FAQs - Active Parents Active Kids

In 2022-23, Active Parents Active Kids free events will take place in school term time, starting March 2022. Partner events take place all year round.

What sports do you offer?

We try to offer a new sport every week, in the hope that you will enjoy the variety, and perhaps you will find something you like to do as a family outside our sessions. All the coaches we work with offer local courses and would love to welcome you at one of their regular events. Many offer discounts to Active Parents Active Kids members. We add new events all the time. To find out what events are coming up, please see our events page. To be first to receive the latest news, sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Are the events only for parents?

Not at all! Active Parents Active Kids is for anyone looking after a child – parents, grandparents, adult sisters and brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, foster families, babysitters, childminders and educators. You can also come in a group. Our only requirement is that each ‘family’ group must contain at least one child (15 or under) and one parent (any age) or adult (16 and over).

Do I have to come with a child?

Yes! Our activities are designed for adults and children together, because there are not many free options for family groups. If you are an adult who wants to try free sports, please see the activities offered by Urban Training.

I just want to come with my child and watch, is that ok?

Sorry but our dream is to offer opportunities for parents and kids to be active together, because of the health and bonding benefits for the whole family. If you don’t take part, your child will feel left out as all the other parents will be doing the sport. Please come and join in as best you can – you don’t have to be fit or have any special skills to have fun as a family.

Will I have to pay anything?

All our regular events are free. The events at partner locations are available only to members, at a low one-off annual fee to enable us to keep running. This works out at a maximum of CHF 8 per month, per person in your family. This fee enables you to book places at our location-specific partner sessions, and you can take advantage of potential savings of more than CHF 500 a year on parent-child sports courses. If you are on a reduced income, or if your family has been referred to Active Parents Active Kids by a doctor or health professional, you don’t have to pay. You can also obtain free membership if a member of your family commits to volunteering at a minimum of five sessions a year. It doesn’t have to be the same person who volunteers every time. Our partner events will begin from 1 January, 2021. If you sign up in 2020, you can take advantage of any discounts offered by partners straight away, and your membership will last until 31 December, 2021.

What age should the children be?

We welcome children of any age. The events are most suitable for children aged 4 and over. However little brothers and sisters are welcome to tag along. If you only have children age 3 and under, we recommend the free activities organised by our friends at Gym Poussette.

What should we wear / bring?

Please wear light sports clothing and trainers for indoor sessions and bring a bottle of water for each member of your family (ideally labelled with a name) and some hand disinfectant. For outdoor sessions, depending on the season, you might need sun cream, a hat and / or a rain coat. For location-specific events, all specialist sports equipment will be provided.

My child has special needs / is disabled, can she / he come?

Of course! Please contact us to let us know you are coming, and any specific requirements.

I am disabled, is the venue accessible?

All of the venues for our free events are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us so we can recommend parking or access. For partner events, please check with the person listed as the event contact.

I don’t play sport / can’t run – will I be able to keep up?

Our coaches are trained to host sessions that are suitable for everyone. They know there will be a mix of different ages and abilities, and they will offer beginner and intermediate options for all activities. Don’t worry if you are not active or you haven’t done sport for a while – you will be made to feel very welcome. You do not need experience or knowledge of any sport to join in, just come and have fun.

My child is shy / doesn’t like sport. Will he / she fit in?

Yes! Our events are for everyone, whatever their previous experience of sports. You will be welcomed by a volunteer when you arrive, who will help your child to feel comfortable. Active Parents Active Kids is a chance to start a new relationship with sports and physical activity, playing for fun and not for competition.

Can I take photos and videos at the event?

Before the session starts, the coach will ask anyone who does not want to be featured in photos and videos to raise their hand. If anyone objects, cameras will be banned for the whole session. If not, please feel free to take photos – we’d love to see them. Send them to us or share them on social media, tagging @makeactivekidsvaud and with the hashtag #activeparentsactivekids

Will I be photographed?

Sometimes we take photos and videos for our social media accounts and website. If you would prefer not to be featured, please tell the lead coach privately when you arrive, or raise your hand when he / she asks if anyone would prefer not to be photographed.

What language will the coach speak?

All our coaches speak French, and the session will be delivered in French. Some coaches and volunteers speak other languages too. It is perfectly possible to follow all our sessions without understanding any of the words, and simply by copying the movements of the coach and the other families. Sport is a global language!

Where does the money go?

All the money we receive goes on organising and hosting the sessions. We do not make any profit on the activities, and many of our sports partners donate their time for free because they believe in our vision that all children and parents should have free and accessible opportunities to be active together. Active Parents Active Kids was founded by volunteer parents. We are looking for sponsors, please contact us if you have any suggestions!

What if my child doesn’t like the activity?

All our sessions are trial sessions – a chance to try something new. Please come with no expectations and see how things go, your child might surprise you! If he or she does not want to take part, don’t force the issue. You can always come back the following week when we will be doing something different.

How do I book a member event?

A full list of member events and discounts can be found in our section for families, with details of how to book.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like it?

We give people the chance to try our activities at the free sessions, so unfortunately we cannot give refunds unless you move away from Vaud, or you have another major life event. If someone in your family is sick or injured, you can suspend your membership for up to 12 months (medical certificate required).

I booked a place at a member event and now I can’t come. What should we do?

Please understand that we and our partners put a lot of work into member events, and there is a high demand for places. If you know you will not be able to attend, please tell us as soon as possible so we can give the places to another family. We need at least 48 hours’ notice to do this. If you cancel within 48 hours of the event, you may be required to pay for the lost place. In the case of illness, please provide us with a medical certificate from your doctor.

For partners and sponsors

How do I become one of your sports coaches?

If you are a fully qualified, independent sports coach, with experience of teaching adults and children, you speak fluent French, you have a Swiss passport or a valid work permit and you live in the Vaud area, please read our section for sports coaches. If you are a student or interested in training to be a sports coach, you are invited to volunteer with us, get some events experience and learn from our lead coaches. All our coaches and volunteers have to undergo a criminal records check.

I have my own sports business and I run / I am interested in running a parent-child event or course. How can I work with you?

We are happy to promote all existing opportunities for parents and children to be active in Lausanne and Vaud in our Facebook group. Please join the group, and you can promote your events to our members (maximum one post a week). We can also promote you via our website, Facebook, and Instagram, if you join us as a sports partner. Please see our page for sports partners for details.

I like what you do and I want to support Active Parents Active Kids. How can I do so?

Wonderful, thanks! There are many ways you can choose from to help families to be active together:

Suggest to a friend to come to one of our events.
Share one of our posts on Facebook or Instagram.
Take a picture of your family at one of our events (please see our photo policy) then share it on social media, tagging @makeactivekidsvaud and with the hashtag #activeparentsactivekids
Ask us for some flyers or posters to share at your school, nursery, community group or with your friends. If you tell us how many you require, we will put them into a plastic folder and quarantine them for 72 hours before sending them to you.
Join us as a volunteer.
Suggest a potential sponsor, sports partner or sports coach.
Lend us some sports equipment.
Donate your second hand sports clothing and equipment for us to give to families who cannot afford to buy new.
Make a financial donation so we can run more events for parents and children in Vaud.
To find out more, please email us.

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