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They all came to visit yesterday to see how the primary school students of the St. Bonifacius School in Wassenaar together took no fewer than 704,709 steps during a unique recess sports relay (our goal was half a million!). With this campaign, initiated by Fit in Wassenaar, we show how outdoor play and exercise can be central to our children’s education in a creative and inspiring way.
Next year we’re going for the million! 💪🎉
View theitem below NOS Youth News:
Wassenaar primary school pupils take half a million steps on the first day of spring (Press release)
Wassenaar, March 20, 2025 – On the first spring day of 2025, theSt. Boniface School in Wassenaartakes on a unique challenge: taking half a million steps outside on the schoolyard during this school day. This special campaign, organized in collaboration with Fit in Wassenaar, is carried out as a break sports relay. The initiative aims to encourage outdoor exercise and promote a healthy lifestyle among young people.
A relay of steps
From 8:45 am, as soon as the schoolyard opens, the students of group 4 start taking the first steps under the guidance of neighborhood sports coach Wesley and specially trained eighth-graders. Then all classes, ranging from 25 to 31 students, alternate every half hour in a unique break sports relay. Pedometers are passed on to track collective performance and achieve those half a million steps together.
”Today’s action is a wonderful example of how we work together with schools towards a more active and healthier youth in Wassenaar. ” says Kirsten Keij, Project Leader at Fit in Wassenaar. “With this step challenge on the first day of spring, we let children experience how much fun it is to exercise outside together.” The fresh air, sunlight and space to exercise do wonders for their concentration, motor skills and social skills. Especially now, at a time when screen time is increasing, our mission is to get children excited about playing outside again.”
Train the learner program
A special aspect of this campaign is the involvement of students from group 8, who have been trained through the ‘Train the student’ program of Fit in Wassenaar. This innovative initiative allows older students to mentor younger children in outdoor activities, contributing to the development of leadership and a sense of responsibility.
“This spring day challenge is more than a fun activity; it is a strong signal for the importance of regular exercise and playing outside,” said Pjotr van der Marel, director of the St. Boniface School. “It fits in perfectly with our school vision in which we encourage outdoor exercise together, from the youngest to the oldest students.” With the arrival of spring and the longer, warmer days, this is the perfect time for a school to creatively fulfill this important task.
Watch our aftermovie here:
