On Oct. 8, communities around the world will teach kids about how to walk to school safely for the International Walk to School Day. Walking to school has many benefits including improving air quality. Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) has the following tips to get involved:
- Be involved with International Walk to School day. In 2013, 38 schools from 16 school districts in the Kansas City region participated in this international event. You can encourage your child’s school to plan an event or simply walk with your child to school if you live close enough. Visit WalkToSchoolKC.com for ideas on how to get involved.
- Make it a routine! Promote walking to school throughout the year. Walk to School KC recently launched Walking Wednesdays: one day a week dedicated to walking to school with your child. Or try starting a walking school bus with neighbors.
- Walk with confidence. MARC supports communities in establishing Safe Routes to School, and BikeWalkKC produced an activity book to teach kids about safe routes when walking or biking.
- Kids aren’t the only ones. While we emphasize the importance of kids walking to school, we might forget about ourselves. Consider walking during lunch or to the store, or for exercise after work as part of a walking routine. Remember to stay safe on your routes!