Rotakids

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. 

It also brings an exciting and practical approach to supporting the citizenship element of the national curriculum. 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. Both RotaKids and Interact support the #iwill movement to create genuine opportunities for young people to generate social change.  

What do RotaKids clubs do? 

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 etc 
• Supporting the environment by setting a nature project in the school playground or local community 
• Collecting books for children in countries around the world 
• Carrying out Litterpicks around the school

The Class teacher/Youth leader, would discuss ideas with their pupils in Citizenship lessons, which prompt suggestions and ideas from the children. Then Rotarians make regular visits to support the project. The aim has always been for the youngsters to have fun while they were carrying out a community activity.

The decisions made always involve the RotaKids.  Such as the date, time, place, cost for admission at events, etc.  Then jobs are divided up between the class, with two or three being responsible for producing tickets, another group doing the posters etc. It may be possible to do many of these things in lesson times, such as Art and Design lessons. There can be a high educational value to forming a RotaKids group.

The benefits of running RotaKids

• RotaKids enlivens the curriculum for young people
• They learn about Citizenship, fairness, respect and teamwork.
• They use practical maths such as for counting money. 
• Making the posters and programmes brings a purpose to their lessons in English and IT,
• The production of the event may use their Drama and Technology skills.

The RotaKids Pledge

As a RotaKid, I promise

• To be fair to all
• To serve my community
• To show respect for others

How to get involved

There are over 200 RotaKids clubs across Great Britain and Ireland, all making a difference to the lives of children in their communities.

To set up a RotaKids club in your school, youth group or community centre, please contact the District 1260 Rotakids coordinator below.