HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games

1. HERSHEY’STrack & Field Games James Chen, Kiwanis Family & Foundation Chair

2. Before We Begin… • Key Club co-sponsor HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games officially opens 2013 season • “Key Club International has teamed up with HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games to organize local running, jumping and throwing FUN for kids and families this spring.”

3. What are theHERSHEY’S Track & Field Games? • Program to help children get on the right track, teaching lifelong lessons and having fun every step, leap, jump and throw along the way • Largest youth sports program of its kind in North America • Has produced many Olympic medalists and competing athletes

4. What are theHERSHEY’S Track & Field Games? • Children age 9 to 14 are encouraged to get involved with track & field events: running, jumping and throwing (things that most kids naturally love to do!) • By channeling energy and enthusiasm into an organized track and field program, children are given the opportunity to learn about themselves, others and teamwork • No matter how fast they run, how long they jump or how far they throw, every child is treated like a winner!

5. A Brief History • HERSHEY’S Youth Program was created in 1975 by Dr. Donald Cohen • Proposed the creation of a program, introducing children to physical fitness through basic track and field events (running, jumping, throwing, etc.) • Believed the program should be accessible to all young people; no special equipment necessary • Received sponsorship and funding from The Hershey Company • Milton S. Hershey, founder of The Hershey Company in 1894, focused on youth and their welfare alongside his wife • In 1976, William E. Dearden, former chairman and chief Executive Officer of The Hershey Company, agreed to support the Youth Program due to sharing similar ideals

6. How CanEveryone Get Involved? • Participants • Organizers • Volunteers • Adults

7. PARTICIPANTS (Children age 9-14 only.)

8. Who Can Participate? • The only restriction for participation is age – participants must be between 9 and 14 years old as of December 31st of the current year • A participant must compete in his/her age group and gender division • All local meet winners must have their ages verified • A participant must participate in the state/provincial/territory in which he/she resides

9. Events *4x100 Relays in the 9 & 10 and 11 & 12 age groups are held at the local, district (where applicable) and state/provincial/territory meets only. These events will not qualify for the North American Final.

10. General Rules • Report on timefor the event • If there is a tie, there will be a run off for the running event (depending on circumstance). In the field events the contestant with the best second throw or jump will be declared the winner • Only the winners at local meets advance to a district and/or state/provincial/territory (S/P/T) meet (however, not all states host a district meet so check with the S/P/T chair to confirm flow of events)

11. Progression of Meets • Local meets • March – May • District meets (where applicable) • May – Early June • State/Provincial/Territorial (SPT) Meets • June – Early July • North American Final • Held in Hershey, PA in August • Local • District (where applicable) • State • North American Final

12. ORGANIZERS (If you would like to organize an event with your Key Club.)

13. Know the Rules • Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the rules surrounding: your school, your Key Club, AND the HERSHEY’S Track & Field Games. It is important to abide by all guidelines to ensure success for your event. • Once you express confidence in adhering to the rules, contact a State/Provincial/Territory Chair for assistance and approval.

14. S/P/T Chairs, Regional Coordinator, & Key Dates

15. On-Line Event Manager Program • You must register your account profile as a Local Coordinator in HERSHEY’S Event Manager program (navigate the website). Event Manager is the administrative program that makes registering as a coordinator and registering your event very easy. It also contains print materials and information that will help you promote and conduct your meet.

16. On-Line Event Manager Program • Secure a location for the track meet, date and time. All you need is a place to run, jump and throw – a track is not even necessary! • Create an account within the Event Manager and register your event (option to register as a Closed Meet, programs with specific enrollment, or restricted by a local organization) • You can also receive a starter guide and an Activation Kit, supplies necessary to run your meet • On-line registration for local meet participants is available on HERSHEY’S public website. Be sure to provide registration instructions; you will be notified when someone registers. • Within Event Manager, you also have access to forms, flyers, certificates, merchandisecatalog (vendors), etc. • After the event, you are required to log back into event manager to submit the meet results form and the participation report!

17. Gather Equipment • The most important items of equipment are softballs, measuring tapes, batons and stopwatches. As a new coordinator or community, your S/P/T chair will submit your name to receive a free Activation Kit, which includes items mentioned above (while supplies last).

18. Recruit Volunteers • The number of volunteers will depend on the size of your event. Keep in mind; some volunteers could perform several duties. Potential volunteers include recreation department staff members, service clubs, track clubs, parents or members of a high school track team. Larger events will need to have multiple volunteers performing the same function.

19. Five Helpful Tips • Make it fun for the kids, volunteers, and you! • Do not wait until the last minute to round up volunteers. • Each participant must register by completing a Local Entry Form. (forms can be found on the Event Manager) • Consider sponsorships to provide ribbons, t-shirts, etc. • Remember, participants can qualify for their Regional Team and experience an all- expense paid trip to Hershey, PA. in August to compete in the North American Final!

20. VOLUNTEERS (If you would like to volunteer as a Key Club member.)

21. Volunteering • As we all know, volunteering to help at an event is an easy and fulfilling way to give back to the community. The time commitment is minimal, and the impact is great — both on you and the children participating.

22. How can you help? • Start by finding an event in your area (there may already be local meets previously organized). Then contact the meet coordinator to get involved. • You can help by: • Gathering equipment • Running a registration desk • Acting as Clerk of the Course • Coordinating other volunteers • Timing or measuring the events • Serving as judge, official or announcer

23. How can you help? • Staff events and stations during the event • Help integrate HERSHEY’S Track & Field activities into an existing event (School Field Day or youth activities at a Community 5K) • Participate as mentors and cheerleaders during the event • Post promotional pieces throughout town and in social media • Coach run, jump and throw skill building activities • Recruit younger children to participate

24. ADULTS (To obtain support, guidance, and attendance for all.)

25. Parents/Guardians • All children need permission from their respective parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to participate in this event. If you are organizing a HERSHEY’S Track & Field event, be sure to meet with the parents to encourage attendance and expose to them the growth and opportunities from participating for their child. • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should also be there for support and training as well!

26. Kiwanis Members • Kiwanis members can be both organizers and volunteers for HERSHEY’S Track & Field events. Collaborate with them for permission, to serve as chaperones, and help you cover all logistics surrounding your event (finance, location, etc.)

27. Are You Excited? • Become part of the HERSHEY’S Track & Field legacy and organize a 2013 event this spring. You could even make this your Kiwanis One Day program. • Register your 2013 event online by March 31, 2013 or collaborate with your Key Club to prepare for 2014! • The first 100 clubs to register will receive a 2013 event promotion kit, which includes posters, a family games guide and more.

28. Resources • Hershey’s Track & Field Games is solely funded and sponsored by The Hershey Company and partnered with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Athletics Canada, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and Key Club International. • www.hersheystrackandfield.com • www.nrpa.org • www.athleticscanada.com • www.aahperd.org/naspe • www.keyclub.org/htfg

29. QUESTIONS?

30. POP QUIZ (What have you learned?)

31. Pop Quiz • What are the HERSHEY’S Track & Field games all about? • What are the age limits for a child to participate in a HERSHEY’S Track & Field event? • Who founded the HERSHEY’S Youth Program? • Do you have to be a Key Club member to organize a HERSHEY’S Track & Field event?

32. Reflection Questions • How can you organize participants, volunteers, and adults for a HERSHEY’S Track & Field event in your community? • How can you incorporate allmembers of the Kiwanis Family to a HERSHEY’S Track & Field event?

33. Thank you for listening!