School's Back In Session - Are Your Kids Learning Disc Golf?

Many students across the United States are in a school system that incorporates physical education into their curriculum, and that usually takes the form of basketball, running, or for younger kids, some form of dodge ball. While it’s wonderful to get kids active and engaged in the habit of exercise, just how many of our youth are being exposed to disc golf?

Unless a child’s parent happens to be obsessed with the sport, there’s a good chance that many will not even hear about disc golf until their later teen years or even well into adulthood. Driving by a local course to see oddly shaped metal contraptions doesn’t exactly lead to massive amounts of excitement, so how can we, as adult players, encourage more kids to play?

Living Life On The EDGE

Founded by a group of diverse individuals with backgrounds ranging from professional disc golf affiliation to educators, recreational therapists and more, the Educational Disc Golf Experience (EDGE) aims to promote an active lifestyle through disc golf to kids around the nation. Packages of equipment along with an easy to follow curriculum are available at multiple price points, making it easy for schools to integrate disc golf into their classrooms.

EDGE functions as a non-profit and along with promoting disc golf within schools, their team works to install courses around the world. They also have a Tournament Charity Program that has awarded over $100,000 in grants to schools and youth programs across the United States.

Do UPlayDG?

EDGE isn’t the only group working to infuse schools with the disc golf spirit, as Dynamic Discs’ very own team members Zoe AnDyke and Dustin Keegan have also created a non-profit that works to teach kids fundamentals of the game. Universal Play Disc Golf, or UPlayDG, has reached students in over a dozen schools and provides a comprehensive overview of disc golf skills and techniques.

A long-time coach and teacher, Zoe was recently honored with the 2018 EDGE/PDGA Educational Award. She’s put her blood, sweat, and tears into building UPlay DG into an incredible organization and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. During her acceptance speech, Zoe noted that the impact she’s been able to make through UPlayDG wouldn’t have been possible if not for Dustin and her amazing team of supporters.

Taking The First Step

Whether you have school-aged kids or not, the desire to expose the next generation to disc golf is real. If you’re not sure how to approach your local school or even if you want to set up some sort of after school club or clinic, consider reaching out to those who have already paved the way. The team at EDGE as well as those at UPlayDG can offer tips and guidance along with the tools you need to succeed.

Disc golf fans always say that it’s never too late to pick up the sport, and in the same way, it’s also never too early. From kindergarten all the way to the final year of high school, incorporating disc golf into a physical education curriculum can bring nothing but benefits!