USA Triathlon Grant Expands Program, Now Offering Fitness And Nutrition
Skills Through Triathlon Training in Washington, D.C., Houston, TX, and
Waterbury, CT.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - ACHIEVE Kids Tri, Inc., a Washington, D.C., based 501(c)(3) organization that designs and implements youth-based triathlon training and fitness programs, announced today the launch of its summer program. In partnership with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), ACHIEVE takes kids through a six-week instruction and fitness training program, provided free of charge, monitored by USA Triathlon (USAT)-certified coaches. The ACHIEVE Kids Tri program helps kids master the fundamentals of swimming, cycling, running and triathlon racing, as well as the essentials of proper nutrition, stretching, strength-training and flexibility. The ACHIEVE program concludes each season with a timed short-course triathlon race, certified and sanctioned by USAT.
At a benefit hosted Friday by the Washington Hilton, organizers announced receipt of a grant from USAT, the National Governing Body for multisport in the United States, which will help the program expand to new regions. Launched initially in Washington, D.C., the program expanded to Houston, Texas, in its second year. This year, the program will launch in Waterbury, Conn., and next year, ACHIEVE is reviewing potential sites in Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA.
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said, "The District is committed to ensuring that kids have access to quality fitness and sports programs at our local schools and Parks and Recreation facilities. By encouraging our youth to participate in physical activities, we are laying the proper foundation for them to chose healthy lifestyles. As a triathlete, I know firsthand the benefits that can result."
"We are grateful to USAT for this generous grant which is helping us expand the program and bring the benefits of triathlon training to a new generation of young athletes," noted Molly Quinn, Executive Director of ACHIEVE. "We believe this program is an example of how a unique public-private partnership, such as the one we have between ACHIEVE and the Department of Parks and Recreation, can fulfill First Lady Michelle Obama's vision of promoting health, fitness and nutrition for the nation's young people."
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"ACHIEVE Kids Tri is truly fueling the multisport lifestyle in today's youth, and USA Triathlon is proud to partner with this exciting program," said USA Triathlon CEO Skip Gilbert. "Instilling healthy habits at an early age is very important, and the ACHIEVE camps do a remarkable job of introducing our sport to children each summer."
The 2010 summer camp will take place June 21-July 30 at four sites in Washington, D.C.: the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, the Benning Park Community Center, and - starting in 2010 - the Deanwood Community Center and Barry Farms Recreation Center. The program runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Under ACHIEVE's motto of "Enriching Lives Through Sport," the program will include specially trained counselors and coaches teaching kids triathlon skills, and how leading a healthy fitness-oriented lifestyle can help them succeed in life. In addition to fitness and nutrition counseling, each camper also receives a free healthy breakfast and lunch through the federal lunch program.
At the final day of camp, July 30, kids will compete in The Fourth Annual DC Kids' Triathlon. This race will be sanctioned by USAT and produced by Washington Sports and Events Management. This kid-sized triathlon will include athletes from all four camps and will take place at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. The race will feature a 100m swim, 5k bike and a 2k run. There will be professional timing, a finish line banner, finishers medals, finishers t-shirts, a finish line photo and more. As USAT members racing in a USAT sanctioned triathlon they will officially record their first sanctioned triathlon finish time!
In addition to the D.C. sites, there is a camp taking place this summer in Houston, Texas, from June 28-August 6. Organized by Charles Moser, it will take place at the MacGregor Community Center and will culminate with The Houston Kids' Triathlon on Aug. 7. Also, beginning in 2010, a new site in Waterbury, Connecticut, will launch. Held at the Greater Waterbury YMCA, the camp will take place from June 28-Aug. 6, with the triathlon also being held on Aug. 7.
ACHIEVE is a free camp that relies on donations and grants to provide youth with all of the equipment and training that they will need during the program. Donations can be directed to a specific camp or region and go to support the purchase of swimsuits, goggles, swim caps, swim fins, pull buoys, kickboards, bikes, helmets, cycling jerseys and other training gear. Registration is free, but space is limited. To register, make a donation, or inquire about volunteering or coaching for one of the ACHIEVE camps, go to www.achievekidstri.org.
About ACHIEVE Kids Tri, Inc.:
ACHIEVE Kids Tri, Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2007 by Charles (Chuck) Brodsky, founder of The Nation's TriathlonT with the support of Washington, D.C., Mayor, Adrian Fenty, an avid triathlete, and Washington, D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation. Through its programs in Washington, D.C., Houston, Texas, and Waterbury, Conn., ACHIEVE connects youth with healthy lifestyle activities and choices and teaches them exercise skills that last a lifetime. Achieve summer camp programs are USAT-certified training centers where all kids become USAT members and compete in a USAT-sanctioned kids' triathlon at the end of camp. Sponsors and partners for ACHIEVE include Cycle Life USA, Kaiser Permanente, The Bike Lane, Washington Hilton and USA Triathlon.
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What better way to wrap up the summer than by taking in some of New England's most beautiful scenery? Fast Forward Race has two triathlon events that allow athletes to do just that before the cold weather sets in. 
