On-campus Walking Activities
Logging miles on the track at Trumansburg Elementary School, Trumansburg, New York.
In rural areas or other places where it is unsafe or difficult to walk to school, communities can encourage walking on the school campus. For example, school officials can establish walking activities before or after school or during recess, physical education or health class. Walk routes on the school grounds provide all students an opportunity to walk a safe route and increase their physical activity. Ideas presented in the Mileage Clubs and Contests section also provide suggestions for incorporating routine walking into the school day.
Strategy: On-campus Walking Activities
Definition
Walks are held on the school campus during the school day, such as during physical education classes or recess, or occur before or after school.
Advantages
- Includes children that may otherwise not be able to participate in SRTS activities.
Considerations
- Needs school or volunteer coordinator and support from administration.
- May require time in the school schedule.
Quick steps to on-campus walking activities
- Identify a coordinator and obtain school's support.
- Determine the scope of the activity: Who will be involved? When will they walk? Where will they walk? For how long will they walk?
- Set goals for walkers either by accumulated distance, amount of time or number of days walked.
- Obtain incentives (optional).
- Promote.
- Kick off.
- Track participation.
- Make changes to the activity as needed.
Putting It Into Practice: The Morning Mile
Jenkins Elementary School, Scituate, MA
Children walking the Morning Mile at Jenkins Elementary School in Scituate, Massachusetts.
The "Morning Mile" at Jenkins Elementary was designed to give bus riding students an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of walking.
Parent volunteers, including men in the school�s "Dad�s Club," and Physical Education teachers created a half-mile loop around the school grounds for the children to walk during regular, all-school "Morning Mile" walks. The Dad's Club built wide timber stairways to provide pedestrian access to the playground and school. Teachers report that children had more enthusiasm for schoolwork and behaved better after venting some energy during the Morning Mile walks.