Program Fundamentals
Our playful and highly motivating curriculum develops skills ranging from problem-solving to commitment, which are based on the Canadian Sport for Life - Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD) and grounded on four running fundamentals:
Our Program Experiences
SOGO offers 4 levels of skill-based programs, each with a distinct age bracket. We welcome and encourage new Adventure Runners to join our programs at any age. Previous experience is not required - our curriculum and approach to coaching ensures that every participant is set up for success upon joining.
If you're unsure which level to register in, please visit our Contact Us page and get in touch. Our team is more than happy to help!
- Endurance
- Speed and Power
- Strength and Agility
- Navigation
Our Program Experiences
SOGO offers 4 levels of skill-based programs, each with a distinct age bracket. We welcome and encourage new Adventure Runners to join our programs at any age. Previous experience is not required - our curriculum and approach to coaching ensures that every participant is set up for success upon joining.
If you're unsure which level to register in, please visit our Contact Us page and get in touch. Our team is more than happy to help!
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Squirts
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Level 1
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Level 2
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Level 3
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Access
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SOGO Squirts (Ages 2-5) - Getting Little Athletes Going
Your little ones will gain the skills to move competently and confidently through a range of environments under the mindful guidance our our coaching team.
The two and three year old program is a parented experience. Parents join their two and three year olds as they walk/jog/run on and off trails and participate in a range of games that encourage a life-long interest in physical activity. If your child is aged 4-5, they'll be escorted through the courses by one of our expert coaches and volunteers.
Once your preschooler turns 5 and has done a season of SOGO Squirts or they are 6 they will graduate from SOGO Squirts to SOGO Level 1.
The two and three year old program is a parented experience. Parents join their two and three year olds as they walk/jog/run on and off trails and participate in a range of games that encourage a life-long interest in physical activity. If your child is aged 4-5, they'll be escorted through the courses by one of our expert coaches and volunteers.
Once your preschooler turns 5 and has done a season of SOGO Squirts or they are 6 they will graduate from SOGO Squirts to SOGO Level 1.
The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race.
- Unknown
SOGO Level 1 (Ages 6 - 12) – The Basics
Through highly motivating playful games and activities, participants will navigate through adventure running stations as they learn the basics of Adventure Running.
Participants are divided into 4 color groups based on age and ability to ensure everyone receives the coaching and guidance they need and enjoys the maximum skills development from the program.
Each night focuses on building skills by engaging in two of our four energetic Adventure Running stations (Speed/Power, Strength/Agility, Endurance, and Navigation) located throughout the park. The stations rotate throughout the season to keep participants learning, growing and developing.
Expect to be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run event during the season!
Participants may take part in Level One for several years with challenges evolving with each age group.
Participants are divided into 4 color groups based on age and ability to ensure everyone receives the coaching and guidance they need and enjoys the maximum skills development from the program.
Each night focuses on building skills by engaging in two of our four energetic Adventure Running stations (Speed/Power, Strength/Agility, Endurance, and Navigation) located throughout the park. The stations rotate throughout the season to keep participants learning, growing and developing.
Expect to be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run event during the season!
Participants may take part in Level One for several years with challenges evolving with each age group.
You must expect great things from yourself before you can do them.
– Michael Jordan
SOGO Level 2 (Ages 10 - 16) – Serious About Running and Route Finding
Level two kids move past the playfulness of Level 1 to more navigation and independence. Kids are often found running with a map to find checkpoints throughout the park, they go farther from the meeting area and challenge each other to run while thinking about the best route. Kids in Level two have a desire to improve their running and route finding abilities.
Once kids are 10 and have done a season or two of SOGO Level 1 they can consider Level 2. We also welcome new kids to Level 2, often they run with a coach or a teammate to learn about navigation.
Athletes will be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run and a regional navigation event!
Participants may take part in SOGO Level Two until they're ready for a deeper personal challenge and move to Level Three where they would train multiple times a week.
Once kids are 10 and have done a season or two of SOGO Level 1 they can consider Level 2. We also welcome new kids to Level 2, often they run with a coach or a teammate to learn about navigation.
Athletes will be encouraged to attend a coach-supported local fun run and a regional navigation event!
Participants may take part in SOGO Level Two until they're ready for a deeper personal challenge and move to Level Three where they would train multiple times a week.
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
– John F. Kennedy
SOGO Navigator (formerly Level 3)
SOGO Navigators is our orienteering program for teenagers aged 12-17.
We have two streams in our SOGO Navigators program:
Hawks: designed for teens 12-17 who are new to orienteering
Eagles: designed for teens 12-17 who have previous experience orienteering / adventure running
Athletes meet once per week to build and hone their navigation abilities, technical terrain running skills, physical fitness, and have fun socializing with other teens. We train on different maps (both urban and forested) within the city.
SOGO Navigator coaches have a great deal of orienteering experience and include experienced veteran and national level elite orienteers.
SOGO Navigators will be meeting once per week on Wednesday evenings in conjunction with Foothills Orienteering Club's Wednesday evening events, where SOGO coaches will work closely with SOGO Navigators as they participate in the event.
Athletes who are particularly driven may also start to take on a leadership role at SOGO, developing new skills in organization, collaboration and leadership.
We have two streams in our SOGO Navigators program:
Hawks: designed for teens 12-17 who are new to orienteering
Eagles: designed for teens 12-17 who have previous experience orienteering / adventure running
Athletes meet once per week to build and hone their navigation abilities, technical terrain running skills, physical fitness, and have fun socializing with other teens. We train on different maps (both urban and forested) within the city.
SOGO Navigator coaches have a great deal of orienteering experience and include experienced veteran and national level elite orienteers.
SOGO Navigators will be meeting once per week on Wednesday evenings in conjunction with Foothills Orienteering Club's Wednesday evening events, where SOGO coaches will work closely with SOGO Navigators as they participate in the event.
Athletes who are particularly driven may also start to take on a leadership role at SOGO, developing new skills in organization, collaboration and leadership.
The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.
– Morihei Ueshiba
SOGO Access (Ages 2 - 18) - Every Kid Can Get Outside
This program enables children with challenged abilities - behavioural, mental and/or physical - to access the outdoors and be a part of SOGO.
SOGO Access has two programs:
SOGO Access has two programs:
- Small group night - through specialized programming, every child will gain new skills and the confidence to explore the outdoors in an adventure-based environment. SOGO Access Adventure is not a “one-size-fits-all program”; every child will follow the same basic activities each week, modified to suit each individual’s abilities. Goals will depend on ability, and will be defined after a conversation between the head coach, parents and kids. SOGO Access Adventure is a parented/caregiver supported experience, meaning your child will be accompanied as they participate in a range of games and activities. Kids can participate in SOGO Access for one season then move when comfortable to Level 1, 2 or 3 or remain in SOGO Access.
- Integrated Program - during every hour of SOGO we welcome all kids to get outside and play. Our SOGO Access program coordinator will help both our group and station coaches work with kids with challenged abilities.
