In this interview with Tracee Hansen, the owner of Three Rivers Athletic Club (TRAC) in Longview, Wash., Hansen discussed TRAC’s kids’ boot camp class.
Q: Why did you decide to offer a boot camp class for kids?
A: Since launching boot camp almost three years ago, we have done several community events where members could bring friends, family members and kids. After holding several of these events we had an abundance of inquiries regarding kids’ boot camps. Since the childhood obesity epidemic continues to be an issue we wanted to open the door to be able to reach kids as well as adults.
Q: What age range is the kid’s boot camp class for?
A: We have a wide range of kids, ages 4-16. The average age is around 10. We do divide the kids up, as such an age span is difficult to work with in terms of motor skills development and endurance.
Q: Do a lot of children participate? What kind of response have you gotten from both kids and their parents?
A: We had a great response this summer, which is when we launched our kids programming. Many parents who participate in boot camp here at TRAC were excited to get their kids involved. In addition to that we pulled in a significant number of non-member families.
Q: What types of exercises do you do with kids in the boot camp?
A: We ran our kids’ boot camp very similar to our adult boot camps — education being the platform. Classes begin with a dynamic warm up while reviewing the previous classes topic of education (nutrition, portion size, how get your move-it minutes in each day), then we move into movement. Learning new exercises and how/why we do them, followed by a workout. Usually a circuit or obstacle course utilizing the skills taught that day. Of course with kids we include games in the learning process.
Q: Do you offer other programs/classes for kids?
A: We do, in addition to kids’ boot camp we offer speed and agility classes, Zumbatomic and some sports-specific classes depending on the time of year. Our goal with all our classes is to educate and empower kids to do their very best.
Interview by Rachel Zabonick
