Why join SOAR?

SOAR helps kids accomplish goals through goal setting and assessments and by providing training plans.

 

What is the cost?

$35 for new members and $30 for returning members per season

 

What are the seasons?

There are three seasons

• September- December: XC (Cross Country)

• January - March : Indoor Track

• April-July: Trails

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What do you get for $35? 

     Kids get to participate in various fun activities with great teammates. They are coached by certified coaches who have passed appropriate background checks.

 

Participants receive (for free):

• Drifit shirt with club logo (new participants only)

• Some races entries

• A training plan that includes help setting and attaining goals

• kids fun runs

• seminars

• membership into the Southern Tier Running Club for the entire year which includes discounts on their races

other non-running fun activities for kids and families

 

When are practices?

They will be during the week at 5:30-6:30/7pm. We will offer 4 week day practices and on occasion a practice on Saturday mornings when coaches are available.

 

Where are practices?  

Locations vary and are based on where families live. This allows for close practices due to the large area our club covers (Elmira, Big Flats, Watkins Glen, Corning and Painted Post areas). We try and meet every other week for one practice as a whole team.

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How much do races cost?

Some races will cost more for the kids that parents will have to pay.  All races are optional!

We do have scholarship money for those kids in need that want to compete.

 

Is my child required to participate in every race?

All races are optional.

 

What other things will they do?

SOAR is committed to helping our local communities! Kids will participate in one community service project per season and one fundraiser. If more options become available we will present these as well and ask those than can participate to do so.

 

We also do team activities that add fun for the kids and parents.

 

How competitive is it?

There are two types of programs:

• Competitive: There are several XC runs on Saturday in different fairly local locations that we will participate in.  WE will also compete in USATF XC series that will be three races. The athlete will move on based on the athletes placement at the first meet.

• We have meets on Sundays 1x a month at Cornell for indoor season and we also have 2 USATF meets with dates and locations TBD.

• Non-competitive: for kids to have fun, become active, and enjoy running. We will have kids fun runs each month

 

Kids can move between competitive and noncompetitive as needed.

 

Team Gear

• We will provide each athlete a link to a gear online order form with many great items with our SOAR Logo on them. These items are optional for all families.  This is a great way to support the team and get our name out into the community.

 

Team required uniform

• If your athlete is going to participate in the USATF meets we will be requiring them to wear a team uniform. All athletes need to match for the USATF meets and this is why it is required. No USATF meets during trail season.

• Anyone can order this uniform even if not competing though.

 

Team Communication

• The team uses an app called Team Snap. When joining the team each member is added to the app and then sent an invite to join the app. 

• All events are added to the app and parents are asked to state of athletes will be attending the different events

• This app allowed for emails, text message, photo storage, spreadsheet sheets and much more to be shared.