Youth Track Program

Overview

Introduce your younger child to Track & Field and/or help your older child improve his/her event specific skills. This low-key, fun program includes sprinting and distance running, jumping, and more. Athletes will learn a routine of proper warmup, drills, and stretching, and be exposed to some of the more specific, technical aspects of certain events (starts, form, etc.)

The 8-week program is offered in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. It is appropriate for youth from grades K-8 (ages 5-14) as well as high school athletes seeking additional help in the off-season. It includes an inter-squad "meet", planned for Week 7 or Week 8, to allow participants the opportunity to experience a low key competition, and various "time trials"/mini meets will be part of the weekly program. For 2011, we will divide the program into two groups: athletes aged 5-7 and all older beginners in one group, and experienced/competitive athletes ages 8-17 in the other. All youth are welcome in both sessions (don't let time slot prevent you from participating!) but if your child has more experience and/or more competitive aspirations, is seeking to compete at the Junior Olympic/Hershey Track series level or to improve his/her high school event-specific skills, etc., he/she may prefer the later session.

Program Details

The program meets SUNDAYS at South Lakes High School in Reston. In the future we may add locations, but the coaching/volunteer demands for a youth program are such that we are limited to Reston for 2011.

Participants are encouraged to attend weekly, but we understand that school events, vacations, other sports, and family commitments may mean participants cannot always attend every session. The program is designed with this fact in mind -- your child's experience will NOT be compromised if you cannot attend every week. Older participants can also ask coaches for guidance on what to do on their own during the week.

The intersquad competition provides an opportunity for athletes to measure their progress, and or new/younger participant to experience a "meet". Coaches may suggest further competitive opportunities for more experienced athletes and/or those seeking a more official timed competition.

The $55 program cost includes a program t-shirt and 8 weeks (or as many as you can attend) of coached sessions. Active participants also receive a 10% discount on all purchases at Potomac River Running Store.

Registration

• Spring Session: March 25 - May 22 (no session on Easter Sunday (4/8). Meets SUNDAYS at 4:00 PM for all participants

• Summer Session: July 1 - August 19. Meets SUNDAYS at 5:00 PM. Second session for experienced/competitive participants MAY follow at 6:00 PM. Details will be announced in June.

• Fall Session: September 9 - October 28. Meets SUNDAYS from 4:30-5:30 PM for ALL participants. (Note, time may change)

Registration for the SPRING SESSION is NOW OPEN!  For more information and registration, please visit the =PR= Training Programs website - click HERE.