OVERVIEW
The Middle School Challenge program was developed in 1996 to encourage middle school students to participate in after-school fitness programs and develop a life-long commitment to health and fitness. The program gives students the opportunity to meet challenges, work towards goals, and feel a sense of pride in their school and individual accomplishments. By providing this opportunity, the DICK’S Sporting Goods BolderBOULDER, together with its participating schools, hopes to send the message to students that physical fitness can be fun, and something in which all kids can participate, regardless of their age or physical limitations.
2008 PARTICIPATING SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
Coordinator: Each School will provide at least one motivated staff person to represent them in the MSC. This may be a teacher, administrator, parent, etc. They will be responsible for working along with BolderBOULDER staff in the following areas:
· Recruitment
· Training
· Registration
· Race Day
Communication: In order to effectively and efficiently discuss important MSC information to over 50 Coordinators, e-mail will be the primary method of communication. It is expected that all Coordinators will review MSC e-mail within one week of delivery, and if necessary respond in a timely manner.
Recruitment: Each school will be provided one MSC 8’ Banner in order to help “kick-off” the MSC sign-up period.
Assemblies: The BolderBOULDER staff would love to help with your assembly/presentations. Realizing you may not need us to help or there may be some timing challenges, a sign up sheet is available at the kickoff reception or you can contact alice@bolderboulder.com. Participating schools may also handle their own recruitment with the assistance of a BolderBOULDER DVD. It is highly encouraged to bring all Middle School students together for one “high-charged” assembly, which demonstrates the importance of this program to the school and a chance to show school spirit.
Training: Students will train along side their teachers for eight weeks to prepare for their 6.2-mile walk, jog, run or race. BolderBOULDER will provide each school a Training Schedule for running and walking, as well as a list of fun fitness games. MSC participants should meet at least twice weekly at school, as well as be required to continue training on their own throughout the week. Students participating on the Track Team will be excused form MSC practice, but their participation will still be monitored by the MSC Coordinator.
Registration: DEADLINE IS APRIL 10, 2008!!!!! In order to ensure accuracy in scoring the MSC; students, teachers, and school staff will register for the BolderBOULDER differently than the rest of the racers. Students may register online by clicking on the Middle School challenge link on the www.bolderboulder.com website. In addition to the usual area including name, address, etc., the MSC registration forms will include school name, grade, and a selection of Middle School waves. Registrations forms will also be given to all coaches for those students who cannot register online. We do ask that you encourage online registration to minimize errors and ensure the deadline is met.
Race Packet Delivery: BolderBOULDER will compile race packets and deliver them to each school in advance of the race. Parents and non-middle school siblings may register for the race through the school and have their packets delivered along with their middle schooler’s, and may run in “Middle School” waves along with their kids. Students that register PRIOR TO THE APRIL 10TH DEADLINE will receive a $10 discount off their entry, a unique Middle School Challenge T-shirt and a goody bag containing items donated by race sponsors.
ATTENTION: Those students, who miss the registration deadline (April 10th), may register for the race, but not as part of the middle school challenge. There are no exceptions to this deadline. Students who miss the deadline will register as a regular race participant and will have other options as to where to pick up their race packet. It will not be delivered to the school. Letters to give to parents explaining the deadline were provided at the kickoff meeting.
AWARDS
Participating schools are divided into three divisions based on the size of the school:
· Division I: 1 - 200
· Division II: 201 – 550
· Division III: 551 and above
There are two competitions in the Challenge:
Participation Champion: Each division will have a champion based on how many students and teachers/ staff take part in the BolderBOULDER. Parents and siblings are encouraged to join students in the Middle School Waves, but they will not count toward the participation award. The scoring is determined by taking the amount of participating students and teachers/staff, as a percentage of the total enrollment of the school (plus total # of teachers and staff working at the school). The award for the school is a Framed BolderBOULDER poster with a plaque stating Participation Champion for their respective division and bragging rights to the other schools in their division.
Fastest School: Each division will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. The fastest two boys and girls from each grade will have their times combined to produce their school’s score. The school with the lowest combined time will win. In past years, some schools have not qualified for this competition for not having the proper amount of participants in each grade. The award for the school is a Framed BolderBOULDER poster with a plaque stating 1st, 2nd or 3rd fastest school.
WAVES
We will have several Middle School Waves this year in the Challenge, including:
- Two running / jogging waves (MB and MC)
- Two jogging / walking waves (PA and PB)
- One walking wave (W)
These waves are for the students, their parents, friends and siblings. However, students and teachers/staff taking part in the Challenge do not have to do the BolderBOULDER in these waves. We have had many participants whose times are fast enough to qualify for the seeded waves (waves A through FA). If the participant decides they would rather run in a non- MSC wave they will still be counted in the Challenge with their school.