Investing in youth for a healthier tomorrow

On a sunny Saturday in June, over 400 students crossed the finish line during Active Youth Wisconsin’s fourth annual Madison Bike + Run event at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The race, with varying-length courses, is intended for those ages 3-14 and is one of three multisport events known as their Tri 4 Schools series. This year, the event raised over $12,000 for participating schools. 

Active Youth Wisconsin creates accessible opportunities for kids to get active and be mindful about their wellness in and out of the classroom. Through events like the Madison Bike + Run, after-school and summer programs, and school grants, they encourage movement, promote teamwork, and foster strong communities.  

With an inclusive environment, they work to establish students’ self-confidence, create positive peer interactions, and build a strong work ethic. Since 2011, they have donated over $450,000 to schools and impacted 22,000 kids. 

In 2024, Active Youth Wisconsin invested over $34,000 to remove barriers to student participation. The funding paved the way for 540 kids to join Training Teams, an 8-10-week program that coaches students in swimming, biking, and running. The young athletes learn goal setting, perseverance, and emotional regulation, and build meaningful connections with each other and their community. 

Through sponsorship, Exact Sciences supports Training Teams as well as Minds in Motion, their 6-week program coaching kids to run a 5K race. Exact Sciences Athletes also engage with youth participants throughout the year.  

“There are a lot of different after-school activities available, but not everything is always accessible to everyone,” Exact Sciences Athlete Sophia Gruenling said while leading an after-school workshop. “Programs like Tri 4 Schools allow students to compete and learn as a team and gain physical and mental skills that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to.” 

Exact Sciences is proud to support Active Youth Wisconsin and their work to help all kids develop the tools to lead healthy, active, and thriving lives.