SUMMER PROGRAMS WERE A BIG PART OF MY CHILDHOOD…

My mom wanted us to stay active during the Summer break.  She enrolled us in anything she thought would be helpful.  Day camps, hour workshops, clinics, you name it we did it.

I am sure getting us out of the house and giving her a break was a partial influence as well. 

Nevertheless, I enjoyed every Summer program I participated in. The thing I loved about them the most was how everything was focused around play.  We ran, we jumped, we chased, we played games, etc. 

At a young age, I remember thinking how much fun play was.  I would even say it was my first realization at how important fitness was to me. This realization was a big reason on why I became a Phys. Ed. teacher and eventually a fitness professional. 

I can say whole heartedly, my experience is why I enjoy running our Summer youth program, which will now be know as the Strong Kids Program.

What’s the purpose of the Strong Kids Program?

The purpose really goes back to my reason for teaching Phys. Ed. I believed that active kids did better physically and academically.  It just made sense to me that if kids felt confident in their movement skills, then they would feel confident with their bodies and that would have a positive effect on their self-esteem and cognitive abilities. 

Over the years, the research has backed this up and it has piled up. Check out these articles: 

Article 1 – “Regular physical activity promotes growth and development and has multiple benefits for physical, mental, and psychosocial health.”

Article 2 – “Sport and physical education is fundamental to the early development of children and youth and the skills learned during play, physical education and sport contribute to the holistic development of young people.”

Article 3 -“A single session of moderately energetic physical activity has immediate positive effects on brain function, intellect, and academic performance”

So, what’s the purpose of the Strong Kids Program?

It’s to provide kids a play-based experience in developing healthy movement and strength training so that they can develop good motor skills, increased physical and cognitive performance, and improve brain development. 

I should say though, that this isn’t your “roll out the ball and let them go at it” type of program. It drove me nuts to see PE teachers get lazy and take this approach with kids, it’s probably a lot of what us now parents experienced growing up. 

I am sure many parents also remember the dreaded fitness tests that included push ups without good form, hanging from bars hoping to magically go up, and doing the mile run out int 100 degree weather.

While I do like me some good ‘ole fashion fitness testing, this is not that.

This program will be focused on developing important skills like coordination, balance, spatial awareness, team building, communication, and movement patterns through structured play and exercise.

The details

I’ll be running two groups:

Group 1: Ages 8-10.

Students will learn and develop fundamental movement patterns through structured play and exercise that encourages strength, flexibility, speed, coordination, and social interactions to help kids feel strong and confident with movement.

  • Times: 2:00 – 3:00 pm pm on Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Dates: June 4 – June 29, break July 1 – July 8th, resume July 9th – Aug 4th.
  • 16 total classes
  • Only 10 spots available

Group 2: Ages 11-13.

Students will develop and advance fundamental movement patterns through structured games and exercise with the emphasis on strength, stability, mobility, and coordination that help improve power, speed, and overall confidence in movement.

  • Times: 3:00- 4:00 pm pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Dates: June 4 – June 29, break July 1 – July 8th, resume July 9th – Aug 4th.
  • 16 total classes
  • Only 10 spots available

* The groups are set at different times and days, they may be combined to create a bigger class or adjust for group dynamics. If this happens and it does not work for you schedule, a refund for remaining classes will be offered. 

Pricing, Payments, and other notes

You have the options of paying in full for all 16 classes and securing your spot, that price is $240 ($15 per class). Use this link to do so: Sign up and pay in full

You can also pay for the either the first session (June) or second session (July) individually at $120 per session. Please contact me (jesus@evolutiontucson.com) to do so and make sure there is room.

* The groups are set at different times and days, they may be combined to create a bigger class or adjust for group dynamics. If this happens and it does not work for you schedule, a refund for remaining classes will be offered. 

the deadline to sign up is may 30, sign up today! Click below


Sign up for the Strong Kids Program