Rotakids
RotaKids is a fun and exciting way for children aged 7-12 to make friends and get involved with important activities in the community, all while having a great time in the process. There are over 200 RotaKids clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, all making a difference to the lives of children in their communities.
RotaKids is Rotary's Program to help local young people learn new skills and make a difference in their community. They will use their Maths and English skills as well as learn about good citizenship.
RotaKids are enthusiastic, eager to help and enjoy working with others in their primary school class or junior school group.
RotaKids clubs are based in schools, youth groups or community centres and with the help and support from teachers, youth leaders and the local Rotary club, children can gain a valuable experience in helping others and learning interesting, new things. By doing so, children enjoy a boost to their confidence and self-esteem at a key age and develop and understanding of how their actions can impact on others.
It also brings an exciting and practical approach to supporting the citizenship element of the national curriculum.
Our first RotaKids club started at Little Bollington C of E Primary School. The Head Teacher selects pupils to serve on the Committee and then they appoint a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, who each receive a lapel badge to signify their position. All the members also receive a lapel badge provided by our Rotary Club. They decide with their teachers how often to meet, usually monthly.
It is a really simple way to make new friends and help others in the community.
RotaKids work with our Club on a project and one of our members attends each meeting.
The great thing about Rotakids is that children can come up with ideas and see them become a reality.
The groups can do just about anything which springs to mind to help others.
It
shows children that by working together, there is so much you can achieve.
Examples of RotaKids activities include:
- Filling shoeboxes with toys for underprivileged children around the world as part of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme
- Raising money for charities in your area with a sponsored bike ride, non-uniform day, cake sale or school fun days
- Supporting the environment by setting a nature project in the school playground or local community
- Collecting books for children in countries around the world
Whatever the idea, there's the opportunity to make a big difference whilst having great fun with their friends. At the end of the project, the satisfaction of a job well done, and a Rotary Certificate to prove it.
