How to Keep Kids Active

Amanda Marek - Active Youth Wisconsin





On Getting the Style Right: "I always like to say that, from an unbiased standpoint, our events are really, really awesome. And I say it's unbiased because I got to experience the events before I was an employee of active youth Wisconsin."

It seems kids have all sorts of gadgets and ways to watch, listen and play while sitting in a chair and staring at a screen.  While this may be entertaining, it is also not great for their bodies.  Every body needs to move and be active.  That is a habit that should start early.  But how do you get kids off the couch and off their screens?

Amanda Marek is the director of Active Youth Wisconsin, a non-profit that helps get kids moving through many programs.  These programs include donations to schools for physical education equipment, after school programs, triathlons for kids and even some adult fund-raising to get adults active.

Discover how Active Youth Wisconsin removes barriers, from providing "no questions asked" financial aid for entry fees and gear, to carting bike trailers to schools so every child can experience the freedom and confidence that come with moving their bodies.

Amanda opens up about the challenges and triumphs of running events, working with schools, wrangling city permits, and, most importantly, ensuring that every child—regardless of means—has the opportunity to build healthy habits and a sense of community through activity. Whether you’re a parent, educator, entrepreneur, or just someone who believes in the power of movement and inclusion, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories and valuable insights.

Listen as Amanda details how they are helping get kids moving and making sure the opportunity is available to everyone.

Enjoy!

Visit Amanda at: https://www.tri4schools.org/





 







 



Podcast Overview:



00:00 Early Specialization in Youth Sports

05:22 Pandemic Sparks Outdoor Education Shift

08:45 Event Planning Logistics Explained

09:58 Supportive Community Partnerships

14:25 Youth Sports: Financial Barriers

18:58 "Full Entry Fees Donated to Schools"

22:47 Exceptional Event Experiences

24:01 "Team Effort Boosts Kids' Triathlon"

27:44 Modified Triathlon Course for Kids

30:09 Comprehensive Event Insurance Essentials

34:36 "Abandoned Fancy Bike On Trail"

37:44 "Adopting Business Approach for Survival"

41:59 "Short Attention Span Challenges"

45:09 Active Youth Wisconsin Structure

48:06 "Grants for Wisconsin Schools Open"

51:09 Goggle Donation Success Story



Podcast Transcription:



Amanda Marek [00:00:00]:

Or now more and more is starting to become. Kids are specializing earlier. Right. So when you're six years old, they're saying, all right, football's your sport, you know, and so we're gonna go do the elite program at the gym and we're gonna do the weightlifting and all of these. Right. It's amazing to see these kids developing as athletes. I think it's really awesome. But it's so exclusive that you have this big chunk of kids, kids that are being essentially left behind.



Amanda Marek [00:00:30]:

Right.



James Kademan [00:00:33]:

You have found Authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggle stories and triumphant successes of business owners across the land. Downloadable audio episodes can be found in the podcast link [email protected] we are locally underwritten by the Bank of Sun Prairie, and today we're welcoming, preparing to learn from a. Amanda Merrick, the director of Active Youth Wisconsin. I had to double check the name because you guys changed recently, right?