Sports Clubs for Kids- Your Opinion, Please

MFPfriend

Okay, I'm asking this in total seriousness. I'm hoping a lot of people will look at this and give me your opinions. Being about halfway through my journey here, and suddenly living a new lifestyle in another country, I've had my eyes opened A LOT and I think I'd like to share my experiences. (And by the way, this could get long...)

I'm a foreign exchange student in Germany right now. When I came here, my host mom told me she had signed me up for a badminton group. I had never played badminton before, and, to be honest, I was kind of angry that she signed me up for a fitness group without asking me. Then I later realized this is TOTALLY NORMAL in German culture- most parents make their kids join a sport group a couple of times a week so they stay healthy.

So I went into badminton group. There were kids from all ages- literally 7 years olds to a couple 19 year olds. Some of us could play well, some of us could not play at all. But I tried. And then I started training with my host brother's group (he plays with the REALLY advanced group), and I got really good, really fast.

Now I've realized that I don't want to give up badminton. And I thought "Okay, no problem, I'll just join a sports group when I get back in America." And then I realized we don't have this stuff, at least not where I live. We have a couple sport leagues, but they're super expensive and it's all competitive playing.

So (I'm finally getting to the good stuff), I'm thinking about starting a badminton club for kids when I get back to America. I honestly have no idea how it would work, or really anything, but I think it's important. The kids here in Germany, the majority of them are fit. And they have access to these clubs, these non-competitive, play-as-you-want, CHEAP clubs. I'm serious. I pay 4 euros a month, and I can go to training twice a week for 90 minutes each. I think that's fantastic, and it's a pity we don't have it in America.

I'm thinking of holding it in a community gymnasium near the center of our town. I'm considering 5 dollars a month, for 2 training sessions a week for about 1 hour or 1.5 hours each. I've got lots of training plans from here in Germany. It would honestly just be a fun, open place for kids to learn to play badminton without having to join a competitive team or pay ridiculous amounts of money.

So I ask you parents, you aunts, you uncles, you grandparents and you other people that have a kid you just love, would you have your kid join a club like this? Do you think they would enjoy it? I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE if your kids could give me their open and honest opinion- and you adults too? Is it too expensive? Too much of a hassle?

Please, I'll take any suggestions anybody could throw at me- or if you've ever set up something like this, help me out! I think my community could benefit from this, and I really want to get it going.

debbyrae3

I might not do it for badminton, but it is a good idea.

Things like that should be made more common and we could probably help end the child obesity epidemic with it. Great idea!

mlemonroe2

I would totally have my kid join a club like that!! I think it is really amazing you want to do this!! Good luck, I hope it catches on!!!

NoExcuseTina

absolutely...the more active our kids are the better off they will be in the long run

check with the local YMCA...might be able to start something there (my daughter played T-ball, soccer and basketball at the Y for minimal cost when she was younger)...just an idea

neelia

My father was an army civilian, so I had the privaledge of living in Germany when I was younger. You are totally right- German kids are FIT! Not only is it encouraged to stay active and healthy, but it is also VERY afforadable.

I'm with you on this one- I completely support the idea. I have two children myself and would love for them to be able to join something like this. Unfortunately, in my area, that is not really possible. It is almost $100 just for uniforms for my kids to play baseball...which is ridiculous.

I say go for it!

Rubie81

I think it's a great idea and that price is great. Check you out all motivated *thumbsup*

Amber030583

That is a great idea. I did play badminton in school. I like the fact that it isn't a typical sport and there is no pressure for competition. Great price, great idea and I would even sign my soon to be 5 year old up for it. Before you are home I would almost start communication with people that are in your home town to get a venue and everything set up. Have them start looking at interest potential on it. Great idea!

teasha43

I think this is an awesome idea and you should do it. I know that both of my sons are very active in sports...organized through community and school....but I completely advocate it. It gets me really annoyed when other parents complain abt the commitment of driving them or watching games often. I also get angry when they talk abt cutting sports, arts, or music in school. Don't get me wrong, I believe education is important and necessary...but I believe these programs to much to grow our children into whole people as well.I live for it and feel it is equally as important as schoolwork is. Sports, teach a child to be healthy, active, responsible, part of a team, determined, proud...and my list goes on. I have been fortunate that I have active kids, but there have been times when they have needed a lil push. I think that if the opportunity is there for you and you are passionate about it, the community where you live should be supportive of this!! Good luck with this...feel free to friend me. Id like to know how this progresses:)......

littlemamajamie

I think its a great idea. I have 4 kids and would put them all in something like that for $5 a month. It would be better if it offered more then badminton though...........

mixmastermolly

I would totally join a sports club and we played badminton in gym class in school and I loved it! I always look for things to register my son for and my community does have a decent recreational program. But you're right, it gets expensive. He is 3 so my only option is to take him to another city for swimming or do the gymnastics class offered at my local rec department (basically tumbling at that age). They've tried to start other programs but didn't get enough participants. As he gets older we have a great little league baseball, football, and soccer program. But registration is around $80 bucks each. I used to be a competitive figure skater so I'm going to put him in skating lessons next year so he can learn to skate and decide if he ever wanted to do hockey.

Anyway, my brother is very involved in our local baseball and football leagues. He also started a non-profit parks project to build new parks in our community and improve existing parks. They raised a ton of money and were able to build a concrete skatepark in our community which is PACKED whenever the weather is nice. His friend just started the soccer program in the community this past year. Both of them put in a ton of time researching their ideas and visiting other communities who implemented similar things. Maybe get in touch with your local recreation department or city council to get them to back the idea. There are a ton of grants you can apply for to help fund your programs but you have to put time into researching them. The skatepark took about 3 years to complete from initial idea to actually raising enough funds and getting grant money to break ground. It won't happen overnight.

cdez80421

I think that is an awesome idea, kids are way to sedentary these days, If you were in my area I would definately
take my daughter there!!!!

mixmastermolly

Oh, and my friend moved to Germany a few years ago and lost weight without trying. When she visits the US she always gets abdonminal pain because the food regulations are SO much better in Germany. She even noticed that when she eats at German McDondalds she doesn't get the "McDepression" and the "McStomach Ache" that she'd get from US McDonalds. My brother in law has family in Germany and when he and my sister visited a few years ago they noticed how the quality of food was better and also noticed how his teenager cousin and his friends and other young people had less issues with binge drinking and alcoholism because the drinking age is younger and WAY less of a big deal than it is here.

FearAnLoathing

I think its a great idea,my 3 yr old is down for anything and I asked my 15 yr old and he said he would be interested also

BigBoneSista

I loved playing that when I was growing up. I say go for it. My kids belong to the rec and they go to boxing twice a week. They will be starting swimming lesson in April.

See if you can teach it at your local rec or maybe find space in your local school gym.

missymarea

What a great idea. I wish that there were more ppl like you out there. In our town we have some opportunities for kids....if you want to pay the money! We do have a new Salvation Army Kroc Center which is a help for lower income ppl but it's still hard to back these opportunities work for kids.

Another great place to have activities like this would be in a school building. I work for our local public schools and we allow programs to use the schools gyms and areas to benifit the students for free!! Might be worth checking out....not to mention the students will be right there!!

I wish you the best of luck! :happy:

TDGee

Awesome idea! I can really feel your enthusiasm about this, very cool!!
However, there are a couple of things you will probably have to take into consideration upon your return. Badminton is not a terribly big sport here in the US. You will be competing with more traditional sports as well; soccer, softball, baseball, football, basketball, well you get the idea... The cost thing may also be something as well, as having a place to play is going to be challenging. I don't know where in the US you live, but in our part of California, places with buildings and fields and such charge $$ to use their facilities. I encourage you to research the logistics before setting your price.
But yes, I would encourage my kids to go and be active, if it's something they enjoy, and can do it in a safe environment, I'm all for it!! Just understand that I'm already paying $80 for football for one kid, and $80 for soccer for another kid, practice 2-5 afternoons a week, not going to even mention how much $$ for equipment and fund raising, ad travel, etc.. from these sports. It's expensive!
Good luck and please let us know how it's going for you..
Ted

SweetPandora

As a parent I think it's a great idea.

We have lots of activities similar here that are run through community centres, schools and the City as well as private clubs. Unfortunately the prices are not as reasonable as what you are talking about.

Karen

leasah

First off as a parent I think anything we can do to keep our little people active is a great thing. I have three small children and they have a real need to run, jump and play. I wish you the best of luck in getting this started in your home town.
I lived in Germany in the late 80's for several years and while I agree with you that the kids are more fit there are many other reasons that I think also factor into that equation. First everyone walked or rode a bike, there are trails everywhere! I can remember being absolutely amazed at the age of some folks I would see on bicycles. Another thing is at least where we were, most of what they ate was grown where they live. The eggs were local, there was an actual butcher shop and most everyone had some sort of small garden. I will admit I loved my time in Germany,

amberaz

I would definetly sign up my son for something like that. I sign him up for all of the sports he wants because of the health aspect of playing sports. I just hate the overly competitive nature of sports in our town. When you're telling you're whole team of 7,8 and 9 year olds not to swing at pitches so they can get a walk, there is something wrong. I love the clinics and training camp type things that are just for fun and no pressure to be "The Best".

Liatush

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