Hosting kids Triathlon Clinic - Ideas?

Triathlon Forum
1

I signed on at the last minute to host a kids triathlon camp this weekend. I have a few good ideas already but was wondering if anyone has had a positive experience and has some unique games/activities that would be suitable and fun.

Unfortunately the clinic is a small town (OK falls, on the IMC course) which doesn’t have a pool and we are limited to spending the entire clinic inside a gymnasium. Ideas? Games? Video? Trivia? Inspirational Messages?

Thanks!

Jeff

2

Inspirational Messages?

HTFU

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I really have nothing to offer, but good luck - I bet the kids will have fun.

3

While a minor part of the race itself, transition races would be fun and every kid can take their shoes and socks on and off. Make a relay out of it.

4

some unique games/activities that would be suitable and fun.

Just a few observations from our local kids tri Jeff…

  • many of the kids helmets did not fit or were not adjusted properly - perhaps there’s an opportunity for a demo;
  • a lot of the bikes were in need of adjustment/tuneup, e.g. improper tire inflation, poorly functioning brakes & gears, etc. - another demo?
  • my nephew wanted to show his friends his body markings and wouldn’t wash them off - maybe you could have a marking session.

HTH,

Phil

5

Thanks Phil,

I’ll definitely include the both the bike maintenance and Helmet fitting.

As for the body marking I am with your nephew I think I went a week before washing mine off from Vegas. I had an idea while out riding that instead of name tags we body marked there name to keep thing fun.

It should be good time,

Jeff

6

I just wanted to follow up with my experience from the youth clinic today, and post somethings that worked well in case this topic gets searched in the future.

The clinic was a huge success and we had double the amount of kids show up as pre-registered.

The kids really like the body marking idea for names. I had some race belts donated from the BIke Barn and we were going to write there names on the bib numbers but do to the overwhelming number of late registrations we had to give them out as draw prizes instead. But I think that would have been a good ideas as well.

We did an impromptu simple stretching game where we stood in a big circle and everyone had a chance to either do a stretch, a dance move, or both. I thought it might be a bust, but the kids absolutely loved it!

I also talked about goals and a vision board and wasn’t sure how it would go, but once again great responses. It really got the kids thinking and dreaming!

We made a video from the event to help encourage people to sign up for some of future free TriBC clinics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Df-fu16gc0&feature=plcp&context=C32207ccUDOEgsToPDskJLT-CME2zdDvOfhAze8mTP

I had a great time and am excited for the next opportunity to help get kids stoked on our sport!

7

just great !
well done!
thanks for sharing.
Maybe try to have a few turbo trainers the next time for the older ones .
and do some Abc drills.

8

haven’t watched the video yet, but i’m excited to see how things went.

i’ve been mulling the idea over for something like this here, since my kids ask me everyweek when the next triathlon is.

i hope seeing you have a success will light that fire under my heavily loaded behind and get me rolling on this project. (like my plate isn’t full as it is though…)

congrats!

Tim