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The Frequent Rider Miles contest rewards children who come to school walking, biking, by bus or carpool. Every time a child walks or bikes to or from school they put an X in the box for that day on their card worth two points. A child who rides the bus or carpools puts a slash “\” in the box worth one point. If they walk to the bus (1/4 mile at least) then that counts as two points. A carpool is two or more families who share driving. They can only count one way a day – either to or from school.
When they have earned twenty points, they get an instant reward from the grab bag and get to continue playing until the contest ends. At the end of the eight week period, there will be a raffle for the grand prize – a Trek bicycle gift certificate worth $200. Other prizes donated by Trek - a helmet, a light set, a lock, baseball hat, t-shirt, US Postal System team Jersey, gloves and water bottles. Cards must be signed by a parent in order to be in the raffle. Be sure that they put a date at the beginning of each week.
Schedule a set time and place when children can turn in their cards and get prizes, weekly is best. One school checks cards at their regular weekly walk/bike day table and another school set up an area during lunchtime once a week. You can also set up a card check in the office if you have a willing staff person. When a child turns in their card, you put their name in the raffle, stamp their card and let them choose a reward from the grab bag. Be sure to tell them to keep playing for more prizes. At the end of the eight week period, schedule a special time when you can have the raffle. You can do it during lunch time, schedule a special assembly or piggy-back on an existing assembly.
If you want to provide extra rewards for kids who walk and bike more regularly, you can track those children for special treats. Those who earn 32 points total have walked or bike an average of twice a week. Three times a week earns them 48 points. Every day earns them 80 points. Put these students in a special raffle and let them win the extra prizes. Then draw a name from all the cards for the bike.
You can also sort the grab bag and reserve the more desirable rewards for students who put in extra effort.. This gives them incentive to walk and bike more often. For instance: Children who earn 20 points choose from grab bag #1. Those who earn 40 points get a different bag of prizes and so on. You can ask your PTA to provide special rewards for the top earning students. Publish or announce the names of those students who are earning points. Let them be acknowledged for their special effort.
You can be somewhat flexible with these guidelines. If you are trying to encourage more carpooling or bus usages, then you might let them count two ways a day for carpooling and buses. (which gives them an X). You can also create special tasks for children who really cannot participate because of where they live, disabilities or because of before and afterschool care. Have them create a poster or write an essay that encourages more walking and biking and let them chose a reward. Put these up on the bulletin board.
The easiest way to launch the contest is to announce it at an assembly and explain the rules to everyone at once. However, if you have the volunteers, it’s better to go to each class and explain the contest and answer questions. Younger children will need extra help learning how to fill out their card. Advise their parents to fill out the card with them.
Use this contest to spread the word about walking and biking to school. Advertise the contest in your weekly newsletter, publicize the names of the winners, put their names up on a bulletin board or give them recognition at assemblies. Create a display somewhere in the school that shows the prizes that they can win. Put the poster up on bulletin boards. Ask the principal to remind the kids to turn in their cards. Have fun!
If you have additional questions call
Safe Routes to Schools P.O. Box 201, Forest Knolls, CA 94933 www.saferoutestoschools.org