

Youth Fundamentals Speed Camp
Where: Warrior Fit Performance, Easton
Dates: June 16-20
Ages: 7-10
Camp will provide young runners the opportunity to fine tune their skills and abilities.

Junior High Functional Speed Camp
Where: Warrior Fit Performance, Easton
Dates: June 23-27
Ages: 11-13
Speed Camp will provide your athlete with the foundational skills and abilities that will enable him or her to compete at a high level throughout the competitive season.

High School Elite Speed Camp
Where: Warrior Fit Performance, Easton
Dates: July 7-11
Ages: 14-17
This Speed Camp will provide your athlete with the competitive edge, mental toughness and winning attitude to elevate their game beyond their competition.

Big Red Track and Field Camp
Where: Parkland High School
Dates: July 8-12
Ages: 6 and up
Camp will give the camper an overview of all 18 track and field events. A fun learning environment, videos, professional speakers, video analysis, great instruction and more.

Track & Field/Cross Country Camp
Where: Lehigh University
Dates: July 12-15 (overnight camp)
Ages: 13 to 18 years old
Camp will feature advanced technical and functional training in all jumps, pole vault, sprints, distance and throws. Video analysis. Three 2-hour sessions per day.

Easton Track and Field Camp
Where: Easton Area high School
Dates: July 14-18
Ages: 7-17
Four-time Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs will be coaching this five day track camp focusing on distance running, conditioning and track & field events.

Trojan Cross Country Camp
Where: Parkland High School
Dates: July 15-19
Ages: 5-14
If you plan on running cross country, this is the camp for you. If you play another sport, this camp will teach you how to outlast the competition.

Lil Rover Speed Camp
Where: Warrior Fit Performance, Easton
Dates: July 20-24
Ages: 6-13
This Speed Camp will provide your athlete with the necessary tools to fine tune their skills and abilities and compete at a higher level in preparation for game time.

Track and Field Youth Day Camp
Where: Lehigh University
Dates: July 21-25
This camp brochure is yet unavailable. Follow link to Lehigh University’s summer camp webpage and check back for updates.

Emmaus Green Machine Track Camp
Where: Emmaus High School
Dates: July 22-26
Ages: grades 3-9
Campers will learn proper warm-up techniques, develop basic fundamentals, learn the importance of sportsmanship and enjoy the thrill of competition in this week-long camp, ending with a special Meet of Champions for family members to attend.

LVRR Family Hikes Are Back

Lehigh Valley Road Runners will once again be hosting a series of family hikes throughout the summer. For parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles this is a fantastic opportunity to get those little ones out of the house and exercising. These hikes have been very popular over the past few years and there are a always a variety of ages present from toddlers to teens. Please check the links specific to each location as some of the hikes are more difficult than others. Note the change in times this year, Tuesday hikes will start at 10:00 am and Thursday hikes will start at 2:00 pm.

Visit lvrr.org for more details.

Thursday, June 13, 2:00 pm – Bear Creek Mountain
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 am – Saucon Rails to Trails
Thursday, July 18, 2:00 pm – Trexler Nature Preserve
Tuesday, August 6,10:00 am – South Mountain Preserve
Thursday, August 8, 2:00 pm – Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
Tuesday, August 20, 10:00 am – Fish Hatchery – Lehigh Parkway
Thursday, August 22, 2:00 pm – Jacobsburg State Park

Emmaus Green Machine Track Camp

Parents, if you are like me then you are working on a summer schedule for your kids so that they don’t end up fighting with each other all day long, or worse yet, sitting in front of the television day in and day out. Summer camps are plenty here in the Lehigh Valley and as a runner you may be interested in the Emmaus Green Machine Track Camp.

Now in it’s third year the camp offers children in grades 3 through 9 the opportunity to get out and moving for one week in July. Campers will learn proper warm-up techniques that can be transferred to other sports and develop basic skills needed for their future track and field careers, utilizing the facilities at Emmaus High School.

Camp runs Tuesday through Saturday, July 24-27 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. On Saturday, July 27 children will participate in the Meet of Champions where they can show off what they’ve learned in front of their families and have the opportunity to earn medals. Each athlete will receive a camp shirt, work with staff to develop their skills, enjoy pool time and a end-of-camp pizza party.

Cost per camper is $180 (with a $50 family discount for every child after the first).  If your registration is postmarked before June 1, the early bird discount price is $150 (with a $50 family discount for every child after the first).  All registrations are due by July 15; please make checks payable to “EHS Track and Field Booster Club.”

Download: 2013 Track Camp Brochure

For more information Contact Shannon Petrunak at spetrunak@eastpennsd.org or 610-965-1650 Ext. 21579

GOTR Volunteers Needed

Many hands make the GOTR 5k happen! Volunteers are needed to help in non-running roles at the upcoming GOTR 5k on June 7th in the Lehigh Parkway.

Volunteers are needed to assist with:
-Parking
-Registration
-Course Marshalls
-Water Stations
-Food Tent
-Set up and Tear down

Please follow this link to register as a NON-RUNNING volunteer: https://gotr.diakon.org/Lehigh_5k_Volunteer.asp. All volunteers receive a t-shirt and post race snacks. Please consider joining us!

Help us spread the word! Please share this email with your co-workers, friends and family.

Girls on the Run of Lehigh County
www.diakon.org/gotr
888-499-2699

Emmaus Green Machine Track Camp

Emmaus High School will be hosting a track camp this summer for children in grades 3-9. The five day camp is designed for youth who are interested in learning about the diverse events offered to athletes in the sport of track and field. Athletes will learn about the different events while improving their all-around athletic skills and having fun.

July 24-28, 2012
Tuesday-Saturday

The camp will utilize the East Penn School District Stadium’s brand new six lane all-weather track surface and field facilities. Campers will also enjoy the gymnasium and swimming pool.

Campers will learn proper warm up techniques that can be transferred to all sports. They will have the opportunity to develop basic fundamentals needed for track & field under tutelage of experienced, knowledgeable staff. The will also learn to develop an understanding of the importance of sportsmanship.

Meet of Champions
On Saturday, July 28, campers will participate in the 1st annual Meet of Champions. The Parade of Champions will kick off the meet at 9:00 am. Campers will compete in three events of their choosing, according to age group. Medals will be awarded 3 deep in each event and age group. The meet concludes with a Pizza Party.

COACHING STAFF
Head Coach – Shannon Petrunak (sprint coach)
Assistant Coaches – Ashley Murdock (jump coach), Shane Riegel (hurdles/pole vault coach), Eileen Shovlin (distance coach), Marc Zimmerman (throws coach)

COST
$150 for all registrations postmarked by June 1st ($60 discount for family members after the first child)
$180 after June 1st

WHAT TO BRING
Children should bring athletic attire and sneakers (required), lunch with water and/or sports drink, swimsuit, towel and sandals. Campers will run rain or shine.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – Noon

CONTACT
For more information please contact Shannon Petrunak at spetrunak@eastpennsd.org or (610) 965-1650, ext. 21582

DOWNLOADABLE APPLICATION

Plenty of Opportunity to Get Your Children Moving

The Lehigh Valley is a very active area, offering many ways to get your children involved in physical activity throughout the year. As far as running goes, more and more events that we race are including activities and fun runs for the small fries. I embrace this movement to start our youth running and make it a fun activity from the start, instead of a punishment in their chosen sport down the road.

Here is a list of ways to get your kids involved with running in the coming months.

RACES THAT OFFER YOUTH FUN RUNS

Revolutionary Run – April 22 – includes 1.776 Young Patriots Fun Run for kids. http://tinyurl.com/revolutionaryrun

Mini Mudder – April 28 – Ages 3-12. Similar to the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder but scaled down for kids. http://tinyurl.com/minimudder

Pocono Half Marathon – May 5 – includes a kids fun run. http://tinyurl.com/poconokids

Rock n Run – May 12 – includes kids fun run. http://tinyurl.com/rocknrunkids

Blue Mountain Health System 5k – May 12 – includes a kids fun run. http://bmhs5k.com/

Run for Their Lives 5k – May 26 – includes 1 mile fun run. http://www.gcchurch.org/index.php?pID=229

Mad Dash Trail Run – June 2 – includes 2.5 mile family walk. http://tinyurl.com/maddashkids

 

YOUTH-SPECIFIC or YOUTH-ONLY ACTIVITIES

St. Luke’s Youth Run – April 28 – Children race down Hamilton St, Allentown in age group waves. http://stlukeshalfmarathon.com/youth-run/

Triathlon for Kids – May 27 – Swim-in-zone’s annual kid’s-only triathlon. http://tinyurl.com/sizkidstriathlon

LVRR Summer Kids Series – May 19, June 9 & 23, July 7 & 21, August 4 – Kids-only running series, children run according to age group. http://lvrr.org/races/kids-series/

 

ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES TO DO TOGETHER

LVRR Family Hikes – Thursdays throughout the summer. Locations vary so check website for details. http://lvrr.org/club-events/family-hikes/

Girls on the Run Opens Registration

Registration for the Girls on the Run program is now OPEN for 3rd-5th grade girls at the following community sites:

Upper Saucon Park
Preston Lane, Center Valley
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm
March 29-June 12

Jordan UCC
1837 Church Road Allentown, PA 18104
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:00pm
March 26-June 14

What is Girls on the Run?
GOTR is a positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.

Spots are limited for this incredibly fun and rewarding program so register early.

Contact Samantha for additional information at 610-682-1547 or seiberts@diakon.org. Help us spread the word. Please forward to your family, friends and co-workers.

*Mark your calendars! The Girls on the Run 5k is Thursday, June 7, 2012 in the Lehigh Parkway. See you there!*

Girls on the Run of Lehigh County
A program of Diakon Family Life Services
www.diakon.org/gotr
888-499-2699

First LVRR Family Hike A Hit

Yesterday afternoon over 60 kids and adults met up at the Fish Hatchery in Allentown for the first of nine family-centric hikes to take place around the valley this summer. The hikes are sponsored by Lehigh Valley Road Runners and locations vary from week to week so be sure to check out http://lvrr.org/events/family-hikes/ for each week’s hike location.

Little hikers and their parents hiked from the Fish Hatchery to Bogert’s Covered Bridge, approximately 7/10ths of a mile, where they then dipped their toes in the creek, catching crayfish and enjoying the beautiful weather. After hiking back to the Fish Hatchery (also known as the Lil Le-Hi Trout Hatchery,) kids then fed the trout. The hatchery has been around since 1883 and thousands of visitors spend time feeding the fish each year.

Next week’s hike will take place at Upper Saucon Park. Hikers are asked to arrive 15 minutes early, the hike will begin promptly at 1:00 pm. There is a pavillion and playground at this location where everyone can hang out after the hike. You are encouraged to carry water and use sun screen. If you plan to attend you are asked to RSVP on the event page so that organizers can get a head count.

Hikes are free. Children who attend six out of the nine hikes will receive a special gift at the end of the summer. Be sure to RSVP and check in before each hike so that your children will receive credit for their attendance.

For more information, visit http://lvrr.org

LVRR Family Hikes Are Back

Last summer, Laurie Reinhart of the Lehigh Valley Road Runners wanted to find activities to do with her daughter that would get the two of them outdoors and moving, something that wouldn’t cost anything in our struggling economy. As a runner, taking her daughter out on an afternoon hike was a natural idea, and thus the idea of leading group hikes began to take root.

Beginning last June, groups of parents and kids (ages ranged from babies in strollers to the pre-teen set) met up in various location throughout the area for leisurely hikes which typically lasted an hour. Children love playing in the water, so hikes often took place in locations where children could wade in streams or creeks, and shade was a must at that time of day. Some of the locations where upwards of 35 people would gather and hike were Lehigh Parkway, South Mountain Preserve, Upper Saucon Park and Trexler Nature Preserve.

This year’s list of hiking locations are now listed on the LVRR website. Hikes begin at 1:00 pm and families are asked to arrive early so that the hikes can begin promptly at 1pm. Please bring water to drink and remember to wear sunscreen and bug spray.

Hikes are free of charge and are open to everyone, not just club members. You are asked to RSVP for each event.

2011 Summer Family Hike Schedule:

June 30 – Fish Hatchery Hike
July 7 – Upper Saucon Park
July 14 – LVRR clubhouse
July 21 – South Mountain Preserve at Alpine Street
July 28 – South Mountain Preserve at Wilson St
August 4 – Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
August 11 – Jacobsburg
August 18 – Trexler Nature Preserve
August 25 – Jasper Park

http://lvrr.org/events/family-hikes/

Free Fitness Program Preparing Youth For Local Duathlon

There’s a new trend developing in our country and it’s a good one!  Kid’s health has never been more important and new fitness opportunities are cropping up all over the Lehigh Valley for youngsters.  Mark your calendars for the second annual “Race for The Caring Place”  which will be held at Rodale Park on Sunday, June 12th at 3pm.  With a $20 race entry fee, all participants will receive a race shirt and medal, pizza, refreshments and entertainment as well as a chance to win great prizes.  Ages 8-13 will be chip-timed so the kids will feel like the pros!

Register soon, entry fee increases to $25 on May 28th.

In the weeks leading up to the race, registered participants will have the opportunity to participate in a training program on Sunday afternoons, from 3-5pm at Rodale Park.  Children rotate through three, 25-minute sessions: running, biking and transition area training.  They also receive a free training log.  This free program requires USAT annual membership (cost of $5, available online or at registration).

“My son loves it!” reports Kathleen Dent of Allentown.  Her son Jake learned about the training clinic from his fourth grade teacher at Union Terrace, Mr. Canfield, who is also a cycling coach for the program.

When asked what she likes best about the dualthon training, Josephine Carcamo, age 10, states “I really like learning about the transitions because I used to have to stop my bike to get on it, but now I’m learning how to jump on my bike when I am moving and it’s fun.”  She adds, “I like logging all of my training at the end of the day and getting raffle tickets for the raffle on race day.”  Her 12 year old brother Will, states “I will like race day because I want to race and find out what place I will get!”

Area coaches and athletes volunteer their time to support the cause of youth fitness at the training program.  Gail Micca, who directs the program is thrilled to have the talent and expertise of motivated coaches who are dedicated to children’s health, “The race and training program would not exist without the help of many wonderful individuals, coaches and friends.  All I did was ask, and people jumped in to help in every way possible.”

It is clear that area businesses also care about the issues of children’s health and fitness.  This local event has attracted the support of Lehigh Valley Health Network, The Walmart Foundation, Vitamix, Lehigh Valley Honda, Kohl’s, South Mountain Cycles, Saladworks (Cedarcrest), OAA Orthopaedic Specialists, Elite Sports Academy, Tighe Orthodontics, Long’s Ecowater,  Healthy Alternatives, Rita’s Ice, Funky Monkey snacks and Nestle Waters.

“This is exactly the type of event we like to support,”  says Jason Zulick of Kohl’s Department Store in Trexlertown.  In addition to financial support, the store will be sending several staff members to volunteer on race day as part of their “Associates in Action” program.

Two Vitamix blenders, each valued at $475 as well as an EcoWater Water Purification System will be raffled off.    Money raised from the race and raffle will benefit The Caring Place in Allentown.

The Caring Place, under the direction of Mary Ellen Griffin, is nearing completion of a commercial kitchen on its first floor at 931 Hamilton Street in Allentown.  Although the kitchen will primarily be rented to bakers and chefs in need of a commercial kitchen workspace, it will be also be used to teach nutrition and cooking skills to the children and teens who attend the after school and summer programs.   The Vitamix Corporation is also donating three commercial quality Vitamix blenders to The Caring Place Kitchen to benefit the health of these inner-city children.

If you’d like more information, log on to www.raceforthecaringplace.myevent.com
Register online at www.onestoprace.com
Enter the pre-race raffle to win a Vitamix 5200 Professional Blender (winner need not be present to win), email: micca@ptd.net