How to Organize a Neighborhood Track Meet

The kids are out of school, the weather is hot and the lemonade is flowing. Make summer special by organizing a neighborhood track meet in which kids and adults can show their athletic prowess and have some good clean fun.

Instructions

1. Schedule a day when neighbors are most likely to attend. Choose a weekday evening, or a weekend afternoon when youth events, like baseball games or tennis lessons, won't interfere.

2. Decide on your events. Simple competition games in ball throwing, running, jumping and team relays are popular. Choose events for both kids and adults to get everyone in on the fun. Include different age groups so everyone has a chance to win.

3. Deliver flyers announcing the track meet door to door in the neighborhood. Ask the children and their friends to take them to all the neighbors in a predetermined area. Include enough people to assure you have plenty of competitors. Include your phone number for attendance responses.

4. Make ribbons or awards for the winners in each event. Let the children cut out and decorate red, blue and yellow ribbons from construction paper. Print the age group and event on each. Make extra ribbons to include special groups, such as the "littlest competitor."

5. Plan to serve refreshments on the big day. Have plenty of cold water on hand and ask neighbors for donations of healthy snacks for everyone to enjoy between events.

6. Hold an awards ceremony to award ribbons to the first, second and third place finishers.

Resources

• Organizing a Youth Track Meet
• Track and Field Competitions in the USA