The Dickinson Area Community Foundation recently awarded a $500 Community Impact Grant to Niagara Elementary School for Badger Run Club. At the check presentation, from left, in front are Owen Towns, Adalynn Goldschmidt, Reese Learned, Adaleena Christesen and Gavin Paquette; middle row, Walker Leet, Tanner Gagne, Camryn Vanlaarhoven, Addison Pahl, Jeffrey Nickels, Jackson Kollman, Adyson Clary and Mason VanHulla; top row, Daniel Krznarich, Tamara Juul of DACF, Clayton DeForge, Ben Suazo, Jaxson Rugg and Kayce Vanlaarhoven.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Dickinson Area Community Foundation recently awarded a $500 Community Impact Grant to Niagara Elementary School for Badger Run Club, their elementary running program.

This was made possible with a match funded by the Pasahow Family Fund.

This club provides an opportunity for third, fourth, and fifth graders at Niagara Elementary School, encourages a healthy lifestyle and teaches many skills. The effort began last spring with third and fourth grade, and was extended to fifth grade this past fall. They practice Tuesdays and Thursdays during afternoon recess so all students that want to, can participate without having to worry about an afterschool practice time. 

The goal with Badger Run Club is to give all students an opportunity to be a part of a team and develop important character traits such as perseverance and teamwork in a fun way. 

Practices consist of warming up, doing a training run, playing a running game, and cooling down. They have participated as a club in many local community events, including the Norway Spring Classic, Community Strong Color Run, Run Iron Mountain, Leif’s Run, and the Turkey Trot. These events are optional for the runners, but they have had great turnout from not just the students but also their families.

They also do a 1-mile race at school at the end of each season called “The Running of the Badgers.” During their fall 2025 season, they had 60 runners and projections for the spring 2026 season are about 74 runners.

For more information on the Dickinson Area Community Foundation and available grant funding, contact Tamara Juul at 906-774-3131, or go to their website at www.dickinsonareacf.org.