Kids Spot: Keeping Kids Active is Good

Kids Spot: Keeping Kids Active is Good

By Peggy Werner

Kids Spot, 9461 N. 2nd St., in Roscoe, has been growing by leaps and bounds, while doing cartwheels, back handsprings, splits, tucks, and lots of cheering along the way.

The center for kids, ages 18 months to 18 years, offers classes in gymnastics, tumbling and trampoline, cheerleading, dance and home school gymnastics, plus cartwheel clinics. The main location houses three dance rooms, a north gym used by the youngest students and a main gym for those six and older and for competitive practice. The building for cheerleading is just down the street at 9135 N. 2nd St.

Kids Spot started out as a small storefront 15 years ago and today is turning out award-winning athletes in the areas of dance, gymnastics and cheerleading, says Ben Childers, office manager and marketing director.

Kids Spot’s Turning Point Dance Company, under the direction of Kim Dailey since 2005, most recently was the highest-scoring group at Imagine Dance Challenge in Prairie Du Sac, Wis. The group has won numerous choreography awards, overall awards, technique awards and was named “studio of excellence” at the Association of Dance Competitions and Conventions this past year.

“No one comes close to them,” Childers says about the dance team.

For that reason and more, this year is seeing Kids Spot’s highest-ever enrollment, with 1,300 kids walking through the doors each week.

“This year presents challenges we’ve never had before and it allows us to have more fun than ever before,” says Childers. “Growth is changing us for the better.”

As a result of growing attendance, Kids Spot is continually remodeling and figuring out how to better utilize space to help kids develop healthy lifestyle habits while having fun and learning.

“Being active is important and we take it to a whole new level,” says Childers. “These kids are not just playing sports, they are building life skills that will serve them well the rest of their lives, like problem solving, sportsmanship, being a team player and developing communication and social skills. They’re also building strength and coordination that will translate well to other sports and activities they choose to do later on in life.”

There is programming year-round, including summer camp.

Camp Kids Spot is the most popular and biggest event of the year and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 3 through Aug. 9. Kids ages 4 to 14 need to sign up as soon as possible to guarantee a place, Childers says. Those wanting to come in only on certain days or when available also have to register by calling (815) 623- 5437 or online at KidsSpotinc.com.

The camp employs trained counselors and other staff to engage the kids in outside activities, crafts, obstacle courses, games, water activities and more. Each week offers a different theme and includes a field trip on Thursday. Some of the places the kids will be going this summer include Henry Villas Zoo, Santa’s Village, Shedd Aquarium, Madison’s Children’s Museum, Troll Beach, Jelly Belly Factory & America’s Action Territory Adventure Park, Donley’s Wild West Town, and to movies.

Childers says Kids Spot is successful because of the co-owners, Susan Johnson and Teresa Maloney, who create programs as they see needs arise. They want everyone, including the staff, to be lifelong learners.

“It’s very rewarding to have a growth mindset where you work,” says Childers. “If you’re not here to learn and grow, you won’t work out. Those who thrive on gaining knowledge and improving themselves and the lives of others will thrive here.”

Childers, 21, was first hired to help Kids Spot with its computer needs. He worked in the front office and was later promoted to events director and then gym supervisor before taking his current position.

He says the business philosophy and interest in building healthy individuals has created a family atmosphere that’s welcoming and close-knit.

“Unless you’re new, we know you. If you are new, you have built-in friendships right from the start and those connections are so important for kids to have at a young age,” he says.

In addition to activities for kids, Jazzercise classes for adults are held every morning and SeniorSpot is at 11 a.m. every Monday for those wanting to participate in dance classes and games. ❚