Kids in the Game is excited to announce its recognition on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, ranking at No. 1,866. Published by Inc. magazine, the Inc. 5000 list highlights the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, showcasing those that have achieved exceptional growth over the past three years. This is the 4th time that Kids in the Game has been featured.

The list is considered America’s entrepreneurial benchmark, and companies are ranked based on three years of annual revenue growth. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate not only strong financial performance but also a commitment to innovation, resilience, and impactful leadership.

Check out more information on the Inc. magazine website! https://www.inc.com/profile/kids-in-the-game

A Proud Milestone for Kids in the Game

From providing dynamic after-school programs to hosting engaging summer camps, Kids in the Game remains committed to helping children thrive physically, mentally, and socially. This recognition reinforces the company’s resolve to push boundaries, reach new heights, and positively impact the communities we serve.

For more information about Kids in the Game’s programs and to learn how we can bring our services to your school, visit our website.

Are you interested in bringing Kids in the Game to your school? Visit Kids in the Game to learn more about our programs and how we can support your students’ growth!

Exposing children to diverse cultures and traditions is more important than ever. Cultural exposure provides a wealth of benefits that significantly enhance children’s cognitive development, empathy, and social skills. 

Promotes Inclusion and Belonging

One of the foremost benefits of cultural exposure is the promotion of inclusion and a sense of belonging. When children are introduced to different cultures, they learn to appreciate and respect the diversity around them. This exposure helps them understand that everyone, regardless of their background or identity, is valuable and deserving of respect. At Kids in the Game, we ensure that our programs are designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child feels valued. By participating in activities that celebrate various cultural traditions, children develop a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is crucial for their emotional and social well-being.

Broadens Perspectives and Knowledge

Exposure to diverse cultures broadens children’s horizons and enriches their understanding of the world. Learning about different traditions, languages, and ways of life encourages curiosity and critical thinking. It opens up new perspectives and helps children appreciate the vastness of human experiences. Our programs include activities that introduce children to different cultural practices, fostering an environment where curiosity is encouraged, and knowledge is expanded. Whether through cultural storytelling, music, dance, or art, children at Kids in the Game camps and after-school programs are given the opportunity to explore and appreciate the richness of global cultures.

Fosters Empathy and Respect

Cultural exposure is instrumental in cultivating empathy and respect. When children learn about the experiences, beliefs, and customs of others, they begin to develop a deeper sense of empathy. They learn to see the world from different perspectives and understand the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints. This is a core value at  Kids in the Game, where we strive to create programs that not only educate but also foster a compassionate community. 

Enhances Language Development

Research has shown that exposure to diverse cultures can significantly enhance cognitive development in children. When children are exposed to different languages, traditions, and ways of thinking, they develop better problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility. We incorporate elements from various cultures into our curriculum, providing children with a rich, stimulating environment that challenges them to think critically and creatively.

Promotes Social Skills and Cooperation

Exposure to different languages in culturally diverse environments supports language development and promotes multilingualism. Children who learn words and phrases from various languages develop better communication skills and a deeper understanding of linguistic diversity.

Supports Identity Development

Cultural exposure plays a crucial role in helping children develop a positive sense of identity. When children see their culture represented and respected, they develop pride in their heritage and a positive sense of self.

Kids in the Game Commitment to Inclusion and Equality

At Kids in the Game, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. Our summer camps and after-school programs are designed to connect children from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusion and equality. We are dedicated to promoting fair treatment within our organization. By fostering an environment where cultural diversity is celebrated, we help children develop the skills and values necessary to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

Head to https://www.kidsinthegame.com/ to learn more about our mission!

As summer approaches, many parents look forward to enrolling their children in day camps to keep them active, engaged, and socializing. While providing a structured environment for fun and learning, ensuring your child is prepared and safe is crucial. Here are some essential tips to get your child ready for a fantastic and secure summer camp experience.

Understand the Camp’s Policies and Procedures

Before camp begins, familiarize yourself with the camp’s policies and procedures. Most camps provide a handbook or an orientation session. Key areas to focus on include:

• Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures: Know the exact times and locations for dropping off and picking up your child.
• Emergency Contact Information: Ensure the camp has your contact information for emergencies.
• Health and Safety Policies: Understand the camp’s protocols for handling injuries, allergies, and illnesses.

Pack Appropriately for the Day

Packing the right items can make a significant difference in your child’s camp experience. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare:

• Clothing: Dress your child in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Include a hat for sun protection and a change of clothes in case of spills or accidents.
• Footwear: Ensure they wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for running and playing.
• Backpack Essentials: Pack a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a healthy lunch with snacks. 
• Swim Gear: If the daily activity includes swimming, pack a swimsuit, towel, and goggles.

Teach Basic Safety Skills

Empower your child by teaching them basic safety skills relevant to day camp activities:

• Stranger Danger: Remind your child never to leave with anyone who is not a known and trusted adult staff member.
• Buddy System: Encourage your child to use the buddy system, staying with a friend or group during activities.
• Personal Information: Teach your child to memorize important information like your phone number and their home address.

Health Precautions and Medical Needs

Health and safety are paramount, so we must be aware of your child’s medical needs:

• Medications: If your child requires medication, ensure the staff is informed and knows the proper administration procedures.
• Allergies: Communicate any allergies, and confirm that the camp has a plan in place to avoid triggers.
• Sunscreen Application: Teach your child how to apply sunscreen properly and remind them to reapply it throughout the day.

Hydration and Nutrition

Keeping your child hydrated and well-nourished is essential for their well-being and energy levels:

• Hydration: Pack a large water bottle and encourage your child to drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Healthy Snacks: Provide nutritious snacks that will keep your child energized without causing sugar crashes.

Review Camp Rules with Your Child

Sit down with your child and review the camp’s rules and expectations. Discuss the importance of following rules to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Highlight key areas such as:

• Behavior Expectations: Explain the importance of respecting camp staff and fellow campers.
• Activity Safety: Emphasize the importance of listening to instructors during activities to avoid injuries.

Encourage Open Communication

Ensure your child knows they can talk to camp counselors or staff if they have any concerns or feel uncomfortable. Establishing this line of communication helps them feel secure and supported.

Stay Informed and Involved

Stay engaged with the camp by attending parent meetings, reading newsletters, and following the camp’s social media updates. This involvement helps you stay informed about your child’s experience and any important updates.

The Kids in the Game staff is always here to help you and your child! Visit our website https://www.kidsinthegame.com/ for more information about the different camps around the city, or send us an e-mail and we’ll get in touch with you. Let’s make it a summer to remember! 

For eight weeks, Kids in the Game partners with Bronx Health REACH to bring fitness and wellness activities to 11 places of worship in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Our coaches are tasked with teaching physical education in ways that can be sustained at home, as well as in each respective community.

Kids in the Game provided over 200 youth and parents across the Bronx with nutrition and physical fitness education. In all of our sites, there is an increased sense of community and newfound ownership over their physical and mental wellbeing. We stretched, we laughed, we did multiple squats, but most importantly we completed the program with enthusiasm and a commitment to wellness that will continue to develop in the future!

Our Sites

Why this work is particularly important in the Bronx:

Brandon Evans, our Program Coordinator, works closely with the Bronx Health REACH team, Emily Oppenheimer and Yolanda Benitez, on securing coaches for the eleven programming sites. Once a week for an hour and a half, Kids in the Game comes together with NYU and the Institute for Family Health to host the program to fight these statistics.

Each session is divided into a nutrition lesson provided by NYU and the Institute for Family Health, followed by a physical activity put on by our Kids in the Game coaches. The coaches lead kids and their parents in fitness activities that are both space appropriate and flexible for all physical ability levels. The context of the fitness activity varies from each site and coach, but each site shares the same unique goal of bringing physical fitness to underserved communities in a way that will be sustained at home, beyond those eight weeks.

“Kids in the Game coaches engage underserved communities of diverse backgrounds with one common goal: to increase physical activity and bridge the wellness gap. We had families who had never played together engage in fun activities and commit to continuing the goal of implementing physical activity into their everyday lives. For 11 places of worship, Kids in the Game provided the tools and resources for increased wellness and a change in the physical and mental well being of a multitude of families,”

Brandon Evans.

One of the largest wins we had this year was growth in parent engagement from week one to week eight. When we started, the adults would step to the side while the kids engaged and participated in the activities. After challenging our coaches to find creative ways to include the adults, we saw tremendous growth in the parent participation. Promoting positive and impactful play between the parents and kids was one of our desired outcomes, and it has made a huge impact on the communities we serve.

The Bronx Health REACH was formed in 1999 to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes in diabetes and heart disease in African American and Latino communities in the southwest Bronx. Since then, the Bronx Health REACH coalition, led by the Institute for Family Health, has grown to include over 70 community-based organizations, health care providers, faith-based institutions, housing, and social service agencies.

Bronx Health REACH

Kids the Game often uses the tagline #GrowingUpKing when talking about how we want to positively affect the way kids are growing up in New York City, but the tagline also applies to how we want to grow as an organization. We are dedicated to challenging ourselves, embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences, and always striving for personal and professional growth.

As of today, Kids in the Game (KING) is excited to announce that we have recently acquired and will join forces with Fit 4 Life NYC, a youth organization focused on sports, creative movement, and physical education programs for charter schools in underserved communities. Together, the organizations serve over 20,000 NYC youth annually across 50+ schools.

Along with growing our network of schools, Fit 4 Life NYC will add over 40 talented and dedicated coaches to our current staff. The combined organization will now employ over 125 youth development instructors working in NYC schools on a daily basis across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Among those 40+ coaches, Maurelhena Walles will be coming on board to our Sr. team as Sr. Vice President of Program and Initiatives. Maurelhena brings both a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to Kids in the Game and we are thrilled to be working together to bring the very best programming to all kids growing up in New York City.

“By joining forces with KING, the possibilities and opportunities are limitless, said Maurelhena Walles, Execute Director of Fit 4 Life NYC. “Through our programs, services and genuine love for the work we do, day in and out, I am confident we will have a greater impact on the youth, families and communities we serve. Together, we can keep kids in the game while making NYC fit for life. We’re looking forward to this next chapter and building a tremendous organization.”

“Our acquisition of Fit 4 Life NYC allows us to further our mission to make a real, measurable impact on the health and future of NYC youth,” said Matt Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Kids in the Game. “We found through our discovery process that our teams had a tremendous amount in common, and the acquisition will make it possible for us to reach new neighborhoods, expand our programming, and deepen our leadership team. We look forward to working with Maurelhena and her team to give all New York City kids the opportunity to be active, healthy, and have access to positive coaches. ”
As we officially join forces with Fit 4 Life NYC today, we want to encourage you to reach out to info@kidsinthegame.com with any questions that you may have!

Read the full press release here!

About Fit 4 Life NYC:
Fit 4 Life NYC is committed to supporting schools, non-profit organizations and under-served communities in creating healthy and active environments. Based in NYC, Fit 4 Life NYC provides comprehensive school day and enrichment programs, professional development workshops, and traditional and non-traditional sports. Fit 4 Life NYC works with over 20 schools, non-profits, and other community based partners across 4 boroughs of NYC, reaching over 4,000 youth annually.

Valentine’s Day is the time to reflect on all the things we love in life. At Kids in the Game, our love for sports is pretty darn high on that list. Between summer camps, sports clinics, travel teams and school programs, we feel super lucky to be immersed in sports on a daily basis. To celebrate today’s day of love we wanted to share some stories of why our coaches love sports not only today but everyday.

Michael Murphy- Kids in the Game Co-Founder

Why do I love sports? Let me count the ways….I love sports for all the amazing doors they have opened for me in my life. Playing sports have allowed me to travel the World, make new friends and experience new cultures. I have run a road race in Sweden. Played basketball in Fiji and Australia. Coached basketball in Belgium, France and The Netherlands. Played soccer with kids in Denmark. And most recently experienced shooting hoops while wearing flip-flops in The Philippines. All of this because of a bouncing ball and a desire to have fun playing the sports I love. I love sports for everything they have taught me about teamwork, leadership, community, hard work, the pursuit of excellence and achieving goals. All of these positive skills helped me to make sports not only a passion, but a career. My career in sports is not a job, it is a passion. I love to coach, teach and inspire student-athletes around the World. Sports inspire all of us to do great things. All while cheering positively for our favorite teams. All while having fun in a safe environment. I love sports. They are a true love of mine.

Matt Murphy- Kids in the Game Co-Founder

Sports taught me work ethic, goal setting, leadership, teamwork, and how to handle things when they don’t go your way. Sports taught me how to be humble, as I went through periods where I was a starter, scoring points, and winning games and times where I sat on the bench, played terrible, or lost a heartbreaker. Why is that important? Because those are all lessons you need to develop in life to be successful. Life isn’t easy! On top of that, sports naturally develop deep relationships. A majority of my best friends, even today, are those I grew up with playing sports in elementary, high school, or college. That’s why watching our King Kids play sports is so inspiring for me – I know they’ll keep learning those lessons through sport and developing friendships that last forever.

Tatum Boehnke- KING Staff

Not to sound pessimistic but the world’s reality is often a far cry from always wearing rose colored glasses. However, there is this one thing that no matter what seems to bring people of all ages, all races, all genders, and all different backgrounds together: sports. Everyone can identify with that anxiety, that excitement, that pit in their stomach when going for it on 4th and 1. Cities can rebuild their identity with one swing of the bat. Nations can unite and inspire the world in just two weeks. We can all rally behind that unranked tennis player taking the world’s #1 to a 5th set.That is what I love about sports. I love that the reach of sport is far beyond the basics of a win/loss column. Fan bases become families and everyone can just agree that summer nights are for baseball, March is for basketball and no one should have to work the day after the Superbowl.

Paul O’Connor- Director of KING Hoops

I think what I love most about sports is getting a group of individuals to come together as a team. Instilling the confidence in young kids and then being able to watch them do what they thought they would never be able to is the best feeling.

Cara Hudson- Program Coordinator and UWS Summer Camp Director

I love sports because they teach everyone about sportsmanship and how to work as a team. These are two very important things to learn throughout life to help people grow into strong and respectful human beings. I love that sports bring people together for all over the world.

Sheryl Katz- Director of Marketing

Movement has always been a major part of my life from gymnastics to playing soccer (being slightly scared of the ball still counts, right?) to dancing. My passion for all-things music combined with my intent to express a feeling through movement makes dancing my ideal outlet. It’s during this time that I can let all of myself go and live in the moment. Every time I do, I leave feeling stronger – mentally and physically.Dancing requires us to focus on controlling all parts of our bodies while thinking about applying the emotion we’re meant to exude. The combination of sport and art evolves into a multi-faceted pastime.

Bonus: I’ve discovered some of my favorite songs while watching dance performances!

Katherine Higuera-McCoy- Sr. Program Coordinator and KING Spikes Director
Ok, what do I love about sports? To be honest, the competition and training. I love watching athletes compete and do the best they can to excel in their particular sport. As a former college athlete myself, I know what it takes to push your body to the limit. I respect and admire others in every sport for pushing and testing their bodies to the fullest capacity. I love seeing the drive in people and the want/urge to win, or in some cases just trying their best. Working with KING just further pushes my love for sports as we get to see the beginning of prospective athletes. We get to train the future and teach them what we know and love about sports. Our staff really makes it great for each child to excel and learn a new passion at such an early age. I love sharing my expertise in volleyball to the student athletes I coach because I am passing on everything I know to them. Plus, as an added bonus I get to learn new skills from other former collegiate athletes and get to continuously push myself to new limits.

Frances Niduaza-Murphy- Director of Performing Arts

Even though my training is in classical music (finished my doctoral studies in Collaborative Piano), I have always loved sports, fitness, and the great outdoors. I was a volleyball player from grade school until my senior year in high school, not to mention being actively involved as a church pianist and choir member. Also, I’m still brushing up on my swimming skills. Music and sports have a lot in common: they both teach and enable one to study, to listen, to manage time, to organize, to resolve conflict, to manage stress, to collaborate (being a team player), and to be willing to learn.

Adam Garrison- KING Staff

I love sports because it has provided me the foundation for the development of many lifelong friendships. Sports can also provide a link between generations and strengthen family relationships.

Ramsey Freeman- KING Coach

Working with kids has always been so rewarding. With KING, there are countless opportunities to make an impact on the children that we work and play with. I love the chance to make the kids happy. Seeing them smile and making them laugh is a great perk to the job!

The 2016 election cycle was no doubt full of controversy, strong opinions and unrest. Issues from healthcare to border patrol were debated upon month after month (felt like years, really) with little resolve. Our educational system was no exception to the controversy and debate of this cycle. Until recently, Senator Bernie Sanders headlined the education debates with his stance on higher education affordability. However, this past month a new name in the education politics has stolen the headlines. President Trump’s Secretary of Education pick, Betsy DeVos broke onto the scene with her lack luster confirmation hearing performance last month. America was left in traditionally unchartered territory of not knowing if President Trump’s pick would be confirmed at all.

However, as of this past Tuesday, America now knows that answer. In a 51-50 vote (tie broken, by Vice President Pence) the U.S. Senate confirmed DeVos to the position of Secretary of Education. Now we must wonder what her confirmation means to the current educational landscape.

We admit it is not in the typical Kids in the Game wheelhouse to blog about politics. However, the landscape of our nation’s educational system directly affects organizations, like us, that do direct programming within public, private and charter schools. The confirmation of Betsy DeVos presents an interesting ideology change in our country’s current educational system. With a conscious effort to present the facts, we will explore who DeVos is and how her confirmation could affect Kids in the Game and New York City Schools.

Who is Betsy DeVos? She is a Michigan native that describes herself as a philanthropist and education activist. She is an advocate for school of choice, a system that utilizes the voucher system. Politico reported President Trump campaigned on a $20 billion proposal government funded voucher program making his pick of DeVos not overly surprising. The voucher system would allow families the financial flexibility to choose schools for their children. For example, a child would be able to attend a private school that they could not afford prior to receiving a voucher. We can all agree that $20 billion dollars is a significant amount of money and that money will need to come from somewhere. Most likely, that somewhere will be the current public educational budget. Meaning, while some students will be able to go to a private school of their choice, public schools potentially lose general funding.

It is no secret that the first programs cut in financial burden are arts, physical education and after school programs. According to a report city Controller Scott Stringer put out in 2015 32% of NYC schools currently do not provide physical education. More alarmingly 600,000 New York City K-12 graders are reported to “take care of themselves” after school already. In efforts to lower these statistics, NYC mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a $100 million initiative for physical education programs in the city last spring. DeVos and de Balasio aligning very differently on funding issues will be something to watch.

What else does DeVos believe?

1. While like many political events, DeVos Congressional hearing provided a lot of questions with few firm answers. One of the more interesting questions poised at the hearing to DeVos, by Senator Tim Kaine, was her take on providing funding for students requiring special education. DeVos repeated her stance of leaving that decision up to the individual states. Dependent on which side New York State would choose to be on – fund or not – would greatly impact the educational landscape of New York City. Families requiring special education programs for their child would potentially be forced to reevaluate where they reside.

2. Commonly connected to DeVos are charter schools. Charter schools are tax-payer funded but privately ran schools that traditionally have more flexibility in curriculum, hiring practices, and are occasionally owned by for-profit entities. DeVos has promoted charter schools in her home state of Michigan, particularly in urban Detroit. In general, support of charter schools has come from both sides of the political aisle. So it would seem that DeVos’ connection with charter schools wouldn’t be too hot of a topic. However, it is important to note that in Detroit 80% of the charter schools are for-profit and are not subjected to strict performance standards due, in part, to DeVos lobbying against firmer evaluations.

New York has taken a different approach to charter schools than Detroit and originally capped the number of operating charters to 100 statewide until it could be definitively proven there is educational benefit from this style of school. Currently there are 183 charter schools in New York City and any with Department of Education accreditation are set to the same standards as traditional public schools. With a DeVos cabinet-ship confirmed, the questions of how charters will be evaluated, funded and expanded upon need to be asked.

A full fact sheet of the history of charter schools in New York can be found here.

3. Citing a small town in Wyoming, DeVos showed support for guns in schools for situational grizzly bear trespassing. How does this affect KING and NYC schools, you say? Considering, grizzly bears do not inhabit the state of New York (unless you count the Bronx Zoo) we should naturally stay pretty safe from those darn grizzlies. All jokes aside, gun violence is a topic that will continue to be of both great importance and great debate in our country. With school security currently at all-time high it is something to keep a close eye on.

*It should also be noted that DeVos did not provide a definitive answer if only schools with potential bear invasions would be allowed on on-campus guns.

As of today, DeVos is our Secretary of Education. As our country continues to transition to new leadership and a new presidency, Kids in the Game’s mission remains the same: we strive to provide opportunities through sport and fitness to as many children in New York City as possible regardless of what neighborhood they are from or what school they attend.

As we come to a close in 2016, we are filled with gratitude to look back at a year filled with impact, growth, and a sense of purpose. Reading through some of our year end thoughts from 2015, it is humbling to think about the progress we’ve made towards our goals. At the same time, it is with anxious excitement that we look ahead toward the coming year. Our city and youth face enormous challenges going into 2017 – childhood obesity, a lack of nutrition education, distrust between our youth and law enforcement, neighborhoods with high poverty and violence, a need for technology skills to help prepare children for new types of jobs – all individually unique and audacious challenges to fight. KING strives to offer our youth a group of mentors, aka our coaches, to help support them as they navigate these challenges in life. Learning healthy habits, conflict resolution, life skills, the importance of positivity and an active lifestyle – these are the values we focus on. If we offer positive role models and use sports as a medium to teach, we feel children can grow up to navigate through the challenges ahead.

Humble brag time?! A few highlights from our year!

1. 1. The schools we serve and our team has doubled in size, reaching more than 15,000 children with 60+ KING coaches across NYC. How did we do it? A focus on our culture as a team, our training program, and always striving to go above and beyond for our schools and families.
2. 2.Outside of school hours, we’ve started our first travel teams in both basketball (King Hoops) and volleyball (King Spikes). Our Manhattan and Brooklyn based teams put KING on their jerseys for the first time in 2016 and competed in tri-state area tournaments. We’re proud of our teams’ focus on fundamentals, work ethic, and commitment they have made to their teammates. Way to go Coach Paul and Coach Kat for leading these new programs.
4. 
69. 3. KING’s Recess SPORT program has seen growth and continued improvements in 2016, with additions of more personalized recess games for each of our schools across the city. During recess we’ve developed a Jr. Coach Program, which has shaped a strong sense of mentorship and peer mediation within the school community. Teaching students about the importance of fair play, positivity, and inclusion during the short recess period is something the Jr. Coaches (usually 5^th graders) have taken seriously. We’re proud to be coaching the leaders of the next generation!
71. 4. Our team coached em’ up at the middle school level, taking over coaching responsibilities for schools looking to get teams off the ground, including Blessed Sacrament (basketball), BASIS Independent (volleyball), and Leman Manhattan (basketball, soccer, track).
72. 
89. 5. We continued to grow our partnership with Up2Us Sports, adding 3 Coach Across America coaches and 2 Americorps VISTA members (vs 1 of each last year). Our CAA coaches attended trainings in Boston and Miami, continuing to develop as leaders. Our Americorps VISTA from 2016 also has recently joined our team full-time to lead our Marketing & Communications efforts (shout-out to Sheryl!)
90. 
109. 6. We opened our 3^rd summer camp location in Riverdale, Bronx! We’re proud to be part of the community and have continued to grow programming during the school year as well. We’re looking forward to our second summer uptown this June.
111. 7. We expanded our presence in Brooklyn, adding a second small office in Gowanus. We’ve partnered with new schools in neighborhoods including Bensonhurst, Carroll Gardens, and Red Hook, and have recently announced our 4^th summer camp location in Park Slope with Saint Saviour HS.
113. 8. We’re proud of the continued progress that the Partnership Schools (6 formerly struggling Catholic schools) have made and our team’s support in their mission. We ran sports clinics in basketball, soccer, and volleyball, took over a 150+ person after-school program at Mount Carmel Holy Rosary, ran an 8^th grade event to help the kids build friendships before high-school, and ran a 600-person field day for their schools to build relationships through some healthy competition.
115. 9. A boring BIG deal… our summer camps are now American Camp Association accredited! Our team knows the struggle this took to prep for and finish, and our 600+ summer camp families can rest assured that we are meeting industry best practices. You’ll find a nice logo stamp on our marketing materials this year!
116. 
135. 10. We recently formed another entity within our organization, called KING Kids, which will focus on offering more of our programs to schools and families that lack financial resources. Our social mission strives to reach all children, regardless of background, and through fundraising goals and grant opportunities we hope to continue our progress here through the KING Kids programming.
137. 11. Did you notice our new website? We embrace some old-school values at times, but we don’t want our technology to be an area of it. Looking ahead, we hope to help schools solve technology problems they face too when it comes to after-school programs, teams, and teaching technology and coding skills to those who would rather play sports.
139. 12. In 2016, the Dept. of Education’s CHAMPS Middle School program contracted us to train dozens of their basketball coaches across Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. We’re looking forward to expanding our relationship with CHAMPS, as we see a huge value in embedding positive coaching principles in others across the city.
141. 13. Finally, our team continues to grow from within. We had summer camp staff join us full-time in the fall (Cara & Tracey!), part-time coaches become coordinators (Chondite & Darren!), and numerous others get promoted internally to help manage the different areas within KING. Congrats to all of them for their growth!
142. 

We’re proud of our progress we’ve made in 2016 and can’t wait to get started on our goals for 2017. Huge thank you to all our schools, families, partners, friends, and coaches that make what we do so rewarding. Happy New Year!

School is out and summer is here. As we get ready for our upcoming summer camps on the Upper West Side, Inwood, and in Riverdale, we wanted to introduce our internship class! Meet Nicole, Craig, Dominic, and Cameron!

Nicole Doyle

Hometown: Queens, New York

Education: Marist College

What clubs/sports are you a part of in college? Rowing

What brought you to Kids in the Game? I want to be a part of something working towards improving the lives of youth in New York City. Therefore, I had to be a part of Kids in the Game

What is your favorite physical activity/sport?  My favorite sport is rowing.

What is your favorite part about New York City? I love that all New Yorkers work hard and play even harder!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would love to go back to where my family originates from and learn more about the culture. Therefore, I would love to travel to Dominican Republic and Ireland.

If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say? Stay hungry and stay humble!

Message from Nicole: Hi everyone! My name is Nicole and I am a rising sophomore at Marist College. In high school, I was part of a nonprofit organization, Row New York. I did not know what rowing was until I found myself in a boat with all of my teammates who grew to become my best friends. This led to my love and passion for not only rowing but for also improving the lives of youth in New York City through sports. Therefore, I am excited to be a part of Kids in the Game.

Craig Braxton

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Education: SUNY Brockport

What clubs/sports were you a part of in college? Intramural leagues such as, basketball, and flag football

What brought you to Kids in the Game? I have a lot of experience working with kids in a summer camp setting and as a coach. Therefore, Kids in the Game felt right being apart of.

What is your favorite physical activity/sport?  I love playing basketball, however, my favorite sport is football.

What is your favorite part about New York City? My favorite part of the city is that there is always something to do – we live in the city that never sleeps.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would like to travel to France. I took a Level 1 French language class in middle school and found the country to be very interesting. Therefore, it would be cool to go there in order to experience their language and culture first hand.

If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say? If I could talk to everyone in the world at one time, I would tell them to always strive to achieve their goals and it does not matter how long it takes, as long as you eventually reach your goal.

Message from Craig: My name is Craig, and I am a graduate from SUNY Brockport, looking to start my career in Sport Management. In high school, I wrestled, played football, and volleyball. However, I did not feel that I could make it to the next level so I chose to pursue a major which would keep me well connected with sports. Although I did not participate in NCAA teams in college, I did play a few intramural sports, basketball, dodgeball, and flag-football.

Dominic Vasko Perkovic

Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Education: Columbia University in the City of New York

What clubs/sports are you a part of in college? Football

What brought you to Kids in the Game? Two of my teammates who volunteered with Kids in the Game recommended the program to me.

What is your favorite physical activity/sport? I enjoy lifting weights and playing football.

What is your favorite part about New York City? I love the great level of diversity here in the city of New York. It is so great to see so many people from all across the globe. This is something that is entirely unique to the city itself.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Montenegro. It is absolutely beautiful there and I have a lot of family members who live there.

If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say? Treat others in a way that you would want yourself and your close family and friends to be treated.

Message from Dominic: Hey everyone! My name is Dominic Perkovic and I am a junior at Columbia University. In high school, I played football and basketball, and upon graduating, I decided to play football at the next level. From a young age, my parents did a great job keeping my siblings and I active and involved in the sports world. Therefore, sports and physical activity have always been a huge part of my life and have helped me in growing and developing into the man I am today. I hope to pass this passion for sports on to younger children while working here with KING.

Cameron Jones

Hometown: Corona, California

Education: St. John’s University

What clubs/sports are you a part of in college? Basketball

What brought you to Kids in the Game? My fond childhood memories of summer camps, and my love for sports.

What is your favorite physical activity/sport? I enjoy rock climbing and basketball.

What is your favorite part about New York City? I love the diversity  in New York City, you can meet someone from a different part of the world everyday!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would love to visit Japan, seems like there is so much great fashion, food and technology there. 

If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say? Lebron is not the best player of all time!

Message from Cameron: I am originally from Southern California where I played basketball at California Lutheran University. I later transferred to St. John’s University here in New York City. Most of my work experience is in Sports Marketing but as of 2016, I went back to St. John’s to acquire my MBA in Finance. I am very excited to be at KING and grow with the organization this summer.

We also want to shout out two of our former interns, Vivien Li and Hank Lin who helped KING serve more kids in the game everyday! Since then, both of them have been offered full-time positions in their field of study. Congratulations Vivien and Hank!

Vivien said, “I was an intern at KING for two months, during which I finished two big projects including competitors presentation and calls analysis. I really enjoyed working at KING. Matt and Sheryl not only gave me great advice on how to do research and make analysis but also how to write better emails and network. What’s more. I love playing with kids at Kids Night Out and Recess Program. In KING, you can really “Work Hard and Play Hard”!”

Hank said, “I worked with Matt and Sheryl to develop strategic business case and industry analysis. When I was a Business and Strategy Intern in KING, I analyzed the spring budget, evaluating the profit and loss of the Spring project in Brooklyn. I also created and maintained Excel spreadsheets containing school and contact lists. Most importantly, I worked with my partner, Vivien, to do research in competitors presentation, which made me realize how to evaluate the other competitors before organising any event and project. I appreciated KING gave me these professional skills and unforgettable experiences.”

If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the KING Internship Program, please let us know! We offer internships in the following areas:

• Program Development & Coaching
• Finance & Business Development
• Marketing / PR / Communications

Stay tuned for our next post, Meet the Summer 2016 Kids in the Game Summer Team. In this blog post, you will be able to learn more about the newest additions to the KING Summer Team.

Be sure to also follow our social media pages for Kids in the Game updates! 

Twitter: @KidsintheGameNYC

Instagram: @kidsinthegamenyc

Facebook: Kids in the Game

Kids in the Game (KING) is participating in May’s National Physical Fitness and Sports month! This month is meant to spread awareness of the many benefits of being physically active. Frequent exercise can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Daily movement can include activities such as participating in team sports, dancing or simply taking the stairs instead of using the elevator.

KING coaches and kids stretch before working out on the Upper West Side.

To help spread awareness, KING is conducting a month long Fitness Challenge! This challenge consists of a variety of exercises that will get children (and adults) on their feet. The goal of the challenge is to motivate students to beat their own records in fitness elements including planks, push-ups, and lane slides, with the means to develop speed, endurance, flexibility, agility and strength. KING coaches are implementing the challenge during physical education, recess and after-school programs throughout the month. 

Wilson Rose, KING’s Program Manager, notes, “Challenging children to improve on even the smallest of tasks, such as push-ups or planks, helps to boost self-confidence.”

Coach Ashley encouraging the kids at our Washington Heights after-school program.

Students that are the Overall-Leaders and Most-Improved in their programs win exciting prizes!

Fitness Challenge winners in Lower Manhattan.

We’re encouraging all of our schools and families to get involved in the challenge! Here’s how:

Focus on 2 or 3 specific fitness activities each day (push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, planks, squats, etc. Track these measurements each week from now until June to see how much you can improve. Send us your results and we’ll send you a KING water bottle or t-shirt for being part of the challenge! (Don’t worry, we won’t post your results for the world to see.)Wishing all of you a healthy and active May from Kids in the Game!

Be sure to also follow our social media pages for updates and daily exercises: Twitter: @KidsintheGameNYC, Instagram: @kidsinthegamenyc, Facebook: Kids in the Game.

A new year brings a new beginning – 2016 is the year to join in on the fun and get active! We are busy setting all sorts of goals and resolutions for our team and youth programs for the year ahead. During the process we thought we would share some of our favorite resolutions from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) list to help children of all ages begin the year on the right foot. Here are a few of our favorites:

5-12 Years Old

• Find a favorite sport. “I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!” You may also like: 3 Simple Goals that Lead to a Successful Basketball Season
• Better beverages. “I will drink water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only at special times.”
• Put safety first. “I will always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.”
• Promote positivity. “I’ll be friendly to kids who may have a hard time making friends by asking them to join activities such as sports or games.”

13 Years Old and Older

• Eat healthy. “I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day, and I will drink sodas only at special times.”
• Improve self. “I will take care of my body through physical activity and eating the right types and amounts of foods.”
• Lend a helping hand. “I will help out in my community – through giving some of my time to help others, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.”
• Reduce stress. “When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find helpful ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or talking about my problem with a parent or friend.”

Parents have New Year’s Resolutions too! Whether it be for themselves or the whole family, everyone can benefit from making overall healthier lifestyle choices. Here are realistic resolutions for parents and families from Kids in the Game:

• Pick up a hobby. Hobbies can boost brain power, reduce stress levels and improve your ability to focus. Active hobbies also keep you in shape! Living in New York City poses spatial challenges which makes it hard to keep moving, especially during these cold winter months. There are programs offered for adults and children in indoor sports such as basketball clinics and soccer trainings. Parents can also try yoga, biking, dancing or bowling as a way to stay active while having fun.
• Make your hobby a habit. It is known that repeated actions take 66 days to become a habit. Try to keep up your new hobby for 3 months for it to become a regular part of your schedule and make the habit feel automatic. Certain habits are formed in a shorter amount of time, such as resolving to drink a glass of water after breakfast every day, while others are trickier, such as doing 50 push-ups. Some habits can be formed by continuously improving a skill. Should you choose to take up a sport as your hobby, it is important to develop the right skills to turn recreational playing into automatic performance.
• Volunteer. Offering time to improve the community won’t just benefit those around you, but will also benefit you. You can find friends, learn new skills, advance your career and increase your self-esteem. If you want to volunteer with Kids in the Game, shoot us an email!
• Enjoy the little things. Life moves so quickly, sometimes we forget to appreciate the “here and now” – especially with our loved ones. Make it a goal to celebrate life every day with your family by exercising together, playing games that don’t involve technology or simply having dinner together once a week.

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year from Kids in the Game!

The Kids in the Game coaches derive from varied backgrounds and experiences in sports and fitness. Our diversity allows us to help shape our programs to encourage every individual to succeed. We take great pride in the positive influence our team members have on the community. Therefore, I’m excited to announce the start of Staff Spotlights – a series introducing our coaches to you!

To kick off the series, I sat down with Program Manager Wilson Rose.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I’m from a small town in Central New York called Earlville.  Growing up I played a lot of basketball and being around the game has always been a passion of mine.  I’ve also always enjoyed working with and being around kids. My mom is a school psychologist in the school district that I grew up in so I was always hanging around and fascinated by school culture.  Working in such a collaborative environment was always appealing to me.  I knew going into college that I wanted to major in developmental psychology. In college, I began interning and working at the Mt. Hope Family Center, which is a part of the University of Rochester’s psychology department.  I gained a lot of good-hands on experience in their therapeutic after-school program as well as other research projects including a research based summer camp.  After graduating, I was hired full-time to coordinate the therapeutic after-school program and eventually moved into a coordinator role of various developmental research grants.”

How did you get involved with Kids in the Game?

“Matt Murphy, Co-Founder of Kids in the Game, has been a friend of mine for a long time – we played basketball in college together and he’s always kept me up to date with everything going on with Kids in the Game.  It wasn’t until recently though that I saw myself being a part of it.  It was clear that I could combine all of my interests and strengths into one position by joining the KinG team.  I’m able to spend time with kids in a fun and interactive environment while working with school administrations, personnel and my peers who all share the same passions.”

What programs are you involved in currently?

“As the Program Manager, I have a hand in all of our programs.  Currently, I’m doing a lot of work on our curriculum and lesson planning.  For our recess programs, I’m putting together the games calendars for November and beyond. For the after-school programs>, I’m getting together a series of lesson plans for different sports so our coaches can feel as prepared as possible going into their programs. Summer camp is always on my mind!  As Camp Director at our Inwood location last year, I discovered the tools necessary to make the camp experience the best it can be. That goes hand-in-hand with our other “camp-like” activities –Kids Night Out & our Upper West Side Winter Break Camp. They will be run similarly to summer camp as multi-activity programs that offer a wide variety of activities and well-balanced fun.

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to coach as well.  Currently I’m coaching physical education at the AltSchool in Brooklyn Heights. Being there 3 days a week, I’ve gotten to know the kids and staff very well. I know what each child can do well and what they will or won’t respond to. It’s great to be able to adapt the class to the kids that are in it.  Understanding where each child is developmentally can be very useful for any coach or teacher. In addition to AltSchool, I’m coaching youth basketball clinics and a middle school team on the Upper West Side.”

Thanks, Wilson! Now for some miscellaneous questions to learn more about you…

What’s your favorite sport?

“Basketball”

What’s your favorite team?

“Syracuse Orange (I’m a bigger fan of college basketball than the NBA.  I’ll watch any college basketball game that’s on.  The NBA season is too long and that takes away from the competitive nature and importance of each game, in my opinion.)”

What’s something interesting about you that we don’t already know?

“I built my bike from scratch out of miscellaneous parts.”

Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

“’It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’ – Frederick Douglass”

If you could have lunch with any famous person, who would it be?

“Kurt Vonnegut”

—

Wilson Rose is the Program Manager for Kids in the Game and contributes his efforts to each of the KinG programs: after-school, summer camp, recess, Kid’s Night Out and Winter Break Camp. Wilson also currently coaches physical education in Brooklyn. To connect with Wilson, you can reach him at Wilson@kidsinthegame.com.