About Running & Reading

Kids who are raised in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of families with low socio-economic status often have lower literacy rates and higher instances of childhood obesity than their peers in other areas of town.  They are frequently labelled as underachievers from a young age and can suffer from poor self esteem.  The KidsFest Running & Reading Club is a high impact program with measurable results that include enhanced literacy skills, improved physical fitness, and increased social interaction among elementary school participants.

Run exclusively by volunteers and supported by the generosity of our sponsors, our comprehensive program is offered for 2 hours per week from late September to early June. We employ simple, fun calisthenics and an age-appropriate 100 km adventure that allows children to run “across the country” over the school year and complete a 5K run in June.  The fitness program is paired with a complimentary reading and writing adventure, which encourages children to explore the power of words and helps them develop a love for reading.

Our program is currently running at Cedarbrae Public School in Waterloo on Thursday afternoons.  Consider volunteering with us!