This past weekend, Boston was rockin’! As a Kids Obstacle Challenge team member, it’s exciting to know there will be so many kids there to enjoy and experience the hard work we’ve put into making the event happen. Witnessing the kids’ emotions and smiles first-hand makes the long days and planning 200% worth it! How does Kids Obstacle Challenge come to life? Allow us to outline a day in the life of a Kids Obstacle Challenge team member!
Friday nights are full of excitement knowing the thrills of the morning are to come. Of course, we all need our beauty rest since we spend the entire day on Friday setting up the event. Knowing that Boston was going to be our biggest event to date, lights were out by 9 o’clock to ensure a well-rested night, and our alarms sounded at 4:45 a.m.
We arrived at Kalon Farm around 5:45 a.m. and got straight to work training volunteers, assembling the merchandise and registration tents, and greeting vendors for set-up. Saturday daybreak is the calm before the exciting storm, equipped with morning dew and a beautiful sunrise.
Once we are set up, everything happens at once and it doesn’t stop until the last race wave at 12:20 p.m. goes out. The merchandise tent is bustling with bammie giveaways and new gear purchases, the registration tent is filled with excited kids who are eager to show off what they’ve got, the warm-up area is busy with kids putting on their game faces, and our team is overseeing all of it. Connected by walkie-talkies, our team is constantly communicating to ensure everyone has a safe, fun, and memorable time.
My favorite part of Kids Obstacle Challenge is seeing kids bond with their parents, siblings, or friends by getting muddy and being brave together. Watching kids cross the finish line or overcome an obstacle with a sense of achievement is what our team lives for. It’s a lot of work and we are exhausted by the end of the weekend, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Come to an event and meet our Kids Obstacle Challenge team! We always love talking to you about how much fun you’re having, and love receiving muddy high-fives! Hearing and seeing how you Brave Your Adventure is the best part of our job, and is the perfect reminder of why we do what we do. Thanks to all of you for being our inspiration and making all of our hard work worth it!
-Jordan Johnson, Kids Obstacle Challenge Marketing Intern & MERLA (aka Merchandise Lead)